Over the last year your donations have brought so much joy to older adults in our community. This December we’re sharing with you the story of Andrea, who joined our Dance On project shortly after her husband passed away.

“My husband passed away June year before last and I’d only recently moved down to Shipley.”

It was then that Andrea’s friend Lynn recommended she go along to a weekly Dance On class for over 55s.

“I went along to one of the sessions and that was it. I was hooked. It was just a great place to actually enjoy yourself.

It doesn’t matter how good or bad you are. Everybody just made you feel so welcome. You can have a laugh and laugh at yourselves. A safe space really to actually enjoy dancing and not feel self conscious about what you’re doing.”

Andrea quickly got involved in different Dance On events, including performing in Boogie Wonderland at Leeds Playhouse earlier this year.

“I thoroughly enjoyed the Boogie Wonderland. It was just amazing and it did wonders for my confidence. Because up until that point, performing in front of the group… fine, but performing outside… very nervous. From that day, I just thought, ‘No, come on, you’ve got this, you can do it.’ So it really did boost my confidence.

It’s given me the confidence to actually try other things and get my fitness levels up as well. So it’s been very very beneficial all ways round.

It’s just giving me a new lease of life and new friends and a lovely social environment, which really, really helps me both physically and, and mentally as well.

It’s like escapism for an hour, you know, particularly on difficult days. I would never not go because I know that it’s going to just cheer me up, make me smile and give me something else to think about, even if it’s just for an hour or so. It’s very, very good therapy.” 

Shared experiences and having fun are needed more than ever at the moment. That’s why we’re asking you to help us raise £1,000 to bring the hundreds of older adults, like Andrea, who attend our Dance On classes together in 2024 for 3 social and performance events.

Donate now