Dance for Dementia is English National Ballet’s Creative Health Programme supporting people living with Dementia through the joy of dance, music and socialisation. Dance for Dementia offers weekly dance classes and welcomes those living with Dementia and their families, loved ones and carers, to share creative experiences.
Katja has been volunteering at Dance for Dementia classes since the beginning of 2025. Margaret is in her second year of volunteering on the programme. Both agree that the benefits of the programmes extend wider than the participants and get a huge amount out of making this valuable programme possible.
Katja has been dancing professionally since 2017, she holds a bachelor’s degree in dance and is currently pursuing an MFA in Dance Leadership and Community Practice at Trinity Laban Conservatoire of Music and Dance.
Since moving to London, she has always been interested in learning about the programme and in 2025 decided to get involved: she hasn’t looked back since!
Margaret has a deep love for the art of dance and says, “in my dreams I am a wonderful ballerina”. She volunteers with charities to support those living with Dementia so jumped at the chance to combine her love for ballet and passion for supporting others through getting involved in this programme.
Volunteer involvement in Dance for Dementia classes is always varied as no two sessions are the same!
But one thing is for sure, without the dedication and diligence of our volunteering cohort the classes wouldn’t be able to run.
Katja plays a key role in setting up the class spaces in a welcoming and supportive environment, as well as ensuring everything is packed down at the end of class.
During the class she often assists in demonstrating the movements, putting her dance training to work, as well as joining in with participants during a creative task to help guide their approach.
Margaret supports in handing out and collecting props during the session, and like Katja loves to be involved in the partnering with a dancer to help with certain moves as well as creatively planning a short sequence.
She highlights that her involvement can also include working with an individual to increase their participation, giving one to one support to those who might need it physically or to increase their confidence.
Katja’s enjoyment of the Dance for Dementia classes can’t be confined to just one thing, “I love every single part of it” she says.
She finds particular joy in building the connection with the participants, learning more about the dancers as the weeks go by and the experience of getting to dance with everyone.
Margaret feels similarly that there isn’t just one thing driving her love for the classes. She enjoys the inclusive and welcoming environment that the classes take place in, but also highlights the friendliness of the staff, vibrancy of the dance artists, smooth facilitation the sessions, and perhaps most importantly – the happiness that it brings to the participants.
It is a joy to see those living with Dementia burst into smiles when we start the session. Regardless of the level of physical capacity, everyone is involved.Margaret, Dance for Dementia Volunteer
ENB’s Creative Health programmes are closely linked to the Company’s repertoire. This means that what the Company dancers are working on in the studio is mirrored through our Creative Health programmes. Both Katja and Margaret love this aspect of the programme and the uniqueness and variety it brings to the sessions.
For Margaret “I love how we follow the story of a ballet, using aspects of different characters to engage the whole body in a movement: for example, using a proud stance for the Toreador in Carmen”.
Katja agrees and says that she “particularly enjoy the creative tasks which usually happen at the end of the sessions. It is always very touching to see and hear what each dancer wants to showcase from the material we’ve explored that day.”
Dance for Dementia is a project that is clearly close to both volunteers’ hearts.
For Margaret the programme is a time of joy and freedom She feels highly respected and valued amongst the team delivering the programme and appreciates being surrounded by people who are committed to supporting the needs of others.
“I love watching the class participants come alive. Their carers also have a bit of fun in a shared activity, as well the chance for self-expression.”
For Katja, her family experiences have really shaped how she feels about the programmes:
My grandmother had severe dementia, and I wish she would have had the opportunity to access this kind of class. For me, being able to support and be present for the community during these classes is very meaningful.
A sense of belonging is truly evident for our volunteers, who work alongside the facilitators, dance artists, musicians and dancers to share the benefits of dance every week.
Margaret loves that this programme offers an intergenerational approach to dance and Katja highlights how she’s loved “learning more about the impact that dance and how important it is to keep our brain and body active”.
Katja, who moved to London to study, enjoys the shared experience the classes offer.
I feel incredibly grateful to be part of this community. Being a volunteer at English National Ballet, I get the chance to meet people which I wouldn’t have otherwise, and it makes my heart smile knowing that every Monday morning, we get together and make art together.Katja, Dance for Dementia Volunteer
Margaret agreed: “I enjoy being able to support others. Being in a warm and welcoming environment where I can make a difference. I find joy in being present at the sessions and our part in preparing and serving the refreshments too. I just feel part of all that happens in the building.”
English National Ballet is committed to helping more people to discover the joy of dance and to be moved in more ways. If you’re interested in volunteering on one of our Creative Health programmes, you can find out more information here.
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