The Point Eastleigh, which has run a social and uplifting movement class designed specifically for the symptoms of Parkinson’s since 2017, has joined a national programme for dancers with the condition.
Danielle Teale’s Collective IDentity (CID) Project has been funded by Arts Council England and will work with seven national partners, including The Point, across England.
This ground-breaking project brings together visual arts, dance, music and research with dancers with Parkinson’s to explore identity, collectivity and compassion. Danielle Teale is an internationally recognised leader in the field, having worked with people with Parkinson’s for over 12 years.
The project will begin online with a programme of virtual dance workshops before exploring one-to-one with dancers in their own homes and gardens, culminating in a series of live group workshops. The Point’s class teacher Tori Caine is currently training for the project in preparation.
CID will also see a new documentary film and the Connection in Isolation exhibition, created with the dancers and inspired by their dance experience, tour to libraries, hospitals and arts centres across the UK.
The Point is owned and operated by Eastleigh Borough Council.
Caz Creagh, Learning and Participation Manager at The Point, said: “We are delighted to be involved in this project, which is a fantastic opportunity to work more closely with our Dance for Parkinson’s class attenders, to learn from them and to share creative experiences together.
“Being part of a network of other providers across England also enables us to strengthen the opportunities for people living with this condition, providing access to high quality experiences that offer a large number of physical, mental and social benefits.”
Eastleigh Borough Council’s Cabinet Member for Health and Social Policy (Interim), Councillor Tonia Craig, said: “In addition to being a highly regarded regional performance venue, The Point makes a major contribution to the Council’s health and wellbeing agenda.
“Their work in opening up dance to local people with Parkinson’s is another inspiring example of their innovative approach to improving lives - and ensuring that a chronic condition needn’t be an obstacle to taking part in a fulfilling artistic programme.”
Danielle Teale, Artistic Director of Danielle Teale Dance, said: “I am grateful to Arts Council England and all of our partners for supporting the Collective Identity Project. This investment will allow us not only to continue but expand on our work with dancers with Parkinson’s to question how care and compassion for ourselves and others supports our sense of identity.”
