Age UK's daytime disco unites people on dancefloor

Dancing for Jane means that all tension and stress just melts away

An Age UK daytime disco for the over 50s has united people with a passion for dancing.

The event, run by the charity's Wolverhampton branch, is held at multiple venues across the city and features music from the 1950s, 60s and 70s in the hope of creating a social activity that also promotes fitness.

Jane Crutchley, 69, started dancing in her late 20s and said she regularly attended the discos to have a boogie.

"Everything washes away when you start dancing, you forget everything and all the tension and stress just melts away," she said.

Jane (centre) performed with other members of a club in Essington, Staffordshire

Ms Crutchley said she loved that the disco played music that took her back to her youth, bringing back many memories.

The former early years practitioner said many participants felt lucky to have the disco as an opportunity to not only dance but meet other people.

"This disco, it's our time - and the music is very us," she said.

"You go home feeling relaxed and there's such a lovely atmosphere when you're dancing."

Brian Knibbs has been a ballroom dancer for many years

Brian Knibbs started ballroom dancing in the upstairs of pubs like The Custard House in Small Heath, Birmingham, more than 40 years ago.

Now aged 69, dancing is still a big part of Mr Knibbs' life. He goes ballroom dancing three times a week and has been attending the discos for nearly two years.

"Dancing gets me out of the house, it's kept me sane, you've gotta motivate yourself," he said.

"The atmosphere is fantastic, it's better than money in the bank."

John Ault met his wife on the dancefloor

John Ault, from Perton, Wolverhampton, said he had been "kept alive" by dancing, and even met his wife on the dance floor in Wolves' social club back in 1969.

The 77-year-old said he requested different songs at the daytime discos so the music did not get stale.

"Every song brings back memories," he said, "and you're back at home in your nest at 7pm which feels much safer."

Demand has grown so much that organisers are now holding two events in Wednesfield every month

From ballroom to rock and roll, Mr Ault said he was born to dance.

"This is back like the old days, where your clothes had got to be wringing with sweat. You know if the cold hits you, you've had a good time," he said.

Mark Guest started the disco over a passion for music and keeping people active

Mark Guest, from Age UK Wolverhampton, founded the daytime disco movement in 2022 to keep older people active and socialising with others.

"We wanted that vibe of going out on a Friday night and we wanted them to feel 18 again," he said.

Mr Guest hopes to open more daytime discos across the Black Country and welcomed people to join.