Then and Now: Exploring the Lives of Blind People in Wales

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ImaGE SHOWS NATIONAL LOTTERY ‘FINGERS CROSSED’ LOGO, WITH THE WORDS “MADE POSSIBLE WITH HERITAGE FUND”

UCAN are pleased to announce that we have received a grant from The National Lottery Heritage Fund for our exciting new project; Then and Now: Exploring the Lives of Blind People in Wales.

Then and Now: Exploring the Lives of Blind People in Wales is an inter-generational project that explores the history of blind and partially sighted people, and the people and organisations who have been instrumental in improving the lives of blind people in Wales from the early 1800's to the present day.

The aim of the Then & Now Project is to build a collection of recorded stories, plays, discussions and interviews that will document people's oral history and historical stories.

We would like to welcome participants, aged 18 and over, to contribute to the project by participating in drama, creative writing and sound recording sessions, contributing stories and lived experiences and exploring heritage items and memorabilia to bring to life the history, stories and memories of people with sight loss in Wales. You do not need to be a UCAN member to participate and no experience is necessary, there are also volunteer opportunities for the project.

We would like to invite you to come and meet the UCAN team and to find out more about the project by joining us from 11am to 1pm on Wednesday 6th September at Sightlife, Jones Court, Womanby Street, Cardiff. Workshops for the project will then take place at Sightlife every other Wednesday.

For further information please contact Alys Jenkins at alys@ucanproductions.org or 07806 715446.

UCAN would like to thank The National Lottery Heritage Fund and players of the National Lottery for this opportunity.

August Update and Information

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Hello Everyone,

Even if the weather hasn’t been the best, we hope that your Summer Holidays have got off to a good start.

Last month we kicked off our Summer Activities, and there is more to come during August. You can check out the Summer Events we have this month further down.

Along with our Summer activities we’ll be celebrating our 18th Birthday on the 16th of August. Do you have any memories from over the years you’d like to share? Or maybe a snapshot of what we’ve done in the past? We’d love to have you share your memories with us. Either via our social media or contacting Hannah - whose details can be found within the workshop information.

We are also planning lots of events as part of our year as The Lord Mayor of Cardiff’s Chosen Charity 2023/24. Check out our Update below for some info on how you can get involved.

As always, a big thank you to our funders for your continued support of UCAN’s work, we appreciate you all.

Have a great summer everyone

UCAN Productions

FUNDRAISING UPDATE

As you’ll know from previous updates, we’ve had the honour of being chosen as The Lord Mayor of Cardiff’s Chosen Charity for 2023/24.

We’ll be announcing different fundraising events, performances and further information in the coming months. Last month we had the honour of attending a ladies coffee morning at the Mansion House for the Eid Mubarak Celebrations, meeting some amazing people and having many conversations with them about all the work we do.

If you would like to donate please use the details below:

Lord Mayor’s Charity Bank Account

Account name: CC LORD MAYORS CHARITY 2023/24

Sort Code: 52-21-06

Account number: 20561083

Photo shows group of attendees at the Eid Mubarak event in July. Front and centre is the Lord Mayor with UCAN attendees Star, Hannah, Jane and Alys surrounding her. To the left of the photo is the UCAN pop up and the photo is taken on the stairs, with attendees standing and smiling at the camera.

SUMMER ACTIVITIES

This summer we are holding a range of different activities for our participants, fun filled and creative, with our workshop leaders. We hope you all get a chance to join us. If you are interested in attending any of our events below then please contact our Peer to Peer Engagement Officer Hannah by email: hannah@ucanproductions.org or phone 07825468384

August

Thursday 3rd: UCAN at SENCOM.

10:30am - 2:00pm.

Come and join Alex and Alys for a day of creativity. We’ll be running drama and sound activities.

Open to participants aged 7-16.

