Weekday Wow Factor
1809. Pasna Sallis
Pasna Sallis, from Glasgow, is the founder ‘Weekday Wow Factor’, an organisation that designs and delivers exciting midweek leisure activities for adults over 50, disabled people, and those who are diagnosed with dementia.
After a 19-year career with the NHS, Pasna set up the initiative as a means of working further with people in advanced stages of dementia, using leisure activities to help enhance health and wellbeing and reduce social isolation. One of Pasna’s flagship activities is the ‘Daytime Disco’, which runs on weekday afternoons from a Glasgow nightclub where people can enjoy non-alcoholic drinks and food, dance to favourite songs and make new friends. Other activities have included surfing trips, rural walks, yoga and tai chi sessions, and murder mystery days, and throughout the pandemic Pasna has ensured all activities can continue as far as possible in a virtual capacity.
In a personal letter to Pasna, Prime Minister Boris Johnson said:
“I was inspired to hear of your story, your long service to the NHS and how you are now bringing the joy of dance to people who are living with dementia or other disabilities.
“With your ‘Daytime Discos’, you are bringing people together to enjoy music and dance. Also with your rural walks, and murder mystery afternoons, you have found a unique way to entertain and give confidence to those who might otherwise feel isolated.”
Pasna said:
“We are absolutely blown away and delighted with this recognition – thank you! We are a small, grassroots community organisation. We co-design and deliver exciting opportunities with adults to awaken the inner child. Our community members have been helping to lift the Community Spirit through our unique activities such as a virtual Daytime Disco, virtual walking, virtual cycling over video conferencing and face-to-face, lifting each other up. We thank everyone involved in recognising the ‘Weekday Wow Factor’ community and the work we do!”