Hidden Beach: Movement & Creative Expression Sessions

Open, inclusive movement sessions exploring creativity, expression and wellbeing through gentle, guided movement and improvisation.

These participatory movement and creative expression sessions form part of the Hidden Beach August cultural programme and offer an open, supportive space for people to explore movement, creativity and self-expression.

Delivered by dance artists and facilitators Emma Leech and Emma Will, the sessions focus on participation, embodied awareness and creative exploration rather than performance or technique.

Drawing on contemporary dance, somatic practice and improvisation, participants are invited to move, listen and respond in ways that feel personal and accessible. The sessions are designed for mixed abilities and encourage people to work at their own pace, with no pressure to perform or “get it right”.

What participants can expect

Each session offers a gentle, structured yet open experience including:

• Gentle warm-ups and guided movement
• Creative exercises exploring space, rhythm and imagination
• Improvisation and simple movement sequences
• Opportunities to respond to music, images or themes
• Time to explore movement in a relaxed, supportive setting

Sessions balance clear guidance with freedom to explore, allowing participants to engage physically, creatively and reflectively.

Facilitation approach

Emma Leech and Emma Will work collaboratively to create inclusive, person-centred sessions. Their approach supports confidence, curiosity and wellbeing, offering clear guidance alongside space for individual choice.

The emphasis is on:

• Embodied awareness
• Creative expression
• Connection to self and others
• Enjoyment of movement without judgement

Who the sessions are for

• Adults and mixed-age participants
• People with little or no dance experience
• Anyone interested in movement, creativity and wellbeing

These sessions are particularly suited to people who may feel unsure about dance but are curious to explore movement in a welcoming, non-competitive environment.

Why these sessions matter

Creative movement supports wellbeing, confidence and social connection. By offering accessible, participatory dance sessions within a festival context, these workshops create opportunities for people to engage creatively, reconnect with their bodies and experience the arts in an inclusive way.

They also support mental and physical wellbeing, creative confidence and community connection.

Programme information

Date: Sunday 3 August 2026
Time: 6:00pm – 8:00pm
Location: Hastings / St Leonards (venue to be confirmed)

Part of the Hidden Beach Summer of Culture programme.