“It Brings Us All Together”: Participatory Dance Workshops
Improve Wellbeing For Older People In Norfolk
New creative activities to support the health of vulnerable older people in parts of Norfolk is paying dividends as research shows a marked increase in personal wellbeing as a result of taking part.
Since October, the ‘Our Day Out’ project (for residents of Breckland and North Norfolk, delivered by arts and community development charity Creative Arts East, has been working with Rambert, recognised world leaders in contemporary dance, to provide dance workshops for older people, particularly those living with dementia, and the sessions have been a huge success.
Funded by the Spirit of 2012 Trust, alongside contributions from Norfolk County, Breckland and North Norfolk Councils, ‘Our Day Out’ is a fantastic programme, engaging vulnerable older people through high quality participatory arts sessions, delivered by professional artists.
The latest sessions, taking place twice a month in Attleborough, Dereham, Watton, Thetford, Wells-next-the-sea and North Walsham, are a special collaboration with international dance company Rambert, where participants enjoy gentle music and movement workshops in a safe, inclusive and dementia-friendly environment.
Measuring the programme’s impact through a nationally-recognised wellbeing scale, Creative Arts East found that after participating in ‘Our Day Out’ 95% of people created new social connections, 93% shared positive experiences, 80% have engaged with the arts and 78% felt better about themselves. Overall 70% had shown an increase in their wellbeing as a result.
One participant said: “Sometimes I forget my words when I talk to people, but when I am here I don’t have to worry about that because everyone here is understanding – it’s a safe place to be.”
As well as the bi-monthly participatory sessions, participants have seen one of Rambert’s most acclaimed works, Ghost Dances, at Norwich Theatre Royal, and on 13th December will be taken to London for an exclusive tour of Rambert’s headquarters. They will have behind-the-scenes access to the award-winning building, including the costume department, rehearsal studios and archive rooms.
Sarah, one of the workshop facilitators said: “The ‘Our Day Out’ sessions are an opportunity for people to come together, move together, to socialise in a safe environment. The most important thing for me as a leader is that we feel safe enough to be as we are and accept everyone as they are. I think that the theme of Rambert’s Ghost Dances has offered a lot of scope for people to connect on some level, whether it’s enjoying the music, the types of movement or enjoying the exploration of some of those wider themes as well.”
Creative Arts East is delivering ‘Our Day Out’ until 2019. From January to March 2018 the groups will be taking part in singing sessions with Norfolk-based singing duo Mary and Kim. They will be encouraging participants to lend their voice to familiar songs from yesteryear, experience new styles, and even try their hand at song-writing. These sessions will culminate in a special ‘Big Sing’ concert, bringing all the groups together at Dereham Memorial Hall on 29th March.
‘Our Day Out’ welcomes all older people, no previous experience necessary, and Creative Arts East is keen to welcome new participants, particularly when the new sessions begin in January. If you, or someone you know would like to find out more about joining or volunteering for the project, then please get in touch with Lea Schiller at Creative Arts East on 01953 713390 or email [email protected] for more information.
Remaining 2017 ‘Our Day Out’ sessions:
Attleborough: Friday 8th Dec. 10am – 12pm, Friday 22nd Dec. 1.15pm – 3.15pm
St Mary’s Community Hall, Church Street NR17 2AH
Dereham: Friday 8th Dec. 2pm – 4pm, Friday 22nd Dec.10am – 12pm,
The Meeting Point, St Withburga Lane, NR19 1DF
North Walsham: Thurs. 30th Nov.1.30pm – 3.30pm, Thurs. 14th Dec. 1.30pm-3.30pm
Cameo Café, 73 Happisburgh Road, NR28 9HD
Thetford: Friday 1st Dec. 2pm-4pm, Friday 15th Dec. 2pm-4pm
Thetford Methodist Church, Tanner St, IP24 2BQ
Watton: Thurs. 7th Dec. 2pm-4pm, Thurs. 21st Dec. 2pm-4pm
Watton Christian Community Centre, 57 High Street, IP25 6AB
Wells-next-the-sea: Tues. 12th Dec. 1pm-3pm, Tues. 19th Dec. 1pm-3pm,
Wells Maltings at The Sackhouse, Jicklings Yard, Well-next-the-sea, NR23 1AU
London Trip to Rambert: Wednesday 13th December, 12pm-4pm
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Upcoming January 2018 ‘Our Day Out’ sessions:
Attleborough: Friday 12th Jan. 10am-12pm, Friday 26th Jan. 1.30pm-3.30pm
St Mary’s Community Hall, Church Street NR17 2AH
Dereham: Friday 12th Jan. 2pm-4pm, Friday 26th Jan. 10am-12pm
The Meeting Point, St Withburga Lane, NR19 1DF
North Walsham: Thurs. 11th Jan. 1.30pm-3.30pm, Thurs. 25th Jan. 1.30pm-3.30pm
Cameo Café, 73 Happisburgh Road, NR28 9HD
Thetford: Friday 5th Jan. 2pm-4pm, Friday 19th Jan. 2pm-4pm
Thetford Methodist Church, Tanner St, IP24 2BQ
Watton: Thurs. 4th Jan. 2pm-4pm, Thurs. 18th Jan. 2pm-4pm
Watton Christian Community Centre, 57 High Street, IP25 6AB
Wells-next-the-sea: Tues. 9th Jan. 1pm-3pm, Tues. 23rd Jan 1pm-3pm
Wells Maltings at The Sackhouse, Jicklings Yard, Well-next-the-sea, NR23 1AU
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The ‘Our Day Out’ programme has received funding from Spirit of 2012, Norfolk County Council, North Norfolk District Council and Breckland Council and will run until 2019. The project provides high quality and engaging opportunities for vulnerable older people. Every three months the sessions will be facilitated by a new set of professional artists and will focus on a different artistic or creative skill.
Spirit of 2012 – ‘Spirit of 2012 is an independent trust, established with a £47m endowment from the Big Lottery Fund. We fund projects that empower people to get out, be involved and feel better. We fund partners that provide opportunities in sports, physical activity, arts and culture, volunteering and social action. For more information please visit: www.spiritof2012trust.org.uk’
Creative Arts East is an arts and community development charity founded in 1994 with the focus of taking the arts into rural communities. Creative Arts East works throughout Norfolk, Suffolk & the wider Eastern region, running Creative Arts East Live! & Village Screen – rural touring schemes for live performance and cinema; and a variety of projects concerned with creative learning, health & wellbeing and volunteer development.
For further information go to:
Website: www.creativeartseast.co.uk
