Dancing Memories with Adele

Welcome to the Dancing Memories family Mountview Care Home ❤️

👋 HELLO MARKET HARBOROUGH 👋

I'm delighted to be starting Dancing Memories at Oat Hill Mews Care Home in Market Harborough. I had such a wonderful morning chatting to, moving and grooving with new friends - including some fellow big Strictly Come Dancing fans 💃🕺

We danced our way through the decades this morning for our first session with joy and fun.

One lady said "I was reluctant to come to try it, but I'm so glad I did, its been very enjoyable"

Can't ask for much more than that!

Onwards to my friends at Wilton Manor - Sanders Senior Living in Melton Mowbray this afternoon ❤️

But first, coffee! (The Iced variety today 😎🌞)

🥧 A RECIPE FOR HAPPINESS 🥧

I’ve had such a lovely few weeks delivering Age UK Leicester Shire & Rutland sessions on behalf of Curve Theatre Leicester inspired by Waitress, the musical currently playing at Curve Theatre.

I’ve been exploring the themes of the show with older adults in Memory Cafés and community settings - using the story as a springboard for music, movement, memories and connection.

Waitress tells the story of Jenna, a waitress who creates wonderful pies inspired by her thoughts, feelings and experiences. It got me thinking... what would go into our own Recipe for Happiness?

So that’s exactly what we created! 🥣

Everyone was invited to add their own "ingredients" - the things that bring them joy and make life special.

And I absolutely loved reading them all ❤️

There were heartfelt ingredients like:
✨ Love
✨ Family
✨ Grandchildren
✨ Friendship

There were hobbies and passions:
📚 Reading
🌿 Gardening
🐶 Pets
🚂 Steam trains
✈️ Holidays

And of course, some of life's simple pleasures:
🍰 Cake
🍷 A glass of wine
🍺 A pint of Guinness

The most wonderful thing was that every answer was different - every one reflecting the person who wrote it.

We even had some beautiful reminders of how important these Memory Cafés are, with participants including them as one of their own ingredients for happiness. ❤️

All the ideas went into our big mixing bowl to create our very own Recipe for Happiness.

What would you put in your Recipe for Happiness? 🥣✨

💙 WHAT IS DANCING MEMORIES? 💙

Dancing Memories is so much more than a seated exercise session in care homes.

Through music, movement and reminiscence, we create opportunities for joy, connection and togetherness.

Every person brings their own story, personality and experiences. My role is to see the individual, follow those magical moments and create a space where everyone feels welcome, valued and included - no matter their ability.

Because everyone deserves moments that matter. ❤️

🏆 BEST DANCERS! 🏆

Today, the residents of South Lodge Care Home - Avery Healthcare proudly showed me their trophy and award that they won in the Avery's Got Dance talent competition!

They're such a joyous bunch at South Lodge, and I've really got to know each and every resident really well through my weekly visits.

A big reason for them being crowned the winners, was the joy, inclusivity and the fact that residents were front and centre of the entry. An ethos that we follow in every single session ❤️

📽 check the comments for our winning entry video!

I'm so very proud 👏 ❤️