Move Together - dance sessions for women affected by cancer with a focus on the body, movement and creativity.
Open to women at any stage of their cancer journey—whether recently diagnosed, in treatment, post-treatment. Reconnect with your body, move creatively, and share space with others who understand. The focus is on joy, creativity, and celebrating everyone as a dancer in a supportive, relaxed setting.
““I absolutely love the dance sessions! They’ve been a real tonic during my treatment and are hugely helping with my recovery and well-being.”
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Where: Studio 4, Old Vicarage Place, St Austell, PL25 5YY
When: Wednesdays 10.30am – 12.30pm
Sessions start Wednesday 1st October.
Cost: This is FREE!
We do need you to book a space and complete a short sign up form. This is a requirement of our funding and helps us keep this offer free of charge - thank you!
Parking: The nearest place to park is the White River Place multi storey car park.
Turn left as you come out of the car park at Level S1 (Wilko and Snap fitness), then left again up the slope. It’s a very short walk. On foot from White River Place it's down the slope between the Butchers and Peacocks (a bit further up from the public toilets).
Disabled Access: The car park has a lift and Studio 4 has ramp access.
This project is funded by National Lottery Community Fund.
class information
Sessions are led by Sam Lawrence, a Dance Centred Practitioner and member of the Move Dance Feel network, with support from dance artist Miranda Howard. Each session gently unfolds with a seated movement meditation, warm-ups, and playful creative tasks. You'll explore your own movements alongside simple taught sequences, with fabulous and varied music guiding the way.
We create dances together—sometimes in pairs, small groups or all as one—and there’s always space for laughter, conversation and creative play. Words, drawing, poetry and mark-making often make an appearance, and we always end with a relaxing wind-down. It’s nourishing, uplifting and open to all.
If you have any questions, please email us at, info@dancecentred.co.uk or call on, 07939 167526
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.
socialise
After each session finishes there is an opportunity to get together and chat over a cuppa. It’s not a requirement to stay but everyone is welcome to and, dare we say it, some of the group look forward to this part as much as the actual dance session!
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The sessions are open to all women affected by cancer at any stage of their journey – whether recently diagnosed, currently undergoing treatment, or in remission . They are FREE to attend.
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The room at Studio 4 is on the ground floor with access into the building by stairs or ramp.
The nearest car park at White River Multi Storey has a lift down to street level.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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This is a common feeling amongst participants and we get it, cancer treatment can leave you very isolated.
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.
““It has helped me to feel much more positive about my body”
”I love the feeling of togetherness, we all share so much and the sessions help us to heal together.”
”It’s given me the confidence to get back into physical exercise after my treatment.”
”After all my treatment, I lost a lot of self confidence. The group has pushed me outside my comfort zone which was what I needed to believe in myself again.”
”We also laugh a lot during the sessions and this is such a brilliant thing to do!”
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