Dancing with Parkinson's - Colchester

Exercise has shown to be very beneficial for people living with Parkinson's; to manage or potentially slow the progression of physical symptoms and to help other associated symptoms such as mental health. ​

The Dance Network Association's Dancing with Parkinson's programme offers dance and movement sessions to those with Parkinson’s Disease and their partners, friends and carers. We are proud that this programme not only delivers high-quality dance to participants but also allows their loved ones to experience it alongside them. 

Sessions are led by a professional practitioner this series is Karen Pratt and support artist Beth Fisher in creative dance and movement.

Classes last for 1 hour of dancing and 30 minutes of social time. Classes are mainly seated but we encourage those who would like to, to stand. A support artist is always in sessions to share the seated version as the lead practitioner develops standing material.

Classes begin with a led warm up into various seated and standing exercises to mobilise the body, joints, our voice and make use of the brain through coordination tasks. Class material is matched with rhythmic music spanning across the decades. Creative choreography is often created in collaboration with the dance team or taught by them as a way of working as a large group creatively but also allows to build on material each week - which offers recall from the memory and muscles. For those that wish to take their dance and movement further performance opportunities will be available for our end of term sharings.

All classes end on a cool down so dancers are ready to refocus on their afternoon ahead and we invite participants to stay and join us for a chat with a cuppa and a biscuit or two for the final 30 minutes. ​​

We are delighted to be hosting classes at..​

William Loveless Hall, High Street, Wivenhoe, CO7 9AB

Times: 14:30-16:00 weekly on a Wednesday ​​

The William Loveless Hall is a fully accessible building with a large car park that opens for class exclusively for our dancers. However, if you do have trouble parking please park on the road in the free spaces outside the library.