Moving Together

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‘Moving Together’ exists to improve the Health and Well-Being of older people through the delivery of regular movement and dance sessions.  

The second phase happened throughout 2011, and engaged over 100 older people with 84 being aged 70 and above. 80 sessions were delivered and the sessions focused on gentle exercise, falls prevention, postural stability, mobility, the engagement of body and mind, social dances, interaction, enjoyment, structure and improved memory. It was appreciatively funded by Staffordshire County Council’s Community & Well being Fund.

Throughout the year we successfully fulfilled our aims by:

1. Increasing social interaction and reducing isolation

2. Improving mobility, preventing falls, and associated health benefits of physical exercise

3. Creating opportunities to engage both body and mind

Creative activities and benefits included:

• Remembering movements from previous weeks
• Work with balloons and beanbags (catching, throwing, speed and accuracy)
• Contributing with their own ideas/movements (self worth & achievement)
• Exercises that improved fitness suppleness and strength
• Meeting new people (companionship, social, confidence, acceptance of new people and new activities)
• Trying new things and doing things they have never done before or working out new ways of doing things they thought they couldn’t do
• Increased skills, focus & memory, especially when doing less familiar movement

Themed monthly sessions were chosen by the participants, for example ‘The Royal Wedding’. Content, along with creating their own movements to include in ‘our dances’ and for others to copy as they lead, were consistently present in the weekly workshops.

The social aspects of the sessions continued to be important and recognised. Participants made new friends and regular comments were made highlighting increased wellbeing. Participants say that they enjoy it, benefit from it and feel fitter.

‘Moving Together’ is a partnership with Day Opportunities & Rural Care in Stafford, Stone, Eccleshall & Meir Heath. FRONTLINEdance would like to take this opportunity to thank all staff and participants that took part

“I enjoy the dancing, exercise, the company of others, the music and the good food on themed days - party feeling. It’s a good laugh and I feel better. It has been very worthwhile and we need to keep doing things like this.”