Celebrating Connection During Dementia Action Week and Beyond...
- gemma857
- May 30
- 4 min read
As part of Dementia Action Week, we were proud to deliver two highlighted Dancing with Dementia sessions – one at Colne View Care Home in Halstead and another at Braintree Mews Care Home. These are part of our ongoing monthly programme open to all in the community and carefully designed to support people living with dementia while also offering meaningful connections for their carers and companions.
At the heart of Dancing with Dementia is our belief that dance is a powerful tool not only for physical wellbeing, but for emotional connection, memory stimulation, and shared joy. Each session creates a welcoming, accessible space where participants can move at their own pace, connect with music, and enjoy meaningful moments of self-expression. The dancing is always followed by a relaxed social chat, strengthening friendships old and new.
Delighted to Be Growing the Programme!
We’re delighted to share that DNA has successfully secured two new grants to expand our Dancing with Dementia programme. Funding from the McCarthy Stone Foundation will enable us to launch a new programme in Tendring, while a second grant from the Anglian Community Trust (ACT) will bring more Dancing with Dementia sessions to Colchester. We expect these new projects to begin in late autumn to early winter. To stay up to date with launch dates and registration details, please subscribe to our newsletter via our website for the latest news and announcements.
Supporting Those Who Support Others
These sessions don’t just benefit those with dementia – they also provide vital support for caregivers and companions. We often hear how dancing together helps rebuild connection and ease the emotional load of caregiving.
One regular participant shared:"I look forward to every session. It’s time for me as much as for my mum – the music lifts us both, and the chat afterwards really helps. It’s not just fun, it’s a lifeline."
Dancing together fosters emotional resilience, shared laughter, and even a little light-hearted silliness – all essential ingredients for wellbeing.
New Resource: Self-Compassion Video Series for Carers and Companions
Over the next few months, we will be releasing our Self-Compassionate video series. A collection of gentle, supportive self-care practices created especially for caregivers and companions supported by the Carers Community Fund | Essex County Council. These short films are designed to offer moments of calm, reflection, and care for yourself, and will be shared directly with participants in our classes. If these might benefit you too please do send us an email and we will include you in the mailing list once these are ready to share. Info@dancenetworkassociation.org.uk
Spreading Awareness Through Community Engagement
Alongside our sessions, our Programme Manager Karen represented DNA at a Dementia Action Week event at Braintree Village, connecting with the public and raising awareness of the impact of creative approaches to dementia care. We were proud to stand alongside organisations such as Home Instead, Alzheimer’s Society, and Riverdale Care Home, who also work tirelessly to support people living with dementia.
These events play a vital role in reducing stigma, encouraging understanding, and highlighting the role the arts can play in dementia care. Our work was also featured in the Braintree District Council newsletter, thanks to Kryshia Fuller. Read more here.
Looking Ahead – Carers and Companions Week
We’ll be back on the road again in Braintree on Tuesday 10 June to mark Carers and Companions Week at the Age Well Fair, and we’d love for you to join us or help spread the word! See details here:
Come Dance with Us
With Dementia Action week behind us, we invite you all to experience DNA’s Dancing For Joy programmes. Across Brentwood, Rayleigh, Halstead, Braintree and Colchester, our inclusive dance sessions welcome everyone, no experience needed.
Perfect for care homes, community centres, families or carers of people living with Dementia (or similar conditions), each session offers uplifting music, gentle exercise and warm companionship in a supportive setting.
To find out more about the sessions we’re running and to register your interest, please click here or get in touch with us directly via email info@dancenetworkassociation.org.uk
We can’t wait to dance with you and share the joy of dancing,
Acknowledgements
All our Dementia programmes would not be possible without the generous support of our funding partners, and we are so grateful for their continued commitment to improving lives through dance.
Dancing with Dementia Braintree and Halstead: Eastlight and Braintree District Council and Jean and Peter Davey Fund monitored by Essex Community Foundation
Self Compassionate Series: Carers Community Fund Essex County Council
Good Graduate Company Brentwood: Carers Community Fund Essex County Council
Good Graduate Company Rayleigh: Castle Point and Rochford Health and Wellbeing Board, Essex Partnership University NHS Foundation Trust and Essex County Council.
Dancing with Dementia Colchester: The National Lottery Awards for All Fund, and Grove End Housing
New projects to come in Tendring and Colchester: McCarthy Stone Foundation, Anglian Community Trust.
If you would like to help DNA in our mission to support people to live well through dancing. Please connect with us or directly donate to us through our Just Giving Page
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