Barnsley care home dance class tapping into memories

BBC News

4 days ago

A seated tap dance class introduced at a care home has helped to improve wellbeing for residents, staff said. Deangate Care Home in Barnsley has been holding monthly sessions from 21-year-old dance teacher Alicia Bembridge, with the class inspired by an ex-professional performer and current resident. The sessions, supported by the Donna Pressley Dance Academy and Grassroots Sports Academy Yorkshire, focus on simplified footwork and arm movements.Ms Bembridge said: "The elderly quite often get pushed aside, so it's great that they're getting the opportunity to learn something new - because it's not too late.
"I look forward to this session every single time it happens, it gives me a lot of happiness."Rachael Addy, Deangate events coordinator, said staff introduced tap dancing to the care home after being joined by 79-year-old resident Margaret Cooper.Ms Cooper, who has early-onset dementia, was a professional dancer who started performing with Sunderland's Rosslyn Babes from the age of 10.
"She would come to us and she was a little bit down - I think she was missing home," Ms Addy said."At that point it's a case of grabbing on to something that they enjoy or something that makes them happy."She continued: "It is quite difficult to tap in and get full engagement, but as long as we've got a little bit of a flicker and she's enjoying it, that's all that matters to us."Ms Cooper said she had "always loved dancing"."I used to be in pantomimes and I used to do acrobatics," she said. "I'm still pretty supple for my age - I can still touch my toes."
Ms Cooper had become "much more sociable and a lot happier when she gets up in the morning" since dancing again, Ms Addy said.They dance to music by artists including Queen and Elvis, the care home said, with the songs said to be key to unlocking memories. "It's important to grab the right era and work around what it triggers," Ms Addy said."If we can give them the best possible life and everyone can see how amazing they are, it leaves both them and their families with the best memories."
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