Venue: Sensory and Communication Support Service (SENCOM) Brecon House, William Brown Close, Llantarnam Business Park, William Brown Cl, Cwmbran NP44 3AB

Friday 4th: UCAN Friday Night.

5:00pm - 7:00pm.

Join us for our regular Friday workshop to meet new people and have fun with drama and sound activities. Alex, Alys and Hannah would love you all to join.

Open to all UCAN participants.

Venue: School of Optometry and Vision Sciences, (OPTOM), Cardiff University, Maindy Rd, Cardiff CF24 4HQ

Wednesday 9th and Thursday 10th UCAN Creative Days

10:00am - 2:00pm.

Come along and join in creative activities at Sight Life. We will be having lots of fun with drama games and sound. All activities are free and it is a great chance to make new friends. Alex, Alys and Hannah have some exciting plans in place.

Open to UCAN participants aged 7-18.

Venue: Jones Ct, Womanby St, Cardiff CF10 1BR

Friday 11th: UCAN Friday Night

5:00pm - 7:00pm.

Join us for our regular Friday workshop to meet new people and have fun with drama and sound activities. Alex, Alys and Hannah would love you all to join.

Open to all UCAN participants.

Venue: School of Optometry and Vision Sciences, (OPTOM), Cardiff University, Maindy Rd, Cardiff CF24 4HQ

Wednesday 16th: SASI on the Beach

11:00am - 2:30pm.

A change to our regular sessions with the SASI group. We will be travelling to Barry Island for a special day of creative beach activities. A first for UCAN and Alys and Hannah are very excited to take Self Advocacy on the road.

Open to UCAN participants aged 18+.

Venue: Barry Island

Friday 18th: UCAN Friday Night

5:00pm - 7:00pm.

Join us for our regular Friday workshop to meet new people and have fun with drama and sound activities. Alex and Hannah would love you all to join.

Open to all UCAN participants.

Venue: School of Optometry and Vision Sciences, (OPTOM), Cardiff University, Maindy Rd, Cardiff CF24 4HQ.

Along with this special program of events starting during the summer holidays, we are continuing a reduced offering of our regular activities. Here’s a reminder of what we are running each week.

FACE TO FACE WORKSHOPS

UCAN Friday Nights

We're still running our creative sound and music sessions, drama and games every Friday evening. If you are aged 7-25 there are opportunities to work towards an Arts Award with Alex, Alys and Hannah. This weekly session is a great chance to catch up with friends old and new while having fun.

Please contact Hannah - hannah@ucanproductions.org / 07825468384 if you want more information on attending, or you can check our social media for updates.

When: Every Friday 5:00pm-7:00pm

Where: School of Optometry and Vision Science, Cardiff University, Maindy Rd, Cardiff CF24 4HQ

Who: All UCAN participants welcome

SASI

Come and join Alys every fortnight at the wonderful Sight Life Centre, Cardiff, CF10 1BR. Sessions aim to develop confidence, vocal and self-advocacy skills whilst making friends and having fun.

When: Wednesday 2nd August 11:30am-2:15pm

Where: Sight Life Centre, Jones Court, Womanby Street, Cardiff, CF10 1BR

Who: 18+ years old

ZOOM WORKSHOPS

UCAN with Alys

Have fun and learn new skills through drama. A popular group with lots of drama games, creative and storytelling activities. Alys is one of our trained workshop leaders and has worked with UCAN for many years. Her workshops are all about making new friends and having tons of fun through activities including storytelling and improvisation.

When: Every Tuesday 5:00pm-6:30pm

Who: ages 13-18

UCAN Summer 2023

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We have a great programme of FREE activities happening this summer. Below is information on all our activities, and if you'd like more info or to sign up please contact our Peer to Peer Engagement Officer, Hannah.

Email: hannah@ucanproductions.org

Phone: 07825468384

JULY 2023

Wednesday 26th: UCAN at SENCOM

Come and join Alex and Hannah for a day of creativity. We’ll be running drama and sound activities. Open to participants aged 7-16.

