The Sutton Befrienders Project as part of Volunteer Centre Sutton ran Music and Movement sessions for 6 weeks during May and early June and proved a huge hit!

This was following a shorter 5 session set back in March. It was so popular and they brought it back. After this most recent series, there is still demand for more!

Button House, Brio Retirement Living kindly provided a lovely venue in Hackbridge with stunning new facilities, hospitable staff, free teas and coffees. They have a small café for the public if you ever want to pop by.

Funded by Comic Relief, these welcoming and accessible sessions were led by two volunteers, Mary and Issy, both with experience as dance teachers. They used fun, upbeat music and gentle dance moves to bring people together and encourage social contact.   

An average of 20 people attended each week, with 40 taking part in total. Participants told us how much they enjoyed the sessions, particularly the friendly atmosphere and chance to meet new people. Some also reported significant wellbeing benefits, including improved mood and fitness.

Here are some quotes from happy participants:

“Thank you so much for the last 6 weeks, it has been so much fun, I have been on my own for 10 years and it has been lovely to meet new people who have so friendly, I would like to thank the people who have given up their time to make me feel so happy.”

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“Music and Movement is a relaxing and wonderful class I joined in the past two months. Mary and Issy can lead us in enjoyable paces to do tapping, stretching, and other movements with amazing lovely songs. I have got my frozen shoulders for more than a year. It is uneasy and painful to do stretching and moving. Under music and movement, my shoulders can move in different directions unconsciously. It seems they get better and better after each session. Especially in sunny day, we dance outside. All of us become more energetic and joyful. I also make many new friends.” 

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“The instructors Mary and Issy are brilliant. They are cheerful friendly & professional. I have been looking (and attending) several fitness class's for some time now and this has been the most suitable for me. I don’t have to make myself go …I am happy to go! Its a great class for everyone - whatever their fitness level. The facilities are excellent classes being outdoors and indoors…. and of those who want a chat and refreshments after the class.”

If you want to find out about the Sutton Befrienders and their activities, click here.