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Welcome To Dancing for Well-Being
We are a not-for-profit community organisation and we run weekly groups across the Harrogate district for older people. We also lead sessions promoting well-being in partnership with local organisations and groups.
Dancing for Well-Being is ideal if you find other dancing or exercise classes too much, for example if you have mobility or balance problems, if you use a walking aid or a wheelchair, or if you find co-ordination or remembering moves difficult.
- You can dance SITTING or STANDING
- You can move at the level to suit your abilities and limitations
- You don't need a partner
- You don't need a good memory
About Us
Dancing for Well-Being began in 2015 thanks to our founder, Jackie Terry-Schuhmann. We believe passionately in the power of dance and music to help improve people’s physical, emotional and social well-being. The delight of dancing can enrich lives, bringing feelings of joy, connection and togetherness.
If you often find mainstream dance or exercise sessions inaccessible or too challenging for various reasons, come and give Dancing for Well-Being a go. It’s sociable, it’s relaxing and uplifting, but most importantly, it’s great fun!
We are based across the Harrogate district in North Yorkshire, working from accessible community venues.
Timetable
Monday | Tuesday | Wednesday | Thursday | Friday |
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2pm - 3:30pm Friends Meeting House, Queen Parade, Harrogate, HG1 5PP | 2pm-3.30pm Chain Lane Community Hub, Chain Lane Knaresborough HG5 0AS 2pm-3.30pm Coronation Hall, Old Station Yard, Milby Lane, Boroughbridge, YO51 9BL | 2.30pm-4pm* Bilton Community Centre, Bilton Lane, Bilton HG1 3DU *3pm-4.30pm on the 2nd Wednesday of the month | 1pm-2.30pm Large Hall at St Andrews Church, High Street, Starbeck HG2 7JE 2pm-3.30pm Darley Methodist Church, Main Street, Darley, HG3 2QQ | 2pm – 3.30pm Chain Lane Community Hub, Chain Lane, Knaresborough, HG5 OAS |
11am - 12:30pm Coronation Hall, Old Station Yard, Milby Lane, Boroughbridge, Y051 9BL | 11am-12.30pm Harrogate Road Methodist Church, Harewood Road, Ripon, HG4 1TG | 11am-12.30pm Memorial Hall, Hollins Lane, Hampsthwaite, HG3 2EJ 11am-12.30pm Friends Meeting House, Queen Parade, Harrogate, HG1 5PP | 11am – 12.30pm Bilton Grange United Reformed Church, Woodfield Road, Bilton, Harrogate, HG1 4LN. |
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Professional & Friendly Staff
Meet The Team!
Nicola
Nicola
I’ve spent most of my life dancing – in cold church halls, sweaty dance studios or state of the art dance theatres; in fact, I’m not sure what I’d be if I wasn’t a dancer!
I trained at Northern Ballet School and had a successful career as a performer before teaching dance in a wide range of settings from Dance Conservatoires to Girl Guiding camps. I danced with companies in Italy and then Greece where I lived for 16 years. When I returned to the UK I decided to pursue the academic side of dance and absolutely loved my five years of study at York St John University where I gained a first class BA(Hons) in Dance followed by an MA in Applied Performance. The focus of my research was always around the ways dance enhances the quality of peoples’ lives. I’m passionate about dance and all the benefits that come with moving to music and being creative.
I now combine work as a part-time lecturer in Dance with outreach and education projects in the community. Some of my recent projects include dance and sensory movement workshops in Special Educational Needs schools, Creative Movement courses for people with mental health issues at Converge York St John University and intergenerational dance. I also produce a festival that platforms community artists alongside professionals called True North Arts.
I’m delighted to be part of the Dancing for Well-Being team now and encouraged to see the energy and joy that dance brings across all generations. From my experience in working in many different settings with a range of ages and abilities I firmly believe that dance should be viewed as an inclusive activity, full of fun, creativity and opportunity for individual expression.
Rachel
Rachel
I was a typical six year old when I had my first ballet dancing classes many years ago. That was the start of a lifetime love of dancing which I never lost, whether it be folk, ballet, jive, disco or endless other possibilities.
I’m a biological scientist by training and experience, having worked in both academic research and corporate environments. A family move back up north changed my direction to working in the voluntary sector and running Opening Doors for Disabled People for a number of years. I also looked after my husband for a considerable time when he had a long-term progressive degenerative neurological disease. So I’ve a lot of experience working with older people and disabled people.
People from any walk of life can enjoy the uplifting and powerful tool that is dancing, as my own background shows. I love working for Dancing for Well-being, it is an energising and entertaining means to exercise, to meet people and generally just have a great deal of fun!
