Jason Hicks

I am a prop maker and have worked on all manner of projects including Dr Who and Torchwood I am now also working on Iron Clad.

As a freelance in the demanding and ever changing industry, I am keen to learn new techniques and support this new knowledge and new skills with colleagues working in design/props.

Identifying courses and even organising specialised training here in Wales is vital for our freelances in the creative industries, so I am also working with CULT Cymru to organise suitable courses.

I have also completed the Preparing to Teach in the Lifelong Learning Sector course with Wales TUC.

jason@cultcymru.org

Tel: 029 2023 5240

Michele Ryan

I am your BECTU ULA for West Wales. 

My role is to support members in your professional development, this can be through networking with others, organising courses in your local area or signposting.  I am an experienced producer and tutor and would love to hear from you. 

I can organise courses at Trinity College in Carmarthen.   I am happy to organise evening, day or weekend courses or events.  If any member would like to meet face-to-face either to discuss personal requirements or any ideas about what we could do locally, I am available in Carmarthen on Wednesday afternoons.  Feel free to pass on my contact information to others working in the area.

Please contact me at the following (preferably email)

michele@cultcymru.org

Mobile: 07971 955730

Ros Wilkins

I am one of the BECTU ULAs in Wales.

I trained as a make-up and hair artist with the BBC and worked for HTV Wales for many years before becoming freelance.  I’m BECTU's first Craft Union Learning Advisor and I have carried out the role since 2005. 

My role as a ULA involves identifying the learning requirements of people working in make-up and hair in Wales and meet colleagues on location or telephone them to discuss what they'd like to do next.  I then discusses this with CULT Cymru to identify how to access the required training, logistics (including course content), training providers and funding.

Past courses have included: 

• Prosthetics, laying on of hair, and airbrushing;
• Industry developments such as HD;
• Introduction to computers and the web. 

What's been useful about the courses is that not only have they we learnt a great deal but have had a lot of fun at the same time, and valued the time together. 

The benefits to me as an individual have included gaining confidence in discussing learning needs and I have now completed a Wales TUC course accredited by City and Guilds entitled "Preparing to Teach in the Lifelong Learning Sector."  We have also set up some new courses with a local learning provider on barbering techniques, styling and use of colour on hair.

I am particularly keen on to support new entrants who haven't had the opportunity of working alongside trained professionals for a significant amount of time as part of their training as I feel they're thrown in at the deep end.

I am happy to advise and signpost make-up and hair people to relevant support.

ros@cultcymru.org

Bridie Doyle

I became a ULA because I am someone who is keen to do as much training as possible, taking every advantage I can to support and further my artistic career. I thought that by becoming a ULA I would find out what is available out there that I may find useful and then be able to pass on that information to others and find others who may be interested in a similar training to my own needs.

I was first attracted to becoming a ULA because as a freelance it is difficult to find out about training that is specialised and expensive.

My main as a ULA is to find or even organise relevant training so that it is affordable.

As a ULA I am particularly keen to advise other freelances working in my own skill sector.

However, I would be happy to talk to freelances from other sectors especially if there is relevant training available that could cover various areas four work.

Working with CULT Cymru I recently organised an IRATA course, International Rope Access Technique for rigging and work at height.  Two Equity and two BECTU members attended this training.

People currently interested are circus artists who use this kind of equipment within their work and stage technicians who want to broaden their knowledge of safe working practices.

bridie@cultcymru.org

Polly

I am one of your Equity ULAs and am based in the Rhondda. 

I became a ULA in order to meet other representatives from the four other unions involved in CULT Cymru and also to see just what there was out there in terms of training and support for our members.

I am an actress with a small amount of professional experience and am interested in how further training can help get work for me and for other Equity members in Wales.

My role is mainly to find out if and where there are gaps in your training and, through CULT Cymru, to try and bridge  those gaps.

I recently ran my first joint networking event with CULT Cymru and Equity at the Atrium in Cardiff, and am looking forward to running more events of this kind.

I am interested in setting up networking events which should provide an opportunity to discuss what support we require.  Some things members have said they’re interested in are audition techniques, producing showreels and radio presentation skills. So watch out for details!

