2020, a year like no other and certainly the most challenging year for everyone. However we are proud with what we have achieved this year with no funding and pure grit and determination.
We have spent time guiding people on how to use Zoom, checked in with our dancers to make sure they are ok, choreographed and rechoreographed routines to make sure they are suitable to be danced in your living room and kept people connected with their dancing friends providing routine in difficult days. We have also launched two Facebook groups to promote community amongst our Keep Dancing dancers and opportunity to keep steady and strong and launched a group specifically for activity coordinators working in care homes to offer to support and advice.
Although our highs this year have been high. Seeing you all excited to return back to your Keep Dancing classes was something quite special and showed us just how much our Keep Dancing classes are enjoyed by you all. Working with Arts In The Yard and Building Community Together were new opportunities created from building relationships on social media and we look forward to working and supporting both organisations in 2021.
Our Annual Tea Dance went ahead showing that no matter what the show must go on. Thank you to everyone who joined in, an afternoon of dressing up and laughter was greatly appreciated. Read more here
Most memorable was hearing from Lynda who cares for her mother in law who got in touch to tell us how special it was for them both to dress up as flapper girls together and the memories it brought back, Read more here.
An absolute highlight is having completed the 24 hour danceathon challenge raising £1820 for the Alzheimer’s Society. The support of the Xpress-Yourself team, dancers and personal friends and family was overwhelming and brought home how important it is to remember that ‘No man is an island’, Read more about the 24 hour danceathon here.
Our classes will recommence on 4th January 2021. Thank you for your continued support and we hope to see you in person very soon.