A project has helped support hundreds of patients at Wrightington, Wigan and Leigh Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust (WWL), through inclusive dance workshops for people of all ages, abilities and cultures.
The Danspiration Project, provided by More Than Words CIC, runs workshops across Wigan and Leigh, after receiving funding from the National Lottery’s People’s Projects.
In the past two years, the project has visited wards at the Royal Albert Edward Infirmary, Wigan, and the Jean Heyes Reablement Unit at Leigh Infirmary, using dance and movement to encourage our patients to remain active and healthy while they are in hospital receiving treatment.
Melanie Cornish, Patient Activity Volunteer Co-Ordinator, said: “Having Danspiration come to WWL strengthens our community bonds and enhances wellbeing by creating moments of happiness, self-expression, and inclusivity for everyone. They bring joy to our patients, their families and staff, and enhance the patient experience! We’ve had some lovely feedback, with patients saying the sessions made them motivated to get out of bed, and that they never knew things like this happened in hospitals.”
Patients are invited to join in with the inclusive group sessions, which feature music and props, to help them get active during their hospital stay. They can either sit or stand while the team from Danspiration take them through a series of low impact dances and movements.
Beth Hawkes, Danspiration Leader, said: “Danspiration is all about bringing a very special feel to everyone, and brings so much happiness to the patients. It helps with lots of different aspects of health and wellbeing and dancing your cares away. Danspiration is a step forward for our community, where we can spread joy and positivity everywhere we go.”
Nichola O’Brien, Dance Facilitator, said: “We’re not only doing it to get people moving more, but it also helps with mental health and wellness, by getting together and meeting new people. It has a really big impact – it’s not just the physical benefits but the mental as well. We love getting out and meeting new people, so appreciate the chance to share what we do with patients across WWL!”