‘Dance yourself Dizzy’, the women-only event, returned last Friday with both new and familiar faces joining in the fun.
The club night offers an alternative for those cautious about the ordinary clubbing experience; whilst also helping older members of the community who are most at risk of social isolation.
The first ‘Dance yourself Dizzy’ was held last May to a glowing reception from those who attended, and it has since taken off.
It is now hosted at the Moorlands Sports and Social Club bi-monthly, and is open to women from Salford of all ages.
Emma Smith, one of the organisers of Dance yourself Dizzy, thought of the idea during a trip to Harrogate with the Women’s Institute: “It popped into my head, it’d be really nice to have like a wedding disco where every song you want to dance to!
“In Harrogate we were all up dancing 3, 3:30 in the morning. Our eldest member, Sandra, whose 80, she was up dancing till that time!
“And in the morning over breakfast, I just said: ‘wouldn’t it be great if we just had that over a regular basis?
“A space where ladies could just go out dancing, and feel safe, and you could come in on your own and no matter what age you were, you were going to enjoy yourself.'”
Dance yourself Dizzy was also helped in the beginning by funds from Greater Manchester’s Ambition for Ageing fund, part of the National Lottery’s Ageing Better programme to combat social isolation with older people.
Sandra Rogers, 81, spoke about the benefits Dance yourself Dizzy being women only: “It’s difficult going out when you’re on your own, because even going to the pub it’s intimidating for a woman and just walking in.
“Whereas here it’s all women, so you don’t mind just walking in and getting involved, because as soon as you get in someone will throw their arms around you, say it’s nice to see you and that’s just a nice feeling.”
Dance yourself Dizzy was also recently shortlisted for the Heart of Salford awards, for its role in helping the community.
Dance yourself Dizzy made it to the short list at the amazing #HeartofSalford awards. So much valuable volunteer work happening in Salford. pic.twitter.com/exVM5Pkq4b
— Dance Yourself Dizzy (@dizzy_yourself) November 18, 2019
Sandra Ockerby spoke about how Dance yourself Dizzy had helped here in recent times: “My husband’s suffering from dementia, and for me this is a fabulous opportunity for me to have a night out with friends and let my hair down.
“As you get a bit more mature, you still want the social life. But you also want the security and feel a little closer to home.”
Thanks to the overwhelming success of Dance yourself Dizzy so far, they may need to find a much larger premises if their success continues, which everyone hopes it does.
The next Dance yourself Dizzy will take place on Friday 21st February 2020. Find out more on their Facebook page here
And to hear from more of Dance yourself Dizzy’s regulars and organisers, watch the video below:
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