Bodies In Action – Panel Talk: Creating Spaces for Emotional Work

Join Bodies in Action, for the second event in our panel series, Creating Spaces for Emotional Work, exploring how artists, facilitators and organisations can cultivate safer, more supportive environments when engaging with sensitive and emotionally complex material.

This relaxed evening of conversation brings together leading practitioners to share insights, practical strategies and lived experiences centred on care, consent, and ethical creative practice.

Bringing together industry specialists at the forefront of ethical, consent-led and trauma-aware creative practice, this panel will be moderated by Christopher Mathews. The conversation offers valuable insights for artists, producers, facilitators, students, and audiences, equipping attendees with tools and perspectives to cultivate more compassionate and inclusive creative spaces.

Through shared dialogue, the conversation opens space to reflect on how emotionally engaged work can be held with integrity, and how we can strengthen cultures of care within our creative communities.

Panel theme

Supporting artists working with sensitive material, including:

• Trauma-informed rehearsal and creative spaces
• Consent and boundaries in storytelling
• Mental health support in artistic processes
• Ethical audience engagement
• Sustainable and inclusive creative practices

This panel focuses on practical approaches to building environments where emotional labour is recognised, respected, and supported.

What to expect

• Arrival and refreshments – doors open at 5:45pm for refreshments, with an official start at 6pm
• Dynamic discussions – each segment explores key issues around emotional safety, inclusion, and ethical creative practice
• Audience Q&A – a 20-minute open floor to share questions, perspectives, and experiences with the panel

This event promises thoughtful conversation on how creative spaces can better support artists navigating vulnerability, trauma, and identity through their work.

About the organiser

Bodies in Action, a nonprofit dance organisation based in East London, was founded by dancer and choreographer Julian Nichols. Our mission is to bring engaging contemporary dance to audiences and marginalised communities through classes, workshops, discussions, and performances.

At the core of our philosophy is a simple yet revolutionary idea: we encourage individuals to embrace their authentic selves and resist societal pressures to conform.

Accessibility at the London LGBTQ+ Community Centre

The Centre’s accessibility statement is here.

This event is BSL interpreted.

Covid safety at the London LGBTQ+ Community Centre

To keep our community safe, we ask that all visitors do not visit the Centre if they are feeling any Covid-19 and/or mpox symptoms including headache, fever, sore throat, consistent cough or chills.

You can wear a mask if you feel more comfortable. We also have masks and hand sanitiser available at the Centre.

For current information on Covid please visit the NHS website.

Donate to the London LGBTQ+ Community Centre

We rely on donations to ensure that the London LGBTQ+ Community Centre can keep its doors open for years to come.

To donate or become a Friend of the Centre, visit our website.