Hear from some of our World Book Day Competition Entrants!
Here are some of our little bookworms' favourite stories! “My favourite book is The Rainbow Fish because it was not kind and then it was kind in the end.” - Gabriella “So my book review is about Harry Potter. What I like about it is Rubeus Hagrid because he is really kind to Harry and he helps Harry a lot in all of the seven books. If you’ve not read them they’re really good. And what I don’t like about it is Lord Voldemort because he’s [...]
Join blind artist & VICTA Changemaker Ruqaiya’s on a tour of her exhibition
Join VICTA Changemaker and blind artist Ruqaiya Asim for a tour of her current exhibition 'Can You See Me Now?' The exhibition is all about spreading disability awareness and sharing Ruqaiya's experiences of how she navigates the world as a blind person. Ruqaiya talks you through the features she's put in place to make sure her art is accessible for you to experience if you have a vision impairment. You can still catch 'Can You See Me Now' in person until 29 March Opening hours: Monday to Saturday, from 9 am – 5 pm. Location: [...]
Join our World Book Day Celebration
Sorry our Voxblock offer has reached capacity and is now closed. If you would like to be added to a waiting list should more devices become available, or would like to tell us about your love of books for your chance to win a set of POGS headphones, please email students@victa.org.uk. Hi, I’m Catherine and I have been working for VICTA since November 2024. As a child I was a huge Jacqueline Wilson and Cathy Cassidy fan. I really enjoyed reading books about little girls my own age and imagining what it would be like [...]
The Verses That Make Us: A Personal Journey Through Change
VICTA Changemakers Blindness Awareness Month By Ellie Wallwork In mid September, I stood on a stage with a band arrayed behind me, four pages of braille paper clutched in my hand. I'm an actor but I felt the most acute stage fright of my life, voice caught in my throat and knees shaking as if I had run a marathon. I didn't think the words would come - until I started to speak. I hadn't thought of myself as a poet. I used to tap words out on a keyboard when I [...]
Be inspired. VI art student Millie-Jayne’s digital art
Image description: A high contrast digital image. The background image is an abstract photo that has been flooded with colour - bright pink and dark grey, a person is just visible in the centre of the image. In the top-right corner a white flower is overlaid over the other image with transparency allowing the background colours to show through. In the bottom-left there is a blue image overlaid of a tulip with bright yellow accents. Braille dots have been overlaid over the image reading: 'Better to be blind and see with your heart than have two [...]
Things that make me feel joyful
A poem by Mahalia Creft The blue-purple hue of an early early morning as I lay twisted up in yellow with my eyes just barely open. The taste of chocolate melding deep into the corners of my taste-buds as I sneak a stray biscuit before mum brings in a “proper” breakfast. The feel of a warm plate on my lap when the sun is at its highest point and my belly is at its largest. The scent of something sweet, ringing melodically in my nostrils and my throat. The sound of music that I hear, caressing the innards [...]
So, how long do you think it will take to get the book finished?
By Mahalia Creft “So, how long do you think it will take to get the book finished?” I tried my very best not to freeze as the realisation dawned on me… ooooohhhh they actually want me to write a book. This was the reaction I had after attending an information evening targeted at helping individuals start their own business. I had made the mistake of thinking this information evening was like most others I had attended, in which you sit for an hour, maybe an hour and a half while some guy whose internet connection keeps dropping out [...]
Advice to my past self: lessons I have learnt over the last year
By Grace Hill I remember it clear as a bell. The date was 16 March 2022. The time was around 3pm. I was on my bed going about a normal day with KISS FM on. Or at least that was what I thought until one particular artist came on. That might not sound like a big thing to most people... often when we have music on it is just to keep us entertained while we do something else like cleaning our rooms or studying. And that day I was no different. But when this particular artist came on [...]
New opportunity – Artist Development Programme
BEYOND – Graeae’s bespoke Artist Development programme Graeae’s bespoke Artist Development programme is back! Starting in 2020 it has supported 48 Deaf, disabled and neurodivergent artists in developing their careers, taking on new challenges & building successful connections. Graeae have teamed up with 7 leading venues across England ; Octagon Theatre in Bolton, Nottingham Playhouse, Cast in Doncaster, Hull Truck, Shakespeare North in Prescot, Everyman in Liverpool and Derby Theatre. Together they are creating a national network of artistic support and development for Deaf, disabled and neurodivergent artists. The programme is available to those over [...]
New opportunity – BBC Young Reporter 2023
BBC Young Reporter Competition 2023 The BBC Young Reporter Competition is open until Friday 31 March 2023 for ages 11-18. Share your story for the chance to have it produced with the help of BBC journalists, producers and programme makers for broadcast on TV, radio, online or on social media. The theme is ‘Me and My World’ - entries can be written or recorded as a short video or audio clip. You can enter as an individual or as a group. Find out all about the competition and how to enter here: bbc.co.uk/teach/young-reporter/competition/zghcydm You'll find all of [...]