Playful and gentle musical group activities for older people in Care Homes and in the community. Why Dance? I work on a freelance basis.
I am a freelance Music and Dance Facilitator working with older people in North Yorkshire. I have come to this from a background in care work, particularly caring for people with dementia, and an uninhibited love of improvised dance, song and percussion. My sessions are playful, person-centred and flow along with the aid of a diverse range of props and percussion. What I Do
I work with adults in
a variety of ways and settings. One day I may be using singing, percussion and dance at a Memory Cafe for the Alzheimers Society, the next I may be running a gentle Creative Movement and Dance class for adults in the community. My aim is to make sessions fun and failure-free and I have a real passion for connecting with others in a playful way through music. I place a lot of emphasis on encouraging creativity and social interaction whilst injecting as much love and laughter as I can. People who participate in dance can benefit from:
* Prevention / delaying of the onset of age-related diseases
* Stronger bones
* Improved balance and postural stability
* Improved muscle strength and power
* Mobilised joints
* Improved circulation
* Better co-ordination and flexibility
* Improved self-esteem and confidence
* Greater mental well-being - especially alleviating depression
* Greater relaxation
Why Music & Movement for people with Dementia? Our musical memories are some of the last to be retained and our sense of rhythm is innate. Music and song can provide a fun way to help people with this illness live more fulfilling lives; it encourages greater self expression and creativity, can enable more effective communication and is a way of tapping into memories, all of which increases a sense of well-being. We live our lives not just through our minds but our bodies too. Dance offers a rich opportunity to connect our mind, body and spirit and also to connect with others when verbal communication diminishes. Dance transcends movement as we become more aware of the quality of each gesture – it is empowering, expressive, improves physical fitness and is mind-altering. Movements from our past can also trigger memories as we tap into previous activities. Being in ‘the present’ can become more of a priority for us if our short-term memory has been affected and people with dementia-related illnesses can flourish given the right creative opportunities. Social dancing has also been shown to greatly stimulate our minds and if done regularly can play a big role in preventing dementia. Training and Experience
Professional Development is high on my agenda. I have just finished a unique eight month course, 'Leading Dance with Older People' through Freedom in Dance in Lincolnshire. The comprehensive OCN modules have helped me to develop my leadership style and expand my skills to work safely and effectively with older people. As part of this course I led a series of Creative Movement and Dance sessions in Scarborough for people over 50, which I continue to run. In October 2010 I trained with Dr. Richard Coaten, a dance psychotherapist and one of the country’s leading specialists in running music sessions with people who have dementia. Following this I began working in care homes and with community groups in North Yorkshire. In Liverpool, December 2010, I attended the first ever national conference on Dance and Dementia. I was inspired and uplifted by the people at the forefront of current practice and the latest research reinforced my belief in this work. During 2011 I have attended two national conferences which had 'arts and older people' as their focus. I have several years' experience of caring for older people and also of working in Community Arts. My charges start at £25 for a 1 hour session. Written evaluations can be included. I have an up-to-date CRB check, public liability insurance and am a professional member of The Foundation for Community Dance. To book a session or to chat about my work please use the email address or telephone number below.
