Improve Your Cancer Journey

As part of a Horizons project with Powys Teaching Health Board and the Macmillan Improve Your Cancer Journey team here in Powys we explored various routes through which creative movement may support those either going through a cancer diagnosis, treatment, have a loved one going through cancer or have been widowed by cancer themselves. We spoke to the Improve Your Cancer Journey forum, explored working with a support group in Welshpool and where there were any gaps in access to creative sessions to support arts and health. 

With support from the Imporve Your Cancer Journey team we explored two areas through which we could develop this work:

• The Bracken Trust

  We partnered up with the Bracken Trust who are a cancer support charity in Llandrindod Wells to run sessions with their patients from their base. After a successful 3 sessions in August 2022, we then delivered a further 6 sessions between Oct and December 2022. Session were a mix of creative movement exploration, supportive pilates and meditation work, as well as fun routines that offered an element of escapism and reminiscence.

• 1:1 Movement

  Independent Dance artist Cai Tomos explored connection through 1:1 sessions, going to a patient's house and exploring ways to move together. Working with a mother and daughter where the mother was going through cancer treatment Cai explored creative and nurturing ways to move that were intuitive to the individual and space.