AS a project associated with this year’s Olympics and Paralympics, Standstill isn’t exactly athletic.

“That’s the idea,” performer Abi Cunliffe says. “It’s the opposite of all that running and jumping around.

“Participants are given the opportunity – permission if you like – to have a gentle slice of time out, to do something or nothing, to have a moment in between everything else.

” Standstill takes place in Abi’s beach hut, on the Brightlingsea waterfront. “I’ll pick up each participant from the Coach House Coffee Shop,” she continues, “and then take them to the hut, but that’s when I leave them to it.”

Although there are a number of items inside the hut which might provoke thought and reflection, Abi insists participants can do what they like inside the hut.

“They can sit, stand or even lie down – it’s up to them,” she adds. “I just want to create a moment for people to take time out from their very busy lives.”

Each session lasts 20 minutes, after which Abi will lead them back to the coffee shop.

“If they want to talk about their experience,” Abi says, “then obviously we can have a chat, but they don’t have to. It’s more about the experience itself.”

Abi was in community theatre and with the BBC before training at the Welsh College of Music and Drama.

Standstill starts at Coach House Coffee Shop, Waterside, Brightlingsea and runs on September 1 and 2, 8 and 9, from 2pm to 7pm. Advance booking essential – call 01206 500900.