Spring for Seniors

By Diane Busuttil

In a world increasingly recognising the value of creative engagement in ageing populations, Spring for Seniors, for people over 55, stands as a successful example of how movement and artistic exploration can transform both physical and mental health outcomes and enhance the quality of life for older adults.

Due to overwhelming demand, the program is expanding!

From July onwards, Spring for Seniors will now run two sessions per day, reflecting the strong interest and growing need for creative, community-led programs for older adults. This expansion also signals a broader cultural shift, as leading institutions like the Sydney Opera House are embracing inclusive models of cultural engagement. (Refer to BOOKINGS below for more information).

Why Dance Theatre for Seniors?

Participation in movement-based activities like dance theatre has been linked to a vast range of health advantages, ranging from improved balance and coordination, lowering the risk of falls, as well as improved cognitive function and short-term memory when learning short choreographic sequences.

Dance theatre offers a multitude of expressions relating to both our inner world stories as well as that of our imagination. Being able to feel safe in an environment where we can express ourselves and share ideas with others boosts emotional well-being, which results in increased self-esteem and confidence.

What sets Spring for Seniors apart is its focus on creative agency, empowering participants to express themselves beyond the boundaries of exercise routines or therapy. Spring for Seniors is not just a dance class where you learn the “routine” and follow along. Spring for Seniors taps into the necessary human need for play, social connection, imagination, and storytelling, thereby enhancing creative agency and encouraging creative engagement. Dance theatre as an art form combines physical movement with narrative, character, and emotion. In this workshop, participants are engaged in a multitude of areas that promote health.

Strengthening Social and Community Connections

One of the most profound yet often under-acknowledged benefits of arts-based programs for older adults is their ability to initiate meaningful social engagement. In a time when social isolation is recognised as a significant public health concern that is linked to increased risks of depression and cognitive decline, programs like Spring for Seniors serve as vital community lifelines.

The workshop structure is intentionally relational and inclusive. The creative nature of dance theatre encourages collaborative exploration, whether through partner exercises, group improvisations, or shared reflections during post-class conversations. These conversations are a deliberate extension of the creative process designed to deepen interpersonal connection and cultivate a sense of belonging.

Feedback from participants has shown they walk away with a renewed sense of identity and confidence, stemming not only from the physical activity but from feeling seen, heard, and valued in a communal space, something our outside world does not often value.

Image credit: Coti Cibils @coticibils_danceandphoto

Responding to Growing Demand

Creative Caring is expanding its sessions into more aged care and hospital settings. If you wish to learn how to be a Creative Caring facilitator, please get in touch with Diane at info@creativecaring.com.au.

Bookings 

Tickets for the Autumn season (October and November) go on sale for the general public on Wednesday, the 16th and on Tuesday, the 15th, for SOH Insider members.

Booking link: https://www.sydneyoperahouse.com/workshops/spring-seniors

About the Facilitator

These sessions are facilitated by Diane Busuttil, a socially engaged dance artist and educator with extensive experience in both professional dance and community-based practice, particularly within aged care and health settings. She is the founder of Creative Caring Australia and a specialist in Creative Ageing and Engagement. Her work explores the intersection of movement, memory, and meaning across community and aged care settings.

Image credit: Shane Rozario @shanerozario 

 

Posted by Elyssa Sykes-Smith

  • Diane Busuttil is a socially engaged dance artist and educator, and the founder of Creative Caring Australia
  • Elyssa Sykes-Smith is a multidisciplinary artist, educator and climate psychology researcher, and Media Officer at AHNNA