Despite the snow Junior Chairman Lloyd Coleman, professional story teller, Giles Abbott and UCAN Artistic Director, Bernie Latham got together to work shop ideas for the forthcoming projects for Disability Arts Cymru and the Legacy Trust.
Despite the snow Junior Chairman Lloyd Coleman, professional story teller, Giles Abbott and UCAN Artistic Director, Bernie Latham got together to work shop ideas for the forthcoming projects for Disability Arts Cymru and the Legacy Trust.
The UCAN Members and the Staff of the School of Optometry and Vision Science, Maindy Rd, Cardiff
UCAN Productions, the award winning performance arts cooperative for blind and partially sighted young people have been offered a wonderful new home for their regular drama workshops. The company will now be based in the state of the art new School of Optometry and Vision Sciences building, Cardiff University, Maindy Road in Cardiff.
Jane Latham, Development Manager of UCAN Productions said ‘We are extremely grateful to the School of Optometry for allowing us to use their wonderful building. It’s a perfect place for us to gather and a wonderful opportunity for our young people to meet and build relationships with the students and visual impairment specialists. We think it is a perfect example of how arts and science can work together.
Dr Christine Purslow, Director for Innovation and Engagement within the School of Optometry and Vision Sciences said, “We are really pleased to have these talented young people joining our community in the School. We look forward to a long, supportive partnership and the opportunities for our own budding optometrists to work on some joint theatre projects”.
Long time member of UCAN Productions Steering Committee Mared sang for the Trustees of RNIB UK at Cardiff Castle. Everyone was very complimentary saying they very much enjoyed her performance.
For the third year UCAN members, Eleanor, Joseph and Mared have performed at the Hilton Foundation Ball. The performance was a fantastic success. Below is the article from the South Wales Echo.
THOUSANDS of pounds were raised to help children at a charity ball to celebrate a top hotel’s 10th anniversary.
Around £25,000 was raised to mark the Cardiff Hilton hotel’s milestone, which will now be shared between the Noah’s Ark Children’s Hospital and the Hilton Foundation.
Annually hosted at the hotel, this year’s ball’s compère was Comedian and Presenter Chris Corcoran and also saw athletics stars Jamie Baulch, Dai Green, Tasha Denvars and Welsh Rugby International Ian Gough among the guests.
Marie Fagan, Hilton General Manager, said: “The team at the hotel pulled out all the stops to ensure that this year’s party was one to remember. Some people are already asking about next year.
“One thing that makes this charity ball stand out from the others is the outstanding entertainment that is put on for guests.”
Before dinner, three youngsters from UCAN Productions entertained guests with a performance, while dinner was followed by the John Oliver Band.
Marie said: “Playing a leading role in supporting the community has always been important to us, especially as we are at the very centre of the city.
“We’re thrilled that in the last six years we have raised more than £175,000 for charities across South Wales.
“It’s wonderful to have young people who have been directly helped by the charities we support performing at the event.”
Welsh athlete Jamie Baulch said: “The Hilton ball was such a good night. Despite the recession it was so good to see people raising money for good local charities.
“The Hilton never fails to put on a good event, the food was fantastic and the entertainment provided by UCAN was amazing.
“The children that performed were so professional and impressed all the guests.”
