Dancing Together is a project offering weekly creative sessions for older adults living with dementia in the community and their carers.

Each session is co-delivered by a dance artist and a musician. Dancing Together supports people with dementia to remain active and movement and music offer a range of cognitive and emotional benefits for participants. Sessions take place at dementia cafes and offer a vital opportunity for carers to socialise and enjoy a shared activity with their loved one. Each session is followed by tea and conversation. 

“It’s uplifting and energising. It gets you out of yourself and makes you feel joyful. Caring for someone living with dementia can be very isolating but by coming to this group it makes you feel connected to others”.  – Kirin

“I used to dance a lot when I was young, mostly traditional folk dance. I was a little apprehensive at first, not knowing what to expect, but dancing makes me feel energised and uplifted.” – Hardeep, age 92 

The first pilot project took place in early 2025 in partnership with two dementia support groups, OPAL memory support & Touchstone and Hamari Yaadin Dementia Café. Further sessions are planned later in the year. 

Dancing Together is funded by Creative Healthy Ageing, a grant fund from Leeds Public Health & Leeds Older Peoples Forum.