A group of women living with Multiple Sclerosis (MS) have taken centre stage in a moving dance performance.
The eight dancers, supported by Scottish Ballet, performed at Healing Arts Scotland Glasgow Day on Friday, as part of SB Elevate®, the ballet company’s dance programme for people with Multiple Sclerosis.
This programme aims to improve balance, strength, confidence, and wellbeing through dance.
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Among the performers was 63-year-old Denise Noone from Glasgow’s south side, who said the weekly classes have transformed her life.
She said: "The hardest part of my MS diagnosis was at the beginning when I had written myself off, thinking that I wouldn’t have much of a quality of life.
"In addition to the benefits to my body, this class completely changed my outlook mentally.
"I have something that I really look forward to, and the class has given me the confidence to now perform."
Denise, who joined the classes following a referral from her physiotherapist, said the benefits go well beyond the physical.
She said: "This class is my support foundation.
"It keeps me moving, well-informed, and when I am engaged in the class, it takes my mind away from any negativity."
The performance was the result of a collaboration between Scottish Ballet and Dr Emily Davis of Durham University’s Moving Bodies Lab, who contributed research from her Dance for MS PhD project to the initiative.
Scottish Ballet’s Elevate dancers performed as part of a wider programme of creative health initiatives delivered in partnership with NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde (NHSGGC) and Glasgow Life.
These programmes form part of NHSGGC’s approach to Realistic Medicine.
Dr Jude Marshall, Realistic Medicine Lead at NHSGGC, said: "Realistic Medicine is about delivering care that is personalised, compassionate, and focused on what matters most to people.
"Arts and creative approaches can play an important role in supporting wellbeing, improving experiences of care, and enabling more meaningful conversations between patients and professionals.
"Events like Healing Arts Scotland help to highlight the value of looking beyond traditional clinical interventions and embracing approaches that support the whole person."
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Christopher Hampson, chief executive and artistic director of Scottish Ballet, said: "Scottish Ballet is committed to enriching and improving lives through dance, offering safe and supportive programmes that truly align with Scotland’s Realistic Medicine approach to healthcare.
"Seeing the SB Elevate® participants take to the stage and share their journey is incredibly powerful.
"It shows how dance can support both physical health and emotional wellbeing and help people to rediscover what they can achieve."
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