Dumbarton ballet class for over-55s is tackling isolation and keeping people active

The Silver Swans movement is even popular among royalty with the Duchess of Cornwall taking part.

A special type of class is tackling isolation, keeping minds active and bodies moving all while giving people the chance to make friends and exercise.

Meet the Silver Swans – a group of over-55s who take part in weekly ballet sessions giving a true full body workout.

The dancers meet at St Michael’s Church Hall in Dumbarton where they brighten up the morning of class teacher Ashley Mason and spread the joy amongst themselves too.

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She told the Lennox Herald: “The people that come through the door are absolutely lovely. It’s the highlight of my morning. They are all so cheery and bubbly. I think it’s the highlight of their day too. It’s something I have taken on and I absolutely love it.”

And the women are in good company as veteran broadcaster Angela Rippon is the Silver Swans ambassador and even recommended classes to the Duchess of Cornwall with a dance teacher now going along to Clarence House regularly to deliver classes to Camilla, her lady-in-waiting and some other members of staff.

Ashley, 43, who is from Helensburgh, trained at the elite Elmhurst Ballet School in association with Birmingham Royal Ballet.

She travelled the world performing with various companies as well as taking on roles in musical theatre.

When she came back to settle in the area, she set up her dance school and, more recently, trained specially in Silver Swans.

Since starting up the Dumbarton class a year ago, Ashley hasn’t looked back. She said: “A lot of people that have come along have said they wanted to try this having tried the gym and high impact exercise and it hasn’t worked for them.

“They come along to ballet class to do some exercise and they thoroughly enjoy it. I think it’s the music and the movement which make it really special. A lot of them never did dance as a child but it was maybe something they wanted to do when they were younger and now they are able to do it to their own level.”

One of the massive benefits is helping people in older years socialise with their peers.

Ashley went on: “It’s been good for people who may feel lonely and isolated. We do things outwith ballet class as well such as a Christmas lunch and we are planning a coffee morning.

“If people don’t get out much, they should pop along to the class.

“It helps them mix with people and is open to both men and women. They are all friendly and are all there for the same reason. They’re all in their 50s, 60s, 70s and I have someone in their 80s in my Glasgow class.

“They are all keen to do it. They absolutely love coming and they are all wanting to feel like a ballerina.”

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As well as providing a physical workout, a large part of the exercise is about engaging the brain which helps with memory problems including dementia and Alzheimer’s.

Ashley continued: “It’s very good for the mind. Those taking part are having to think arms, legs, body. They are thinking about everything.

“It’s amazing because you see the progression from somebody starting at the very beginning and someone who has been going for a while.”

In addition, people who maybe don’t have a great range of movement can also take part as the class can be adaptable depending on the individual’s abilities.

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Ashley explained: “You can come in and sit on a chair and do it. You don’t specifically need to be standing to do it. It’s about learning the musicality.

“There’s movement in the upper body and, when sitting down, you can do things with your legs. You don’t have to be standing up.

“It’s about getting somebody into the class and getting them to freely move through dance in whatever way the can.”

The Silver Swans classes take place between 10am and 11am on a Monday. More information is available by calling Ashley on 07756817159.

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