A NEW project to encourage people with additional needs to experience the joy of dance is being launched in Ryedale.

Haltemprice Movement & Dance Group Committee (HMDGC) is running the therapeutic movement sessions for adults with Additional Needs thanks to National Lottery Community Funding.

‘Creative Movement & Dance & Relaxation Skills’ will take place every Friday morning throughout March at Pickering Memorial Hall.

Sessions are run by experienced Dance-Movement Psychotherapist Michaela Bullivant.

Michaela said: “The HMDG Committee is extremely grateful to the generosity of the National Lottery Community Fund & its players, in the creation of this exciting new project and we are delighted to be able to expand their work from the East Riding of Yorkshire, where it has been operating for the last 10 years, to now deliver to a wider range of adults with additional needs in the North Yorkshire area.

“These Creative Movement & Dance Sessions happen in a fun, friendly, warm and supportive, relaxed atmosphere.

"We move creatively and expressively with music of all types and sometimes with costumes, props and instrument to experience the joy of expressive, creative and artistic movement together as a community and to support and extend each person’s natural movement abilities and creative strengths. This means of communicating is especially important for those who find it more difficult to express themselves verbally.

Michaela added: "Health and well-being projects such as this are vitally important for adults with additional needs, who cannot always access other movement and dance sessions quite so easily.

“Developing and extending our expressive selves, naturally and effortlessly, through creative, enjoyable movement and dance activities, positively increases and enhances everyday life-skills, as well as relationships - to both ourselves- and to others.

"Through these sessions, the person with additional needs can discover new and surprising things about both themselves and other people through shared spontaneous, creative , fun movement!

Sessions start with a carefully led warm up, into the development of a simple theme, then wind down gently toward the end with a relaxation section to end.

Anyone can attend for free- but with a polite request of a £3 voluntary contribution toward overheads,

The first ‘Taster Day’ session will be held on Friday March 1 from 10am –and every Friday throughout March.

For further details and booking email eastridingspecialdance@hotmail.co.uk or phone 07981-690215.

Pre-booking essential however as places are limited. Friends, family, carers also welcome to join in.