The Awards Panel volunteer their time to score, shortlist and choose the winners of each category, They come from a range of backgrounds including, Get the Chance volunteers, Disabled Creatives, Lectures and Arts Professionals . You can find out a little more about the panel below.
Samiya Houston
I am an aspiring educator and creative practitioner with a deep commitment to inclusive arts. Alongside a strong voluntary background supporting children and young people in various schools and charities, I recently completed a rewarding internship with Cardiff-based charity UCAN Productions. During my time there, I facilitated creative workshops across Wales for blind and partially sighted youth, which truly reinforced my passion for helping people build their confidence through creativity.
Currently, I am training to become a teaching assistant, with future plans to study either primary education or the performing arts. My ultimate goal is to bring more accessible, confidence-building creativity into classrooms and ensure that learning is as fun and inclusive as possible. I am so excited to be on the panel for the second-ever the Get The Chance Cultural Impact Awards – I can’t wait to discover and celebrate the amazing projects that are using creativity to make a real difference in our communities! Outside of my professional goals, I’m an avid musical theatre fan, a keen baker, and a self-confessed foodie who loves reading and spending time with friends.
Dr Barbara Hughes Moore
Dr Barbara Hughes-Moore is a writer, poet, and lecturer. She teaches law and literature, with a focus on criminal law and the nineteenth century Gothic. Her poetry has featured in These Pages Sing, Horror Scribes, Roath Writers, The Birdcage, and The Folks.
Jak Rhys Birch
Jak Rhys Birch Is A Celebrated Writer, Artist, And Multi-Award-Winning Entrepreneur Based In Cardiff, Wales. With A Deep-Rooted Passion For The Arts, Jak Has Made Significant Strides Across Various Sectors, Showcasing His Versatility And Dedication. His Extensive Knowledge And Experience Have Inspired And Educated Budding Artists And Creatives In Wales.
Jak’s Commitment To Fostering Creative Talent Led To The Founding Of Galwad, A Not-For-Profit Organization Dedicated To Nurturing And Empowering Welsh Creatives. Through Galwad, Jak Aims To Turn Artistic Passion Into A Viable Profession, Providing Invaluable Support And Opportunities For Emerging Talents In The Region.
Jak Rhys Birch’s Unwavering Dedication To The Arts And His Entrepreneurial Spirit Continue To Make A Lasting Impact On The Creative Landscape Of Wales.
Rhys Payne
This award will be presented by Rhys Payne, Rhys, is an educator and critic, he runs Rhys Reviews which is an entertainment blog/theatre review page which puts new and emerging musicals in the spotlight!
Hannah Goslin
Hannah currently works at the National Theatre as the Operational Support Manager for the Customer Experience and Commercial Operations department. She has been part of Get The Chance Wales from the early days of it being known as Young Critics when she was studying her undergraduate in Performing Arts in Swansea and her masters in Events Management in Cardiff over 10 years ago.
Hannah was the first London correspondent for Get The Chance Wales and has continued, since joining all that time ago, to review in London, Scotland and Devon. Half Welsh, she is fiercely proud of her Welsh roots and has a deep passion for Welsh theatre that she feels is unlike any other theatre in the country. Alongside the NT and Get The Chance Wales, Hannah is an all round theatre professional; performing, creating, producing and marketing productions and currently, separately trying her hand as a novelist.
Nicola Parsons
Nic Parsons is an artist and arts & health practitioner. She has an MA in Arts, Health & Well-being and is a qualified F.E tutor. She began her career as a scenic artist working for Welsh National Opera on theatre and opera sets that were shared across the globe.
She has worked within the community on a wide variety of funded projects as an arts tutor and arts development officer, bringing together a variety of creatives to work on exciting and innovative workshops and exhibitions, with an aim to supporting well-being and providing a platform for community members to showcase their artwork to a broader audience.
In her own practice she embraces nature as her muse. Exploring natural forms and colour palettes through a variety of mediums such as illustration, paint and textiles.
Barrie Llewelyn
Barrie Llewelyn is a writer and an academic researcher at the University of South Wales. She teaches undergraduates and supervises post graduate students. Her research interest is broadly writing for wellbeing with a special interest on the benefits of creativity to those seeking sanctuary in Wales.