A woman who trained as a dancer and choreographer is bringing her expertise as a dance music therapist to her new appointment as activities co-ordinator at St Benedict’s Nursing Home in Glastonbury.

Juliet Binning had already trained and established herself as a professional dancer and choreographer when she discovered dance movement therapy and the life-changing benefits it can offer people with special needs.

Juliet said: “I was fascinated to learn how beneficial dance movement therapy can be for stress reduction, disease prevention, and mood management. It offers a huge range of emotional, cognitive, physical, and social benefits to promote self-awareness, self-esteem, and a safe space to express your feelings.

“So I decided to train so I could work therapeutically with adults with learning and physical disabilities, and with dementia patients, and after qualifying I ran my own business for 14 years around homes in Somerset.

“As well as the obvious physical benefits, dance music therapy can have important positive impacts on residents’ cognitive processing, emotional connection, social interaction and spiritual wellbeing: it is rewarding on so many levels.

“At St Benedict’s I will be organising regular and varied activities and movement sessions which will introduce more variety into the already well-established variety of musical entertainments, games and outings available to residents.

“Music is very key and I will be using my extensive knowledge of songs – many of which have been taught to me by dementia patients over the years. So many of them really enjoy singing along to the old time songs and can remember them very well, even when other memories are fading.

“I have already experienced how much fun and joy there is at St Bens, both within group and one to one sessions. I like being able to freely chat and engage with the residents and try and make their day more enjoyable or active.

“I love meeting and learning about new people, especially those older and wiser than me, and am thoroughly looking forward to building relationships with the residents to hopefully facilitate a happier and healthier life.”

In her spare time Juliet, who lives in Glastonbury, enjoys fitness activities such as running on the moors and yoga, as well as reading, watching comedy, anything to do with art or dance especially live performances, and planning holidays or new places to visit.

St Benedict’s Nursing Home is run by White Care Group which has other homes in Shepton Mallet and Taunton.