A trip to one of the world's biggest music festivals has inspired a city woman to share the magic of silent discos.  

Sally Harl attended Coachella, in California, and returned with a motivation to try to get children and young people away from staring at screens.  

She said: “I worked in a primary school for 23 years, I noticed children worked on screens and then after school went home and relaxed on screens. 

Norwich Evening News: Sally Harl offers silent disco tours of the city as well as workshops for all ages Sally Harl offers silent disco tours of the city as well as workshops for all ages (Image: Lets Dance Norwich)

“I just felt that this was stopping them from being energised. 

“Then, in 2018 I was inspired by the coolest adventure. 

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“I boarded a plane and went to Coachella. It was such a ‘wow’ moment, I loved every minute of it and the vibe stayed with me.”  

Sally said when she got back to school she wanted to find something to energise people, as she had been at the festival.  

Norwich Evening News: She was surprised at how many dementia and disabled groups booked and finds it very heart-warming She was surprised at how many dementia and disabled groups booked and finds it very heart-warming (Image: Lets Dance Norwich)

She said: “For many people joining in and moving can be embarrassing, that’s why I thought about headsets, it’s easier to lose yourself in your own world.  

“So, I set up some silent disco equipment at the school I was at, and it worked – the children were up and smiling and dancing around.  

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“ I wanted to see who else it would work for.” 

Sally then started Let's Dance Norwich and began getting bookings from groups that she least expected.  

“I didn’t realise at the time that dementia units put a lot of emphasis on music," she continued.  

Norwich Evening News: Sally caters for all ages and aims to get people away from screens Sally caters for all ages and aims to get people away from screens (Image: Lets Dance Norwich)

“I started working with St Johns House, holding weekly silent discos and it was so heartwarming to see them waving their arms and tapping their feet, and even singing along to the classics.” 

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Sally has added many schools, care homes and support facilities to her list and has enjoyed working with places such as the Hamlet Centre.  

She said: “Music really is a universal language. 

“The benefits of structured silent discos go beyond anything I ever imagined, I wouldn’t want to be doing anything else.” 

What is a silent disco? 

Finding popularity in the UK in the 1990s, silent discos bring a group of people together and, wearing headsets, they dance to music that only they can hear.  

Let’s Dance Norwich is slightly different as it is structured.  

Sally said: “The sessions change depending on the age group of the people taking part.  

“I try to include games where everyone can be silly so that we lose the embarrassment straight away.”  

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With elderly groups, Sally will speak about the music that lights a fire within them, and they listen together and do hand movements.  

With young people, it is more based on movement.

Sally also offers silent disco tours around the city centre, where groups will stop at landmarks and have a mini disco.