Welburn House stars in Sky1 Dance Show

Members of staff at Stockton-based Wellburn House Care Home played a starring role in the first episode of the Sky1 series ‘Ashley Banjo’s Big Town Dance’.

Lisa Stephenson, Manager at Wellburn House and Heidi Riddle and Lesley Cushley, who are both senior care staff at the home, took part in the show, which sees Ashley Banjo, who is part of the Britain’s Got Talent winning dance troupe Diversity, aiming to get the North East town of Stockton dancing again.

Following successful auditions, Lisa and her colleagues were allocated parts in the ‘Public Services Crew’, which has 30 dancers whose day jobs range from a vicar to a bus driver.

The series follows members of the different dance crews as they rehearse with Ashley and Diversity, preparing for the finale of a big community dance in Stockton town centre.

Lisa featured prominently in the first of six episodes of the programme, which also showed the Diversity dance troupe at the care home rehearsing with Lisa, Heidi and Lesley and chatting to residents and other members of staff.

Based on Wellburn Road in Fairfield, Stockton, Wellburn House is a purpose built care home that provides specialist care for up to 90 elderly residents, some of whom have dementia.

Lisa said: “From start to finish it has been an absolutely fantastic experience being involved with the show. It was a real pleasure meeting Ashley Banjo and Diversity and training with the boys and the rest of the ‘Public Services Crew’ was great. It was particularly special when Ashley and Diversity came to the home, we performed for the residents and the group took the time to meet and chat with the residents, which everyone really enjoyed.

“I think the show is an excellent opportunity for people to see what goes on behind the uniforms and badges of workers and it has brought many people from all different walks of life together.”