Able magazine on the Seen but Seldom Heard project

30 August 2012

Seen but Seldom Heard project has been discussed in an article by Able magazine.

‘Seen but Seldom Heard’ is an innovative collaboration project between Bournemouth University, professional poets and the Victoria Education Centre in Poole, which aims to help young disabled students to find a voice through poetry. Able magazine recently published an article detailing their role in the Paralympic and Cultural Olympiad celebrations, which includes a performance at the ICCI360 Arena in Weymouth on 30 August 2012.

The magazine also quoted Dr Caroline Hodges from Bournemouth University who is coordinating the project to talk about what has been gained from the experience. Dr Hodges stated that the true success story hasn’t been the quality of poetry produced, but “the transformation we have witnessed in the young people in just a few months.

“Poetry has provided a powerful creative outlet to explore personal experiences and feelings towards disability and some of the work produced is truly inspirational. One of the legacies will be a poetry writing group led by one of the pupils who participated in the project and there is a request from the school to host a poet in residence.”

So far the project has been met with resounding success and brilliant reviews. Students have been working together with poetry legends Liv Torc and Johnny Fluffypunk to create some truly powerful, honest and inspiring poetry.

Able stated: “the poems not only became statements of awareness to non-disabled people, but also a celebration of the lives of the wonderful young poets that wrote them.”

‘Seen but Seldom Heard’ have a blog where videos of performances and a selection of poems can be found. A poetry book will also be available for purchase from the end of August with proceeds going towards the funding of a Poet in Residence at Victoria Education Centre.

Seen But Seldom Heard Live featuring guest poet John Hegley, supported by Liv Torc and Johnny Fluffypunk will be held on Thursday 30th August - 7.30pm Weymouth Pavillion.

Tickets are just £5 and are available now from the Weymouth Pavilion Theatre Box Office - by calling 01305 783225 or by visiting their website.