Students and Senior Citizens Come Together for Tea Dance
Tuesday, 18 December 2018
University of Worcester students and senior citizens came together for a festive tea dance.
Hosted by Worcester Students' Union, supported by the University of Worcester, the event welcomed almost 100 people from the community. Many were participants of the University's Senior Programme for Physical Activity and Adapted Sport, which runs sport sessions for those aged 60 and above, with others invited through the Alzheimer's Society and Age UK Worcester and Hereford.
Students from the Dance Society gave a performance during the afternoon and volunteers were on hand to dance with attendees.
The event, which was funded thanks to a grant from Worcester City Council, also raised more than £300, which will be split between Age UK and the Alzheimer's Society.
Cath Wilson-Hasley, 74, of Worcester, who came through her involvement in the seniors netball programme, said: "We just think it's a wonderful idea. It's been nice to meet up and nice to see what the students are doing with their dancing - I enjoyed that. They have worked really hard to put on such a nice afternoon for us oldies!"
Bill Gairns, 67, attends four of the seniors programme's sessions, including walking basketball and seated exercise. He said: "It's been a lovely atmosphere. I think it's been absolutely superb. It's something that's badly needed for the older generation. It also gives us an insight into what universities do nowadays."
Abbie Simms, Chair of the Dance Society, said: "We think it's such a good idea to get everyone up and moving, especially at Christmas. It's been nice to chat and have a dance and get everyone involved and we'd definitely do it again."
Harrison Jarrett, Vice President Student Activities at the Students' Union, added: "We are so delighted with how the event went. It was fantastic to see so many people in The Hangar and see the students mixing with local residents, dancing to some classics! We had some really good conversations and were told by some who attended that they had made new friends as a result. We hope this is the start of a really positive relationship between the Students" Union and these lovely people in our community and can't wait to welcome them back again."