When: Wednesday 26th July, 10:30am - 2:00pm

Where: Sensory and Communication Support Service (SENCOM), Brecon House, William Brown Close, Llantarnam Business Park, William Brown Cl, Cwmbran NP44 3AB

Thursday 27th: UCAN in the Studio

Get the chance to explore recording with Alex and Hannah in our studio at Sight Life. You’re welcome to bring instruments to record music, or we can create mini podcast episodes.

Please note space is limited in the studio, so booking is essential. Open to UCAN Participants of all ages.

When: Thursday 27th July, 10:00am - 2:00pm

Venue: Sight Life, Jones Ct, Womanby St, Cardiff CF10 1BR

Friday 28th: UCAN Friday Night

Join us for our regular Friday workshop to meet new people and have fun with drama and sound activities. Alex and Hannah would love you all to join.

Open to all UCAN participants.

When: Friday 28th July, 5:00pm - 7:00pm

Where: School of Optometry and Vision Sciences, (OPTOM), Cardiff University, Maindy Rd, Cardiff CF24 4HQ

AUGUST 2023

Thursday 3rd: UCAN at SENCOM. 10:30am - 2:00pm

Come and join Alex and Hannah for a day of creativity. We’ll be running drama and sound activities. Open to participants aged 7-16.

When: Thursday 3rd August, 10:30am - 2:00pm

Venue: Sensory and Communication Support Service (SENCOM) Brecon House, William Brown Close, Llantarnam Business Park, William Brown Cl, Cwmbran NP44 3AB

Friday 4th: UCAN Friday Night. 5:00pm - 7:00pm

Join us for our regular Friday workshop to meet new people and have fun with drama and sound activities. Alex, Alys and Hannah would love you all to join.

Open to all UCAN participants.

When: Friday 4th August, 5:00pm - 7:00pm

Where: School of Optometry and Vision Sciences, (OPTOM), Cardiff University, Maindy Rd, Cardiff CF24 4HQ

Wednesday 9th: UCAN Creative Days. 10:00am - 2:00pm

The first of two days we have running fun creative activities at Sight Life. Exploring the arts in a fun and engaging way through drama and sound, Alex, Alys and Hannah have some exciting plans in place.

Open to UCAN participants aged 7-18.

When: Wednesday 9th August, 10:00am - 2:00pm

Where: Sight Life, Jones Ct, Womanby St, Cardiff CF10 1BR

Thursday 10th: UCAN Creative Days. 10:00am - 2:00pm

The second of two days we have running fun creative activities at Sight Life. Exploring the arts in a fun and engaging way through drama and sound, Alex, Alys and Hannah have some exciting plans in place.

Open to UCAN participants aged 7-18.

When: Thursday 10th August, 10:00am - 2:00pm

Where: Sight Life, Jones Ct, Womanby St, Cardiff CF10 1BR

Friday 11th: UCAN Friday Night. 5:00pm - 7:00pm

Join us for our regular Friday workshop to meet new people and have fun with drama and sound activities. Alex, Alys and Hannah would love you all to join.

Open to all UCAN participants.

When: Friday 11th August, 5:00pm - 7:00pm

Where: School of Optometry and Vision Sciences, (OPTOM), Cardiff University, Maindy Rd, Cardiff CF24 4HQ

Wednesday 16th: SASI on the Beach. 11:00am - 2:30pm

A change to our regular sessions with the SASI group. We will be travelling to Barry Island for a special day of creative beach activities. A first for UCAN and Alys and Hannah are very excited to take Self Advocacy on the road.

Open to UCAN participants aged 18+.

When: Wednesday 16th August, 11:00am - 2:30pm

Where: Barry Island

Friday 18th: BBC Studio Tour. 12:30pm-2:00pm

An exciting opportunity for our UCAN members. We have arranged for a tour of the BBC Studios in Cardiff. This guided tour gives you the chance to get behind the scenes of the BBC.

