Just your cup of tea.

This article focuses on how a social dance can help to support intellectual, emotional and motor functions in older people with mental health problems. Funded through generous donations, the tea dance has been operating for just over two years and have many benefits. Social dancing increases physical activity, and enables people to move more freely. Muscular tone and basic movement styles have improved, leading to increased confidence in taking part in everyday activities. Social dancing seems to support spontaneous activity and stimulate people to communicate with others. Since everyone is a social creatures, and dancing is a social activity that contributes towards improved self-esteem and a more positive outlook on life. People can improve concentration as they focus on the dance steps and movement. Social dancing seems also to have a reminiscence role. The person's feelings about his or her identity are prompted when he or she remembers the social skills and procedures ranging from asking for a dance to escorting a partner back to their seat.