Tender Steps is an artistic response to the grief and healing surrounding baby loss, a lived experience of Artistic Director Alice Marshall. Shot in a single, uninterrupted take, the film captures the raw emotions and delicate movements of the dancers, set against the serene backdrop of Oker Tree in South Darley, Derbyshire. The film features an original score composed by Matt Vale, with beautiful vocals by Ella Vale, enhancing the film's emotional depth.

The film was conceived as a way to bring awareness to baby loss in conjunction with Baby Loss Awareness Week 2024. This annual event provides a supportive community for those who have been touched by pregnancy and baby loss, offering a space for shared experiences, remembrance, and hope. The campaign’s #WaveOfLight continues to connect individuals, creating a collective space of reflection and solidarity.

The film’s creation involved a talented team, including Michael Peter Johnson as Producer, and Midland’s based filmmaker Adam Jones as Director of Photography and Editor. 

The cast includes Adaire to Dance artists Esme Blood, Victoria Jones, Cody Jukes, Daniel Longhurst, Alice Marshall, Charley Mitchell. 

Tender Steps was made possible with the generous support of Arts Council England National Lottery, Déda, University of Derby, and The Work Health Hub. With special thanks to Dance Mama, St Mary’s Church, and Ilkon Gallery.

* Photo credit Richard Richards

"Through Tender Steps, we aim to provide a voice to the silent grief of baby loss and create a shared space for healing, something I so craved during my own baby loss journey. This film is our contribution to Baby Loss Awareness Week, and we hope it resonates with those who have experienced such profound loss and brings much-needed awareness to this often-unspoken topic." 

Alice Marshall (Vale)