Spaces for this tour are limited, booking is essential.

When: Friday 18th August, 12:30pm-2:00pm

Where: BBC Studios, 3 Central Square, Cardiff CF10 1FS

Friday 18th: UCAN Friday Night. 5:00pm - 7:00pm

Join us for our regular Friday workshop to meet new people and have fun with drama and sound activities. Alex and Hannah would love you all to join.

Open to all UCAN participants.

When: Friday 18th August, 5:00pm - 7:00pm

Where: School of Optometry and Vision Sciences, (OPTOM), Cardiff University, Maindy Rd, Cardiff CF24 4HQ

UCAN Summer Fun 2023

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Come and join us!

Date: Saturday 24th June 2022

Venue: School of Optometry and Vision Sciences, Maindy Road, Cathays, CF24 4HQ

Time: 2.00pm - 4.30pm

Join us at Cardiff School of Optometry and Vision Sciences for a fun afternoon of activities; learn new skills and make new friends. The creative activities are free and designed for vision impaired young people and their friends. Minimum age 7.

If you have a UCAN T-shirt please wear it!

For more information or to reserve a place please contact:

Hannah Matthews on 07825 468384 / hannah@ucanproductions.org

or

Enireth Powell-Davies on 0776 1133600 / enireth@ucanproductions.org

photo shows a large circle of UCAN staff, volunteers and members holding the edges of a huge parachute, and making it whoosh up and down. A small group UCAN members and a staff member are sat on the floor under the parachute, smiling and enjoying it

APRIL ACTIVITIES AND UPDATE

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Hello Everyone,

We hope you’re all having a lovely start to April and you all enjoy your plans for the Easter Holidays.

We’ve had a busy March with our activities running both on Zoom and Face to Face. Friday evenings at the OPTOM have been very popular and as part of our Anthem Project, we are exploring the idea of a UCAN Band. We are still encouraging everyone to come to our activities and meet new friends, so please get in touch if you’d like more information.

We are finalising plans for a Half Term session for our under 18’s during the second week of the Easter Holidays. During the holidays we are continuing our Zoom sessions as normal. Full details can be found below. Arts Awards are still underway and we are proud to announce that our first participant has completed and passed their first Silver Level!! How amazing. You can read about Samiya’s experience below.

All the best to you all as friends and members

UCAN Productions

FACE TO FACE WORKSHOPS

UCAN Friday Nights

We're still running our creative sound and music sessions, drama and games every Friday evening. If you are aged 7-25 there are opportunities to work towards an Arts Award with Alex, Alys and Hannah. This weekly session is a great chance to catch up with friends old and new while having fun.

Please contact Hannah - hannah@ucanproductions.org / 07825468384 if you want more information on attending, or you can check our social media for updates.

When: Every Friday 5:30pm-7:30pm (excluding Good Friday the 7th April)

Where: School of Optometry and Vision Science, Cardiff University, Maindy Rd, Cardiff CF24 4HQ

Who: All UCAN participants welcome

Maggie’s Club

Founded in honour of UCAN Board Member, Dr Margaret Woodhouse OBE, known to everyone as Maggie. This event is full of fun, drama, games, sound workshops and arts and crafts.

For more information and to book a place please contact Enireth - enireth@ucanproductions.org

SASI

Come and join Alys every fortnight at the wonderful Sight Life Centre, Cardiff, CF10 1BR. Sessions aim to develop confidence, vocal and self-advocacy skills whilst making friends and having fun.

When: Wednesday 12th and 26th April 11:30am-2:15pm

Where: Sight Life Centre, Jones Court, Womanby Street, Cardiff, CF10 1BR

Who: 18+ years old

UCAN at SENCOM

We have been running after school drama activities at SENCOM with a group of participants working towards an Arts Award. This month marks the final session with this group, but we hope to be back very soon as we have had a great time working with the young people in the South Wales Valleys.

