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Dance is a powerful, enjoyable form of movement that can:

  • Improve balance, mobility, coordination, and confidence
  • Support brain health and reduce symptoms like freezing
  • Boost mood, social connection and overall wellbeing.

Dance is an accessible, adaptable option, suitable for different stages of Parkinson’s, and part of a wider inclusive physical activity approach across the South West.

Dance as part of Parkinson’s management, brings together strength, balance, rhythm, social connection, and supports both physical and cognitive health.

Available Resources

This page includes links to the campaign resources including a clinical briefing, toolkit and video footage on dance and Parkinson's.
 

This March, consider discussing dance with Parkinson’s patients and signposting to a local or online Parkinson’s-appropriate dance option.

  • Dance is not just ‘nice to have’: evidence shows improvements in motor severity, balance, gait and quality of life for people with Parkinson’s.
  • Recommend a weekly Parkinson’s-appropriate dance class (in-person or online), alongside usual care and exercise advice.
  • Dance combines rhythmical cueing, balance challenge, cognition and social connection—often improving adherence compared with standard exercise.
  • Classes can be adapted seated/standing; suitable across many stages with appropriate screening and instructor training.

 

  • Let’s Dance and Parkinson’s Toolkit
    This toolkit provides an overview of the Let’s Dance campaign and its focus on people living with Parkinson’s. This toolkit includes campaign messages, social media assets, posters and a clinical briefing on Dance and Parkinson's.
     
  • Clinical Briefing: Dance and People Living with Parkinson’s
    This briefing supports health care practitioners to understand the role of dance as an element of  therapeutic  intervention for people living with Parkinson’s. It aligns with the national Let’s Dance campaign and the Every Move Matters regional campaign.
     
  • Internal Slide Set (Huddles)
    This slide deck is intended for use in staff briefings and team huddles within health and care settings. It summarises key messages from the campaign and highlights the evidence base for dance in Parkinson’s, supporting awareness and discussion among healthcare professionals.
     
  • Film: Dance Class in Winchcombe (BBC Points West footage)
    This video features Professor Camille Carroll (Professor of Clinical Neuroscience, Newcastle University; Honorary Consultant Neurologist at Newcastle Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust; and Joint Clinical Director of the Parkinson’s UK Excellence Network). The film focuses on how dance and movement can support care for people living with Parkinson’s. 

Together, these resources are intended to support consistent, evidence-informed communication about dance and Parkinson’s across health, care and community settings. By bringing together clinical information, practical tools and real-world examples, they aim to make it easier for professionals and partners to engage with the campaign and share opportunities with people who may benefit.