Unique Creative Arts Network for visually impaired young people

How much difference a Printer makes to UCAN Productions

Recent winners of the UK National Lottery 2006 'The Children's Champion' Award, UCAN Productions have received a valuable donation from King Sturge in the form of three A3 Printers. One is nicknamed 'the beast' due to its size and capacity! UCAN is a co-operative company set up by Jane and Bernard Latham (former actor Mr Cunningham on Hollyoakes) for blind and visually impaired children and young people. UCAN, which stands for Unique Creative Arts Network, exists to create and increase opportunities for blind and partially sighted young people to participate in the arts.

Jane forwarded an email she had received from Mr Gareth Wait on to one of their Board Members, Enireth Powell-Davies who works for International Property Consultants King Sturge. Quote from Jane 'we couldn't believe our luck, these printers will not only benefit the Wait family but many of our other UCAN Members as well'.

Gareth and wife Michelle are full time carers of two young children, Eleanor aged 10 and Joseph aged 8 who are both visually impaired. Gareth expressed his difficulty in the scanning of scripts and music books and then enlarging but having to print on to two A4 sheets of paper and then gluing together for the children. A daily task and a very time consuming one at that. Gareth and wife Michelle have sent numerous letters in the past requesting help, but no luck.

On reading Gareth's email, Enireth quickly contacted the King Sturge IT department in Bristol to see if they could help. The company decided that it was such a good cause that they decided to donate not one but three A3 printers valued at over £5000.

Needless to say, Gareth and family were truly delighted at King Sturge's generosity. Managing Partner Bob Croydon said "King Sturge encourage their staff to get involved with organisations such as UCAN and becoming non-executive members, Trustees and Board members. This ties in with King Sturge's Corporate and Social Responsibility policy in supporting local communities and families and it's a great pleasure to be able to provide much needed equipment which will be of great value to all the young members of UCAN Productions, I would encourage other companies to do the same as it's very satisfying to know that whatever kind of business you are in, you can really make a difference to the lives of others.

Bernie Latham said 'Like many of our members Eleanor and Joseph are both very talented and have a natural gift for music and performing, being able to access the materials they need is going to make a massive difference.

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