The stories of NHS staff shared through monologues in the next MonologAYE project by BLAS, Pontio

02/10/2024

By Pontio

BLAS, Pontio presents a sharing night this October, MonologAYE: The National Health Service (NHS) that’s a progression of MonologAYE’s first project in 2023. Here’s an opportunity to hear personal and professional stories of individuals who work within the Health Service through their personal monologues.

Following the success of MonologAYE’s first project, which provided a platform for the voices of the city of Bangor, over the last six months BLAS has been working alongside six members of the NHS staff and their mentors. The contributors from the NHS are Alwyn Joyce, Briall Gwilym, Dr Naa Adjeley Mizna Barnor, Erin Bryfdir, Rhodri Thompson and Siwan Esyllt Mathias. The contributors jobs vary within the NHS including a GP, nurses from different departments including A&E and Midwife. The project highlights their personal experience of working within the NHS and and giving their voices a platform and stage.

As part of the project contributors are given a professional mentor to guide them through the process of creating and writing a monologue. The main mentor and director is Manon Gwynant who was involved in MonologAYE’s first project, alongside Gareth Evans-Jones, Manon Steffan Ros, Dr Charlotte Williams, Mali Elwy and Gwion Aled Williams, pairing with the contributors as mentors.

Mared Huws, BLAS Coordinator said, ‘This is an opportunity to hear stories full of laughter and emotion with the interpretations displaying pride and dedication. We get a unique insight into the life of the people who keep our health services going and I’m really looking forward to hearing the work at the sharing night.’

Manon Gwynant, MonologAYE’s Lead Mentor added, ‘This whole process of creating monologues is so personal and it has been a privilege to collaborate with the participants to write honest, witty and at times funny monologues! It’s a special insight into the Health Service Workforce.’

MonologAYE’s NHS sharing night will be held on Saturday 12 October at 7pm in Pontio’s Studio led by Dr Manon Wyn Williams. There will be an opportunity to hear the monologues and conversations with the contributors and their mentors. It promises to be an emotional and inspiring evening that gives a voice to those employees who give so much for our health and well-being.