Festive cheer brought to care homes by Dance Atikk

The Dance Atikk teaches a wide array of styles to those as young as 18 months to young adults.

Between December 1 and 6, dancers between the ages of five and 16 from the group took to several care and residential homes across the area.

These were Cartmel Grange Care Home, Bridge House Care Home in Flookburgh, as well as Heron Hill Care Home, Kent Court Retirement Home, Silver Howe Care Home, Blackhall Croft Retirement Complex and Wainwright Court Retirement Home – all in Kendal.

The dancers performed a new dance that was choreographed to a piece of music written by one of the very people they visited on their Christmas care and residential tour last year - Michael Thistlewood, 94.  

The dance piece was called ‘Made with Love’.

Speaking following the tour, Lucy Everett, principal of The Dance Atikk, said: “This year had a little extra magic knowing that one of the kind and caring gentlemen [Mr Thistlewood] we visit every year took the time to create the composition for us and we are totally moved by this.

“I feel that as a local dance school, teaching lots of local students from all different parts of Kendal, Grange, Windermere, and beyond, it’s important to share with our community, and be thankful for what we have this time of year – and this event is so special to us.”

Ms Everett said she was ‘a very proud teacher’ because of the way her pupils interacted with the residence they performed to.

She also noted that the way her dancers built up their confidence through the experience and supported each other makes her ‘smile with pride’.

Residents from Blackhall Croft said that the dancer’s performance was a ‘highlight of our year’.

Holly Lloyd, 15, one of the dancers, said: “I love going into all the care homes at this time of year, it’s so lovely to see everyone getting in the Christmas spirit, and I'm so proud to be part of the event, it’s a yearly tradition."

Macey Inman, 11, said: "I like dancing in all of the care homes and for residents - they always look so happy and it really does mean the start of Christmas."

For Stevie Littlechild, who is nine, this year's tour was not her first.

"I like dancing at the care homes as it brings joy to the old people," she said.

"I have done 3 shows this year, and it is my fifth year of doing them."

Arya Taylor, who is eight, said: "I really enjoy going to the care homes to do all my dances.

"It means a lot to be involved with the care homes - I also enjoy chatting with all the people."

Mona Billie Bradley, nine, said the care and retirement home residents had 'really lovely things to say about our dancing'.