IT MAY be more shuffling than strictly but a Twyford grandmother is helping people dance away the blues.
Lin Jenkins, 75, started her Little Less Lonely Disco to encourage pensioners living on their own to meet others in a similar position.
But Lin admits her boogie bashes have also stopped her from being a recluse after she lost her son, Spencer 48, to covid.
“We were so close and did so many things together,” she explained. “Spencer was my protector, always looking out for me. He had two children and a lovely partner, Rebecca.
“When he got covid, it hit him very badly. Suddenly my son was gone and I felt incredibly alone. I didn’t want to leave the house.”
Knowing she had to break out of her depression, Lin turned to her first love – dancing.
She launched her Little Less Lonely Disco in Winnersh Community Centre back in February with just a handful of people. It is now held twice a month and the numbers have grown.
“Dancing is a very popular pastime for many people. However, when they lose their partner, they understandably don’t feel like going out dancing on their own,” said Lin.
“That means they also lose contact with friends and a good social life they once enjoyed. They also lose a regular form of exercise and before they realise it, they are stuck in their house on their own.
“I know how that feels, the loneliness of just being at home. That’s why I started the disco to help others and at the same time it has helped me.”
As the DJ, Lin chooses the music that she plays from her computer.
“I grew up in the 60s as did most of the people who come dancing so the music from that era brings back many memories for us all. However, I play all types from the Crooners to Cher, Victor Sylvester to Ed Sheeran.
“I don’t use flashing lights and the music isn’t too loud so people are able to talk. There are no cliques, which means everyone talks to everyone else.
“The idea is that you come out and jiggle around a bit. You don’t have to be lonely or single. We do sit-down dances for disabled people and others who prefer not to get on the dancefloor. It is entirely up to them.
“The disco is aimed at people in their 60s and older but it is open to everyone. If you don’t or can’t dance, come out anyway and chat and have a cup of tea and a biscuit.”
She added: “We could do with a few more men.”
Linn organises ballroom and tea dances at the Wokingham Youth Centre and other locations. The discos take place at Winnersh Community Centre on Mole Road on the first and third Wednesdays of the month, from 2.15pm to 4pm.
Tickets cost £5 per person which includes tea/coffee and biscuits.
