Darren’s Lockdown Dance Story
Tue 8 June 2021
This past year has brought a unique set of challenges and introduced new ways for us to keep moving, keep dancing and stay connected. As part of our reflections on this past year, we have collected case studies from our participants about how the past year has been for them. We are delighted to share with you: Darren’s Lockdown Dance Story
Darren is a regular at our Leaps and Bounds class for adults with a learning disability. Initially reluctant to join in, Darren now really looks forward to his weekly dance class, and has been attending for six years.
In the first lockdown, Darren was left without his regular social activities. However, as Leaps and Bounds moved 0nline, Darren and the other participants were able to keep moving, keep dancing and stay connected. Our Project Manager, Sarah, hand delivered packs around Leeds, posting passports for a ‘Leaps and Bounds around the world’ session through people’s doors and delivering sequined ‘hand fish’ (not often spotted in the wild) to inspire fishy movements.
Darren attends every online session, enthusiastically dancing round his living room. His joy is infectious and he causes much amusement in the group. In one memorable session we played ‘All Shook Up’, and Darren promptly disappeared and returned on camera, still furiously dancing and sporting an Elvis mask.
While moving online was an adjustment, Darren’s Mother Margaret said:
“Darren’s confidence has grown so much. He was never a person that danced in tune and now he can get the rhythm. The sessions are even more important now while he’s at home”
We are so proud of Darren and all of the Leaps and Bounds participants for embracing this past year with enthusiasm and joy. To find out more about Leaps and Bounds, please see here.
Leaps and Bounds is delivered by artists Charlotte Jones, Sara Ribeiro, Mati Torres and Ellen Turner and is funded by Aspire Community Benefit Society.