Limelight Theatre School has long been a cherished fixture in Calderdale, supporting aspiring performers in bringing theatre to life. But recently, they’ve taken on an exciting new role—helping community members get active through engaging exercise sessions.
Bridging the Gap for Older Adults
Through Active Rastrick, Limelight Theatre School recognised a gap in opportunities for older adults with reduced mobility, so they decided to create fun, accessible, and inclusive exercise options as part of what they do. Their GloFit Gold class, held in their fully accessible Rastrick Studio, is a dance fitness session where participants glow with vibrant glow sticks while grooving to classic hits from the 1950s, 60s, and 70s.
The atmosphere in the dimly lit studio has proven to be liberating, helping participants shed feelings of self-consciousness as they move to the music. The blend of exercise and social interaction has transformed GloFit Gold into a beloved community event.
Overcoming Challenges
Despite the positive feedback and growing enthusiasm for the classes, Limelight faced challenges in reaching the older demographic. To expand participation and enhance their marketing efforts, they sought collaboration opportunities and community support.
Active Calderdale stepped in to help, offering limited-time free places to residents. This initiative provided first-hand experience of the class, encouraging newcomers to join in the fun.
Building Connections
The journey began when James from Limelight Theatre School attended an Active Rastrick Partnership meeting. There, he discovered how to better collaborate with local services and organisations. With the help of Anthony Whittaker, Active Calderdale’s Community Project Manager, professionals from services like Social Prescribing and Healthy Minds attended a GloFit Gold session. Their positive experiences led to a greater understanding of the initiative, making them more likely to recommend it to their clients.
Over time, Limelight forged new partnerships with local GP practices, shops, and community centres, spreading the word about the vibrant activities available in the area.
Celebrating Success
The impact of GloFit Gold has been remarkable. In just 10 weeks, attendance skyrocketed from 6 participants to 25 regular attendees, all of which who are from Active Calderdale’s priority groups. Even with the introduction of fees, the majority of new participants continue to join, leading to the creation of a second exercise class to accommodate the rising demand.
Limelight Theatre School is not only enriching the lives of its participants through the joy of dance but also fostering a sense of community and connection. As they continue to expand their outreach and partnerships, the future looks bright for GloFit Gold and its enthusiastic participants.
If you’re looking to get active in a fun and welcoming environment, consider joining Limelight Theatre School’s GloFit Gold class. Who knows? You might just find your groove!
