UCAN PodSquad

In 2023, UCAN developed a relationship with the amazing Children’s Laureate of Wales for 2023-25, poet and writer Alex Wharton. The Children’s Laureate Wales is a national ambassadorial role, created by Literature Wales, which aims to inspire and empower children and young people across Wales through literature. Alex met a range of our amazing young people, and inspired and facilitated them in writing their own poems through a series of fun and creative workshops over the last 2 years. At UCAN we love sound and recording, so we thought it would be ideal to use this opportunity to create the very first Audiobook of Poetry for blind and vision impaired young people, while sprinkling in some of our trademark sound wizardry! So here it is - we want everyone to hear and share this collection of funny, inspiring, moving and creative spoken word poetry. We are forever grateful to Alex Wharton, Literature Wales and to our funders Children in Need for making this possible. CONTENTS 01 Alex Wharton - Introduction 02 Who Are We? 03 Friendship 04 A Limerick 05 Another Limerick 06 My Kind of Sunday 07 Lizard Poem 08 Ghost Poem 09 Sunday Strange Sounds 10 Where Am I? 11 The DFN Project 12 How Far Can You See?

In 2024, UCAN were thrilled to receive a grant from The National Lottery Heritage Fund for an exciting project - Then and Now: Exploring the Lives of Blind People in Wales. This was an inter-generational project exploring the history of blind and partially sighted people, as well as 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 was to build a collection of recorded stories, plays, discussions and interviews documenting people's oral history and historical stories. We present these to you here in a series of podcasts. We do hope you enjoy! We are very grateful to The National Lottery Heritage Fund, and to players of the National Lottery, for making this project possible.

In 2024, UCAN were thrilled to receive a grant from The National Lottery Heritage Fund for an exciting project - Then and Now: Exploring the Lives of Blind People in Wales. This was an inter-generational project exploring the history of blind and partially sighted people, as well as 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 was to build a collection of recorded stories, plays, discussions and interviews documenting people's oral history and historical stories. We present these to you here in a series of podcasts. We do hope you enjoy! We are very grateful to The National Lottery Heritage Fund, and to players of the National Lottery, for making this project possible.

In 2024, UCAN were thrilled to receive a grant from The National Lottery Heritage Fund for an exciting project - Then and Now: Exploring the Lives of Blind People in Wales. This was an inter-generational project exploring the history of blind and partially sighted people, as well as 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 was to build a collection of recorded stories, plays, discussions and interviews documenting people's oral history and historical stories. We present these to you here in a series of podcasts. We do hope you enjoy! We are very grateful to The National Lottery Heritage Fund, and to players of the National Lottery, for making this project possible.

In 2024, UCAN were thrilled to receive a grant from The National Lottery Heritage Fund for an exciting project - Then and Now: Exploring the Lives of Blind People in Wales. This was an inter-generational project exploring the history of blind and partially sighted people, as well as 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 was to build a collection of recorded stories, plays, discussions and interviews documenting people's oral history and historical stories. We present these to you here in a series of podcasts. We do hope you enjoy! We are very grateful to The National Lottery Heritage Fund, and to players of the National Lottery, for making this project possible.

In 2024, UCAN were thrilled to receive a grant from The National Lottery Heritage Fund for an exciting project - Then and Now: Exploring the Lives of Blind People in Wales. This was an inter-generational project exploring the history of blind and partially sighted people, as well as 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 was to build a collection of recorded stories, plays, discussions and interviews documenting people's oral history and historical stories. We present these to you here in a series of podcasts. We do hope you enjoy! We are very grateful to The National Lottery Heritage Fund, and to players of the National Lottery, for making this project possible.

In 2024, UCAN were thrilled to receive a grant from The National Lottery Heritage Fund for an exciting project - Then and Now: Exploring the Lives of Blind People in Wales. This was an inter-generational project exploring the history of blind and partially sighted people, as well as 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 was to build a collection of recorded stories, plays, discussions and interviews documenting people's oral history and historical stories. We present these to you here in a series of podcasts. We do hope you enjoy! We are very grateful to The National Lottery Heritage Fund, and to players of the National Lottery, for making this project possible.

In 2024, UCAN were thrilled to receive a grant from The National Lottery Heritage Fund for an exciting project - Then and Now: Exploring the Lives of Blind People in Wales. This was an inter-generational project exploring the history of blind and partially sighted people, as well as 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 was to build a collection of recorded stories, plays, discussions and interviews documenting people's oral history and historical stories. We present these to you here in a series of podcasts. We do hope you enjoy! We are very grateful to The National Lottery Heritage Fund, and to players of the National Lottery, for making this project possible.

UCAN has had the pleasure and honour of working with Simon Kamau recently, who has just completed his Bronze Arts Award with us. Simon's story is difficult but truly inspiring - he is a talented rapper who has in recent years suffered from significant hearing loss and sight loss, as well as other health problems. Nevertheless his drive and determination are impressive, and he continues to create inspirational music, using his voice to mainstream and raise awareness for people with disabilities. He's very good at what he does and an engaging speaker! Check out some of his music and a chat with Alex of UCAN in this special episode.

