International Dance Day is a global celebration of dance, celebrated on 29th April each year. Arts for Health and Wellbeing and Cardiff & Vale Health Charity is delighted to support a number of initiatives that help to keep people active through dance and movement.
Dance and movement is so important to everyone, young and old. There are a many benefits to dance :
- Dance is inclusive and one of the principles of community dance is that anyone and everyone can take part
- Dance can be tailored to match the physical capabilities of a person and dance can also reflect the cultural diversity of the population
- Dance is a social activity and, as such, can benefit both the physical health of people and promote a sense of well-being and social inclusion
“The opportunity to express oneself through the medium of dance holds benefit for both emotional and physical well-being. Involvement in dance facilitates a growth of confidence, is a forum for the expression of positive emotion and safe reminiscence, and helps participants increase physical activity levels and improve their physical health-related knowledge.” Joynson, Hui and Stickley, 2009
Rubicon Dance
Rubicon works with the Arts for Health and Wellbeing team, funded by Cardiff & Vale Health Charity to deliver dance sessions for adults across a range of hospital settings. This work received a prestigious Arts and Business Cymru Award in the recent awards ceremony.
Their sessions include:
Dance at the Stroke Rehabilitation Centre – University Hospital Llandough
Rubicon run a weekly class within the Stroke Unit which is open to anyone recovering from a stroke. Participants can make their own music suggestions and there is a gentle seated movement class which helps support physiotherapy sessions that patients have on their ward. The class is normally held in the day room, which allows patients to come out of their room and socialise with people they might not otherwise meet.
Dance for patients living with dementia, anxiety, depression and suicidal thoughts – Mental Health Services For Older People (MHSOP) Community Services at University Hospital Llandough
Rubicon run a weekly dance session on Daffodil Ward, MHSOP for participants aged 60+ who have chronic depression. The sessions take place over a six-week period in the day room, which gives patients opportunity to join in if they wish. Music is suggested by the participants, who have the option to complete the session seated or standing. Each session is highly interactive to encourage discussion and collaboration within the group.
The sessions provide a positive distraction for patients by relieving boredom, uplifting mood, and reducing social isolation. Visiting family members are also welcomed to join the session, giving both the patient and their family an opportunity to spend time together in an alternative way.
Dance for patients on wards at St. David’s Hospital – Mental Health Matters Team, St David’s Hospital
Rubicon run sessions at St David’s Hospital. The sessions provide a positive distraction for patients by relieving boredom, creating reminiscence, uplifting mood, and reducing social isolation. Visiting family members are also welcomed to join the session, giving both the patient and their family an opportunity to spend time together in an alternative way.
Elderfit
Cardiff & Vale Health Charity has been working with Elderfit to fund exercise DVDs so that older people could stay healthy and active at home during the pandemic.
Elderfit is a Community Interest Company which specialises in exercise for the older person. Their aim is to reduce falls through strength and balance exercises, as well as offering a socially stimulating environment. The programme has been designed in conjunction with Cardiff and Vale University Health Board and Public Health Wales.
Due to the pandemic, community sessions were temporarily cancelled so Elderfit approached Cardiff & Vale Health Charity to see if they could help.
Cardiff & Vale Health Charity funded 1,000 DVDs for distribution throughout Cardiff and the Vale of Glamorgan to help keep people active.
Elderfit sessions are fun, educational and increasingly challenging- but most importantly they are engaging. All ranges of ages and abilities are covered, ensuring that everyone’s skill levels are catered to.
Get involved in International Dance Day
Dance for Parkinson’s classes in association with English National Ballet
The National Dance Company Wales has a FREE Dance for Parkinson’s Class for people living in South and North Wales.
Dance for Parkinson’s classes are fun and informal. Dance has been proven to develop confidence and strength, whilst temporarily relieving some participants of symptoms in everyday life. Classes are creative and promote feelings of freedom from the physical and social constraints of having Parkinson’s.
The group are an Affiliated hub of English National Ballet’s Dance for Parkinson’s programme.
- Zoom class for those living in the South will begin again on the 22nd April
- Zoom class for those living in the North will begin again on the 11th of May
The class takes place on Zoom and the first session is free of charge then attendance is £3.50 per person. The class takes place on a Thursday afternoon from 1:15pm-2:30pm
To attend please email Guy O’Donnell, Learning and Participation Producer, NDCWales at guy@ndcwales.co.uk
Motion Control Dance, based in Barry has a number of FREE “Come Alive” classes to celebrate International Dance Day during the week starting Monday 26 April:
- Tuesday 27 at 4:30pm at the Knap Gardens, Barry to learn set choreography
- Wednesday 28 at 11:00am at Milburn Park, Rhoose for Tai Chi Qigong Shibashi
- Wednesday 28 at 4:30pm at Butts Field, Barry for Street Dance
- Thursday 29 at 5:30pm at Pencoedtre Park, Barry for Creative Dance
There are few surprises too at the Motion Control Dance sessions, they’re debuting an original song, “Come Alive”, that was created specifically for International Dance Day, by award winning and Emmy nominated duo, Rockwell & Litvin whose work has been featured on Disney, Netflix, and Marvel films.
The team will be teaching brand new, original choreography to “Come Alive”, which was created by none other than Lady Gaga’s choreographer himself, Richy Jackson!
Book your slot on their website.
To find out more about the Arts for Health and Wellbeing programme please visit: www.cardiffandvale.art
To find out more about Cardiff & Vale Health Charity please visit: www.healthcharity.wales