Dance Sessions Helping Stroke and Orthopaedic Patients Recover at Newcastle Hospital
By Health Correspondent
Patients recovering from strokes and orthopaedic injuries at the Freeman Hospital are taking part in weekly dance sessions designed to support their rehabilitation while bringing a welcome change to life on the wards.
The sessions are part of a new partnership between Newcastle Hospitals Charity and Dance City, the North East's leading dance organisation.
Professional dance artists work alongside NHS staff to deliver tailored movement activities that complement physiotherapy and occupational therapy.
The programme, called Dance Moves, takes place across several wards at the Freeman Hospital. Some patients take part in one-to-one sessions at their bedside, while others join group activities that encourage movement, conversation and shared experiences.
DON'T MISS:
Good News Post
The aim is not simply to get people moving, but to support recovery in a way that is enjoyable and helps lift the atmosphere on the wards.
The project grew out of a collaboration between Newcastle Hospitals Charity and Dance City, with activities shaped around patients' individual needs and rehabilitation goals.
Occupational therapists and physiotherapists work closely with the dance artists to ensure the sessions are appropriate for each patient.
Research has shown dance can help improve strength, balance and mobility, while also supporting NHS priorities around falls prevention and reducing frailty. The programme has been developed to complement, rather than replace, existing rehabilitation therapies.
Lissie Ogden, Engagement Manager at Dance City, said the response from patients and staff had been encouraging.
"Seeing the impact that Dance Moves is already having on patients and staff across Newcastle's hospital wards has been truly inspiring.
"Our partnership with Newcastle Hospitals Charity is built on a shared belief that dance can support meaningful, positive change for patients and staff alike. Research continues to show how dance can improve strength, balance and mobility, and we're already seeing the difference in how patients feel after each session.
"Dance feels like a universal language – something we can all connect with, and this pilot has shown how joyful and essential movement is in supporting wellbeing and recovery."
Good News Post
Charlie Gregory, Arts Curator for Newcastle Hospitals Charity, said feedback from the pilot had been overwhelmingly positive.
"Designed around patients' needs, our arts programme creates meaningful, personalised experiences that support wellbeing and recovery. The feedback from the pilot programme of Dance Moves has been overwhelmingly positive, with many patients describing the sessions as the highlight of their week.
"Participants have enjoyed requesting a wide range of music, from Elvis Presley and George Michael to energetic 90s dance classics, helping to ensure that Dance Moves remains relevant across generations and wards alike."
Dance Moves is the latest project within Newcastle Hospitals Charity's arts programme, which also includes Newcastle Singing for Lung Health, Hospital Sessions live music and storytelling sessions delivered with Seven Stories for younger patients.
