Dance Generations

A Dance A Day

Photo: Dunja Wood

This is a project for the over 50’s living in Dorset that aims to tackle health inequalities and to highlight the ability and creativity of older people in the context of the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games. The project will use dance to provide strategies for self motivated exercise and creativity, culminating in performances at the London 2012 Cultural Olympiad celebrations in Weymouth.

In weekly sessions, participants and the dance artist will create dance-based exercises that can be undertaken in daily routine- e.g. a stretching exercise whilst watching TV. Each class will also have choreographic tasks to stimulate participants’ creativity in a supportive atmosphere. This will lead to the creation of performances for Weymouth 2012.  The project is seeking the Inspire Mark.

One session of each term will be open. Group ambassadors will invite others along to learn some of the dance-based exercises. Some of these open sessions may take place in day care centres or residential homes to enable the work to reach older participants.

The project aims to develop the skills of the participants to enable them to take on the management of the group after 2012.

Research will run alongside the project into the benefits of dance for maintaining and increasing health and well-being, to ensure continuing best practice and a contribution to the development of care strategies for older people.

What we hope to achieve 

 - An increase in physical activity among the over 50s community of Dorset- not only weekly physical activity levels but also daily activity levels, leading to longer term health benefits, independence and confidence.

- A sustaining of mental wellbeing and stimulation- physical exercise with an element of creativity can provide longer lasting benefits through mental stimulation. Creating and learning choreography can be mentally challenging, thereby stimulating and maintaining brain function. Being involved in mutual artistic endeavour can also encourage a feeling of well-being, lifting the spirits.

- The chance to highlight the creativity and knowledge of older people in our community through performances at the London 2012 Cultural Olympiad celebrations in Weymouth 2012.

- An increase in volunteering and community engagement in Dorset. By supporting participants to become advocates for wellbeing, and to take on responsibility for the group after the project, the project hopes to increase a sense of belonging to a community.

Rosalind Conlon, Activate Performing Arts, Dorset

rosalind@activateperformingarts.org.uk

Click here to Download the Dance Generations brochure