There was a time when Audrey Raistrick would spend her Saturday nights doing the jive, the waltz and any other dance she could turn her hand to.
Now 80, Audrey is still light on her feet and these days she's taking to the dance floor in a very different style - she's learning to be a Bollywood dancer.
Audrey has helped to set up a Bollywood dance class for the over-50s in Bradford and her message to anyone who thinks they're took old to learn is: "Come and have a go, you'll love it."
The fortnightly classes, for older people and those with mobility problems, are being run by Neighbourly Care Bradford (NCB) and Leeds-based South Asian Arts-uk (SAA-uk).
Audrey, of Eccleshill, founded NCB, a charitable trust, two years ago to provide a connection between elderly people and local services. Audrey set up a team which raised £90,000 for the trust, based at the Thornbury Centre on Leeds Old Road.
Neighbourly Care works with health services, Bradford Council, the police and other agencies to help elderly people, providing services such as pension and debt advice and information about the Council's Passport to Leisure scheme.
Audrey was inspired to set up Bollywood classes by a feature she read in Friday Family.
"It was all about a Bollywood dance class for children, it looked so colourful and lively and I wanted to have a go myself," she says. "I thought: If younger people can do it, why not the older generation?' It looked like something that could be adapted to suit different abilities."
Audrey contacted Neighbourly Care development worker Fozia Naseem and the pair worked on setting up a series of classes which will be launched next week.
The classes will be run by community dance practitioner Rushia Uzmi, from SAA-uk. Rushia is skilled in Bollywood, Kathak and Bengali folk dance and has previous experience of working with the older generation.
"She's fantastic," says Audrey. "She gave us a taster session and it was wonderful, I thought I might feel a bit awkward but it was an informal, relaxed atmosphere and I felt completely at ease.
"The tutor went through the moves first and I was surprised at how quickly I got into it. The dancing is so fluid you find yourself just going where the movement takes you. You just enjoy yourself. It's fun, which is the main thing. And of course it's doing some good at the same time.
"I can't do physical jerks but I can do this style of dance because it's so adaptable and expressive.
"I find you can really express yourself through the music and movement. It reminds me of dances I used to do when I was younger, like the jive."
The classes will be tailored to suit individual needs.
"The beauty of Bollywood dance styles is that they can be adapted to suit different ages and abilities," says Fozia. "People with mobility problems may not be able to move around the floor but the dances involve movement and expression with the arms, which they can join in with. Some of the moves are a bit like Tai-Chi. Anyone who comes along will be assessed medically.
"We didn't want to set up a class doing just the same old chair exercises, we thought this would be more fun."
As well as boosting fitness and wellbeing, Fozia - who speaks Urdu, Hindi, Mirpuri, Punjabi and English - says the classes are aimed at bringing people from different cultures together. "The idea is for people to meet up, learn a new skill and socialise. It's a chance to learn about other cultures," she says. "Anyone can come along, you don't have to sign up to a course. If the fortnightly classes are a success we'll look at holding them weekly."
Audrey hopes the classes will inspire older people to get out of the house and try something new.
"One of the normal ways to meet people is to have a dance, that was how everyone used to get together in the old days," she says.
"I've seen Bollywood on television but I don't know much about it. I'm curious and I want to have a go and learn about it. It's important for people from different communities to meet up and join in with activities together, it helps to break down prejudices and improves communication. That's what living in a multi-cultural district is all about."
You don't have to wear a colourful shalwar kameez or layers of silk scarves to take part. "People can wear whatever they feel comfortable in for dance and keep-fit exercises," says Audrey. "It's very relaxed, we'll have a cup of tea and a chat after dancing. So many elderly people are isolated in their homes, this is a way of bringing people from different communities together.
"And because you're learning, it keeps your mind active as well as your body, which is just as important.
"Anyone who's interested can just turn up, pay £2 and have a go."
Fozia adds: "I'm really hoping this will be a step towards reducing isolation and providing a happier, healthier life so the future of older people can be a more fulfilling and enjoyable experience - with plenty of Bollywood spice!
"If anyone has grandparents or parents they know would love to come but aren't sure, they can come along with them."
Helen Moore from South Asian Arts-uk says: "It's great to be involved in working with this sector of the community and engaging with the older generation."
SAA-uk promotes traditional and contemporary South Asian music and dance to help change people's lives and contribute to social unity. "Dancing is an inspirational experience that helps to break down personal and social barriers," says Helen.
Neighbourly Care Bradford is organising a community arts day, to be held in July, giving people chance to try activities from different ethnic cultures. "There will be arts and crafts, storytelling, memory exercises and demonstrations of things like calligraphy," says Fozia. "We want to find the activities that appeal to people, then set up classes."
- The Bollywood keep-fit dance classes will run fortnightly from Tuesday May 22, from 1pm to 2pm, at The Thornbury Centre, Room 4, 79 Leeds Old Road, Thornbury. For more information ring Fozia Naseem on (01274) 656665 or 07736472153.
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