Short film ‘Picturesque’ aims to represent visually impaired LGBT+ people on screen
Ellie standing with here cane smiling in a field Written by Ellie Wallwork My name’s Ellie Wallwork, I’m 22 and I’m a visually impaired actor. I’ve known I wasn’t straight since I was about 14 and my sexuality, along with my disability, make up a huge part of who I am. I know I wouldn’t be the same person without these key parts of my identity. However, despite the fact that there are loads of queer blind people in the UK and all over the world, we don’t see that represented on-screen nearly enough. It’s [...]
Our hair workshops continue with Anna Cofone
Written by Monique Richards, VICTA Intern Tuesday 2nd of August was the second hair and care workshop with Anna Cofone, an international session hairstylist working on big name editorials, advertising and film with stars such as Dua Lipa and Lana Del Ray. The workshop was held in the same location as before in East London which made it easy to navigate to. In the workshop Anna briefly went over the topics we covered in the last workshop for the benefit of the new participants who did not attend the previous session. We all had our brushes and combs laid [...]
Monique’s art gallery
My name is Monique. Here is some of my art work I have created over the years. I’ve always been an artistic individual from a very young age. I started really honing in on my art more seriously when I took the subject for GCSE in school. In these classes I learnt different techniques and mediums of art I could work in. I don’t think that having a visual impairment restricts my ability to do art. I believe that having differences encourages individuality that makes someone’s art unique and stand out. Left: Pencil drawing [...]
Success – A poem by Mahalia Creft
By Mahalia Creft Success The tedious wait for the payoff of hard work to finally fall through. Accessed only from a path of constant failure, winding round and round on itself. This path is long, with rocks and stones that jut from the earth, Digging their teeth into the soles of your feet. You stumble, then you fall onto the dirty, dusty floor, Hands above your head, legs sprawled out on the ground. You get up, even though the constant fear of rejection and failure hangs over you like a cloak, dragging you down, wanting you to settle [...]
I Can and I Will – A poem by Grace Hill
By Grace Hill I Can and I Will I can and I willClimb that hillI might be scaredBut I will get thereWith my courage and prideAnd a guide by my sideI can and I will. I can and I willClimb that hillI fear the heightBut I'll be alrightGripping onto my caneI will push through the rainBecause I can and I will. I can and I willClimb that hillI'm frightened to fallBut I can still have it allWe all can flyIf we spread our wings and tryI can and I will. About Grace... [...]
Kissing the sky: How Kiss FM makes me feel like anything is possible
By Grace Hill What does 'no limits' mean to you? For me, it means finding something special in amongst the challenges you face. A piece of magic that makes you feel like you can achieve anything, whether that's in reality or in your dreams. If you're expecting the story of a blind girl who has climbed Mount Everest or won the Paralympics, get ready to be disappointed. Because, if I'm being brutally honest, I find it very hard to pair the concept of 'no limits' with my vision impairment because I'm scared of becoming a cliché. I don't [...]
New opportunity – BBC Young Reporter
BBC Young Reporter Competition The BBC Young Reporter Competition is open until 27 March 2022 for those aged 11-18. It's an amazing opportunity to produce a report on a story or issue important to you. It is a unique chance to tell your story on TV, radio, online or on social media with the help of BBC journalists, producers and programme makers! This year’s theme is ‘Me and My World’. Find out all about the competition and how to enter here: www.bbc.co.uk/teach/young-reporter/competition/zghcydm Need some inspiration? Previous examples include: Ben’s story, produced with BBC Sport, reflects the reality [...]
Exploring the creative arts – interview with singer Grace Whitford
In November we chatted to singer and actress Grace Whitford about following her dreams of becoming a singer. Grace Whitford initially came across some resistance against following her dream career as a singer. She talks to the Student Portal about discovering her love of music after losing her sight at a young age and the point at which she realised she wanted to pursue it as her career. Grace now performs live at venues and festival and is recording her first EP, she offers some great advice on being determined and working hard to achieve your goals. Watch our [...]
How Braille has changed throughout my life
by Harriet Smith Thinking back over the years, it is interesting to see how braille has changed throughout my life. I don't remember learning braille, but I've been told that I used to feel and sort through a lot of seeds in order for my fingers to become sensitive to it. This is important from a young age because it can be hard to learn braille when you're older as your fingers are less sensitive. I absolutely love braille and would hate to be without it. I think it is wonderful how the development of technology has allowed braille [...]
STRiVE: Is university for me?
by Ruqaiya Asim After finishing college this year (2021), decided I wanted to go to university to carry on doing Fine Art. However, I kept asking myself, did I really want to go to university or not. I had several questions floating around in my head. How did I know university was the right choice for me? What else could I do if not a degree? What other options are out there? It took me awhile to decide what I wanted to do. I’m going to share with you what I did and why I made the choice [...]
