LPM Dance receives funding from the National Lottery’s Reaching Communities Fund

A Lancashire-based dance company is celebrating after it received a lottery boost for its flagship work.

LPM Dance, which has been running classes in Preston for people with Parkinson’s since 2021, has received development funding from the National Lottery’s Reaching Communities Fund.

The £64,209 boost and funding from Parkinson’s UK will enable LPM’s flagship Neuro-Moves  programme to continue for another two years in Preston  and will also see LPM launching similar classes in East Lancashire.

“We are absolutely delighted to have received National Lottery funding to develop our Neuro-Moves programme for communities in Lancashire,” said Helen Gould, co-founder of Lancaster-based LPM Dance.

Around 15 people with Parkinson’s currently attend the Connect & Flow weekly classes in Preston and the sessions will be opened up to people with other neurological conditions such as MS and dementia.

The gentle, creative dance and movement sessions are led by Dr Mel Brierley and research has shown that such dance helps with co-ordination and mobility problems often associated with Parkinson’s and also improves general well-being.

“For people with Parkinson's, damage to neurons in the brain reduces the neuro-transmitter dopermine, widely impacting the nervous system,” said Mel.

“Dance seems to manage many of the movement-related symptoms: muscle rigidity, balance and smooth patterns of walking but equally, dance improves people's mood, confidence and ability to manage the symptoms.”

People travel from miles around to attend the sessions in Preston which give them a chance to socialise as well as dance. Many have said the classes are the highlight of their week.

“The dance classes make a significant difference to my physical symptoms and also boost my confidence,” said one participant.

Another added: “I forget that my hand shakes because nobody cares and everyone understands.”

No such sessions currently exist in East Lancashire so LPM Dance will launch Neuro-Moves in Rossendale in February and plan taster sessions at other locations in the area over the next two years.

Preston’s Connect & Flow sessions take place every Wednesday from 2-3.30pm and cost £3.50 including tea and biscuits. The Rossendale sessions will take place from 2pm on Mondays.

LPM Dance also provides online pilates classes for people with Parkinson’s on Mondays at 10am, priced £4.50, and Neuro-Moves sessions, priced £3, on Thursdays at 12.15pm.

For more information and to book sessions, visit lpmdance.com