A dance session with former Strictly Come Dancing pro Robin Windsor was a delight for a care home’s residents.
They were among the first in the UK to practise moves and receive personal tips under the star’s new ‘A Step Back in Time’ dance initiative, via Zoom, for older people.
As well as a focus on jive, the fun included upper body movements for chair-based participants, and the chance to sing along with Robin’s fellow presenter, West End performer Rebecca Lisewski.
Professional dancer Robin Windsor with his Colten Care students on Zoom.
“It was absolutely great,” said John Parfit, who joined in from the residents’ lounge at Braemar Lodge, Salisbury. “Robin and Rebecca got the whole Colten group swinging.”
Amid smiles and laughter all round, he singled out two residents for special mentions. He said Rita Clay, who lives at Newstone House in Sturminster Newton, was “good enough to be in next year’s Strictly” and he gave Ruth Horrocks, from Whitecliffe House in Blandford, the top score of ‘Ten’ for her dancing.
Robin said: “I thoroughly enjoyed meeting all the lovely residents from Colten Care who took part. We had so much fun and they definitely showed off some great moves. I’ve created ‘A Step Back In Time’ especially for care home residents. I want it to be a chance for older people to express and enjoy themselves through song and dance. It’s all about helping to improve your mood and supporting your physical and mental wellbeing.”
Robin was a dancer on Strictly between 2010 and 2015. His celebrity partners included radio presenter Sara Cox, actors Lisa Riley, Anita Dobson and Patsy Kensit, and business personality Deborah Meaden from TV’s Dragons’ Den.
Asked by a Colten resident what his most embarrassing Strictly moment was, Robin recalled finishing a dance with Lisa Riley, adding: “We were going up the stairs to speak with presenter Tess Daly but I missed a step, fell and landed right in the lap of a lady audience member. She was fine about it!”
Colten homes in Hampshire, Dorset, Wiltshire and West Sussex all logged on for the live and exclusive session with residents using Zoom chat to interact with Robin and ask questions.