On Sunday 2 May, TV presenter and Strictly Come Dancing star Angela Rippon CBE, along with her Strictly dance partner Kai Widdrington, visited Chelsea and Westminster Hospital as part of ‘Let’s Dance!’, a new campaign to get the nation fit and help the NHS.
Angela and Kai joined a special dance class in the CW+ Studio. The high-energy Afrobeats vs Carnival Vibes dance workout was led by Khadidja N’diaye of Cheri Coco, a community interest company that supports women, families, the elderly, and new residents in the borough of Chelsea and Kensington. The session was organised by the CW+ Arts for All Team and was attended by outpatients, staff, volunteers and members of the local community. It was one of many classes and events taking place across the country for the first National Dance Day, bringing together dance organisations, companies, clubs, studios and 55,000 teachers to promote the benefits of dance.
The ‘Let’s Dance!’ initiative, founded by Rippon, aims to inspire people of all ages, abilities and backgrounds to embrace dance as a way of improving their health, connecting with others and having fun. It is backed by the NHS, major health charities, medical experts and government departments.
Angela Rippon said: ‘This is a day about sharing the incredible power of dance. It really is the perfect way to maintain a strong and healthy body throughout your life into your senior years. You get fit, stay fit, and have a huge amount of fun. Good for your mind, good for your body, and good for society. That’s why we have the backing of the NHS and the Department for Health.’
Wes Streeting, Health and Social Care Secretary, said: ‘Angela is dancing up a storm to support this government’s mission to rebuild the NHS and shift care from sickness to prevention.
‘Through our 10 Year Health Plan we will build a healthy society. And even if you’ve got two left feet, brilliant initiatives like Angela’s are a great way to keep fit, kick up your heels, and meet others – having a positive impact on your health and wellbeing while reducing your risk of developing serious illnesses.’
CW+ is the official charity of Chelsea and Westminster Hospital NHS Foundation Trust. Arts for All, part of the charity’s pioneering Arts in Health programme, brings a daily dose of music, performance and creative activities into the hospital environment, using art as a tool for healing.
