'Comfy ceilidh' brings community and joy to city pensioners

A ‘comfy ceilidh’ bringing people with dementia together for a day of dancing has brought joy to communities in Edinburgh.

Healing Arts brought a series of events to communities across Scotland in a weeklong celebration of the role of arts in improving health and wellbeing.

The “ceilidh with a twist” at Edinburgh’s Capital Theatre saw participants dance in their seats to traditional live music.

It’s among a raft of activities set in dementia-friendly spaces, allowing people of varied mobility levels to get moving at their own pace.

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Creative engagement coordinator Lucie Jeffrey said: “It’s a beautiful event – a set format anyone where anyone can join in at a level they’re comfortable with.

“It’s been really encouraging. In Edinburgh and Scotland there’s not a huge amount of dance opportunities for these communities. We’re so lucky and fortunate to work with this group, to give them the chance to be creative while also benefiting their health.

“You see folk light up as the session progresses. You don’t know their journey on the way to the theatre, but we hope by the end they’re leaving with a smile.”

The 'comfy ceilidh' took place in Edinburgh — The ‘comfy ceilidh’ took place in Edinburgh STV News

Another attendee added: “I thought it was fantastic – I didn’t expect anything like this.

“I used to do a lot of country dancing at parties and some of the halls and clubs when I was younger.”

“I’ve never been before, it’s good fun. I love a dance,” another man said. “It’s a nice community.”

Healing Arts global director Catherine Cassidy-Dedics said international researchers had been invited to the events to help expand access to such activities globally.

Delegates from Singapore, Japan, the USA, Spain, Denmark, Norway and Ukraine also travelled to Scotland to share research into the lasting health benefits of the arts.

“Social cohesion, loneliness and isolation seriously affect people, but physical wellbeing has huge knock-on effects,” Catherine said.

“Ceilidhs are part of our culture, and a lot of these activities have amazing effects on health, cognitive activity, and mental wellbeing as well as balance, movement and coordination.

“People leave the event and feel stronger and more comfortable. They might not remember all the event, but they’ll remember how they felt.”