Jackie
Jackie
Over the years I’ve had a variety of different jobs but have sometimes felt like a square peg in a round hole. With Dancing for Well-Being I’ve found something I love doing and that’s a great feeling!
The year 2009 was a turning point for me. I’d become more interested in keeping fit – I’d taken up running, aquafit and Pilates. In the late 1990s I did an MA in Disability Studies at the University of Leeds and I’d really enjoyed doing some research work with older people. These two rather different experiences gave me the idea of training to run exercise classes for older people.
After completing a course in chair-based exercise I became an Ageing Well Instructor with Age UK North Yorkshire and ran seated exercise classes for older people.
My light-bulb moment happened in 2010 when I went on a “Circle Dancing in Dementia“ workshop. Dancing in a circle is an ancient tradition common to many cultures for marking special occasions, strengthening community and encouraging togetherness. The aim is to experience the joy of dancing with others and to create a sense of well-being, connection and belonging.
It was clear to me that circle dancing could be adapted to suit people with various different abilities, illnesses and impairments, as well as people with dementia. I found circle dancing so emotionally uplifting – something I hadn’t experienced with seated exercise – so immediately started using what I’d learned in my groups.
I went on to do more training, including dementia awareness training, a Jabadao course, a 60-hour Introduction to Dance Movement Psychotherapy with Dance Voice, and an Introduction to Dance for Parkinson’s course. I’m a member of the North East Arts Therapist Network (NEAT) and I gave a presentation about Dancing for Well-Being at their 2018 conference in York. I’m always looking for opportunities to develop my skills and experience and enhance what we offer at group sessions.
Matthew
Matthew
Ever since I was a child I’ve been in love with dance. From dancing for my parents in the living room at age 6 to being in my first stage show at 16 I’ve always enjoyed the art form. I’ve been a part of many amateur musical productions , such as Guys and Dolls and Fame. Whilst enjoying playing acting roles in these shows, I’ve always been intrigued by the different dance styles involved in them. I could be getting groovy in Grease to dancing the Tango in The Addams Family, to throwing myself around the stage as the Scarecrow in The Wizard of Oz. I’ve enjoyed every experience and every dance.
At the age of 18 I was offered a chance to work at the Pauline Quirke Academy as a Musical Theatre Assistant and of course I took it. Working together with the teacher I’ve choreographed dances for children aged 4 – 18 and co-choreographed for 4 junior musicals. From this, my passion for creating routines began.
Studying a BA (hons) in Drama: Education & Community at York St John University has expanded my knowledge of choreography further. I’ve learned how to facilitate and work with different communities. I’ve run a series of workshops with teenagers around identity and sexuality, co-choreographed a musical with adults aged 18+ and facilitated circle dance sessions with care home residents. University also offered me the chance to work with Dancing for Well-Being. I joined as part of a second year module placement and instantly fell in love! Once the module was over I was offered a job working with the organisation.
Being a young gay man, I didn’t know how members would react to me. However, ever since my first session all staff, volunteers and members have been extremely friendly and accepting. Dancing for Well-Being is such a wonderful way of bringing a community together. I have been overwhelmed by the positivity present in every session and look forward to my future in the Dancing for Well-Being family!
Hannah
Hannah
Dance has taken me around the world, and most recently here to Harrogate! I trained at Trinity Laban Conservatoire of Music and Dance, leaving with a BA (Hons) in Contemporary Dance. Dancing experiences in France, Ghana, Namibia and Senegal gave me the opportunity to discover where I find the most joy: moving to music with other people in a relaxed, creative and inspiring environment.
After these experiences, I found myself back at Trinity Laban in the Learning & Participation team where I worked on the Dance Health programme, including assisting and delivering sessions for adults with acquired brain injury, older adults and young people with, or at risk of, poor mental health and low resilience. Since then, as a freelance dance artist, I worked in several contexts, delivering sessions for various Age UK groups across London and working with Move Dance Feel supporting sessions for women affected by cancer, to name a few. In more recent years, I undertook more administrative responsibility as the Programme Manager role in the busy Classes & Courses team at The Place in London, which continued to inspire and challenge me to provide opportunity for more to experience dance. I joined the Dancing for Well-Being team in October 2022, and whilst I’m mostly based in the office, I get a lot of joy seeing the laughter and positive energy in each of the groups we work with – oh, and of course getting the Christmas tree costume out for our Christmas parties!
Emily
Emily
Dance has been a passion of mine since I can remember. I like to say my dance journey started in primary school attending an after-school club where I learned how to skip, kick and hand jive! That said, I’ve been dancing to ‘The Foundations’ with my grandad since I could walk. My love for performing arts grew after I joined a performing arts school, where I gained experience and skills in dance singing and acting. I attended college where I gained my diploma in musical theatre and had the best experience performing in musicals such as Spelling Bee. I have been lucky enough to be able to perform all around England at numerous dance events and conventions, which are a highlight of my journey so far.
