Words by Smiley Team
Strictly Come Dancing former star, Vincent Simone, hosted a ‘Strictly Special’ accessible dance class for people supported by the charity Community Integrated Care.
Vincent shared advice, inspiration and encouragement for the once-in-a-lifetime experience, making dreams come true for more than 30 dance lovers who access care and support.
Community Integrated Care is one of Britain’s biggest and most successful social care charities – supporting more than 3,000 people who have learning disabilities, autism, mental health concerns and other complex care needs. It has developed a website, www.What-To-Do.co.uk, which offers people who access support exceptional free live activity sessions every day.
Vincent, who starred in Strictly Come Dancing from 2006 to 2013 with the likes of Stephanie Beacham, Felicity Kendal and Natalie Cassidy, was a special guest on the website’s popular weekly Accessible Dance Club.
The dance superstar partnered with the charity’s accessible dance instructor Nicola Booth, from the Leeds Rhinos Foundation, to deliver a salsa inspired masterclass.
The session saw Vincent breakdown some of his most famous routines – including his acclaimed dance to Irene Cara’s ‘What A Feeling’, which he famously performed as a showdance in the 2008 series final with popstar Rachel Stevens.
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The guests, who access social care services across the UK, were given the VIP treatment by the dance icon. With Vincent going above and beyond for his fans - delivering a post-workshop Q&A and an exclusive surprise performance, it represented the greatest Christmas surprise possible for the group.
Vincent said: “It was simply a joy to take part in the session and spend time with people supported by Community Integrated Care. Seeing the participants having so much fun, and exercising too, was an absolute pleasure. I know many people are still anxious about Covid-19, so sharing my passion and expertise whilst everyone is in the comfort of their own homes was fantastic.
“I could see how much today meant to everyone and hope there will be more opportunities to take part in further sessions in the future! After another challenging year, I hope everyone has a great Christmas.”
www.What-To-Do.co.uk is a unique hub created by Community Integrated Care that offers people who access care and support free daily online activity sessions, including dance, cookery, PE and games, chair-based exercise, discos, and yoga. Every session is expert-led and specially adapted to be accessible and inclusive for people who have disabilities.
