Barnet boppers - meet the patients and staff bringing dance to the ward

Patients and staff at Barnet Hospital have found themselves getting into the groove with a regular bop.

Junior sister Karelle Evans leads regular dance events at the hospital which staff, patients and visitors are encouraged to get involved with.

EMD UK, the national governing body for group exercise, helped to fund a 10-week pilot but the sessions have proved so popular that Karelle, who also trains as a dancer, has continued to provide the service.

“On average we have 20 people and the bop is held in the playroom on the children’s ward,” said Karelle. “Everybody looks forward to it. One mum told me her child was having an operation and she just wanted to cry but this had been a brilliant distraction for her. It’s also popular with our young mental health patients and helps pick up their mood.”

Karelle says the sessions have also proved valuable for staff morale. “I think it gives staff a bit more confidence and improves communications between us because we get some normal interaction. It definitely picks up our morale and the energy on the ward becomes more lively.” 

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