Older Peoples Health Initiative

Through this initiative SS Dance & Wellbeing is building towards becoming a leading community dance organisation based in Kirklees that is encouraging and inspiring people to stay healthy and happy for as long as possible.

Within our initiative we are helping to tackle issues effectively, working with a variety of partners we aim to bring low impact dance movement sessions that are centrered around the impact on the mind, the body and enhancing positive wellbeing. SS Dance & Wellbeing sessions  are delivered in community settings, social housing schemes, care homes, wellbeing hubs and day centres across Kirklees and Leeds.

How Do People Feel Locally?

According to 'Current Living in Kirklees' (CLIK) survey - 43% of older people do not feel like they are in good health and 28% of older people are socially isolated - 1 in 4 experience feelings of loneliness and isolation.  Compared with people who feel in good health, some feel less confident about managing their health. It is evident that the population is changing, people are living longer and this is on course to increase significantly over the next 20 years. As we are more likely to live longer lives it is important that we are doing what we can to ensure that older people are not increasing the strain on NHS services and that older people are aware of alternative services and activities that are available. Currently older people are the largest users of health services, representing two thirds of NHS users. Research shows that 4 out of 10 adult admissions to hospital in 2018 were people aged 65 (Public Health Annual Report). Good physical health significantly increases the likelyhood of good mental health which is why this is one of our social missions to inspire social change though dance. 

Benefits of dance

Dance has been proven to improve brain function in many ways, Dancing in a social environment causes the release of endorphins – the chemical in the brain that reduces stress and pain, resulting in a feeling of wellbeing. No age is too old, just moving to the best of your ability can lift your spirits. One of the growing challenges we face in today's society is dementia - Studies and research show that dancing is one of the activities that can lower the risk of dementia... Research has found that people who dance on a regular basis are known to have a sharper mind and are at a lower risk of developing brain disease in the long term than people who are considered to be non-dancers. 

According to Dance and Dementia UK, "dance has long been recognised as providing a therapeutic benefit, a form of release and a means of expression. Using simple creative movements allows people to express something of their individuality. Working with dance, movement and music we are not relying on short-term memory or language skills but are focusing on peoples strength's feelings and continuing abilities."

Our Older Peoples dance sessions include low impact exercises combined with a variety of different dance styles such as disco, rock'n'roll, bollywood, zumba and theatre jazz.  We work on improving our participants fitness as well as improving muscle strength and balance. These sessions are suitable for all abilities as can be done seated or standing - within all our Older Peoples Health sessions we encourage everyone to get involved. We know that it is extremely important in later life for people to continue to be active and regularly engage in physical activity as it has been proven to help to manage health conditions such as high blood pressure, diabetes and arthritis.