Join the Tea Dance With A Twist at Plymouth's Drake Circus
People with dementia are being encouraged to don their dancing shoes for a special event in Plymouth.
Drake Circus shopping centre is hosting a Dementia Tea Dance on March 22, run by Plymouth Dance - the organisers of the popular Tea Dance with a Twist events.
The special dance session – which runs from 10am until 1pm – will see volunteers and dementia trained dance professionals helping the dancers find their groove.
With melodies old and new they will be mixing Strictly Ballroom with Dirty Dancing to promote Plymouth Dance, which runs the Twist dances every month at the Plymouth Guildhall.
The dances, which regularly attract more than 100 people, have been going from strength to strength and have been described as inter-generational with anyone – of any age – able to take part.
Plymouth Dance development coordinator Laura Henry said the evidence was clear that it helped people with dementia not only stay fit but engage with the world around them.
She said: “They absolutely love our tea dances and come back again and again. It’s also something the whole family can get involved in. It’s so wonderful to see a grandmother learning a dance with her granddaughter.
“Music and movement have been proved to help with memory and you can see the interaction between the dancers, the volunteers and the people taking part really helps.
“They always seem to have a great time and we’re really looking forward to showing new people at Drake Circus the benefits of dancing.”
The Drake Circus funded event is completely free with tea and cake provided by Costa Coffee and Starbucks for those taking part.
Costa Coffee spokesman Casey Prosser said: “We are delighted to have the opportunity to support such a worthwhile cause and look forward to seeing the dancing just outside our store!”
Drake Circus Centre Director, Greg Lumley, said: “We work hard to support those with dementia. Ninety per cent of our staff are dementia trained and we recently announced our support of the Alzheimer’s Society - one of our chosen charities.
“We were really impressed by the great work of Plymouth Dance and we really wanted to host an event in our mall.
“There will be volunteers and dance experts on hand who have been trained in dementia care, as well as some great music, wonderful choreography and the chance for everyone to take a turn around the floor.
“We hope this event will raise awareness of dementia and the Tea Dances with a Twist and give people a taste of the great fun they can have learning everything from the Waltz to the Cha Cha Cha.”
For further details go to www.plymouthdance.org.uk
