A production company which works with visually impaired youngsters gave workshops to schools across the county last week, which culminated in a production at the Torch Theatre in Milford Haven. 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. With the help of £4,800 of Lottery funding from the Arts Council of Wales, from the outset children from five schools in Cardiff 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. Last week, UCAN ran workshops at Pembroke's Bush School, with pupils from St. Florence, Tavernspite, Stepaside and Greenhill, amongst others, all going along to attend. A final theatre performance was staged at the Torch on Friday. "The experience is tailored to have a big impact on the youngsters involved, boosting their confidence and self-esteem," explained Jane. The organisation is a 'not for profit' co-operative which aims to increase opportunities for visually impaired young people to participate in the arts. For further details visit the website at http://www.ucanproductions.org">www.ucanproductions.org
