People with learning disabilities and staff at an NHS trust in Doncaster got to learn some hip-hop moves by taking part in a street dance workshop to celebrate National Learning Disability Week.
The class was held at the Eclipse Centre, a day service for adults with learning disabilities run by Rotherham Doncaster and South Humber NHS Foundation Trust (RDaSH).
Dance instructor Hayley Smith from the HERS School of Theatre Dance put everyone through their paces, teaching them basic hip-hop moves and techniques such as breaking, locking and popping.
RDaSH acute liaison nurse Glynis Smith, who organised the class, said: “Street dance is all about self-expression and self-confidence. It’s also a great way to keep active for people of all ages and abilities.”
The street dance session was just one of a number of activities organised by the Trust for Learning Disability Week. Other events included a men’s health day, an ‘it’s a knockout’ event, chocolate challenge, and an open day at the RDaSH Workscheme to showcase its range of hand-made wooden products including toy boxes, garden furniture, bird tables and hedgehog hibernation boxes and offer them for sale to staff.
RDaSH charge nurse Morag McKay-Ellison added: “This week is all about celebrating people with learning disabilities and trying to change perceptions in the wider community.
“We held displays at Tickhill Road Hospital, Doncaster Royal Infirmary and Bassetlaw Hospital to inform people about our services, and everyone enjoyed the chance to get involved in the wide range of activities on offer.”
Picture: Street dancers Hayley Smith (front centre) and Sharna Parkinson (front right) with service users left to right: Joyce Jones, Charlotte Horner, Ishaan Amin, Wayne Beardsley and Andrew Wales.
