Back to Life
Love to Move: Bringing Movement, Music and Belonging to the Black African Caribbean Community in Liverpool
Love to Move is our dementia friendly, chair-based movement programme designed specifically for older people and people living with dementia – it has been changing the lives of people living with dementia for 10 years.
British Gymnastics Foundation have partnered with Back to Life Liverpool CIC for a community-led project to develop a culturally adapted version of Love to Move.
There are a growing number of people being diagnosed with dementia; however, support remains limited, particularly for individuals from ethnic minority communities. These health inequalities mean dementia disproportionately affects these groups, and without access to appropriate support, people may lose confidence and independence.
Love to Move changes that. The programme is designed to help people re engage with life, improve everyday function, and enjoy being active in a way that feels safe, achievable and fun. It also supports carers by offering shared positive experiences, community connection and vital respite.
Culturally adapting Love to Move
Back to Life Liverpool CIC, founded in 2014 and led by Jacqui Walker, has a strong track record of supporting carers and vulnerable people across Liverpool. Based in Toxteth, they are a trusted organisation with deep community links through their befriending and signposting services. They are passionate about supporting people living with dementia in ways that feel welcoming, respectful and relevant.
Jacqui said ‘The benefits of regular Love to Move sessions have been proven to increase mobility, cognition, stability and social engagement. We wish to bring these benefits to the ‘Back to Life’ community’.
Love to Move is being adapted to reflect the local African Caribbean community members music tastes, recognising the powerful role music plays in memory, emotion and engagement for people living with dementia. 10 volunteers from the Black African Caribbean community will be trained to deliver the adapted version. By training volunteers from within the community, Love to Move will continue and be sustainable.
The British Gymnastics Foundation Programme Manager Louise Roberts said: “Love to Move is about helping older people and people living with dementia to feel valued, connected and part of something. We believe that everyone deserves the chance to enjoy everyday life and feel included in their community. By adapting Love to Move for the Black African Caribbean community in Liverpool, we’re showing that culture matters, belonging matters and that no one should feel left out.”
Sessions at Back to Life are followed by a hot meal including dishes such as jerk chicken and plantain from Verdain, Raggas Catering, Smithdown Rd. A healthy and culturally appropriate meal is a huge factor in engaging the local community to attend local sessions. For many, it is the only one they receive all week. This creates a relaxed social time that strengthens friendships and community spirit.
All these elements come together to create a stronger sense of belonging and trust, more connection and ensure participants feel seen, valued and comfortable.
By combining cultural understanding, evidence-based practice and community leadership, this project is helping older people and people living with dementia not just stay active, but feel connected, valued and supported, now and for the future.
British Gymnastics Foundation are also working with one of our newly qualified Love to Move deliverers in London, Sushmita Shivsubramanian, and adapting the music and sessions for the South Asian Community. Sushmita, who works as a physio for the NHS said ‘ As an NHS physiotherapist, I see how culturally adapted movement programmes can break down barriers to participation. Adapting Love to Move for the South Asian Community is about creating a space where people feel seen, comfortable and culturally connected. When the music, movements and environment feel familiar, engagement and confidence grow naturally’.
