Older and Dancing

Since 2006 Green Candle has been working in partnership with Mile End Hospital, the Sundial Centre and other day centres in Tower Hamlets, providing weekly dance sessions to contribute to the physical and psychological wellbeing of the participants. These workshops are a stimulating and fun form of exercise, including breathing exercises, stretches, gentle cardiovascular work and learning simple dance sequences. These exercises have beneficial effects on cardiovascular function, mobility, strength, co-ordination and balance. There is a strong emphasis on social interaction and creative release, with participants being encouraged to be imaginative and inventive in the movement they do, helping build their confidence and self esteem. The workshops are usually chair based and are tailored to each individual group, providing the maximum benefits for all participants.

   Participants in workshop at Lawrence Close, Sheltered Housing

   Fergus Early leads a standing session for Warwick County Council. 

   'Red Toes Day' : Fergus Early and participant at St Hilda's East Community Centre

   Photography Kathryn Gilfroy

   Mile End Hospital

   Photography Sonia Illescas

   Mile End Hospital

   Photography Sonia Illescas

'It always makes me forget my pains and worries...'

(Workshop participant)

'Physical benefits have been achieved. Patients enjoy the exercise and movement and found that it has helped.'

(Physiotherapist, Mile End Hospital)

'We feel much more confident now that we have got to know each other so well'.'

(Workshop Participant)

For further information or to request an information pack on our workshops contact;

education@greencandledance.com or 020 7739 7722

Younger and Dancing

Green Candle Education Programme

residencies
workshops
INSET
work with deaf children

RESIDENCIES
Over the past fifteen years Green Candle has built a national reputation for leading expert, creative cross art form (fusing drama, music, art with dance) residencies in a safe enjoyable environment.

A Green Candle residency involves anything from 2-6 members of the performing company "taking up residence" either with a particular institution (a school, residential home) or in a particular area or district for an extended period of time (whether it be for 1 or 8 weeks, for 2 hours a week or 5 full consecutive days).

Our professional dancers are specially trained to work confidently with all members of the community including children, young people, people with physical disabilities, learning difficulties, sensory impairments, adults and old people .

Each residency is individually designed to create a challenging and exciting experience for all involved. A key element within this is careful planning between Green Candle's staff and the teachers, carers, youth leaders involved to ensure that each residency meets the talents, needs and goals of the group and organisation.

Green Candle offers a wide variety of residency patterns. If you have a particular project in mind or would just like to discuss some ideas with us please do not hesitate to contact Sonia Illescas (Community Dance Artist).

WORKSHOPS
Green Candle leads creative workshops to accompany every production, using the themes of the show as the springboard for individual creative development. The company also gives independent workshops for all age groups and abilities which are designed to fit in with the needs of the particular group or organisation.

IN-SERVICE TRAINING for TEACHERS and CARERS (INSET)
Inset, an acronym for in-service training, refers to workshops specially designed for teachers and care staff who already use or would like to start, using dance in their work. Green Candle's sessions are aimed at increasing the confidence and skills of participants working with movement for children and older people.

Sessions will provide participants with new material, improving skills in planning and development and offer practical ideas and suggestions for lessons/classes. Green Candle places great importance on in-service training for teachers and carers. If the enormous benefits of dance as an art and as a physical activity are to continue to spread, teaching those who regularly teach and care for groups of people is an effective and far reaching tool.

WORK with DEAF CHILDREN and YOUNG PEOPLE

Green Candle Dance Company ran the Dance Summer School for Deaf Children in collaboration with Sadler’s Wells, from 1999 to 2007. The school proved successful in providing a unique experience for children aged 6-14 years, enabling them to explore their creativity in a deaf-friendly environment.

In addition to this each children's production is also taken to schools for deaf and hard of hearing children.

“It was a really excellent day for our children – hearing and deaf children working together. They got so much out of it – as did the staff involved.”
Teacher at Cann Hall, Leytonstone

For more information

contact: education@greencandledance.com