Award-winning Sheffield wellbeing project opens door to rebuilding life after illness or trauma

Sheffield’s award-winning Dancing for Health CIC is expanding its acclaimed Stepping Forward programme to support a much wider community of people living with the impact of life-changing illness and events. Dancing for Health was recently named the Physical Activity Provider of the Year at the Move More Awards, celebrating the remarkable efforts of individuals and communities in promoting sport, exercise and physical activity across Sheffield. Originally developed to help stroke survivors continue their recovery after NHS rehabilitation ended, Dancing for Health’s new project has evolved into Stepping Forward: Wellbeing Through Movement. The decision to develop the free programme followed overwhelming evidence that the programme’s benefits extend far beyond stroke recovery. It has been supported and funded by Sheffield Hospitals Charity and continues to build on the success of the original People’s Postcode Lottery-funded pilot The weekly sessions, held every Wednesday from 12.30pm to 2pm at the Salvation Army Citadel on Psalter Lane, now welcome people affected by stroke, cancer, diabetes, arthritis, neurological conditions, trauma, bereavement, injury and other major life changes, together with carers and loved ones. Bringing those people together, the sessions combine gentle adaptive dance and movement, particularly good for brain health, healthy lifestyle advice and peer support to help people regain confidence, improve mobility and rebuild social connections. Unlike traditional exercise classes, every activity can be adapted to suit individual abilities, whether participants are seated or standing. The emphasis is not on fitness, but on helping people move safely, rediscover confidence and enjoy being active again. Dancing for Health Managing Director Tracey Barnes said “Winning the Move More Award recognised what our participants achieve every week,” she explained. “We realised people recovering from many different life-changing experiences all share similar challenges—loss of confidence, loneliness and uncertainty about moving forward. “Stepping Forward gives them somewhere they feel understood, accepted and supported.” The programme also includes informal coaching and peer support led by Kate Allatt, who uses her extraordinary experience of surviving locked in syndrome to help and support others. Further support is offered by Mark Wilkinson, Lifestyle coach for Public Health Collaboration, who provides the group with guidance in making the right food choices to support a healthy lifestyle. See the sessions in action here: https://youtu.be/VnIMIHyQ4GM Referrals and self-referrals are welcomed – call 07721046757 to book a free place or visit www.dancingforhealth.org.uk