English National Ballet is to expand its Dance for Dementia programme throughout Lewisham and Tower Hamlets in Dementia Action Week, 19–25 May 2025, delivered in partnership with local organisations in English National Ballet’s east London home, Mulryan Centre for Dance in Canning Town.
Weekly Dance for Dementia classes began there in autumn 2023, featuring live music, dancing inspired by ballet and contemporary dance techniques and the chance to socialise with other participants, as well as access to ENB performances and behind the scenes insights.
The classes have reached nearly 300 participants through workshops at community hubs in Stratford, Canning Town and East Ham, in collaboration with Newham New Deal Partnership, as well as at the Vietnamese Community Group, Chinese Welfare Group and Aberfeldy Community Centre in collaboration with Tower Hamlets Alzheimer’s Society.
In conjunction with Arts for Dementia, there have also been classes in Elephant and Castle and Swiss Cottage as well as online for those unable to attend in person, and in partnership with Vital Arts Barts Health NHS Trust at Newham Hospital, there have been taster workshops for staff and workshops for older patients.
Emily Taylor, Programmes and Operations Manager at Arts for Dementia, said, “we've been delighted to work with English National Ballet this year. Their wonderful dancers and musicians shared their enthusiasm and skills, energising and engaging our participants affected by dementia and their companions. Everyone that joined these sessions, regardless of their ability, felt encouraged and supported to move and express themselves through dance.”
During Dementia Action Week 2025, Dance for Dementia workshops will take place at Glass Mill Leisure Centre in Lewisham on Monday 19 May and Aberfeldy Community Centre in Tower Hamlets on Wednesday 21 May, with workshops delivered as far afield as Taiwan , where classes will take place alongside the performances of Akram Khan’s Giselle.