Thank you from Ann

Posted by on 26 February 2026

I would like to express my deepest gratitude for being awarded the 2026 HOPE Foundation Research on Ageing Scholarship. Receiving this scholarship is not only a financial gift but also a profound source of encouragement and affirmation. I am grateful that you value my research exploring Dance Movement Therapy (DMT) with people living with mild cognitive impairment (MCI). This recognition reassures me that creative, embodied, and human-centred approaches to ageing are valued and worthy of continued exploration.

My research is deeply rooted in compassion and respect for individuals experiencing cognitive changes. Through my research, I explore how DMT can invite people living with MCI to engage their bodies as a pathway to cognition. I seek to create spaces where participants can express themselves, feel emotionally supported, and maintain a sense of identity and connection. In DMT, movement, metaphor, rhythm, and imagery can enable participants to recall memories, generate narratives, and engage in symbolic and abstract expression. I closely observe and document changes in verbal responsiveness, memory recall during movement-based prompts, and participants'capacity to engage in abstract thinking through embodied storytelling and reflective dialogue. These moments, when movement sparks words, memories, or new meanings, have been profoundly moving for me and have strengthened my commitment to this field of study.

This scholarship allows me to continue this work with greater focus, care, and dedication. It eases financial pressures and gives me the emotional reassurance tha innovative, non-pharmacological, and creative approaches to ageing and cognitive health are valued and supported. This scholarship has renewed my motivation and reminded me why I chose this research path.

Thank you sincerely for your kindness, generosity, and belief in my work. I carry your support with me as I continue my studies and research, and I am deeply grateful for your support. I will honour it through research that contributes to understanding, and hope for people experiencing cognitive change.