Rambert Dance, based at South Bank has received a grant of over £100,000 to extend its outreach work to elderly residents.

The grant for Rambert Dance, which was awarded by the City of London Corporation’s charity, City Bridge Trust, will support Londoners who are living with dementia, Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s disease. By offering them with regular dance activity and engagement with the arts, the aim of Rambert Dance is to boost the quality of life of older residents.

The charity, which already has a strong track record working with young people, will use the three year grant to boost opportunities for older participants to attend dance performances at a low or no cost. In addition, the dancing professionals will receive specialist training so that they have the requisite skills to work with vulnerable adults. As well as enjoying performances, participants will have the chance to take part in dance sessions. These sessions will also be tailored for elderly patients recovering from serious illness and hospital treatment.

Joce Giles, Director of Creative Projects at Rambert Dance, said: “We are delighted to receive the grant from City Bridge Trust. The funding will establish Rambert as a major provider of dance for older adults in London and will raise the profile of the positive impact that dance can have on older people’s lives. Evidence has shown that dance can significantly improve the health and well-being of older adults, and we are excited about expanding our work in this area.

“At our South Bank studios, we will develop regular classes for people with Parkinson’s Disease, as well as sessions for people in the early stages of dementia. The grant will also enable Rambert to deliver an extensive outreach programme across London in partnership with other organisations including Chelsea and Westminster Health Charity, Hounslow Seniors Trust, and the Stones End Day Centre in Southwark.”

Jeremy Mayhew, Chairman of City Bridge Trust, said: “With the elderly population growing in London, it is important that there is the provision to support people in their old age. Keeping active both mentally and physically helps improve people’s quality of life and longevity. With our grant, I am confident that Rambert will be able to work with many more elderly residents in the area, introducing them to the joys of performing and group activities.”

For more information visit http://www.rambert.org.uk/

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Notes to editors:

Media enquiries-Rachel Mortell, Media Officer, City of London Corporation

T 020 332 1528

T 0207 332 3451

E rachel.mortell@cityoflondon.gov.uk

About Rambert

Rambert is Britain’s national dance company. Under the award-winning artistic direction of Mark Baldwin, the company creates bold and distinctive repertoire of new and historic contemporary dance works for audiences throughout the UK and beyond. It brings together the world’s most exciting choreographers, composers and designers with a world-class ensemble of 22 dancers. Founded by Marie Rambert in 1926, Britain’s oldest dance company is firmly focussed on the future; retaining its founder’s pioneering commitment to new choreography and developing dancers as artists, and seeking new ways to engage people of all ages in watching, creating and performing dance.

www.rambert.org.uk

For further information please contact Nicola Osmond-Evans, Press Manager: 020 8630 0612 or nicola.osmond-evans@rambert.org.uk

About the City of London CorporationThe City of London Corporation, headed by the Lord Mayor, provides local government and policing services for the financial and commercial heart of Britain, the 'Square Mile'. In addition, the City Corporation has three roles: (1) To support and promote the ‘City’ as a world-leading financial and business hub, with outward and inward business delegations, high-profile civic events, research-driven policies all reflecting a long-term approach. See www.cityoflondon.gov.uk for more details. (2) to support London’s communities by working in partnership with neighbouring boroughs on economic regeneration, education and skills projects. In addition, the City of London Corporation’s charity City Bridge Trust aims to address disadvantage across Greater London through quality grant-making and related activities. It makes grants of more than £15 million annually to charitable projects in London. The Corporation also supports education with three independent schools, three City Academies, a primary school and the world-renowned Guildhall School of Music and Drama. (3) To look after key London heritage and green spaces including Tower Bridge, Museum of London, Barbican Arts Centre, City gardens, Hampstead Heath, Epping Forest, Burnham Beeches, and important ‘commons’ in south London. And – with its heart in London’s Square Mile - we also support and promote the ‘City’ as a world-leading financial and business hub, with outward and inward business delegations, high-profile civic events, research-driven policies and a long-term approach. See www.cityoflondon.gov.uk for much more on our uniquely diverse role, including the City of London Police, etc.