Jitterbugs wins lottery funding to expand successful tea
dances
23rd February 2010
Bath and North East Somerset can now look forward
to a new weekly afternoon tea and dance thanks to an Awards for All
grant from the Big Lottery Fund.
Somer Community Housing Trust successfully bid for the money,
with the support of Bath International Dance Festival and
Morgan-Brinkhurst Consultancy, after a Tuesday morning pilot
project in Twerton proved hugely popular. The award of £7,260 will
fund thirteen new ‘Jitterbugs’ sessions, open to all, which will be
held at Bath Pavilion from Monday, 8th March.
The successful dance sessions have been taking place on a
Tuesday morning at Carrswood Day Service, supported by Bath &
North East Somerset Council, and regularly attracts up to 40
people. The funding will also allow those sessions to continue,
alongside the new Pavilion events.
James Whitehead of Bath International Dance Festival, said:
‘Dance is a highly topical and enjoyable
pastime, which also offers significant health and social benefits
to people of all ages. Through Jitterbugs we can improve their
physical and emotional well-being. We are grateful to the Big
Lottery Fund for their support, which will help us reach out to the
wider community.
'It is well known, and strongly supported by
scientific evidence, that movement and dance have positive
effects for all generations, and particularly for older members of
the community, this is a more enjoyable way to exercise.'
Harriet Bosnell, Older Persons’ Housing and Support Manager at
Somer Community Housing Trust, said:
‘We believe passionately in creating strong
and vibrant communities, so we are delighted the Big Lottery Fund
is helping us to deliver dance sessions to older and disabled
people in and around Bath. We have already seen how these fun,
social events help people to make new friends and builds a sense of
warmth and community.’
With professional dance instructors on hand, participants can
get involved at any level, whatever their ability – some people
even dance in their chairs. It’s also an opportunity for them to
meet new people and have some fun.
Loraine Morgan-Brinkhurst said:
'The lottery bid is also enabling us to
provide affordable transport for people from across the Bath &
North East Somerset area. My team and I will arrange the transport
for people who are unable to get to the tea dances.'
Jitterbugs gets underway at the Pavilion from Monday, 8th March
and will run every week, excluding bank holidays. Anyone is welcome
to simply drop in, or for more information and to find out about
transport, they can call 01225 823004.