Imberhorne School hosted our very first fabulous afternoon tea dance for grandparents and older people in our community and it was a roaring success. The event was attended by over 50 guests, including one former student who started at the Windmill Lane school in 1939 and two others who attended Imberhorne in the 1960s and 70s.

Our 1928 school hall was the perfect venue to whisk grandparents, and older members of our community, back to a time when going to ‘the dance’ was the height of ones’ social life! The dancing was expertly led by Adrian and Jill from A&J Dancing and the floor was packed from the first dance to the last. During the interval, everyone was treated to a lavish spread of sandwiches, mini quiches, cakes and biscuits, thanks to sponsorship from Retirement Villages UK, Mid Sussex District Council and donations from Waitrose – all displayed on cake stands and starch linens, provided by the Crowne Plaza Hotel, Felbridge.

The atmosphere was incredible and the 28 student volunteers, while nervous at first, soon fell into the swing of taking drinks orders and waiting on tables. They even took to the dance floor for a quick ‘lesson’, alongside members of staff and guests. Feedback was hugely complimentary: ‘The students were all charming and interested and a great credit to the school’ and ‘It was an extremely enjoyable occasion and students were so polite and helpful’ and ‘Everything was perfect and we loved the fact that pupils were involved in a dance!’  

A few guests living with dementia and their carers – who attended Imberhorne’s dementia-friendly singing session earlier in the year – also joined in and it was wonderful to see them remembering all the steps; a wife had her husband back for just a few minutes.

Imberhorne School is extremely grateful for the support of local organisations in helping to make this event possible. The tea dance provided a unique volunteering opportunity for students, who thoroughly enjoyed themselves and it was hugely rewarding to bring young and old together for a shared activity that spans the generations. Keep dancing!