Dance workshops bring music and movement to elderly patients at St Mary’s Hospital
Dance workshops bring music and movement to elderly patients at St Mary’s Hospital
24 October 2023
We’ve organised the regular sessions, which are run by Step Change Studios and take place each Monday on the Albert ward. The energising lunchtime sessions provide patients with a mood and activity boost during their stay in hospital.
Over the last three months, around a dozen patients have benefitted every week from the hour-long workshops.
One patient, Ellen*, said the session had helped her connect with her passion for dance, as well as having a positive therapeutic effect.
“The session livened up my mind and reminded me how much I love dancing and music,” she said. “Afterwards I cried - the music gave me an emotional release.”
“The session livened up my mind and reminded me how much I love dancing and music. Afterwards I cried - the music gave me an emotional release.”
Ellen*, a patient on the Albert ward
Another participant, Gwen*, said the session gave her an extra boost of energy and the opportunity to get active whilst in hospital.
“It’s great fun, invigorating and absolutely wonderful," she said. "For much of the week I’ve been sat here not moving much, so it was marvellous .”
In a recent survey, 90% of patients told us that taking part in the dance workshops had improved their emotional wellbeing.
The programme or workshops has been delivered by Step Change Studios, a dance company committed to making dance accessible to people of all ages and abilities, with funding provided by Westminster Council.
*Participants' names and have been changed.
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