Introducing our patron + After school club!

Introducing Ciaran Fitzgerald, Patron of Two Rhythms

We are delighted to welcome Welsh writer, screenwriter and presenter Ciaran Fitzgerald as Patron of Two Rhythms.

Ciaran is a disabled creative practitioner from Port Talbot whose work has consistently challenged assumptions about disability and championed authentic representation. A fluent Welsh speaker and graduate of the University of South Wales BA Scriptwriting programme, his work spans television, theatre, radio and participatory arts.

His Welsh-language television comedy Bwmp, which aired on S4C, broke new ground as the first Welsh-language comedy with a disabled protagonist. Ciaran has also worked with organisations including Theatr Clwyd and Sherman Theatre and has appeared on S4C and BBC Radio Wales.

Importantly, Ciaran already has a relationship with Two Rhythms. During the COVID-19 lockdown he worked creatively with the charity, producing poetry that brought warmth, creativity and connection to our work at an exceptionally difficult time.

His appointment as Patron therefore grows from an existing relationship and a strong alignment of values.

Two Rhythms works with children and adults with profound and multiple learning disabilities, using music, movement, touch, rhythm and sensory experiences to create opportunities for communication, connection, participation and self-expression. Many of our Guests communicate without speech and our work is grounded in the belief that every person has the right to be seen, heard, valued and included in creative and cultural life.

As Patron, Ciaran will help us champion that message.

His role will include raising awareness of Two Rhythms, supporting selected events and campaigns, contributing to our communications and helping us reach new audiences and creative networks. We will particularly value his insight into disability representation, accessibility, Welsh-language engagement and inclusive creative practice.

Ciaran will also help us celebrate and amplify the voices and experiences of our Guest Ambassadors, ensuring that people who attend Two Rhythms remain at the centre of how we tell our story.

This is an honorary and voluntary role, separate from the governance and management of the charity. We also hope there will be opportunities to collaborate with Ciaran professionally on future creative projects, with any commissioned work remaining entirely separate from his Patron role.

We are incredibly pleased to welcome Ciaran into this new chapter of Two Rhythms and look forward to what we can achieve together.

In addition to our current monthly family fun day, we would like to take the time to share some exciting news. With thanks to the national lottery community fund it has now been made possible for us to run monthly after school sessions from both our Llanishen site at Cerebal Palsy Cymru, and at the Wales Millenium Centre. This after school club is something we’ve been planning for quite some time and we’re absolutely thrilled to be able to offer this service to families in both of these areas.

Our first after school club will run from our Llanishen site at Cerebal Palsy Cymru and is appropriate for any child with a learning disability, as well as their siblings. It will run on the 17th September from 4.30pm until 5.30pm (more information on the poster below). Following on from this we look to run another session at our Wales Millenium Centre the following month which will be advertised on socials, so make sure you’re following us. More information on this to follow.

We understand that there is a serious lack of opportunity for young people with learning disabilties and we are glad to be helping fill that gap and provide a service where such young people are able to express themselves in a calm, relaxing and safe environment. An opportunity to explore and play and spend time with loved ones whilst being looked after and guided by experienced facilitators. It is not lost on us what this means for families in these catchment areas.

Whether you’ve visited before at one of our family fun days, or this is your first time experiencing the joy of Two Rhythms you can be sure the session will be filled with music, dance and play. We pride ourselves on the programme we offer at Two Rhythms and applying a creative and therapeutic approach to all aspects of our programme. With that in mind we’re looking forward to creating new approaches and adapting our programme to suit a range of individuals and needs. If you have any questions please do not hesitate to get in touch with us at info@tworhythms.co.uk

We look forward to welcoming you soon.