Cardiovascular researcher joined public involvement session on Belgrave Road
Every Thursday morning at the Desi Masti Dance Studio on Belgrave Road, people gather for a session that’s not just about movement—it’s about making health and science a part of their everyday lives.
These Dance and Health sessions, organized by public involvement teams and local dance instructors, are creating a space where fun and fitness meet valuable health knowledge. This week, researcher Ann Cheng joined the group, adding a whole new dimension to the experience.
Ann Cheng, a PhD researcher focused on making cardiovascular research more inclusive, brought science to life during her 30-minute talk. Using a heart model, she broke down how the heart functions, what can go wrong, and how treatments like stents and bypass surgeries work. The way she explained these complex ideas made them easy to understand and sparked plenty of interest and questions from the group.
Ann also shared an opportunity for participants to get involved in her upcoming workshop. This session will bring together people who have experienced heart attacks or cared for someone with coronary artery disease. Their insights will help shape a digital tool aimed at supporting patients in making healthcare decisions that suit their individual needs.
Ann mentioned, “Dance and Health is an ingenious way of connecting research with the local communities. It is an opportunity to build rapport with members of the community by dancing together, at the same time improving both the research and research process through public engagement. The feedback I have received have been invaluable and I am grateful for the community’s contribution.”
For the participants, these sessions are very meaningful. One first-time attendee mentioned how the timing fit perfectly into her schedule and how she loved the chance to learn more about her health while dancing. Another participant, who joined over a year to help manage back pain on her doctor’s recommendation to exercise, said she’s found a sense of belonging along with a chance of better health. “It’s a community. We all have different challenges, and it’s great to connect with others who understand. Plus, we learn things about our health that we can actually use.”
These Dance and Health sessions, held at three different locations across Leicester, offer something truly unique. The Desi Masti Dance Studio session runs from 10:30 am to 12 pm and is a perfect example of how researchers and the public can come together to improve research for all.
Ann’s visit showed how these sessions are opening up opportunities for people to learn, connect, and take an active role in their health. The combination of dance and health education is a powerful way to improve both physical and mental well-being.