Avant Healthcare puts on its dancing shoes

Avant Healthcare hosted a fun event which saw elderly people put on their dancing shoes and have a boogie.

Avant Healthcare teamed up with Age UK to give older people in the Hounslow area a chance to revisit their youth with a fun dance event. The ‘Bolder, Not Older’ wellbeing event was organised by healthcare franchise Avant Healthcare in partnership with Age UK’s Hounslow office and the fun session brought together vulnerable and lonely older people from across the community.

Designed by DanceWest with the needs and restrictions of older people in mind, the event covered dance styles including swing, jazz, mambo and even flamenco. Refreshments and raffle prizes were provided by Avant Healthcare. Five managers volunteered their time to organise and run the incredible event, which saw them whipping up baked goods and sandwiches for their guests.

Danielle Daines, Branch Manager at Avant Healthcare Hounslow, said that the managers enjoyed lending a hand, reporting that they said they “loved [volunteering] and are keen to do it again.” Amy added:

“Around 90 people came along and many joined the Bolder, Not Older dancers. There was lots of laughter and people from all over Hounslow met each other. It was a healthy way to have a lot of fun.”

Hansa Darbar, from Age UK Hounslow, explained why the event was so important.

“So many people could relate to the music and many danced and sang along with tunes that they remembered. We know music and dancing are beneficial for physical and mental fitness, especially for older people, so this was good for wellbeing and tied in with our overall aim to combat loneliness and isolation in the Hounslow community.”

She added that Age UK and Avant Healthcare are in the process of raising funds to host another dance session.