Unique Creative Arts Network for visually impaired young people
About us
Former Hollyoaks and Pobol y Cwm actor Bernard Latham and his wife Jane, set up UCAN Productions so that children with visual impairments in Wales could be given access to the arts.
They were inspired to get involved with visually impaired youngsters after being invited to Sierra Leone in West Africa to help out with a choral project with young blind children. The trip completely changed their own perceptions of what these children could achieve, and with the help of RNIB Cymru, they started to set up a project here in the UK.
- UCAN Productions is a 'not for profit' cooperative which aims to increase opportunities for visually impaired young people to participate in the arts.
- UCAN Production works in association with RNIB Cymru.
- Currently we are working in Wales, but will work in anywhere in the UK where there is a demand.
- Young people do not need any drama experience to be come a UCAN Member.
- The ethos of UCAN Productions is one of pure encouragement and fun.
- UCAN Productions has a strict child protection policy (Copies available on request).
- All trainers and those in direct contact with the young people possess CRB enhanced police checks.
- Risk assessments done on all venues.
- The project is run by drama professional Bernard Latham, Artistic Director of UCAN Productions, who has been an actor and director for over 30 years.
- Parents, Family, Carers, teachers are very welcome to attend and observe workshops.
With the help of £4800 of Lottery funding from the Arts Council of Wales children from five local schools took part in a series of drama workshops which concluded with a performance. The children learnt about drama and acting along with the technical and artistic aspects of theatre such as lighting and sound.
The experience had a big impact on the youngsters involved, boosting their confidence and self esteem,equally important the project provided these isolated young people with the opportunity to make new friends. The project also challenged the perceptions of sighted members of the public towards people with visual impairment.
The organisation now works in partnership with RNIB Cymru and has plans in place to work in theatres across Wales for the next three years. UCAN Productions is run by its own Young People’s Steering Committee, chaired by a 14 year old Lloyd Coleman from Pencoed.
News and events
Achievements – 2007
Read more in our record of achievement
UCAN Productions c/o RNIB Cymru, Trident Court, East Moors Road Cardiff CF24 5TD
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