Grief Awareness Week facilitated by FRONTLINEdance in partnership with VAST / Dudson Centre
Monday 1st to Friday 5th December 2025
| Join us for a FREE Programme facilitated by FRONTLINEdance in partnership with VAST / Dudson Centre As part of grief awareness week, FRONTLINEdance is sharing its project ‘Holding On’, online and at the Dudson Centre, Hanley, Stoke-on-Trent. Holding On was created with those with lived experience of cancer, grief, loss and bereavement. Shaped by personal loss and by Seth’s Legacy; a pancreatic cancer support and awareness initiative, films, live performance and an outreach programme have been produced. During 1st to 5th December 2025, a varied programme welcomes you to come as you are and join in a way that feels right for you. This could be popping in to watch a film, taking part in an inclusive and accessible creative workshop, joining in a conversation, or just listening to others. There is no need to book for the sessions at the Dudson Centre, just turn up! For the ONLINE sharing’s please see the link to register in the Schedule below. This event has been made possible by funding from Arts Council England and support from VAST / Dudson Centre. You don’t need to have experienced cancer, grief, loss and bereavement to join us. Any questions, please email: rachael@frontlinedance.co.uk or call 07484 874335 We look forward to welcoming you. |
| SCHEDULE |
| Monday 1st December 2025: Jenny Manning Room at the Dudson Centre 10:30am-11:15am – Creative Workshop 11:15am-11:30am – Official sharing and introduction of two Short Films ‘Holding On 1 & 2′ 11:30am-12 midday – Guided Conversations around the work explored and film shared. (Please note that this is not a therapy session nor a conversation led by a trained councillor). 12midday-1pm – Short Film shared on loop 1-1:45pm -Introduction and Sharing of a recorded live show ‘Holding On’ 1:45-2:15pm – Guided Conversations around the work Holding On (Please note that this is not a therapy session nor a conversation led by a trained councillor). 3:15-4pm – Short Films shared on loop 4pm-4:15pm- Restful Wrap Up |
| Tuesday 2nd December 2025: Online 7pm – 8:30pm Introduction / Process of the live show Holding On, with FRONTLINEdance’s, Rachael Lines Sharing of the recorded live show. Q & A’s Registration Link:https://events.teams.microsoft.com/event/181c604f-c052-4c47-a9fa-a67ab614faef@fbf29ec3-0f26-4edc-9e90-a46afa7bf69d |
| Wednesday 3rd December 2025: Online 5pm-6pm Introduction / Process of the two-screen dance film, Rachael Lines Sharing of the two-screen dance films created Q & A’s Registration Link: https://events.teams.microsoft.com/event/50fc4e57-53d6-4153-8546-73aaa133512c@fbf29ec3-0f26-4edc-9e90-a46afa7bf69d |
| Thursday 4th December 2025: Jenny Manning Room at the Dudson Centre 10:30am-11:15am: Creative Workshop (1) 11:15am-12midday: Sharing and introduction of two Short Films ‘Holding On 1 & 2’ with space for questions and a conversation to follow. 12midday-1pm: Short Film shared on loop 1-1:45pm: Creative Workshop (2)1:45-2:45pmIntroduction and Sharing of a recorded live show ‘Holding On’ with space for questions and a conversation to follow. (Please note that this is not a therapy session nor a conversation led by a trained councillor). 2:45-3:45pm: Short Films shared on loop 3:45-4pm: Restful Wrap Up |
| Friday 5th December 2025: Rose Price Room at the Dudson Centre 12midday-1:15pm: Introduction and Sharing of a recorded live show ‘Holding On’ with space for questions and a conversation to follow. 1:15-1:30pm Short Films with a short introduction 1:30 pm-3pm Creative Workshop 3:30pm-4pm Sharing and introduction of two Short Films ‘Holding On 1 & 2’ with space for questions and a conversation to follow. 4pm-4:15pm: Restful Wrap Up |
| DETAILS OF VENUE |
| Dudson Centre, Hope Street, Hanley. Stoke-on-Trent. ST1 5DD PARKING – Paid parking on site or Sampson Street (4 hours-£1) (All day-£1.50) 2 minutes away. FREE disabled parking at the venue. Tea and Coffee are provided throughout the event. Wheelchair accessible Cafe |
| MORE INFORMATION |
| Holding On: recording of a 30-minute live performance. With music by composer and multi-instrumentalist Greg Hall, and featuring an intergenerational, inclusive cast of professional and community dancers, the performance weaves together dance and sound harmoniously. Audience Feedback: Powerful | Emotive | Breathtaking | Beautiful | Skilful | Emotional Holding On 1: Screen Dance Film This 10-minute film follows two women as they navigate the meaning of the end of life. Beautifully performed, filmed and edited, it presents the lived experience of grief and human connection through dance and visual storytelling. Raw emotions intertwine with natural sound, stark landscapes, and a newly composed piece of piano music, amplifying the profound journey of saying goodbye. Holding On 2: Screen Dance Film Heavily influenced by a collection of feelings, stories, and emotions gathered from a group of women who lost loved ones to pancreatic cancer, this 4-minute screen dance film invites you on a powerful journey through pain, memories and togetherness. Little Oak Tree, created and sung by Greg Hall, was created whilst thinking of the recent death of his 17-year old niece Ayla by cancer, features as the soundtrack. Ayla which means ‘oak tree’ in Hebrew, and is laid to rest in a place full of beautiful trees and nature, the idea of the passing seasons and the changing weather and landscape resonated with Greg as a metaphor for the continuation of life, as hers sadly ended. Creative Workshop (45mins): An opportunity to connect and move with yourselves and others, whilst being guided through a range of explorations designed for you to respond in whatever way feels right. No experience needed. Creative Workshop (1.5 hours): A welcoming, relaxed environment to explore and process the themes of Holding On. Through simple, guided activities, you’ll have time to listen, share, move, write, draw, sing and connect. No experience needed—just bring yourself. Morning Momentum: A chance to connect with yourselves and others at the start of the day through facilitated movement and easy interaction. Move as much or as little as feels right for you. No experience needed— just come as you are! Restful Wrap Up: Taking time to pause at the end of the day, with some gentle movement, breathing, and stretching. No experience needed. |
