Dance for Parkinson's
4 November – 2 December 2026
Event details
Experience the joy of dance, live music and community as English National Ballet bring their ground-breaking Dance for Parkinson’s programme to Southampton this autumn, in partnership with Mayflower.
English National Ballet is the UK’s leading dance organisation delivering Dance for Parkinson’s PD-Ballet® since 2010. Building on over 15 years of national development and ground-breaking research, the programme is now launching at Mayflower Studios.
Join us in a series of sessions and discover the transformative power of dance. Led by specialist Associate Dance Artists and Musicians, sessions combine seated and standing dance movements with vocal exercises. Inspired by the company’s iconic ballet and contemporary repertoire, sessions explore the themes, music and choreography directly from the stage. The programme invites you to experience the joy of dancing to live music, socialising, meeting new people and seeing dance performances.
No experience is necessary, and we encourage those who don’t usually dance to come and meet the team and give it a go! Classes welcome people living with Parkinson’s, along with their families, loved ones and carers.
We encourage you to sign up for the full 5 weeks to experience the full magic of dancing with English National Ballet, however classes can be booked individually.
If you have any questions about the programme or this class, please email participation@mayflower.org.uk.
Bookings for our 10-week term starting on 13 January will open in November.
Venue
Studio 3 — Mayflower Studios
Price
Suggested prices include £20, £25 or £30 for the full 5 weeks of sessions. Alternatively, feel free to drop in for a taster session for £5.
Age advice
Strictly 18+
Sessions
November
| Wed 4 November 2026, 1pm – 3pm |
| Wed 11 November 2026, 1pm – 3pm |
| Wed 18 November 2026, 1pm – 3pm |
| Wed 25 November 2026, 1pm – 3pm |
December
| Wed 2 December 2026, 1pm – 3pm |
Session schedule
- Sign in from 12.30pm
- Head to studio at 12.50pm
- Class 1pm – 2.15pm
- Social time 2.15pm – 3pm
- Departure 3pm
Why join Dance for Parkinson’s?
Dancing can enhance fluidity of movement, improve balance and develop postural stability, core strength and coordination.
The use of live music, rhythms and voice can help with cueing movement and expression.
Every class is accompanied by beautiful live music and delivered by expert dance artists.
Enjoy social time and refreshments in a brilliant community of dancers.
About the project
English National Ballet classes take place at ENB’s studios at the Mulryan Centre for Dance and in partnership with hub partners: Royal Albert Hall in London, DanceEast in Ipswich, Liverpool Hope University in Liverpool, Oxford City Council and MuMo Creative in Oxford, affiliated hub partner National Dance Company Wales in Cardiff, and now Mayflower Southampton.
ENB’s classes are welcoming and full of joy! Inspired by the company’s classical and contemporary repertoire – from Swan Lake to Akram Khan’s Giselle, and from William Forsythe’s Playlist (Track 1, 2) to Nutcracker, each term we creatively explore the themes, music and choreographic language and view the production as a whole on-stage or online.
The components of the dance class, the artistic freedom and the social aspect of ENB’s Dance for Parkinson’s can help with managing daily living with Parkinson’s. Dancing can enhance fluidity of movement, develop postural stability, flexibility of the spine and improve balance. The use of rhythm and voice can help with cueing movement and expression.
FAQs
Please wear comfortable clothing that you can easily move in and bare feet or comfortable shoes such as trainers, soft ballet shoes or plimsolls.
Partners and carers are more than welcome to join the classes with you, should you require any 1-1 assistance or support. We ask all guests in the classes to join in practically.
If you have any questions, please get in touch with our Participation Team at participation@mayflower.org.uk.