Grief Awareness Week with FRONTLINEdance

As part of grief awareness week, FRONTLINEdance is sharing its project ‘Holding On’, online and in-person 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.

Online sharing’s please see the link to register in the schedule.

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, or bereavement to join us.

If you have any questions please email rachael@frontlinedance.co.uk or call 07484 874335.

We look forward to welcoming you.

To see the full schedule, please click here.

More Events 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.
• 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.

Venue Details: 

• Parking at the Dudson Centre: Paid parking on site or Sampson Street (4 hour £1) (All day £1.50) 2 minutes away. FREE blue badge parking is available at the front of the centre.
• Refreshments: Teas and Coffee are provided throughout the event. The Dudson Centre has an on-site cafe open from 10:00 am – 3:00 pm.
• Accessibility: The Dudson Centre is wheelchair accessible.

About FONTLINEdance

FRONTLINEdance is an artist-led company based in Stoke-on-Trent, placing disabled people and those with long-term health conditions at the core of our organisation as leaders, dancers, artists, and audiences.

By co-creating and co-producing in community and healthcare settings, FRONTLINEdance are able to offer live performance, film and workshops that are relevant, inclusive, engaging and of high quality. Rachael Lines is the Artistic Director and CEO co-founding FRONTLINEdance in 2001. She regularly makes work for hospitals and delivers sessions for those with long-term health conditions, including cancer, brain injury and stroke patients and those diagnosed with MS and Parkinson’s. She facilitates for those who are new to dance as well as professionals, and has been integrating all ages and abilities together since the start.