Sway care home residents take part in burlesque workshop

Care home residents have put their sass, spark and flair to the test and proven that age is just a number, after teaming up with a participatory arts group.

Residents at Care UK’s Sway Place, on Church Lane, have joined forces with Places of Wonder to bring circus performances and workshops to the care home, and recently took part in a special burlesque workshop. 

During the activity, residents were treated to a Burlesque performance from Frida Expression before getting their hands on props such as fans, boas and scarves. The residents were encouraged to explore creative movements individually and in pairs.

Resident Elizabeth Ridge said: “I absolutely love these workshops because they bring so much fun and energy into our home. It’s a chance to try something new and feel creative again. My favourite performance so far has been Frida Expression’s burlesque act – it was full of colour, confidence and laughter, and it made us all feel glamorous for the day!”

The workshop was part of an ongoing partnership, called Together in Motion, between Sway Place and Places of Wonder, which involves regular visits to the home for performances and participatory circus-based workshops. The sessions, which run twice a month, are designed to encourage social interaction and physical activity, with residents set to enjoy a New Year’s Eve special which will include an aerial silk performer, dancer and singers. 

Francis Bosompim, Home Manager at Sway Place, said: “It’s always an exciting time when Places of Wonder visit us, and the workshop they delivered was brilliant. It’s really important for us to build relationships with brilliant local groups, and we work hard to create a homely and exciting environment for everyone that’s full of surprises – a burlesque workshop certainly fits the bill!

“This collaboration certainly brought a joyful and creative twist to our activities. The interactive sessions have also made a real difference to residents’ strength, mobility and flexibility, which is so important for older people.

“The live performances have also become firm favourites among residents and team members – who said wellbeing care can’t include aerial silk, sequins and smiles?”

Designed to enable residents to lead active and fulfilled lives, while also promoting independence, Sway Place provides full-time residential and dementia care, as well as short-term respite care. The home incorporates plenty of space for leisure activities and hobbies, with the layout of the building configured into a series of individual suites, each having a dedicated lounge/dining room to facilitate the creation of close-knit communities. There are also 14 independent-living cottages – a perfect choice for individuals or couples.