Dementia Jersey launches ‘Find Your Groove’ campaign to get Islanders moving

Dementia Jersey has launched a new campaign encouraging Islanders to make movement part of their everyday lives, highlighting the benefits of physical activity for both overall wellbeing and long-term brain health.

The Find Your Groove initiative got off to an energetic start on Friday 7 August, when performers staged a surprise flash mob at the Jersey Development Company’s Hola Friday! event at Trenton Square, IFC.

The campaign forms part of Dementia Jersey’s wider Boost Your Brain programme, which aims to raise awareness of lifestyle choices that may help reduce the risk of dementia.

With music filling Trenton Square, local performers from Flair Entertainment surprised crowds with a lively dance display. Campaign postcards and festival-style wristbands were also handed out to attendees, highlighting the message that staying active can be enjoyable as well as beneficial.

Dancing has been chosen as a key focus because it combines physical exercise with activities that can support memory, coordination and social connection.

The campaign follows findings from the 2024 Lancet Commission report, which indicated that addressing modifiable risk factors could potentially prevent or delay up to 45% of dementia cases.

Dementia Jersey is now encouraging Islanders to ‘Find Their Groove’ by taking advantage of the wide range of dance and movement activities already available across the Island.

Dreena Collins, dementia project manager at Dementia Jersey, said the campaign was designed to challenge the idea that exercise has to involve intensive workouts.

“Find Your Groove is about showing that movement doesn’t have to mean going to the gym or running a marathon,” she said.

“Whether it’s salsa, line dancing, Zumba, ballroom, street dance, or simply dancing around your kitchen, moving more is one of the best things we can do for both our physical and brain health.”