FOLLOWING Covid restrictions, a Freshwater group are dancing back to better mental and physical wellbeing with the reopening of Independent Arts’ Dancemakers.
Brenda Rowe is one of the pre-lockdown participants who is delighted that the gentle, creative dance sessions are back.
Brenda said: “DanceMakers is good because it keeps you supple.
“When you’re older, that’s important… We’re not going to make it to Sadler’s Wells, but we have a lot of fun.”
Another returning participant, Cherry Collins, says she missed the friendship and the fun while DanceMakers was closed.
Cherry said: “Michelle is such a nice teacher. I love the company and the gentle exercise.”
Practitioner Michelle Hainsworth explained why dancing is more important now than ever.
“I have been reading research which shows how lockdown has seriously affected the confidence of older people and has had a real impact on mental and physical health, to the extent that people might have become wobbly even getting out of a chair.
“Physical ability has definitely declined. It’s so important that people get active again.”
Michelle hopes more people will join for gentle, creative dance, specifically designed to improve balance, coordination, muscle strength, memory, and confidence.
It takes place at Freshwater Parish Hall on Thursday mornings from 10.30am to 12pm.
DanceMakers Freshwater is one of several dance and singing programmes run by Island-based charity, Independent Arts, at various locations around the Island, including a popular SingAbout session at Freshwater Memorial Hall on Mondays 10.15am to 12.15pm.
To find out more visit the Independent Arts website www.independentarts.org.uk/dancemakers
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