Dorset care home staff make resident's wish to dance come true

Brook View Care Home resident Joan Whelan who performed in a troupe around the UK when she was younger had her wish come true by having the chance to dance again.

Staff from the Bournemouth based care home organised a local dance duo called Just the Two of Us to come along and dance for the care home residents and help Ms Whelan to fulfil her dream to dance with them.

At first, the dance duo focused on ballroom and featured demonstrations of waltz, quickstep, foxtrot, tango, rhumba, chachacha and jive before taking the time to help Ms Whelan revisit some dance moves under careful guidance from staff.

Sarah Moule, Brook View companionship team leader, said: "Joan used to perform on stage in lots of different shows and had expressed a wish to dance again so we asked if Just the Two of Us would come in to make Joan’s wish come true.

“We were only too pleased to make it happen for her. With the help from Tanya and Graham (from Just the Two of Us), we got her standing up and she was gently swaying. It was lovely to see her bop.”

This is not the first time the home has seen Ms Whelan dance with the Just the Two of Us duo.

Ms Moule said: "Just the Two of Us danced for Brook View two years ago before Covid and lockdown.

“I always remember Joan and Graham dancing around the room together, but Joan was able to move a lot more then. Now, she is reliant on her walking frame."

Growing up in Birmingham, Ms Whelan had dance lessons and went on to perform in a troupe that went on national tours, taking in hotels, village halls and seaside resort venues.

After her retirement and a move to Ferndown, Ms Whelan continued to perform at events such as community tea dances.

The professional dancers, Tanya Hutton and Graham Cooper have been performing for around three years for care home residents.

Ms Hutton said: “It just goes to prove dance really is for everybody, no matter your age. Dance is a great way to maintain your physical and mental wellbeing as you get older while having fun at the same time. It can be both invigorating and therapeutic.”

Mr Cooper said: “You’re never too old to try out a move or two. We loved meeting Joan and the other residents and hopefully brought back some happy memories for them.”

Asked what she thought of Ms Hutton and Mr Cooper’s dancing, Ms Whelan said: “It was absolutely spot on. I give it a definite thumbs-up.”

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