Having over 15 years knowledge of teaching, Sophie is able to adapt her dance sessions to suit all ages and abilities and ensures that every participant has an enjoyable, fun experience at their own pace. Every Tuesday join in with her Dance On session to shake your hips Bollywood style, Jazz dance like Gene Kelly, disco point to 70s classics and get your body moving to a mixture of music from 1950s up to now! This class is accessible for anyone with mobility problems as it can be done seated or standing.

Wednesday Class with Izzy Brittain at 2.30pm:

Izzy’s varied sessions are based on a unique mixture of dance techniques, creative movement games and relaxing movement practices.  The focus is on finding a sense of ease, freedom and having fun. We learn new skills and movement patterns in a class designed to promote body awareness, holistic health and fitness. There is also space for silliness, experimentation and discovering your inner dance diva! The atmosphere is warm, welcoming and supportive, and the class is suitable for all – regardless of experience. It builds gently to a medium pace with seated options available.

Friday Class with Rachel Clarke at 10.30am:

Rachel’s classes are all about having fun, being silly, socialising and meeting new people. The classes are inspired by different styles of dance, such as street dance, pop, ballet, salsa, rock and roll. She also focuses on co-ordination and footwork to get the brain ticking away. This class has a wide range of music styles, there is something for everyone to enjoy. Singing along with Rachel is also very welcome! Rachel has a person-centred approach to teaching and tailors her classes as much as possible to the individual people she is teaching. Participants can follow the moves or simply choose to do their own thing. All participants have the choice to do the class standing or seated, you can do as much or as little as you like!

Dance On has been shortlisted for a Collective Power Award by Culture, Health & Wellbeing Alliance. The Award Ceremony is on the 23rd of April – find out more here! #CHWA2021Awards

More about Dance On, our partners and research:

Dance Development Artists with a specialism in working with older people will build links to communities and work with Health and Social Care partners to reach out and engage older people who may be socially isolated or inactive. The aim is to create a programme that is sustainable in the long term with participants contributing to cost and volunteer support.

Dance On is funded by Sport England and One Dance UK is working with regional partner Yorkshire Dance and local delivery partner darts (Doncaster Community Arts) to establish at least 30 new dance groups in disadvantaged areas over the next two years.

The University of Leeds will carry out detailed research on the programme to build on existing evidence, which shows that dancing can improve mobility, prevent falls and enhance mental wellbeing and brain function. The Dance On programme can potentially make cost savings for Health and Social Care, which will be investigated through a Health Economics study.

Please consider joining our regular supporters to help us get back on our feet following lockdown. You can make a one-off donation or join our regular supporters by clicking here.