Dance with the Museums engages residents with artifacts and their stories to inspire learning, connectivity, dance, and movement.
Health and wellbeing is one of the core themes of activity across the collection of University of Cambridge Museums (UCM).
With three programmes every year, each taking place in collaboration with a different museum, Dance with the Museums engages residents with artifacts and their stories to inspire learning, connectivity, dance, and movement.
"It just makes my heart feel open and happy – all of it... watered and fresh!" - Participant
Accessing Cambridge City Centre and its breadth of cultural and social assets can be challenging for older residents with its old buildings, uneven, narrow pavements, and limited transport. This is especially true for the city's sheltered housing residents, many of whom face additional financial, mobility and social barriers.
As public-facing assets, the museums are uniquely positioned to enrich people’s lives and bridge the perceived divide between the University and the City. It was in this context that the partnership between Cambridge City Council’s Independent Living Service (ILS) and the University of Cambridge Museums (UCM) was initiated.
The Council’s 13 sheltered housing schemes provide homes to older local people who need support to live independently and manage care and support needs. Health inequalities in the region highlight the importance of these schemes, with a 10-year life expectancy gap existing between men living in the poorest and the richest areas of Cambridge.
Older people are especially vulnerable to loneliness and social isolation, both of which have serious effects on health. Each scheme has a communal space where residents are encouraged to organise activities. However, antisocial behaviour, coupled with the absence of on-site staff, has led to an underutilisation of these spaces and increased isolation.
"Everybody can have a different opinion. And it doesn't matter what, you respect everybody else’s opinion. It doesn't matter what you say." - Participant
Health and wellbeing central to museum outreach
Health and wellbeing is one of the core themes of activity across the collection of University of Cambridge Museums (UCM). In response to health inequalities and the region's higher-than-average aging population, older people are a priority within this. The partnership with the ILS and sheltered housing residents offered the UCM an opportunity to engage with and co-create an inherently inclusive programme for older adults.
The ILS team, whilst focused on service delivery, was eager to collaborate. However, a restructure had eliminated on-site warden roles. Fortunately, a senior administrator advocated for the partnership, incorporating it into her remit, laying the foundation for the programme's subsequent years. Today, the partnership is managed by a dedicated team member focused on ‘frailty’.
In 2017, residents collaborated with the UCM and dance for health artist, Filipa Pereira-Stubbs, to pilot the programme. Together, they developed a practice with three key health outcomes: social and cultural connectivity, uplifted mood, and improved strength and physical confidence.
The pilots' popularity enabled the UCM to secure funds for the following year during which the group met for two hours monthly, over three themed terms. Two sessions per term took place at the sheltered housing schemes and the third took place at the Fitzwilliam. Dial-a-ride provided critical transport.
Demand quickly outstripped supply and paved the way for securing additional project funding for older adult programming. Delivery was expanded to three sessions per month, held at locations across the city.
Positive impact and growing scale of activity
Two external evaluation reports have assessed the programme's impact during this period (2018-2023): in 2021 by Dr. Hillary Bungay, Anglia Ruskin University, and 2023 by Susan Potter, Health and Wellbeing consultant.
Today, Dance with the Museum takes place across the University collections, inviting participants to explore a breadth of art and artifacts. There are two sessions per month across three terms, each focusing on a different collection story. Feedback to date is showing that this is increasing residents’ sense of connectivity and enhancing the University’s presence in people’s lives.
The challenge of time-limited funds, and temporary employment contracts will undoubtedly persist, however, the unique longevity of this collaboration and its continued impact on the lives of older adults is a real cause for celebration! The groups are keen to get to know more of Cambridge so please do get in touch if you work for a museum and would like to get to know them!
"It’s a huge privilege to do the sessions and, at our age, normally you think of museums being just for school children – not interested in ‘us’, but our mature minds are so ready for this!" - Participant
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