UCAN member Caroline Williams has written a book about her life long partnership with Fred - the pet name she gave to her Type 1 diabetes, diagnosed as a child - and how she learned to keep him from taking control. Today we present a short excerpt from that book, in spoken word. We do hope you enjoy.

In this episode we celebrate one of UCAN's longest running workshops - the wonderful heartwarming and chaotic world of Maggie's Club. Huge thanks to Children in Need for enabling it to happen...

The Squad continue to make wondrous things to eat. Yum. --- You can listen in all the following places: Facebook: www.facebook.com/ucanproductions.org/ Twitter: twitter.com/UCANProduction Podbean: ucanpodsquad.podbean.com/ YouTube: www.youtube.com/channel/UC1eFTnj9-JVB7dVYGI-f8Lw/videos Spotify and Apple Podcasts: just search for UCAN PodSquad

Our bellies have been rumbling... and now we're going to make yours rumble too... --- You can listen in all the following places: Facebook: www.facebook.com/ucanproductions.org/ Twitter: twitter.com/UCANProduction Podbean: ucanpodsquad.podbean.com/ YouTube: www.youtube.com/channel/UC1eFTnj9-JVB7dVYGI-f8Lw/videos Spotify and Apple Podcasts: just search for UCAN PodSquad

Spring is here, and The Podsquad returns with poetry, meditation and an original short story! --- Get in touch - podsquad@ucanproductions.org - we'd love to hear from you, and maybe if you're interested, you could be part of the Podsquad too... You can listen in all the following places: Facebook: www.facebook.com/ucanproductions.org/ Twitter: twitter.com/UCANProduction Podbean: ucanpodsquad.podbean.com/ YouTube: www.youtube.com/channel/UC1eFTnj9-JVB7dVYGI-f8Lw/videos Spotify and Apple Podcasts: just search for UCAN PodSquad

Merry Xmas to one and all, and we hope you find time to enjoy the festive selection that is the Xmas episode of the Podsquad. Enjoy some music, a festive rant about a festive favourite tune, and a strange story focusing on what Christmas must be like for a man who works as a henchmen for an evil mastermind... Have a safe and enjoyable Christmas everyone!

Hi Squadfans, please enjoy a new episode of the terrible twosome that is the Grumpy Old Gits - plus everything you ever wanted to know about Goalball! --- Get in touch - podsquad@ucanproductions.org - we'd love to hear from you, and maybe if you're interested, you could be part of the Podsquad too... You can listen in all the following places: Facebook: www.facebook.com/ucanproductions.org/ Twitter: twitter.com/UCANProduction Podbean: ucanpodsquad.podbean.com/ YouTube: www.youtube.com/channel/UC1eFTnj9-JVB7dVYGI-f8Lw/videos Spotify and Apple Podcasts: just search for UCAN PodSquad

Join the Podsquad for three more haunting stories. We hope you enjoy. --- Get in touch - podsquad@ucanproductions.org - we'd love to hear from you, and maybe if you're interested, you could be part of the Podsquad too... You can listen in all the following places: Facebook: www.facebook.com/ucanproductions.org/ Twitter: twitter.com/UCANProduction Podbean: ucanpodsquad.podbean.com/ YouTube: www.youtube.com/channel/UC1eFTnj9-JVB7dVYGI-f8Lw/videos Spotify and Apple Podcasts: just search for UCAN PodSquad

MWAHAHAHAHAHAAAAA! Please enjoy 'Pumpkin Soup', an original radio drama written and directed by Danielle Brewster and Alys Byrne, performed by Alys's drama group. -- Get in touch - podsquad@ucanproductions.org - we'd love to hear from you, and maybe if you're interested, you could be part of the Podsquad too... You can listen in all the following places: Facebook: www.facebook.com/ucanproductions.org/ Twitter: twitter.com/UCANProduction Podbean: ucanpodsquad.podbean.com/ YouTube: www.youtube.com/channel/UC1eFTnj9-JVB7dVYGI-f8Lw/videos Spotify and Apple Podcasts: just search for UCAN PodSquad

In this episode, Apple fanboy Jake Sawyers shares his formidable knowledge on recommended accessible technology... the guy knows a thing or two. Also we have an update on the University situation from Danielle... Plus an original poem from Kiel Gibson. --- Get in touch - podsquad@ucanproductions.org - we'd love to hear from you, and maybe if you're interested, you could be part of the Podsquad too... You can listen in all the following places: Facebook: www.facebook.com/ucanproductions.org/ Twitter: twitter.com/UCANProduction Podbean: ucanpodsquad.podbean.com/ YouTube: www.youtube.com/channel/UC1eFTnj9-JVB7dVYGI-f8Lw/videos Spotify and Apple Podcasts: just search for UCAN PodSquad

Here's part 2 of our look at the 'University experience', in which some Squad members compare stories about what University was like for them... --- Get in touch - podsquad@ucanproductions.org - we'd love to hear from you, and maybe if you're interested, you could be part of the Podsquad too... You can listen in all the following places: Facebook: www.facebook.com/ucanproductions.org/ Twitter: twitter.com/UCANProduction Podbean: ucanpodsquad.podbean.com/ YouTube: www.youtube.com/channel/UC1eFTnj9-JVB7dVYGI-f8Lw/videos Spotify and Apple Podcasts: just search for UCAN PodSquad