Improving the Quality of Life for People Living with Parkinson’s Disease Through the Power of Dance
Photo Credit: Dancing with Parkinson’s Canada
One of the hardest lessons learned from the COVID-19 pandemic was how detrimental social isolation can be to mental and physical health. This is particularly true for seniors, and especially those with Parkinson’s Disease (PD), the fastest growing neurodegenerative condition which erodes mobility and compromises quality of life. It was during this difficult time that a Toronto-based charity, Dancing with Parkinson’s (DWP), stood ready to build social connections for those who needed them most.
Founded in 2008 by Sarah Robichaud, a classically trained ballet dancer and recent King Charles III Coronation Medal recipient, DWP provides innovative, accessible, and evidence-backed dance classes that are proven to increase energy levels, enhance mobility, ignite motivation, and build community. Within days of the global pandemic’s onset, DWP pivoted from hosting 15 in-person dance classes to offering daily online gatherings called Daily Dance Connect (DDC). Within two years, DWP grew its community to engage 3,000 participants as well as deepened partnerships with more than 45 like-minded organizations.
Daily Dance Connect (DDC) online gathering Photo Credit: Dancing with Parkinson’s
In 2022, in the midst of ongoing lock-downs during the pandemic, The Hilary and Galen Weston Foundation supported DWP in expanding its impact. With that support, what began as one free weekly in-person class in Toronto grew to over 46 in-person, online, and hybrid classes and artistic experiences 365 days a year across Canada and beyond. Today, these programs engage more than 6,000 participants including seniors, people living with Parkinson’s disease, as well as their care partners – many dancing from beds, wheelchairs, or with walkers.
In 2025, The Hilary and Galen Weston Foundation renewed DWP’s support for the next three years, making it possible for the organization to launch 25 additional in-person and hybrid classes in underserved and rural communities across Canada. These programs are expected to engage another 3,600 participants both in-person and online. The Foundation’s support will also help DWP develop their internal capacity to build long-term financial sustainability, ensuring their impact can deepen and continue to grow for years to come.
Sarah Robichaud leading participants at DWP’s 17th Anniversary fundraiser. Photo Credit: Dancing with Parkinson’s Canada
DWP is so much more than a dance class. It is a daily program that fills a critical healthcare gap. Guided by the voices of their participants, DWP is an upstream, arts-based, evidence-driven intervention that aims to meet people where they are. As one dancer shared, “Without DWP, I wouldn’t get up in the morning. Having music and people around every morning really did save my life.” Through engaging and accessible community programs, DWP keeps participants active, connected, and empowered, transforming isolation into belonging in the most joyful way.
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