Wow! How music is promoting health and improving lives in GRID

As Christmas parties go, this has to be one of the liveliest if not one of the most inspiring events in the Glasgow festive calendar.  

Around 40 people, aged from anywhere in their 40s to their 80s, are giving the dance floor at SWG3 some serious attention. 

The DJ is in full swing, and the Christmas hits are thumping out. It feels like it should be midnight and winter-dark but it’s daylight outside and it’s barely 12.30pm in the afternoon on a bright Monday in December.  

This is the Weekday Wow Factor Christmas bash, and the chat and the memories are flowing under the disco lights. 

Grateful

For many, it is the culmination of a year of similar activity around Glasgow at various daytime venues and events. For some, it is the first function they have attended run by the group – and it won’t be the last, they say. 

• Pictured: The Weekday Wow Factor team and guests. Photo: Iain Gallacher/IG Photography

Weekday Wow Factor (or WOW for short) is one of the amazing community projects that has received funding this year from the new Glasgow Riverside Innovation District Civic Grant Fund to the tune of £5,000. 

Its founder, Pasna Sallis, an occupational therapist with 20 years' experience working in the NHS, says she is extremely grateful for the support from the University of Glasgow, saying the funds will make a big difference to the people who enjoy the friendship and experiences that WOW provides. 

“This support will allow us to hire in the tables and chairs we need to provide for the Wowers (the names for people who attend the events). 

“We are so very grateful to GRID for the grant support which will make a huge difference to all the people who enjoy our events.” 

Pasna was moved by the power of music in the lives and care of people with dementia and others experiencing loneliness when she was working for the NHS. 

Seeing how patients responded positively to music gave her the idea to reimagine the concept of the ‘day centre’ by providing safe and stimulating daytime activity within a variety of settings across the city. 

Pasna says WOW are “specialists in improving lives by keeping people active, connected, independent and safe within their own homes and communities.” 

“We work with adults predominantly aged over 50 and our aims are to enhance physical, mental, social and brain health. To reduce loneliness, isolation, health, leisure and transport inequalities as well as ageism in our society.” 

She adds: “Our mission is we believe every older adult has the human right to engage in healthy leisure activities which provide a sense of community. Our values are honesty, kindness, inclusion and diversity.  

“We do so by our legendary healthy daytime discos with light lunch in nightclubs, church halls, community centres and by working with a range of partners from housing associations, third sector, public sector, Glasgow HSCP and the private sector. We carry out nine daytime discos throughout the city, all monthly and one weekly."

Our mission is we believe every older adult has the human right to engage in healthy leisure activities which provide a sense of community. Our values are honesty, kindness, inclusion and diversity.  

Pasna Sallis

Certainly, Wowers are grateful that Pasna and her team are providing engaging and memorable experiences that are easily the highlights of the week for many of the people who attend the activities. 

Frank, 81, is a former welder whose wife died several years ago. WOW is now a big part of his weekly routine and says he instantly feels connected and among friends when he attends one of the events, usually at Victoria Park bowling club in Whiteinch. 

“I’ve always loved music and dancing, and it’s great to get out of the house and spend time with people who like the same things.”  

Jan, 66, says the Christmas party is her first time at a WOW event, and she is instantly feeling the benefits of being out of the house and in a stimulating and friendly environment. 

“I was actually told about the group by my doctor, and l’m really enjoying being here. It’s wonderful to get out of the house and escape the routine. I will definitely be back.” 

WOW relies on a team of volunteers and helpers to attend to the Wowers, and to drive the minibus and set out the venues ready for the activities.  

The group provides minibus adventures once a week, picking up and dropping off people in their locality, or close to their home. The group picks the adventure and the group’s occupational therapist helps to adapt the activities through risk assessment for the right fit for community members, whether it be ten pin bowling, crazy golf, or rural walks and museum visits. 

As a group, Wowers have been on short breaks to Wales for adapted body boarding, Skye, and Harris and Lewis, and even to Iceland. 

• Pictured: Pasna Sallis runs Weekday Wow Factor with a team of dedicated helpers. Photo: Iain Gallacher/IG Photography

Pasna said: “We try to do as much as we can for people who value time with other friendly people. No one should have to live a life isolated or away from others. 

“Our events and adventures tackle loneliness and health inequalities while reducing social isolation by enhancing physical, mental, cognitive health and well-being.”

• Title image: credit Iain Gallacher/IG Photography