Dancing for people who have dementia
A GROUP of 25 took part in the first Saint Joseph’s Shankill dance class especially devised for people living with dementia and funded by the HSE Lottery Fund.
Under the expert guidance of professional choreographer Robert Connor from Dance Theatre Ireland, the dancers shared the musical and dance experience together supported by eight eager volunteers and there wasn’t a leotard or a pair of leg warmers in sight!
Classes will be held every week at Saint Joseph’s and this initiative is a year-long pilot programme to explore the benefits that dance and music appreciation make to the lives of people living with dementia.
Siobhan Grant from Saint Joseph’s said: ‘Physical activity of any kind for people living with dementia is beneficial to their health and wellbeing and by creating a ‘safe and inclusive’ environment for people living with dementia to dance, we can help people ‘feel’ special, needed and loved. We are very grateful for the support from the HSE Lottery Fund that enables us to trial this year long project and of course we are thrilled that Robert Connor is on board to take the lead.’