Akademi
Dance workshops and performances for older adults
Since 2017, Akademi’s Dance Well has provided regular opportunities for adults to take part in dance and movement sessions, working in partnership with charity organisations, care homes, day centres, hospitals, and community learning and education providers.
The project focuses on three main areas:
Those living with dementia
Older adults with little physical activity and who may be isolated in the community
Those living with poor long term heart and lung health.
From 2018 to the present, Akademi dance artists have been visiting patients on the older people’s ward at Newham Hospital to deliver participatory South Asian dance within the bays and at patient’s bedsides, supported by the Dementia and delirium team. The use of rhythms and mudras (hand gestures) has been particularly beneficial for articulation of the fingers and wrists and connecting with those living with dementia.
In 2020, Akademi performed for patients on the Renal and Ambulatory Care Units at Whipps Cross Hospital. Over a 16-week period, patients were treated to bedside performances of South Asian dance, bringing much-needed music, colour and distraction directly into the clinical environment. Emiko Ishii introduced Bollywood dance to patients, while Parbati Chaudhury performed traditional Kathak. These performances delighted both patients and staff alike, creating moments of connection and uplift within the hospital setting.
Outcomes and evaluation
Akademi’s Dance Well Project took place at The Royal London Hospital in June 2017. Working closely with the Occupational Therapy Team the dance sessions were led by Katak (South Asian dance) dancer Jesal Patel, for older adults at The Royal London Hospital.
Dance Well is Akademi’s 3-year community participation project funded by the National Lottery through the Big Lottery Fund.
“We all tried hard- we all learnt- and we all made friends and had a good social afternoon”
”The dancing absolutely makes a difference, it’s very good for you! I’ve really committed to it”
”Once I got the bee mudra (hand gesture) I felt I wanted to do it all the time!”
Partner
