On World Parkinson’s Day, 11 April, English National Ballet will celebrate 15 years of its Dance for Parkinson’s programme, which now reaches more than 5,000 people each year, delivering more than 250 classes annually and connecting with participants in London, major national cites and online.
Through weekly classes, participants dance to live music and explore the themes, music and choreography of ENB’s repertoire. The programme was recently expanded to include a Dance for Parkinson’s Performance Company, the UK’s only performance group of its kind, creating work with leading choreographers and artists and performing at ENB events.
Participant Ian Temple said, "there is something magical about performing in live theatre. It lifts your spirit in ways that are impossible to put into words. It seems almost paradoxical that movement can help people with a movement disorder, but last night, as we danced, we were free."
Anna Castiaux, Physical Activity Programme Lead at Parkinson's UK, said, "dancing enhances physical mobility and coordination, while also improving emotional well-being and sharpening cognitive functions such as memory and attention. It fosters a sense of community and joy among participants, proving itself transformative for many people. English National Ballet's dance programmes have had such a positive impact on so many people with Parkinson's, and it is important that we build on their incredible work so that many more can experience what dance can do for them."