COMMUNITY CLASSES

Community Dance Testimonials

Sally

My old friends and I have been attending the “ gentle exercise “ class for many years and I cannot emphasise too highly how beneficial it is.

It keeps us supple and flexible and Miss Angela inspires us to believe in our own capabilities, giving us a good positive attitude to life.

We get an opportunity to discuss anything that is giving us concern and quickly find “a trouble shared is a trouble halved“. So, we look forward to many more years of Fitness and Friendship.

Wendy

I along with others attend a weekly class for exercise/dance at Kirkham Henry specific for those with Parkinson disease. It is extremely enjoyable and beneficial to us both physically and mentally.

Cathy

In November it will be a year since I joined Silver Swans. My Pilates class had folded and I wanted to find a class that would strengthen my core.

Ballet has helped with core strength and conditioned my legs and feet and I am more aware of my posture especially when walking. Mentally, the classes bring such joy and fun and I have got to know some lovely fellow swans.

Thank you for the opportunity to dance.

Madeleine

I attend the Silver Swans (older dancers) afternoon ballet class. It's a wonderful way to exercise, meet people and generally improve my sense of wellbeing. I am a full-time carer for family members and often feel isolated in this role. Going to class helps me forget about everything I've been worrying about, as I focus on what we're doing. Angela is an excellent teacher who knows how to help us take care of our bodies while we dance. It lifts my spirits for the rest of the day, having literally danced my cares away. I am also aware that the benefits last much longer than just that one day. My feet and balance are stronger for ballet and it challenges the brain to work too. There is always laughter in class, which is great.

Frank

"Parkinson's Disease' is, in a word, horrible. And any escapism of fun laughter and delight from this condition is heaven sent for sufferers and carers like ourselves. Your organisation of the 'Tuesday get togethers' is of greatest importance to my wife Jane, who manages to attend three out of four meetings and finds it wonderful, offering her the opportunity to engage with like minded people with similar problems to her. There is immediate rapport. Music to the huge majority of people is a wonderful medium, and at the weekly meetings it is used to create different types of dance to cater for the less mobile and the more able; and virtually in all cases one piece of music can be used for both, due the the dance experience and ability of those running the classes. It is an art form. read more

From where I stand, to see my wife happily participating and to watch and hear the fun and laughter generated by this method, is pure joy for the onlooker and sufferers alike, creating in many cases long term friendships. What is also amazing is how those suffering at different levels of lost agility can still participate together. However this cannot be experienced unless professional dancers are prepared to give their own time and care guidance to a group of people, some who feel at times they do not belong.

It is my understanding that the instructors and organisers who run the weekly activity do their magic for nothing and I cannot think of any cause more deserving of financial help, because the people they help have limited options for fun and social contact. Some who shun normal everyday connections because they feel like outsiders due to their unusual mannerisms. It is at times heartbreaking to those who love them.

Yours sincerely,

Lucy

I am a GP in the area and experienced some mental health problems myself last year. Kirkham Henry is a wonderful organization that welcomed me back into a ballet studio for the first time in over 30 years. To be able to express myself to music at a time when to do so in words was impossible was definitely therapeutic. The class is inclusive and friendly/supportive and was hugely beneficial to me.

Patsy

I am happy to say how I feel about attending the (Golden Gliders!!) class with you. I can honestly say that "I had , the time of my life." (Dirty dancing!) I really have. I love it so much , and it has been so good for me physically and socially, with all the lovely ladies. And I really appreciate the hard work of the academy. I will be moving to West Yorkshire in the next few weeks, and if I can find something half as good there, will be happy! Thank you so much,

Margaret

I attend two classes each week at Kirkham Henry; adult tap dancing and Silver Swans ballet. Both these classes bring many benefits to a 73 year old. I have arthritis in my hands and knee, so the exercise of the classes helps to keep my joints mobile and have allowed me to avoid surgery. read more

Whilst I would not class myself as having mental health issues, the companionship and friendship engendered through attendance at the classes is immeasurable. Just a friendly smile or kind word makes a great difference; and both of these are in abundant evidence within the classes. Over time, everyone gets to know each other and is able to support each other when needed. The WhatsApp group set up by Angela for both groups, is not only an effective way to pass on messages, but also allows class members to share any personal information. These messages are always met with concern and support from other class mates.

I believe that any funding received by Kirkham Henry by NYCC, for well being and mental health, has been well spent and any further funding will continue to do so.

