A DANCE teacher who works with Oxfordshire hospital patients is up for a national award.

Angela Conlan, Oxford Health’s arts co-ordinator and lead for the Creating with Care programme, has been nominated for the One Dance UK Awards 2020 in the Dance for Wellbeing category.

The award celebrates the work of dance professionals who are promoting and supporting health and wellbeing through dance.

ALSO READ: Nuisance neighbour in court for harassing and threatening residents

Ms Conlan said: “Before the Covid-19 pandemic I was running dance groups which I obviously can’t do now.

“Now I have been doing one-to-one sessions, even if it just means listening to familiar music and tapping your toes. Or I might suggest we do some of the exercises a physiotherapist has given to them – obviously the safe ones."

She added: “So, it’s about more than just movement. It’s about the music and the stories that music evokes, and how it takes people’s mind off from being at hospital at the time.”

A full shortlist will be announced next month.