Doncaster stories
Edlington Dance On Group: "None of us can dance really, we just have a good laugh trying"
Every Monday morning at 10:30, a lively group of ladies meet at ECO in Edlington for a Dance On session. Alice, the dance teacher who usually runs the class (other wonderful dance teachers take the class sometimes too) guide the group through some dance routines to popular hits from the 60's and up to the present day. The dance routines are gradually built up step by step, and there are always options for seated dance moves for those who would prefer.
The dance sessions are filled with laughter and warmth, and singing along to the music. The group often has over 20 ladies join in every week, with newcomers warnly welcomed by everyone. The dance class itself lasts an hour (10:30-11:30), and most of the ladies stay behind afterwards for a cup of tea, a biscuit and a chat. Pat and Vonnie, Ann and Enid (pictured in the campaign artwork) are four such ladies, who love the dance class and the chance to catch up over a drink and a chat afterwards.
Here's what dance on members had to say about the classes:
• "After every session I feel so wonderful and full of energy."
• "It's absolutely brilliant. From the first time of coming, I was put at ease."
• "They're such friendly people, they made me feel at home straight away."
• "I feel I can walk upstairs easier since coming here. I don't stop halfway!"
Dance on sessions can be found at several locations across Doncaster. If you can't make it to a session, have a look at the dedicated webpage where you'll find warm-ups, cool downs and a variety of dance styles to build your own routines at home. You can also get your weekly Dance On boost over the radio and get moving and grooving at home with 102.6 Sine FM! Every Wednesday at 3.45pm, join Charlotte Armitage for 10 minutes of accessible, easy to follow audio instructions. For details visit the website: Dance On - Welcome to Dance On Doncaster!
"People who haven't seen me for a few years probably wouldn't recognise me. I'm a lot stronger, I smile so much more and I'm so much more positive about life. It's unreal. It's colossal. I can't tell you how much life has got better. And I'm happy."
Local resident Angela shares her journey with us about how she has transformed her life through becoming more active. Angela started to move more by walking, which led to her joining a Couch to 5K group. In time Angela's new found fitness and confidence has progressed to not only finding a love for running, but also opened up other positive opportunities for herself and the local community. Read Angela's story in her own words, about why she became active and the benefits that being active has brought to her life…
"The impetus for getting active was that I was feeling put of depth when I went out for a walk. We'd walk up a hill and I'd be really red and sweaty and horrible. I had really low self confidence, low self esteem. I realised how unfit I was and how my lifestyle choices had impacted on my physical ability to do the things that I used to enjoy. So I thought it was time to change.
My mental health has improved greatly through becoming more active. I'm not as angry, I'm not as depressed…I eat well, I sleep well, I think well. My relationships have improved."
Getting started with Couch to 5K
"While I was doing the Couch to 5K, if I didn't have the support of my friends in the group, and Andy who ran the group and my family, I wouldn't have got to where I am today, and I certainly wouldn't have made the changes that I've made.
It's made me realise that I'm strong enough and capable enough, both physically and mentally to do anything that I want to do.
My mental health at one point was that I didn't want to try, I wasn't good enough. Whereas now it's just like, do you know what, it doesn't matter what the outcome is, as long as I learn something from that. It's really turned my mental health from being really negative into being really positive and forward facing and outward looking."
How you can make that first step to becoming more active
"My advice to anybody who wanted to become more active would absolutely be make sure you've got a friend who can encourage you, who can share that experience with you. It'll be hard when you start, that's the key. It won't be easy, but eventually you will get to that point where you find that one activity that really makes you alive."
Becoming more active opens up new opportunities
Adventuring Angels is a social enterprise which Angela now runs, which focuses on outdoor forest style learning sessions for all ages, with an outdoor learning site in Denaby. The site is currently being transformed by Angela and volunteers from the local community to encourage others to be more active and enjoy spending time in nature. There are volunteering opportunities available for anyone who would like to get involved with this project.
- More on getting started with running - including Couch to 5k: https://getdoncastermoving.org/running
- More on Adventuring Angels and to find out more about volunteering opportunities on site: https://www.angelcomm.co.uk/
- Watch Angela's video: https://youtu.be/0casE5mZJbE
To view our archive of previous campaign stories, visit our Doncaster Stories Archive.
Read more stories about being active in our News Hub.
We'd love to hear from you!
We're on the look out for people, clubs and groups to join the campaign. If you'd like to share your story about what you do to keep active and to inspire others, get in touch! You can also talk to us about being active on our social channels using #GetDoncasterMoving