Jessie

I developed osteoporosis in my mid forties and sustained multiple spinal compression fractures in my mid sixties, at the same time I required knee replacement for rheumatoid arthritis. During this time I developed Polymyalgia Rheumatica which left me with long term myalgia for which I am required to take immune suppressants. The pain discomfort and disability affected my mental health causing anxiety and mild depression. read more

With medication my physical mobility improved and I am now able to control the discomfort in my spine and the myalgia is under control.

Following advice from the doctors involved in my care I enrolled for dance classes at The Kirkham Henry school of performing arts.dancing being an activity I had returned to during periods of my adult life.

One year on I am happy to report that my physicality is much improved and I am able to perform many more activities in my life in general. But more importantly I now feel less anxious and more confident to reach out to join in with groups of people with similar disabilities to my own.

I am now seventy four years of age ,The Kirkham Henry studios are easily accessible from my village outside Malton by car or by bus.

I am more confident now looking forward to my ensuing older age and sincerely hope I can maintain my physical and mental well being for many years to come attending my twice weekly classes of movement and dance.

Sheila

We are SO pleased to have heard about the Dancing with Parkinson‘s group session at Kirkham Henry Dance Studio in Malton. read more

We went, initially, to help with Alan‘s mobility and it has become a must. The dance movements are well planned and the music so well chosen that the routines are fun. There is a marvellous group of people at all stages of Parkinson‘s who have become friends and we enjoy each other‘s company.

Angela and her team are endlessly patient with our stumbling efforts and so pleasant and helpful. They obviously know what they‘re doing and can advise individuals as well as the whole group.So, we leave feel energised and so much more able to cope with whatever Parkinson‘s throws at us and totally uplifted.

We can‘t quite work out how the books balance, as the cup of tea and refreshments served to us by the teachers post- session would cost what we pay each week in fees in any cafe!

And to have the opportunity to be taught by dance teachers of this calibre, made evident by the astonishing and wonderful end of year dance show we saw for free, is humbling. We are very glad to be part of this and long may it continue.

Anna

I joined Silver Swans when I was recovering from bowel cancer. At the time I had an ileostomy, which is a stoma to bypass my rectum. This resulted in me having a poor body image and it was limiting my activities. read more

Dancing with Silver Swans has helped me develop coordination, balance and self esteem at a time when I felt my life was going to be increasingly limited.

It has opened new doors and led to brilliant friendships. I can’t thank Angela her team enough.

Lindsey

I have found attending dance classes at Kirkham Henry very beneficial. it is a very supportive and welcoming environment, in which everyone is valued and is encouraged to participate, regardless of ability. Classes are suitable for all abilities, and help boost confidence particularly for older people, who might find accessing other physical activities more challenging. read more

Classes are a good way of meeting people, not always easy, and we now socialise together outside class- trips to the cinema, evenings in a bar etc. It’s very useful for combating social isolation in older people.

It’s very good mentally to have to learn a new skill; it helps with memory, and I have found many physical benefits from attending. My balance is much improved and I am less worried about falling.

It’s very good for mental health to feel part of a group-dancing is not just an individual activity but rather we are like the corps de ballet, dancing together.

Since joining the class, I have had the opportunity to dance at the Royal Academy of Dance in London- a wonderful memorable event, that was so enjoyed by all the group.

I feel very fortunate that I can attend such a class.

Gail

I would just like to say how much I value going along to the silver swans ballet class on a Wednesday. I first started the class to help with my back issues after my chiropractor recommended ballet would benefit me and as my daughter used to do ballet, tap etc at Kirkham Henry many years ago, I got in touch with you. read more

Covid did delay my start but when I was finally able to come, the classes not only helped with my back issues but also I was going through personal issues with my husbands health which had started to deteriorate badly and finally resulted in him being admitted to hospital, followed by a stay in a psychiatric hospital and from there to a care home, where he sadly passed away at the beginning of this year.

The friendship and support I received and continue to receive from the group helped keep me sane when times have been and continue to be tough dealing with grief. Wednesdays are the highlight of my week where I get out of the house, listen and dance to lovely music and exercise knowing that the classes are so well run that I won’t do any more damage to my back. As a result of taking up ballet I no longer have to visit the chiropractor which is a plus in itself.

I only wish I’d known about the dance with Parkinson’s classes earlier as I’m sure my husband would have benefitted from them. He had suffered from Parkinsons for a number of years until it finally took hold with other side effects and illnesses. We met ballroom and Latin American dancing 43 years ago.

I can’t wait to get back to class. It’s hard to put into words what being part of the silver swans at Kirkham Henry means to me, but I do know that I really enjoy going every week and the support we all give each other, not only through music but via dance and listening, one can’t put a price on it. The classes not only help my well-being but provide exercises to help keep me fit and think about my posture as I’m getting older.