Wednesday 20th December 2006
(ref:
wlct130)
A project to improve the mobility and independence of people living in Wigan Borough’s residential care homes has had the older generations dancing in the aisles this Christmas.
The Dancing Days project has been successfully piloted at Barley Brook residential care home in Standish. The project is part of the Moving More Often initiative co-ordinated by Wigan Leisure and Culture Trust. Moving More Often trains care workers within residential homes, care settings and groups to deliver a variety of physical and mentally stimulating activities
Dancing Days is led by the trust’s Fit 2 Dance Co-ordinator Vicky Thomas. Vicky has visited Barley Brook throughout December to deliver specially-tailored dance sessions for the residents. The sessions involved exploring dance moves through the use of simple props while listening to music such as swing and ‘60s pop.
Vicky said,
“This pilot has been very successful. We teach simple moves that the group can enjoy and it really help them to get a little more active. The social benefits of the scheme are equally important for all of the participants. We have enjoyed laughing together and moving together which is especially important at this time of year when some older people can feel isolated and vulnerable. I am looking forward to developing the work and taking ‘Dancing Days’ to other organisations around the borough.”
Doris Shingler, one of the residents who participated at Barley Brook, said,
“It made me feel alive and was really enjoyable. It was nice that everyone came together to take part. I enjoyed sharing the activities with other people - that was the most important part.”
Sandra Heaps, Activities Co-ordinator for Century Healthcare, sums up the value of the scheme,
“The residents were apprehensive at first but as soon as they realised it was accompanied with music and dance they soon got into the mood. Vicky not only encourages the residents to do their movements but she has a great natural rapport with them. Each week we have more people joining in and not just women, the men too enjoy the challenge. I would like to see this type of exercise introduced in all the care homes I visit.”
The Moving More Often initiative, co-ordinated by the trust’s Active Living Team, with support from Adult Services, has trained 140 care staff, who are now delivering physical activity opportunities in residential care and nursing homes across the borough. Training for the Dancing Days element of the scheme will continue to be delivered in 2007.
To receive further information about the Moving More Often project, please contact the Active Living Team on 01942 488489 or Adult Services on 01942 404501. To find out more about Dancing Days or other Fit 2 Dance projects contact Vicky Thomas on 01942 486922.
Notes To Editors
For further information on this News Release please contact Chris Dunbar, Public Relations Manager, Wigan Leisure and Culture Trust on 01942 486937.
Wigan Leisure and Culture Trust
Wigan Leisure and Culture Trust is a charitable trust working on behalf of Wigan Council to manage and support leisure and cultural facilities, initiatives and events for over 300,000 residents in the Wigan Borough.
Getting Wigan Active
Getting Wigan Active is Wigan Leisure and Culture Trust’s vision to ensure that people across the Wigan Borough have the opportunity to become more physically, mentally and creatively active. It also aims to increase community activity and to encourage good citizenship.
