We were delighted to have received £500 of funding from Local Giving’s Magic Little Grants Fund, which is supported by players of the Postcode Lottery. The grant was to help us continue our partner dancing classes for people affected by Parkinson’s and other long term conditions for local people in Newbold, Chesterfield.
The funding enabled two extra months of delivering our specialised dance programme and created some great impact. Dance requires balancing through one leg at a time as well as numerous changes of direction. So for participants with conditions like Parkinsons, using the support of a partner in our partner dance class, has enabled them to work on their balance for a prolonged period of time resulting in improvements in their balance and mobility. The use of music has not only helped blocked some pain pathways and provided a distraction but enabled a smoother movement, enabling those participants with stiffness due to their condition to be able to move more freely. They have also found friendships and support in the group environment, allowing connection to other people going through similar difficulties and symptoms to themselves. This funding has also resulted in the growth of the group, with the number of participants attending the sessions, more than doubling since the start of the funding.
One of our participants, Cathy said, ”Having Parkinson’s can make my body freeze and I feel like I have concrete boots on, but since attending the Dancing for Health classes I haven’t froze and I haven’t had a fall.My GP has said he has noticed a vast difference and improvement in my movements and my joints aren’t as stiff. I’m a shy person and struggle in group situations, but I have found this group has made me feel welcomed and comfortable. I look forward to going and it has made me go out and be a bit more social. I appreciate the moves being tailored to suit my tremors and it helps me to not worry about doing it.”