Bringing joy through movement: how music and dance boosted wellbeing in Glenholme care homes

Towards the end of 2025, something new was introduced at Holdingham Grange and Bispham Gardens. Music filled the room, arms moved in time with familiar songs, and residents took part in Chair Dance sessions designed to be accessible, inclusive and fun.

The sessions formed part of a pilot delivered by Glenholme in partnership with Daily Sparkle, the UK’s leading provider of wellbeing resources for older people and people living with dementia, and Synergy Dance, an award-winning inclusive dance organisation featured on Strictly Come Dancing and Comic Relief.

Chair Dance allows residents with limited mobility to take part safely while seated, making movement accessible to everyone. The aim was to bring the joy of music and dance into everyday life, supporting mood, cognitive engagement and overall wellbeing, particularly for older adults and people living with dementia.

The response was overwhelmingly positive. Participation levels were high, with residents enjoying the social and light-hearted nature of the sessions. Care teams also noticed increased energy and engagement during and after the activities, alongside improvements in mood and interaction. Importantly, the sessions were successfully adapted to suit residents of all mobility levels.

Following the success of the pilot, Daily Sparkle and Synergy Dance have now confirmed an official partnership. As part of this collaboration, 10 new videos have been created specifically for care home residents, including five Chair Dance sessions and five Yoga and Fitness sessions, with more to follow.

David Nefs, Managing Director of Daily Sparkle, said:

“We’re excited to keep expanding the content on Daily Sparkle, guided by what our members tell us works best. Synergy Dance’s chair-based sessions are a fun, inclusive way to boost wellbeing and bring music and movement into the care settings we support.”

From February 2026, the videos will be available on the Daily Sparkle platform and rolled out across all Glenholme homes, ensuring residents can continue to benefit from inclusive, engaging wellbeing activities that bring people together through music, movement and shared enjoyment.