Ultimately, I am interested in how the unions can work together in order to create their own work. Please feel free to contact me at the following email address.

polly@cultcymru.org

David Wong

I began my career in acting back in 1994 as a Supporting Artist in a Mind to Kill, which was being shot in Porthcawl. Later, I was able to find acting roles in film, television and theatre

I am happy to give advice and help to any Equity member working in my area.

If you would like to discuss your own training needs and would like more information on available training and sources of funding, please get in touch.

david@cultcymru.org

Humie Webb

I am a jazz singer/educator and work as a freelance Project Manager and consultant producing jazz shows and cultural events across the UK.

I have made numerous TV and radio appearances and in 2002 Humie received a Welsh Diversity Award for Best Achievement in Performing Arts. In recognition of my community art and voluntary work I was invited to meet the at Buckingham Palace and the then Prime Minister Tony Blair at 10 Downing Street and in 2003 Humie was presented with a special award by her local councillor in recognition of her contribution to music development in the Butetown community.

I decided to become a ULA because I think it is important for people working in the cultural industries to be aware of changing trends, especially the way people want to access their entertainment and art forms. It is important to keep abreast of change to stay relevant to maintain an audience for your artform. Personal development is important to address this in particular how to market, present and financially support yourself.

My target audience is primarily vocalists and performance artists who struggle to market themselves to a wider audience.

I'm happy for you to contact me by email or mobile number below. I can also arrange to meet groups of people in Cardiff or in various parts of Wales where I am able to arrange meetings.

humie@cultcymru.org

M: 07828 978345

Mike Burrows

I am one of the NUJ ULAs in Wales and based in Swansea.

The problem of becoming a journalist is usually presented in a contradictory way – chicken and egg. How do you get experience when you need experience to get a job? A few years ago, I took on two young students on work experience and gave them the job and the money that came with it. From the mentoring I provided, they made good contacts and obtained a short term contract in their own right.  This is why I became a Union Learning Adviser.

I am now keen to develop my work with journalists as an NUJ ULA and also to see how I can help create opportunities for my freelance colleagues by being aware of available training along wtih available sources of funding for training.

I am happy to talk to all NUJ members in Swansea and South West Wales.

mikebuz@cultcymru.org

Mike Smith

I am one of the NUJ ULAs in Wales.

My career background is in a variety of editorial roles across Wales from a general reporter to senior assistant editor, business writer to communications manager.

More recently I have worked as a freelance trainer, marketer and writer, with clients including BBC and National Dance Company Wales. I am keen to give advice and help to any NUJ member working in any sector but my own specialism is in print and PR.  

So please contact me by email or telephone if you would like to discuss your own training needs or to find out how I may be able to signpost you to training that is available and for sources of funding.

I am also a CULT Cymru trainer, having created the training packages in marketing and e-marketing and delivered several courses to freelances from all the unions involved in the CULT Cymru project.

As a Cardiff and South East Wales branch officer you can also come and meet me at any of the NUJ branch meetings.

mike@cultcymru.org

07795 325161

Othniel Smith

I am one of the WGGB ULAs in Wales

Writers tend to work in isolation, and it is often difficult for them to feel as though they are part of a community. Furthermore, it is my experience that employment and career development opportunities from which they might benefit are often insufficiently publicised.  In the first instance, therefore, I feel that my role as ULA involves providing Guild members in Wales with the information they require to in order that they can maximise their effectiveness as freelancers.

My first task, as a Union Learning Advisor for the WGGB was to create a workable electronic mailing list of Guild members working in Wales. I achieved this with the assistance of the Guild office in London, and other members of the Welsh Committee.

My role thus far has largely involved attempting to build awareness of CULT Cymru via e-mail. I also see it as my responsibility to act as a contact point via which members can communicate their training needs.

ULA training has helped instill in me the confidence to be able to field training-oriented queries from members, whether this involves simply referring them to more authoritative sources of information, or discussing their options with them on a one-to-one basis.

othniel@cultcymru.org