Month: May 2017

FRONTLINEdance are a lead Aiming High provider for Action for Children, Stoke-on-Trent Programme. The Aiming High sessions are delivered in a very inclusive and open way which makes them suitable for physical disabilities and wheelchair users as well as for those with additional learning, communication, social and emotional needs. These sessions are supported by Action For Children Staff.

What can my child expect?

We always start off with introduction and name movement games so everyone gets to know each other a little better.

1. Warm up our body and move around the dance studio in as many ways as we can.
2. Explore different genres of dance such as contemporary, street, country and jiving.
3. Create our own dances and movements.
4. Perform for each other.
5. Play games with a ‘dance’ twist and other games that are used to improve communication and team-work skills.
6. Sometimes we use Disney films as themes as well as using the child’s interests to create our dances and explore new movements.
7. We use a range of props such as bean bags, balls, parachutes, stretchy giant lycra, giant material covered elastic, hoola hoops, glow sticks and chiffon scarves to create movement, focus and interaction.
8. The movement and dance session usually ends with relaxation and we ask the participants to feedback what they enjoyed and if there were any dislikes or challenges.

In each session we break for a drink and a snack, and we provide a range of arts, crafts, books and games.

Integrated Dance for community disabled and non-disabled dancers

These dance sessions are suitable for beginners to professionals. They are streamlined for those who want to come just for fun, and for those who would like to develop their dance skills further – through an advanced class and performances.

What is involved?

In a safe and friendly environment participants are guided through a range of creative dance activities, to gain and develop skills in contemporary dance technique, choreography and performance. Each participant is challenged and taught in a way that is personal to their ability level and communication needs,  within a group setting.

The YOUTH group and ADULT groups have the opportunity to perform in a wide range of settings from traditional spaces such as theatres to the less traditional – outside, for film, community venues, at conferences and as part of a workshop. This gives the dancers varied and engaging performance experiences.

Dance Style: contemporary / creative dance / improvisation / choreography

What is integrated dance?

FRONTLINEdance integrates disabled and non-disabled dancers together within their professional and community work, and always have done. We work as equals in the dance studio and on stage. This gives a very powerful and unified message to each other and our audiences. It allows us to problem solve, be creative and create moves/dance work that can only be created through integration- both dancers couldn’t do it without the other one… it’s exciting!

We have found that using open-ended instructions allows for the individual to respond creatively and artistically without using language that immediately excludes or creates barriers. This allows the dancers to work with their own unique bodies and preferred communication methods.

The FRONTLINEdance team are trained in contemporary dance and performance and are passionate about integrated performance.

New! Breakthrou’ dance Families: Dance workshops for wheelchair users with complex disabilities and their families. Three separate sessions, running at the same time, under one roof! The sessions will be relaxed and in a safe environment where everyone can be themselves, make new friends, and try something different.

To register your interest or for more information contact: hello@frontlinedance.co.uk 

Register here

Moving Together is a creative dance and movement project offering sessions to adults who have long term health conditions. Sessions are fully accessible and inclusive to all. You have the option of sitting as and when you need, and resting as required. The sessions are open to all levels of ability, no prior dance experience is necessary.  You are welcome to join us if you are undergoing treatment, as long as your medical professional advises this. Sessions are suitable for MS, Parkinson’s, Stroke, Cancer and Rheumatoid conditions.

Over the last 10 years this specially devised programme has predominantly been delivered in community settings. It remains a popular, meaningful and thoroughly enjoyable way to spend time with peers and can be delivered in (but not exclusively) day care, residential care homes and retirement villages.

BENEFITS of taking part identified by researchers, professionals in health care, and those who take part: 

Find out more about the benefits of dance for older people and adults

Find out more about how dance can help with Parkinson’s Disease and other conditions.

more information

@Haywood – a NHS community hospital in Stoke-on-Trent

Rachael Lines, our artistic director visits in and out patients on a weekly basis. Collaborating with nurses, consultants, physiotherapist and occupational therapists, Rachael delivers group and one to one sessions with a wide range of people, wards and clinics, such as Rheumatology , Elderly Care, Stroke, Parkinson’s, and Neurology.

Open sessions for hospital and non-hospital patients take place weekly in the gym: WEDS 2:30pm-3:30pm

The project is part funded by the Haywood Foundation who exists to support local people with arthritis and related conditions. Rachael will be working closely with the Foundation. Please contact us for more information.

Accompanied by pre-recorded music and a live Cello (composition by Greg Hall), dancers move around the environment alone and together.

This relaxing, breath-taking, beautiful and thought provoking work has been created for passers-by to enjoy as they travel to their next destination, and for those who want to sit and take time to watch and listen.

MUSE includes hints, twists and refelectioms of all our performance works. It is adapted to suit both the space we are performing and our audience.

Forget Me Knot has been made  for older adults in hospitals, residential, care and community settings, but not exclusively.

Originally created with local contemporary dancer Clare Reynolds, post-modern pioneer and ex-Olympic gymnast Mary Prestidge and composer, multi-instrumentalist Greg Hall, choreographer and director Rachael Lines created two new live dance and music performance experiences that explored the precious things in life that we hope we can keep hold on to forever; an experience, a taste, a sound or a memory…

Forget Me Knot has people at the heart of it and the hospital / care environment was considered in the making of it. FRONTLINEdance experienced a great deal of enjoyment working closely with the medical staff and patients at Queens Hospital in Burton and very much appreciates both their contribution and support.

It’s fun and light hearted with a message of friendship and integration. The level of interaction and the length of the work differs dependent on the setting and who our audience is. Guaranteed to make you smile.