The idea
Weekly dance classes in Clerkenwell for older residents (younger residents welcome). The classes would, weather permitting, use bandstands of local parks in Clerkenwell. The classes would ideally act as a springboard for other social activities in the neighbourhood.
It would be great to get some funding for portable dancefloors.
Classes provided by local volunteers (already identified).
We the volunteers helping with the project have got to know our neighbours a lot better this last year through the local Mutual Aid group. We'd love to get residents out and about and dancing, but we also want this to be a springboard to greater use of existing facilities.
Please note that whilst this project has identified dates in Spring & Summer 2021 for the project to start, we will continue to be steered by government safety guidelines and these dates are subject to change. Any alterations to the project plans will be communicated via this page.
What we'll deliver
- Portable dancefloors for a local park
- Dance classes on a weekly basis during the spring and summer months
- Alternative social activities organised which dancers may take part in during autumn and winter
Why it's a great idea
The mental health benefits of dance at any age are well established. Dancing with your neighbours gives you not only the physical and mental health benefits of the dancing itself but will also hopefully tackle social isolation. The hope is that older residents with better confidence will be more inclined to use other facilities that are already provided.
Steps to get it done
- Where legally possible and safe to do so, to hold the first class in Spring 2021.
- To hold a summer party for the students in the month of August 2021.
- To organise and commission a portable dance-floor for the bandstand in Northampton Square by end July 2021.
In the longer term I'd like to organise classes particularly for people with particular challenges around mobility or with things like dementia. I would need more specialist training before doing that. There's an organisation in Bethnal Green which might be able to help with the training, but they are out of action at the moment because of the pandemic.
