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Move into Wellbeing
Move
INTO Wellbeing
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Local charity receives funding to launch over 60s dance and movement classes in Chiswick
Move into Wellbeing®, founded in 2005 by Donna Schoenherr, has been granted money by LB Hounslow to deliver a ‘Move into Wellbeing’ class for Over 60s at the Hogarth Youth Centre on Duke’s Road, W4, during 2022. The charity provides dance and movement classes for people with mobility restrictions. Move into Wellbeing® works with those with Parkinson’s, ME, MS, Arthritis, Rheumatoid Arthritis, Dyspraxia, Early-stage Dementia, and Long COVID as well as those with general stiffness, balance, and joint problems. During the last two years, it has developed an online programme in order to keep people moving and healthy at home, which it runs in conjunction with in-person classes at several different locations – St. Peter’s Parish Hall in Southfield, the Musical Museum in Brentford for the Hounslow Seniors Trust, St Mary’s Osterley, and at four different sheltered accommodation schemes in Hounslow as part of the London Borough of Hounslow Over 60s Activities Programme. Donna is a former professional dancer, who started her professional career with the Festival Ballet of New York. Her philosophy is very much that dance is something that can be enjoyed by anyone and everyone. She started Ballet4Life 18 years ago to offer a range of classes for adults and set up Move into Wellbeing® when her father developed Parkinson’s disease. The classes she has developed are an amalgam of balletic, creative and contemporary styles which make them more interesting and fun than just a work-out. Move into Wellbeing® classes are taught by specially trained dance industry professionals and are done seated to musical accompaniment and can be adapted to individual needs. Depending on who turns up and what their needs are, Donna and her tutors will amend the classes so everyone is able to get something out of it. Crucially the grant has enabled them to offer the classes for only £2 a session, payable on the day on the door or by bank transfer. “Huge thanks to the London Borough of Hounslow for granting the charity the Thriving Communities Fund” she said.
