Care Home Residents Tap, Clap, Step and Sway Along to Dance Celebration
Fun-loving care home residents and team members across the south have come together to celebrate the joy and beauty of dance.
Movement, music and laughter were all on show as Colten Care homes held a series of activities inspired by International Dance Day 2025.
Linden House, a dedicated dementia care home in Lymington, hosted a performance of Latin and ballroom by a visiting professional duo who compete in dance events worldwide.
One half, Kamil Kuroczko, has been featured on Poland’s Dancing with the Stars, the country’s equivalent of Strictly Come Dancing.
His partner Caitlin Heasman is the granddaughter of Linden House resident Judy Rose who was given a front-row seat for the half-hour performance.
Caitlin said: “I was thrilled at the idea of being able to dance in front of my grandmother, something I haven’t done for ten years or so.”
The Linden House audience were joined by fellow Colten Care residents from nearby Lymington home Court Lodge.
They included 102-year-old former dancer Margaret Honeyman, who said: “It was great to see a live show like this.”
At Kingfishers in New Milton, the spirit of the Wild West lit up a lively and inclusive seated line dancing session.
Among those toe-tapping, clapping, and swaying along to the beat was resident Pam Brown who, reflecting on the cheerful country and western tunes, said: “It brought me back down memory lane.”
There was a distinctly international approach at The Aldbury, a dedicated dementia care home in Poole, with team members performing Irish, Indonesian, Thai, Sri Lankan, Spanish, Nepalese and of course British dances.
Resident Margaret Fitton said: “What a great show, learning different dances from across the world.”
There was an equally global vibe at dementia care home Fernhill in Longham. Reflecting a range of cultures, staff there performed traditional dances from Zimbabwe, Nigeria, Philippines and Cyprus.
Resident Edie Loader said “I have never seen anything like it before. I really enjoyed the different dances and outfits of the staff.”
At Abbey View in Sherborne, residents shook pom poms to an energetic performance from visiting baton twirling troupe Enigma Twirl.
Resident Barbara Carne said: “It was absolutely lovely. I would watch it all over again.”
Companionship Team member Kia Redshaw, a majorette in the troupe, said: “The residents really embraced the moment, making the whole visit go very well. We enjoyed performing all the routines. It was a lovely way to share the joy of dance which is so effective in enhancing people’s moods and spreading cheer all round.”
