We are marking World Parkinson’s Day, Wednesday 11 April, with a range of dance activities.

Dance can help people living with Parkinson’s to develop confidence and strength, and provide the opportunity for creativity and self-expression, whilst temporarily relieving some participants of symptoms in everyday life.

Yorkshire Dance is helping to train a workforce of dance artists in Leeds and around Yorkshire, dramatically increasing the opportunity for people living with Parkinson’s to take part in professionally-led dance sessions.

In partnership with Dance for Parkinson’s Partnership UK and People Dancing, we’re offering a two-day workshop on Saturday 14 and Sunday 15 April. An Introduction to Dance for Parkinson’s is designed for professional dance artists, and will provide participants with an insight into how to structure dance classes for people living with Parkinson’s, as well as focusing on the artistic imperative behind a Parkinson’s dance programme.

A group of people living with Parkinson’s will also take part in a two-hour section of the training on the Saturday afternoon. Anyone with Parkinson’s is welcome to join the session at Yorkshire Dance’s home on Quarry Hill in central Leeds, and can book a place by calling Adie Nivison on 0113 243 9867.

Four taster sessions for people living with Parkinson’s and their carers have already been delivered in Woodlesford, Moor Allerton, Otley and Middleton led by a local artist, Rachel Wesson, trained in delivering dance for Parkinson’s. Afterwards, a 12-week pilot programme, funded by Leeds Let’s Get Active, will take place at Middleton Community Centre to offer further training for some of the workshop participants, and to benefit a larger cohort of people living with Parkinson’s.

Sam Coupland, Development Officer at Active Leeds, says, “Leeds Let’s Get Active aims to provide more opportunities for inactive people to become Active. Dance for Parkinson’s is a great example of how working in partnership with key organisations such as Yorkshire Dance and Parkinson’s UK, we can help overcome barriers that stop people from getting Active.

“Our aim is for Leeds to be the most Active big city in the UK. Projects such as Dance for Parkinson’s go a long way to ensure that we reach people that other programmes don’t.”

Adie Nivison, Project Manager for Yorkshire Dance, says, “We are very excited to work with Leeds Let’s Get Active to deliver this programme. The creative, expressive and imaginative elements of dance make these sessions very different from other forms of exercise. Dance connects body and mind and helps to develop grace and flexibility.”