Life Leisure backs Dementia Disco 24-hour dance challenge across Stockport

Life Leisure has supported local charity Dementia Disco as its founder completed a 24-hour dance challenge across Stockport to champion the message that people can live well with the condition.

Beginning at Life Leisure Houldsworth Village on Friday 26th June and finishing at Grand Central on Saturday 27th June, Nick Shaw danced continuously for 24 hours, visiting all eight Life Leisure hubs along the way and raising £1,700 for Dementia Disco. His challenge formed part of the charity’s #DanceAgainstDementia campaign, which aims to challenge misconceptions around dementia, reduce stigma and encourage more positive conversations about living well with the condition.

Last year, their community logged an impressive 5,668 dances to protest the removal of the dementia diagnosis target from the NHS Operational Planning Guidance. This year, Nick took that movement to the next level by making history with Dementia Disco’s first 24-hour challenge.

Throughout the challenge, Life Leisure welcomed Nick into its hubs, providing pit stops, refreshments and opportunities for members and local communities to join him on the dancefloor. From fitness classes and community activities to a special Run and Rave 5k event, every stop showcased the power of movement and connection.

The Run and Rave 5k event was organised to complement Nick’s efforts and the campaign while bringing runners, members and supporters together for an evening of music, movement and fundraising.

Nick’s journey also included dancing with Pickleball and table tennis participants at Brinnington Park, joining a group cycling class at Hazel Grove, cooling off during a water fight with children at Romiley, and dancing through the night before finishing with a celebratory Zumba party and conga line through Viaduct Park.

The challenge highlighted the shared belief of both organisations that physical activity, social connection and community can play a vital role in improving wellbeing for everyone, including those living with dementia.

The partnership between Life Leisure and Dementia Disco has continued to strengthen beyond the event. Dementia Disco has recently become one of Life Leisure’s Active Pathways providers, enabling its team to refer people directly into its supportive community sessions.

Lisa Arrandale, Active Communities Officer at Life Leisure, said:

“Nick’s determination and positivity throughout the challenge were nothing short of inspiring. It was a privilege for our teams, members and communities to play a small part in supporting him as he danced across Stockport for such an important cause. We’re incredibly proud to be working alongside Dementia Disco, not only through events like this but by expanding opportunities for people living with dementia to stay active, connected and supported every week through our Active Pathways programme.”

Life Leisure would like to congratulate Nick on completing this remarkable challenge and thank everyone who joined in, donated or cheered him on.

Together, the partnership will continue creating opportunities for people across Stockport to move more, connect with others and experience the benefits of being active, whatever their age or ability.