When: Wednesday 26th April 4:00pm-5:30pm

Where: SenCom Centre, (Brecon House, William Brown Close, Llantarnam Business Park, William Brown Cl, Cwmbran NP44 3AB

Who: ages 7-17

ZOOM WORKSHOPS

UCAN with Alys

Have fun and learn new skills through drama. A popular group with lots of drama games, creative and storytelling activities. Alys is one of our trained workshop leaders and has worked with UCAN for many years. Her workshops are all about making new friends and having tons of fun through activities including storytelling and improvisation.

When: Every Tuesday 5:00pm-6:30pm

Who: ages 13-18

UCAN with Jake and Taylor

Our workshop trainers Jake and Taylor run an interactive workshop for our younger participants. Playing games, quizzes and having a laugh is what they do best. It’s a great place to make friends and introduce yourself to drama activities in a fun way.

When: Every Wednesday 4:00pm-5:00pm

Who: ages 7-13

SASI

SASI stands for Self-Advocacy for the Sight Impaired. These workshops aim to help young people grow in confidence and learn transferable skills that they can use in their everyday lives. We do this through drama games and showcasing developed work around improvisation, storytelling, and creativity. Our young people really enjoy these workshops and have created some great work in the past. The SASI group also take part in consultations from organisations that approach us, regarding topics such as accessibility/inclusivity, theatre, and sight impairment.

When: Wednesday 5th and 19th April 11:00am-12:30pm

Who: ages 18+

How to Join!

If you’ve previously filled out the registration form you won’t need to do it again.

If you are a parent who would like your child to join our FREE and fun workshops, please complete our online registration form by clicking here!

If you are 18 years and older please complete the form by clicking here

Once completed, you will then be contacted by a member of the team, who can give you further details about our in person workshops, or assist with using Zoom, either by audio using a mobile, landline, a tablet or computer.

Alternatively call or text Hannah on 07825 468384 or email hannah@ucanproductions.org

ARTS AWARDS UPDATE

In a previous mail out we gave an update on our Arts Awards and the progress we’ve been making with our participants. Overall those who have been involved have really enjoyed the experience and are very happy with the Awards they have received. We thought it would be great to showcase one of our participants who has recently completed and PASSED their Silver Level Arts Award. Samiya has written a piece about her own experience and how she’s found it useful. We would also like to share her theatre blog page with you all to check out and read the reviews she’s done.

a photo of Samiya, who has curly brown hair and wears glasses holding an arts award certificate and smiling

SAMIYA’S EXPERIENCE

I really liked doing my Silver Arts Award over the past few months, after I completed my Bronze last year. The research aspects allowed me to find out about different careers in the arts and pathways to get there - as well as interviewing arts professionals to find out about their jobs. I wasn’t aware how many different ways there are to secure a career in the arts, and just how many people a theatre needs to run smoothly! I also enjoyed researching different educational establishments that offer arts courses such as the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama. It has helped me to think about the future

I also really enjoyed the leadership project. For mine, I helped Alys and Alex lead some creative workshops at SENCOM in Cwmbran last year. I really enjoyed warm ups/drama games and sharing my passion for drama with others. I think this has given me a real taster in what it's like to be a workshop practitioner, in case I decide I want to become one in the future - which I do! In fact, I’m helping lead UCAN’s after school SENCOM workshops every other Wednesday, and I helped out during half term!

Overall, I really enjoyed doing my Silver Arts Award. In terms of the amount of work that’s required, it’s a huge step up from Bronze - but my assessor, Alys, was really supportive throughout and gave me lots of advice. It was also really flexible, so I felt free to work at my own pace. Doing this has really helped me to think a bit more about my future, and the arts related careers that are open to me. But at the same time, I’ve developed skills (such as communication, leadership and organisation) that will be useful in virtually any career that I may choose to do!