Forest Arts Centre and Dorchester Arts have teamed up to deliver Scottish Ballet’s newest dance programme, Elevate®.

Elevate aims to improve the physical, mental and social wellbeing of people living with Multiple Sclerosis (MS). This programme, which is the first of its kind in the UK, was developed in partnership with MS specialists, University of Florida, Georgetown University, MS Society Scotland and MS Revive.

More info available here. 

Could this help you, or someone you know?

Come and enjoy dance. These fun classes are a chance for you to explore your creativity, expression, musicality, fluidity, balance and posture. Our highly experienced dance health team will support you, and you are welcome to bring a friend, partner or carer to join in too. Participants can take part seated or standing.  

Supported by Culture in Common, more info available here. 

CULTURE IN COMMON

If you would like to help support this class, you can donate here. 

SPRING CLASSES: Saturdays - 18 January, 15 February, 15 March 11.30am-12.45pm

TICKETS: £5 per class, carers go free and free hot drink is included. 

Tutors: Samantha Gillingham 

Sammy Gillingham is a compassionate and thoughtful dance artist with 8 years of arts sector experience, Sammy has a BA Hons in Dance Studies from Middlesex University. Based in Dorset, Sammy dances with people living with Parkinson’s and Multiple Sclerosis, and works in varying roles with organisations including Activate Performing Arts, Pavilion Dance South West, Dorchester Arts, Landance and Luminelle. She believes that arts and cultural experiences can have meaningful impact on our lives and can address societal challenges, bring joy, enhance our physical and mental health, and leave lasting impressions

& Carla Black:

As a dance and fitness instructor my work is diverse and brings me into contact with all walks of life; I enjoy teaching all ages and abilities across a range of venues. My aim is to ensure that each participant feels included and relaxed within the classes and in turn reaps the physical and mental health rewards that exercise can bring. Exercise and movement for therapeutic benefits is an area that I’m very interested in and continue to explore. From the age of 10 to 17years I studied a variety of dancing styles-taking part in festivals, competitions and exams, I then rekindled that passion in my mid twenties through attending adult classes and went on to volunteer for a local community group teaching dance to children. When the opportunity arose, I started a weekly adult Dance Fitness class. Early 2017 I decided to take this ‘hobby’ further and gained my Exercise To Music certificate, and have since taught in many local fitness centres and became fully self-employed. Later that year I became a qualified Pilates instructor, this was a natural progression as it combines elements of dance training alongside functional

  • CICLE OF PEOPLE WITH THEIR HANDS UP IN THE AIR

Dates and times

  1. Sat 18 Jan 2025
    11:30am
  2. Sat 15 Feb 2025
    11:30am
  3. Sat 15 Mar 2025
    11:30am
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