A theatre project inspired by the loss of a sister-in-law to breast cancer is using drama to raise awareness and stimulate discussion about women's cancers in the North East. Workie Ticket Theatre, led by founder Jojo Kirtley, has been running workshops around the region based on the play The C Card.
Personal motivation behind the project
The C Project stems from Jojo's own experience after her sister-in-law Aimee died around three years ago following a diagnosis of triple-negative breast cancer. Jojo said the pair had discussed the need to raise awareness of cancer's impact, especially on women and younger people.
Jojo said: "My sister-in-law had actually been diagnosed with breast cancer. It was three years ago at Christmas that she died. She was so young. Part of what we had spoken about was raising awareness of cancer in women."
She added: "She loved coming to Newcastle. She loved the beaches here - and last year I had the opportunity to apply for some funding from Healthwatch North Tyneside and the Northern Cancer Alliance."
Workshops and expansion plans
The workshops are built around the play and have been run for public sector bodies such as North Tyneside Council's public health team and charities like Sarah's Star and Live Well With Cancer. The plan now is to expand the geographic reach of the project.
Jojo said hearing from those taking part had been moving. She said: "The impact it has had is fabulous. It's simply to stimulate discussion and raise awareness of different cancers. It's also sparked discussion about people's experience."
She added: "Lots of women share stories about cancers being missed. For example, at Live Well With Cancer, we had people speak about how they feel women should be able to get mammograms to the age of 70."
Focus on women's experiences
While focused on the experiences of women, the project is equally about how families and partners are affected when someone they love is diagnosed, and about facilitating wider conversation on how cancer and other medical conditions can be brushed aside, hidden or misunderstood.
The focus has been on women's cancers - including less well known types of disease such as those affecting the womb or vagina - but others are welcome. Jojo added: "Women's experiences of healthcare matter - women know their own bodies, and we need to be listened to when something's wrong.
"The C Project is close to my heart, created in memory of my sister-in-law Aimee, who we lost to triple negative breast cancer far too young, and it carries her wish that women keep checking themselves and keep asking to be heard.
"I want the sessions to give women hope for the future and a chance to connect with others, as well as a place where they can talk openly and honestly about their own experiences. If we can change things on a wider scale as a result, then that just shows what theatre and community can do."
The play and its impact
The play was first written by Jojo more than a decade ago, now it is performed by Ashlea Sanderson and directed by Viv Wiggins. It has formed the centrepiece of interactive sessions with a range of groups - including cancer survivors and their families.
It is the story of a woman living with cervical cancer - while readings are followed by discussions of issues such as symptom awareness, medical misogyny, and the realities of cancer affecting women.
Maureen Elliott, founder and chief executive of Live Well With Cancer, said: "It was lovely to have the C Project team with us at our breast cancer support group. Creating a safe space where women can come together, share their experiences and feel heard is so important.
"Cancer can bring so many challenges, and sometimes people just need somewhere they can speak openly with others who understand. It was also lovely to see connections being made between the women in the group and the C Project team.
"I think the opportunity to develop the project further, particularly with National Lottery funding support, is really exciting and will hopefully allow even more women to access this project."
To find out more about The C Project, go to workietickettheatre.com/the-c-project.