Studying a BA (hons) in Dance and Drama at York Saint John has allowed me to gain further knowledge in dance and what it is to be a good facilitator. I first heard about Dancing for Well-Being on one of my university modules, where I had the opportunity to carry out my placement with DWB, which I loved every second of. I loved seeing how much happiness and laughter was in the room during the sessions and I realised that this was something I wanted to pursue in the future.
I am excited to be part of the Dancing for Well-Being team and am looking forward to seeing the joy and memories that dance and music bring to everybody each week.
Jann
Jann
I first heard about Dancing for Well-Being through some members of the Bilton Dancing for Well-Being group who come to a yoga class I teach. They thought it would be just up my street, and they were right!
My career has been very varied. I trained as a florist after leaving school, I’ve done office work, worked in local radio and TV, and run my own baby equipment and travel businesses. But I’ve been most comfortable with and most passionate about the work I’ve done involving movement, creativity and health – as a yoga teacher, a holistic therapist and a running coach. I’ve always been drawn to activities involving movement and flexibility of the body and ways to keep it mobile and healthy. I’ve been practicing Yoga for 35 years. I trained with the British Wheel of Yoga in 2003 and became a teacher and soon began adding movement to music to classes to create a fun way to improve flexibility.
For several years I worked as a carer with older people with dementia, seeing at close-hand the challenges they face. Groups like Dancing for Well-Being can really help. I truly feel we are happiest when we are able to be creative and express our true inner selves and our feelings – taking time to relax, come together and let go! We need to bring as much fun and laughter as possible into our lives!
I trained with Dancing for Well-Being in the autumn of 2018 and am now leading groups and assisting too. I love it! It’s such a dynamic way of getting people together. Music, dancing, company, a chance to express yourself – these things are vital nourishment for the body, mind and spirit.
Jackie
Jackie
I have recently had the privilege of joining this wonderful organisation as part- time administrator. I have many years’ experience working within various administrative posts, spending the last 7 years with a local charitable organisation.
In my last role, I came across Dancing for Well-Being and was smitten. When the ‘perfect for me’ position came up, here I am, living the dream! I’m finding ‘strutting my stuff’ is great fun and good exercise, with or without a feather boa, both in the office and when I am out meeting some of you, at the venues. Although not a trained dancer I have enjoyed learning ceroc, salsa, and spent many an evening dancing round my handbag, in my youth!
Good friends (with lots of patience) choreographed our first dance for our wedding in Ibiza, and both my husband and I, agree that dancing is definitely a booster for our own health and wellbeing!
I’m excited to begin my new journey with Dancing for Well-Being.
Events & Venues
Our Workshop
Event Number One
Test Street | 09/04/2023 2:25pm
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Event Number Two
Test Street | 09/29/2023 5:15pm
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Event Number Three
Test Street | 09/10/2023 9:25am
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Event Number Four
Test Street | 09/22/2023 2:26pm
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Event Number Five
Test Street | 09/21/2023 2:27pm
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Show your support for Dancing for Well-Being!
Our Supporters & Funders
Our groups are generously supported by North Yorkshire County Council's County Councillor Locality Budgets scheme and North Yorkshire Reward Fund, the National Lottery Community Fund, The Local Fund: Harrogate & District, Two Ridings Community Foundation, the Spear Charitable Trust, the Knabs Ridge Wind Farm Community benefit Fund, the Co-op, the R.B Gray Charitable Trust, Versus Arthritis, ASDA, Feather Smailes Scales, Localgiving and the Postcode Community Trust, Knaresborough Relief in Need Charity, Sport England (through North Yorkshire Sport), Persimmon Homes Community Fund, the Hospital & Medical Care Association (HMCA) and the Arnold Clark Community Fund.
Work With Us!
Join Our Team
We work with a fantastic team of group leaders, assistants and volunteers. If you'd like to get involved, do contact us.
Some Of Our Kind Comments
Annalise Cuevas
This gets my week off to a good start. The leaders are so friendly and knowledgeable, I feel I could ask them anything.
Devon Frost
I enjoy every minute. Thank you. Helped me through a difficult time.
Gail Blair
Dancing for Well-Being sessions make me feel light. I just get lost in the music and the dancing.
Heidi Little
The music is so enjoyable we don’t realise we’re exercising!
Huda Hayden
The feeling looking around our group at the end of each session is so uplifting. The big smiles and happy chatter is brilliant. Our leaders are super!
Spencer Bradshaw
I wasn’t up for coming last week as we were late and somewhat ‘burdened’, but so glad we did because we left feeling uplifted and full of ‘wellbeing, fun and laughter’.