Major award for Sheffcare and Dancing for Health teams
“This award means so much"
Sheffield care home charity Sheffcare’s Dementia and Wellbeing Manager Kathryn Rawling and Dancing for Health director Tracey Barnes have won a top prize at the 2026 Move More Award.
Kathryn connected with Dancing for Health CIC, the non-profit organisation that uses dance as a physical and social activity to support older adults, people with disabilities, and those living with long-term health conditions, anxiety, stress, depression, or loneliness.
Working with Dancing for Health’s Tracey Barnes, Kathryn gained funding for Sheffcare’s Dancing with Dementia program, which combines choreographed dance moves and music.
The project also formed part of a research project that was carried out by The University of Sheffield.
And at a prize giving ceremony held at Sheffield’s Crowne Plaza, Royal Victoria Hotel, the project took the Move More Community Project of the Year award.
Judges heard how a specially-funded 20-week seated dance class led by Tracey at Sheffcare’s specialist dementia home Valley Wood in Heeley was now being rolled out to the other eight Sheffcare homes across the city, giving home activity workers new skills and tools to sustain the project into the future.
“This award means so much, not only to all the Sheffcare team who have supported this project but also Dancing for Health and Tracey,” said Kathryn.
“By working closely with Dancing for Health, we delivered specific dance content for residents within Sheffcare care homes who are living with dementia, helping to enhance the resident’s wellbeing both physically and mentally.”