The Move to Thrive Project for people with dementia and their carers started in June 2025, after being developed in partnership with Telford & Wrekin Council Public Health and Adult Social Care teams, Forum 50+, Community Resource, Age UK Shropshire Telford and Wrekin and The Alzheimer’s Society.
It has been funded by a grant from The National Lottery Community Fund, following consultation with lots of different organisations who supported the development and design of the project.
Part of the project involves group Movement to Music sessions for people with dementia and their carers that are led by qualified instructors, with time for socialising and refreshments included.
Sessions cost just £5 per person and carers attend for free. These sessions run every Tuesday from 10.45am to 12noon and every Thursday from 1.30pm to 2.45pm in Oakengates Rest Rooms, Charlton Street, Oakengates TF2 6BS.
Why group movement to music sessions?
Gentle exercise to music is said to have physiological and psychological benefits for people living with dementia. The sessions encourage physical activity, which involves co-ordination of movement that can help stimulate neural pathways. Music evokes memories and emotions and can aid as a prompt for reminiscence for individuals with dementia. Additionally, music appears to bring about positive changes in emotional wellbeing and can help people to express feelings and ideas, and aid communication.
The group aspect of the session also provides opportunities for social interaction and connection which is important for both the individual living with dementia and their carers.
Caroline tells us more
We asked Caroline Coulman from ‘Mind Body in Balance’ – one of the instructors of the movement to music sessions – to tell us a little more about the sessions and why people should get involved:
What will people get from attending your Move to Thrive movement to music sessions?
“People with dementia and their carers will have the opportunity to exercise safely with professional fitness experts in a fun and friendly atmosphere. Everyone will feel included, with lots of help on hand from the instructors and volunteers for both people with dementia and their carers. Everyone gets a hot or cold drink, healthy snack and chat too!”
What are the changes you see in people who attend, from the beginning to the end of the session?
“People often come in feeling unsure of what is involved in the class but soon become relaxed and leave laughing and feeling happy with their achievements.”
What do you enjoy most about leading these sessions?
“I love seeing people achieving goals, learning new things and being in the moment. It’s great seeing people making friends and sharing experiences, especially carers.”
What three qualities do you try to bring to every session?
“When working with people with dementia and their carers, I bring patience, laughter and professionalism to every moment of every session!”
What would you say to someone a bit unsure about coming along to one of your sessions?
“If the person with dementia and their carer needs some support to get to the group Movement to Music sessions initially, there are trained support workers available as part of the Move to Thrive project to provide the help and support needed. Get in touch and find out more, and come along and give it a go!”
To book a place on the Move to Thrive sessions contact enquiries@community-resource.org.uk or call 01743 360641.
Or if you are interested in becoming a Move to Thrive volunteer, to greet and support the people who attend the group movement to music sessions, we’d love to hear from you using the same contact details as above.
The Move to Thrive project also includes a bespoke Movement to Music activity session for people with dementia and their carers in their own home who cannot access group sessions which costs just £5. There are also bespoke activity sessions for people with early onset dementia.