Get to know the faces behind the Parkinson’s Moves & Mix project – and their stories.
September 2nd marked the launch date of the Parkinson’s Moves & Mix project, an initiative born here at HVCA, made possible by the dedication of our volunteers Ana Cristina Llompart and Marie-Helene Kerr.
Ana Cristina and Marie-Helene met and became friends through their respective partners, who have been living with the Parkinson’s condition for many years.
“We have seen how they have both benefited from taking part in physical activities such as walking, playing football or boxing (…) We were inspired by the English National Ballet Dance for Parkinson’s class at their HQ in the East End and felt that a dance class along the same lines, albeit on a smaller scale and local, would be best for our aims”.
To make this possible, they were put in contact with Galit Criden, choreographer and movement facilitator with over 17 years of experience.
She holds a Level 4 qualification in Dancing for Parkinson’s and is trained as a somatic and trauma-sensitive movement practitioner.
This is what Galit says about the benefits that dance can have for people living with PD:
“From my professional experience, dance can support people living with Parkinson’s in many ways. It helps with motor symptoms such as balance, posture, gait, and mobility, while also reducing the severity of freezing of gait using rhythm and music. Beyond the physical, dance can ease fatigue, lift mood, and bring confidence in movement. The social and creative aspects of the class also play a big role, offering participants a chance to connect, share joy, and feel supported within a community.”
As part of this Dance for Parkinson’s class, Galit brings a gentle, responsive, and joyful approach to movement. Each session is shaped by the participants, celebrating what their bodies can do in that moment.
When it came to choosing the location for the initiative, Hornsey Vale felt like a natural decision, as Marie Helene has volunteered with HVCA for years.
“HVCA has been invaluable not only in terms of the space it offers, but also affordable rates, advice and administrative support.”
Cristina contacted the English National Ballet Dance for advice on how to find a PD qualified dance teacher and she was referred to the Community Dance organization.
“They put us in touch with Galit who immediately seemed the perfect choice for the activity, given her experience, qualifications, and approach. Our local PD nurse also suggested we could apply for funding from Parkinson’s UK and put us in touch with the Area Development Manager at PDUK. He was also extremely helpful and his guidance on how to approach the application process was very valuable.”
When thinking about the structure of the class, Ana Cristina and Marie-Helene recognised the importance of inviting partners and carers along, providing an opportunity for connection. Partners can join in the dance class for the first hour, or can enjoy some quiet time or friendly chats in the adjoining room.
After the dancing session, the participants – along their partners and carers – can bring their own packed lunch and eat together, while socialising, chatting and exchanging advice and information.
After running a pilot from late Spring to mid-Summer, they saw the activity take off very quickly. They have now secured a grant, allowing them to officially launch the project on 2nd September, which will run for one year.
Ana Cristina and Marie-Helene plan to expand their initiative to more than just dance classes.
“We are planning to organise a few talks and will be sourcing external speakers on a variety of subjects – such as nutrition, sleep, physical exercise, research, all within the context of Parkinson’s.”
To provide more awareness and support to the community, they have also created a WhatsApp group to remind participants of classes, notify them of any news, and share any other useful information.
If you are interested in joining an all-level group workshop or booking a 1:1 session, feel free to get in touch.
The PD Moves & Mix class at HVCA runs every Tuesday 12pm – 2pm.
Click here to register: https://forms.office.com/Pages/ResponsePage.aspx?id=7i2M-gyif0yj0EhQPAbLjcN98wuUmWpDiwhnkpoiQ7BURDdQMU84WDZGWVlGRDFXTDBZWExTVEJaRy4u