Dance for Parkinson’s: Liverpool

English National Ballet (ENB) have been delivering Dance for Parkinson’s in Liverpool since 2014. Autumn 2023 marked the beginning of an exciting new partnership between English National Ballet (ENB) and Liverpool Hope University to deliver English National Ballet’s much-loved community engagement programme in Liverpool.

English National Ballet’s Dance for Parkinson’s (DfP) offers people living with Parkinson’s the benefits of a recognised and evidence-based dance programme with live music and wider cultural engagement opportunities for better health and well-being.

What is Dance for Parkinson’s?

Established in 2010, English National Ballet was the first UK dance company to develop a dance and cultural programme specifically for people living with Parkinson’s underpinned by research from University of Roehampton. Dance for Parkinson’s (DfP) programme supports people living with Parkinson’s through the joy of dance, music, and social connection.

These joyful and creative classes are inspired by English National Ballet’s classical and contemporary performance repertoire, are always accompanied by music played live, and are led by highly experienced dance artists and musicians. The programme also offers unique opportunities to attend performances, meet creatives, and gain behind-the-scenes insight into English National Ballet’s productions.

The components of the dance class, the creative freedom, and the social aspect of the programme can help with managing daily living with Parkinson’s. Dancing can enhance fluidity of movement, develop postural stability, increase flexibility of the spine, and improve balance. The use of rhythm and voice can help with cueing movement and expression.

English National Ballet classes have made such a positive impact on my life and the benefits are enormous to health and well-being.

Participant of English National Ballet's Dance for Parkinson's in London

A creative partnership

Dance for Parkinson’s classes in Liverpool are hosted in the inspiring surroundings of the Great Hall at Liverpool Hope University’s Creative Campus. Furthermore, students from the University’s Dance programme have the opportunity to extend their learning by contributing to the programme as DfP volunteers, supporting participation and working under the guidance of English National Ballet’s specialist Associate Artists, learning about the many career pathways that dance has to offer. English National Ballet’s links with ATG Liverpool Empire and other venues in the north-west offers the programme’s students and staff the chance to experience the Company’s mainstage productions and to participate in ongoing training and professional development.

Summer Term 2025

Dance for Parkinson’s is open to individuals living with Parkinson’s, as well as loved ones and carers. Classes begin with gentle movement and breath work, move into learning creative choreography inspired by ENB repertoire, and always finish with refreshments and a chance to socialise.

Book your space for the summer term here

Term dates and times

Face-to-face classes take place on Thursdays, 24 April – 10 July 2025 
1.30pm – 3.30pm

Thursday 24 April
Thursday 1 May
Thursday 8 May
Thursday 15 May
Thursday 22 May

Half term break – no class on 29 May and 5 June

Thursday 12 June
Thursday 19 June
Thursday 26 June
Thursday 3 July
Thursday 10 July

Location

Classes will be held at Liverpool Hope University, Creative Campus in-person at the Great Hall with refreshments in the Blue room.

The Creative Campus is less than a mile away from Liverpool Lime Street and is situated at the junction of Islington and Shaw Street. The Great Hall is accessible via a short bus ride from the Queen Square Bus Station (including the 13, 17, 18, 21, 23 and 101) with a short walk at the end of the journey.

The address for your satnav if you are driving is Shaw Street, L6 1HP. Please note there is no on-site parking however there is a public car park across the road from Liverpool Hope University Creative Campus.

Click here for the google maps location of the creative campus and further information about directions to the Great Hall (where classes are held) here.

Fee

£40 for the 10-week term. You are welcome to bring a friend, family member or carer free of charge.

You can book for the term here.

Term focus

The summer term will explore The Sleeping Beauty, choreographed by Sir Kenneth MacMillan.

Brimming with beautiful choreography, sets and costumes, you will be whisked away to an enchanted land, heightened by one of Tchaikovsky’s greatest ballet scores. This bewitching fairytale leads you through a story of good versus evil, as embodied in the characters, Carabosse and the Lilac Fairy.

The story depicts Princess Aurora who is cursed by the wicked Carabosse to prick her finger and die on her 16th birthday, but her godmother the Lilac Fairy alters the spell so Aurora will not die, but sleep for 100 years. Only a true love’s kiss can break the spell and awaken her.

Please contact us via dancehealth@ballet.org.uk if you have any questions or if you need help booking a space on the class.

Find out more about English National Ballet’s Dance for Parkinson’s programme here.