Move Together - Dance sessions for women affected by Cancer with a focus on the body, movement and creativity.

"Movement, music, touch, friendship, humour....all bringing so much joy to my world"

Open to women at any stage of their cancer experience – whether you have recently been diagnosed, are mid or post-treatment, or are caring for someone else with cancer.

A chance to re-connect with your body, rediscover the joy of moving with others and re-ignite your creativity in a safe, supportive and relaxed setting.

All participants share the common experience of being affected by cancer so, you know you will be with others who understand some of your experience but the focus is on everyone being a dancer and a creative being. We aim to celebrate that.

newquay sessions

Where: The Heron Room, Heron Tennis Centre, Newquay, TR7 2LZ
When: Mondays 10.30am – 12.30pm
Our first session back after summer break will be Monday 30th September. There will be a break for half term on the 28th Oct and our last session before Xmas will be Mon 9th December.
Cost: This is FREE!
Newcomers welcome any time.

“We got to lose ourselves in dance”

"It has changed my life. I have more energy, better sleep, less stress and I’m more active".

Photo credit Amy Skinner

What can I expect?

A session normally consists of a very gentle seated movement meditation, gentle warm up exercises, some creative movement tasks, something lively to lift our energy, some taught movement sequences and some finding your own moves.

Fabulous and diverse music plays a big part.

We always create a dance of some sort – either in small groups, duets or all together, and build in plenty of time for chatting. We often experiment with words, poetry, mark-making, drawing, scribbling and we always end the session with a lovely relaxation.

We have fun, we laugh and we also take care of ourselves and each other “it’s both a release and a form of nourishment”.

Sessions are led by Dance Centred Practitioner Sam Lawrence and supported by dance artist Miranda Howard. Sam is an active member of the Move Dance Feel Dance in Cancer Care Network. She is an active member of the peer reviewed Move, Dance, Feel creative community.

exercise on your own terms…

Everyone is encouraged to move at their own pace – our bodies and energy levels are all very different. Some participants do the whole session seated, others use a chair or just have a rest whenever they feel they need it.

The group has a strong culture of acceptance, trust and understanding. Our research shows that these sessions are a great way to be more physically active, so you will definitely get plenty of exercise, but It’s exercise on your terms.

buddy up…

We know that it can be a bit daunting sometimes to join a new group on your own, so we offer a ‘buddy system’ for anyone coming along for the first time. A member of the group could contact you before your first session, have a chat and arrange to meet you at the Heron Centre so you have someone to go through the door with and at least one vaguely familiar face in the group! Just let us know when you book if you would like to use this.

This project is funded by People’s Health Trust, using money raised by Health Lottery South West and National Lottery Community Fund.

Reach out if you have a question or want to be kept up to date with future sessions
email info@dancecentred.co.uk 
or by phone 07939 167526

FAQ - Move Together

  • The sessions are open to all women affected by cancer – whether recently diagnosed, currently undergoing treatment, many years in remission or caring for someone with cancer. They are FREE to attend.

  • The Heron Room is on the first floor with access by stairs or lift. There is a café and toilets on the ground floor.

    Parking is available immediately in front of the building in the adjacent Trenance Car Park (£3.40 for 2 hrs and FREE 1st Nov - 31st March) or there is free on-street parking nearby.

  • No experience of dance is needed and sessions are suitable for all energy and fitness levels. We dance in bare feet or soft, comfortable indoor shoes.

    Just wear whatever clothes are comfortable and easy to move in, and plenty of layers – it can get warm when we’re moving and cooler when we’re still. Bring an extra layer for when we stretch and relax and a water bottle.

  • The short answer is no - the content of each session varies, so you get to try lots of new things. Everyone is encouraged to more at their own pace, seated or standing with rest breaks whenever you want them.

    As well as movement, the session will include a nice relaxation time at the end, time to chat and in some sessions, we might write, draw or scribble our ideas - Sam will guide and lead you in this.

  • You don’t have to come every week (its rare that anyone can) but we do still need you to sign up for our funding requirements.

  • It can be daunting sometimes to join a new group on your own, so we offer a ‘buddy system’ for anyone coming along for the first time. You might want to meet up beforehand to chat about the group, or arrange for one of our group members to meet and walk in with you. Just let us know when you book if you would like us to connect you with a buddy.

  • If you have any other questions feel free to reach out by
    Email info@dancecentred.co.uk, contact Sam direct on 07939 167526 or you can chat further in the session.

 

“Since starting I have actually been sleeping so much better.”

"I feel like I'm living well with cancer, rather than dying from it"

Photo credit Amy Skinner

 

Move Together

As featured in Active Cornwall’s ‘Live Longer Better’ magazine.

In October 2023 NHS Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly asked us to be part of their community conversations for a project called “Your story shapes our future”. The stories are shared at the monthly Integrated Care Board Meetings so members can from patients with lived experience.

Here are the stories of Maz and Sally with their experiences of being supported by the Move Together project. You can find out more about the “Your Stories” project here