Academic, Theatre Art, and Social Sector Endoresments for A Blind Bit of Difference:

“A Blind Bit of Difference is an important project which explores the largely unchartered territory of multisensory performance/visual impairment and spoken word. The mentoring and showcasing aspects of this project are key here, for the participants will not only write and perform new poems they will be introduced to networks of professional performance organisations and thus engage with the potential for further collaborations, commissions and employment. Amy is one of the UK's leading researchers into spoken word and her ground-breaking work with interactive sensory methods leads the way for future Spoken Word Educators.”

– Lucy English, Reader in Creative Writing, Bath Spa University 

“ ‘A Blind Bit of Difference’ was an exemplary  experimentation of spoken word and the senses. It created an open, shared space and time for all abilities to access arts and creativity together. The young people involved clearly had complete ownership of their work and through a personalised and holistic approach, their performances demonstrated freedom and autonomy of language. I look forward to further exploring the journey of sensory poetry within the care sector and evidencing it’s impact at Sense.” 

– Stephanie Tyrell, National Arts Manager,
SENSE ARTS – National Deafblind Charity 

“A Blind Bit of Difference was a truly special piece of work offering blind and partially sighted young people their first opportunity to write and perform poetry. Spoken word is an empowering medium through which many marginalised communities are finding a voice, and it is getting increasing interest from large audiences and mainstream theatres. Amy's work has had a clear and positive impact on the lives of the young people involved – evidenced by their eloquence onstage and off, their confidence and demonstrable social skills, and may yet have a bigger part to play affecting change in the theatre industry at large. Through ‘A Blind Bit of Difference’ we, a theatre company producing work by and for blind and partially sighted people, spotted many rising stars who we hope to introduce to our own workshops and training programmes for blind and partially sighted artists.” 

– Josh Elliott, Communications and Development Coordinator, Extant Theatre 
EXTANT – UK’s leading Theatre Co. in Vision Impairment

“I'm incredibly excited about A Blind Bit of Difference. It's incredibly vital work in a world that typically pays lip service to the notion of diversity but often fails to extend beyond the surface. This project engages with the voices and creative faculties of students who would otherwise likely not be heard or celebrated as poets, alongside other more established poets, and does so with a depth of attention and holistic care for the people they are and the art that they're capable of.” 

– Jacob Sam La-Rose, Artistic Director of Spoken Word Education Program, 
Goldsmiths College