Over eight weeks, until early August, as part of a collaborative project with Fable Arts and Clifton Hospital in Lytham, Ludus Dance is working with community dance professional Anna Daley and early career artist Maiya Leeke to bring gentle movement to music and a sense of fun to weekly sessions with patients. To create inspiring experiences, the joy of the carnival has already reached the hospital, as patients enjoyed waving brightly coloured scarves to the beat of Calypso-style music. Simple chair-based movement sessions are facilitating easy, enjoyable and creative group dances. A poem, written on Ward 2, to reflect on Lytham, the weather and the beach, is being used as inspiration for a summer days dance story.
Hear about some of the amazing experiences from the project
Read more from Maiya as she talks about her experiences and feelings on the project now she is half way through:
The past four weeks on Wards 1 and 3 have truly flown and it’s been such a pleasure to see how much joy we have brought to the patients’ lives during this time. A particular highlight for me was one gentleman saying, “I just felt so well when t I took part today. I really have enjoyed myself.” That, for me, sums up simply what it’s all about – providing a distraction, a positive new focus, and ultimately bringing some enjoyment to the patients when they need it most.
We have been fortunate to have familiar faces throughout all four sessions on Ward 1 and being able to build these connections week-on-week with the patients has also helped make our time so special. I have particularly enjoyed getting to know the different characters on the wards and seeing their personalities shine through during this time. Seeing the joy the patients get from each session makes it all so worthwhile.
And I have learnt so much myself from this experience. I am now enjoying leading my own exercises with the patients. We are there to provide movement and music sessions which help to support the patients’ mental health and wellbeing but I genuinely feel like I get as much back as I give to them. The opportunity to work with these people makes you truly appreciate the little things in life. The power to make someone smile and bring happiness when they potentially need it most during a hospital stay is priceless. It is something I value more than words can say.
I am looking forward to visiting the next two wards over the coming weeks, meeting new patients, learning new things, and sharing our sessions further with even more people.
Nothing sums up a story like a picture
Credit goes to David Forrest for these fantastic photographs that were taken recently at the project.
