Off the waltz: Birmingham care home hosts its own Strictly event

For one special afternoon, Care UK’s Metchley Manor, on Church Road, turned into a ballroom and welcomed dancers for Strictly Christmas in aid of Zoe’s Place, a charity caring for babies and children with life-limiting and life-threatening conditions.

This event was part of a ‘Let’s Dance’ campaign, led by Angela Rippon, a nationwide initiative aiming to inspire people of all ages to dance.

On the day, nine dancers from Coventry-based group Strictly Christmas performed five dances, including Ballroom, Latin and even an Irish Jive. Residents were also asked to judge the performances, before joining the pros on the dancefloor and showing off their best moves, raising £200 for Zoe’s Place.

The event “brought back the best memories” for Lilian Wemble, 97, a resident at Metchley Manor, and former dance teacher. "I still remember my first dance class at just five years old. When the music started at the event, it instantly took me back to those days. It is a day I will never forget.”

Kim-Marie Newton, General Manager at Metchley Manor, said: “It was such a treat to have the Strictly Christmas dancers come and perform for the residents here – we all had a ball!

“Dancing is a great form of exercise for older people, as it can boost their heart and muscle strength. It’s also incredibly meaningful to many residents, as they reminisced about ballroom dancing and community halls from their younger years. We even have a few couples here who met in the ballroom and have been together ever since.

“We’ve all learnt a move or two, and we’re already looking forward to our next dancing event to show it off again.”

Designed to enable residents to live active and fulfilled lives, while also promoting independence, Metchley Manor, which remains open to potential residents, incorporates space for hobby and leisure activities.