Dance sessions on offer for terminally ill in Sheffield

Dance lessons are to be held in St Luke's Hospice in Sheffield to help brighten up the days for patients diagnosed with terminal illnesses.

Dancing for Health is a new collaboration between St Luke’s Hospice in Sheffield and Smartdanceworks, of Chesterfield, which aims to bring the joy of dance to people suffering ill health.

“Dancing has many health benefits, including improving physical, social and emotional wellbeing and keeping the mind and body active,” said St Luke’s Deputy Chief Executive, Judith Park.

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“We are launching this new scheme in April and it will be a partner dancing class which will provide the opportunity for a patient and their partner, family member or friend to learn to dance.

“And for patients who have danced in the past it will be an opportunity to take up dancing again in the safe environment of the hospice.”

The Dancing for Health scheme, which begins at St Luke’s Hospice on April 27, will run for eight weeks and will be led by qualified instructors from Smartdanceworks, which was established in 2009 by founder Tracey Barnes to help people through the art of dance.

The hospice’s physiotherapy team will also be involved in supporting the dance sessions.

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Participants will have been recently diagnosed as terminally ill but will still be independently mobile.

“The classes will be relaxed, fun and free and no experience is necessary,” added Judith.

“All you need is a partner, be that your own partner, a family member or a friend – and you’ll both have the chance to learn to dance safely at St Luke’s.”

Contact Melanie Fox on 0114 2357521 or email [email protected]