Award-winning, North-Tyneside-based, woman-led theatre company full of proper little Workie Tickets.
The C Project
Cake, Conversation and Cancer
The C Project is a creative community project using theatre, conversation and lived experience to explore women’s experiences of cancer, diagnosis, treatment and healthcare.
The C Project began with support from Healthwatch North Tyneside and has grown into a wider programme of workshops, performances and conversations with communities, cancer support organisations and healthcare professionals.
At the heart of the project is The C Card, an original monologue by JoJo Kirtley, which follows Chrissy, a cervical cancer survivor, as she reflects on diagnosis, treatment, sudden menopause, relationships, family and life after cancer. Performed by Ashlea Sanderson and directed by Viv Wiggins.
Theatre provides a starting point for honest conversations about things that can be difficult to talk about, including screening, early detection, medical misogyny, stigma and the barriers people can face when trying to access information, healthcare and support.
Through our workshops, participants have talked about the importance of being listened to and taken seriously, as well as practical barriers such as the cost of appointments, transport and distance from services. They have also highlighted the need for cancer information to be accessible, relevant and easy to understand for different communities, ages and circumstances.
The project is community-led and shaped by lived experience. Rather than simply telling people what they need to know about cancer, we ask communities what they think needs to be heard. Their experiences and ideas have directly influenced our awareness work and the next stage of The C Project.
For us, The C Project isn't just about cancer awareness. It's about creating spaces where people can talk, feel heard, share what gets in the way of accessing support, and help shape the conversations that happen around healthcare.
The project will continue to grow through 2026–27, bringing together community voices, creative practice and healthcare professionals, with a final event planned for May 2027.
