Residents in the borough aged fifty and over are being encouraged to get on the dance floor and get moving with new dance classes on offer.

Dance to Health, funded by Walsall Council Public Health, has started delivering free dance classes at Brownhills Community Association for people aged 50 and over to help them get more active, make new friends and have fun.

The classes are delivered by trained dance artists with specific knowledge in how to build strength and balance, helping participants to continue doing the things they love and also to help with mobility in the future. As people get older, the ability to balance may become impaired and muscles can weaken. Regular physical activity can help slow this decline and reduce the risk of falling. It can also reduce the negative consequences of a fall such as fractures and other injuries.  Strength and balance training has been identified as a fundamental component in a range of interventions to reduce falls. 

The classes are held at Brownhills Community Association every Thursday at 2pm and last for between 60 and 90 minutes. The sessions start with some simple seated or standing warm-ups and will build up to short routines. 

Councillor Stephen Craddock, Portfolio Holder for Health and Wellbeing said, “The council is pleased to be able to offer these new Dance to Health classes in partnership with Aesop. They are specifically designed for residents who are not as active to develop their strength and ability. Trained staff are on hand to ensure that sessions are tailored to the needs and abilities of individuals who attend”  

“A key component of these sessions is fun! so whatever your ability you can still join in. There are lots of musical and dance styles that are catered to and no previous dance experience is required. The final 30 minutes of the class is an opportunity to have a chat with the other attendees so this offer supports wellbeing both physically and mentally.” 

For those people who are unable to attend or would prefer to take part remotely, an online class will begin soon on Thursdays at 2pm.

Molly Wright, a dance artist from Aesop, the organisation that is delivering the classes at Brownhills Community Association said, “Our dance sessions offer the opportunity to get active and move to a variety of music from all around the world, the classes are fun and vibrant, increasing your fitness mobility and strength. It’s also a good atmosphere to get to know one another after the class over a cup of tea or coffee. No previous experience is needed, everybody over fifty is welcome!”

Walsall residents who are interested in joining the classes contact Dance to Health by emailing hello@dancetohealth.org or by calling 01993 870 161.