ASPIRE CONSULTANCY

Demonstration of access technology for visually impaired people.

Affordable screen access solutions.

Display of talks mobiles.

Axiral m500 portable video magnifier.

Kurzweil personal reader for phones.

Victor reader stream and lots more.

Thursday 17th June 2010 - 10 am - 2:30 pm

Sight Advice Centre, Stricklandgate House, Kendal

Contact: Aspire Consultancy 01904762788

Sight Advice Centre 01539 742633

Vital Group News

The Vital Group were shocked to hear about the death of Paula Ridge, a much loved member of the group. Our thoughts go out to her family at this sad time. Paula will be greatly missed.

Events organised so far are horse riding on the 24th July at Keswick and caving on August 13th. The quiz night is on 28th June.

Events to be organised at our next meeting are our annual barbeque, bowls and putting.

For more information please contact Chris Jackson on Kendal (01539) 730581.

SLSB Name Change

In the last Insight it was mentioned that we were looking into the possibility of a new name for South Lakes Society for the Blind. There are two reasons for this.

Our recent consultations highlighted the need for SLSB to raise its profile so that people are aware of our services and that these services are not only for ‘blind’ people but are for anyone with sight problems.

In addition changing our name will hopefully eliminate any confusion with RNIB which was identified during a recent risk management process.

Having asked for possible names from service users we have had a good response which has led us to now look at the process in which we can progress a name change. Some suggestions have unfortunately had to be removed as they are already in use elsewhere.

We will be seeking publicity through the media explaining the reasons for the name change and to inform people of the services we provide to all visually impaired people.

Enclosed in this issue is a separate sheet with the suggested names received and we are asking you all to select your top 3 in preference order by indicating 1, 2 and 3 clearly at the side of the names. The sheets must be returned to SLSB at Stricklandgate House by no later than the 18th June.

If you prefer to let us know your preferences by telephone please ring Lisa in the SLSB office on Kendal 742633 who will happy to read through the list and note your choices.

The top 3 most popular names will be presented to the Trustees and announced at the AGM on the 21st July.

Members will then be sent the final 3 selected names and asked to vote for their preferred name and send their reply back by 13th August.

This is an exciting change for the Society and our aim is to ensure that all visually impaired people know what services and support we provide.

The new name will be launched early in September which will be in time to seek press coverage for the Torchlight Procession on the 10th September and to display the new name on the float.

Quote from a member

Karen Garnett popped into the SLSB office to let us know how helpful the workers were at Kirkland earlier this year.

They were more than happy to help visually impaired people through the disruption.

Craft Corner

Welcome to the Craft Corner news,

Firstly I feel I must mention the sad loss of two of our members since the last INSIGHT news.

Bertha was always so involved in her craft and very particular in making sure each small detail was correct. Paula was always laughing and loving all the animal projects she worked on They will both be missed by us all.

With our reporting year coming to an end we have been reviewing the past 12 months. With over £700 raised from our craft sales and commissioned work, and almost £1000 raised from our weekly raffle organised by Chris a member and Nita a volunteer, this has been a hugely successful year! The money will be spent on activities and projects for the group, equipment and resources, our celebration events and other ideas that the members and volunteers propose at our regular meetings. A big thank you and well done to all the members and volunteers that have helped to design, support, encourage and create the items for sale, organisation of the raffle and the day to day running of the group and events.

WELL DONE!

You should be very proud !!

Our TORCHLIGHT event is now being planned with a theme of “Kendal through the ages”, thank-you for everyone’s suggestions. We are working on the design now with a view to create 8 individual art murals depicting areas of Kendal passed and present for example the wool trade, k village, farmers market. We will also be making a 6ft square replica of the motto and intend to hang the murals on our 40ft Croppers Wagon around the replica of the bird cage band stand in town.

So, WANTED, new members to join our group all person-centered activities arranged on a weekly basis, lunch available and transport. Anyone interested please contact Scott or myself at the office 742633 or scott@slsb.org.uk / jan@slsb.org.uk we can then arrange a pre visit and discuss the Craftcorner group in more detail.

We wish some of our members speedy recoveries who have been unwell recently Paul & Stan.

Kind regards X

Jan Quinn Craft Group Leader

Appeal advert

Is there anybody interested in supporting a visually impaired woman to go to concerts or for days out for example to visit the Emmerdale Studios. Please contact Dianne on 01539 741447.

Community Development Update – June & July 2010

Spring is upon us and as I type this I am stocking up on Hay Fever cures; using local honey is supposed to help, so if you know of any please let me know!

A lot of members have been asking about purchasing a portable CD player that bookmarks where you are when you turn off the machine. Unfortunately, the Sony DNE240 CD player recommended by CALIBRE that does this has been discontinued. They still produce a similar model which has an FM radio, but this is £50. If you know of any models that are similar and do the same job, please let me know.

If you find CD’s too bulky to carry around, CALIBRE now produce a memory stick service. For those of you who have the South Lakeland Talking Newspaper, you will already be aware of this service. Books can be sent to you on a memory stick from CALIBRE.

They are recommending the Boom Box player which can be purchased for around £25 pounds. This is the only model at the moment that will remember where you are in the book when you turn it off. It will run off batteries and has a headphone socket. We now have a Boom Box and CALIBRE memory stick book to demonstrate in our Sight Advice Centre.

I have had a lot of enquiries about mobile phones recently. The commercial mobiles are moving away from having individual keys to using touch screens. This may be helpful as they develop the technology as you can have large numbers on the touch screen with phones such as the iphone. We are following the progress of these with interest. If you just want a simple to use mobile phone with big buttons and 4 instant memory dial buttons, the Doro Handle Plus 326i at £95.65 may be of interest.

At the last Consultative Forum we welcomed Jane Dodding our new Sight Action Officer. Jane will be chairing the Forum from June and promoting the Society in the South Lakes area. If you are interested in joining the Forum, please contact Jane at the office. We are particularly wanting members from outside the Kendal area to make sure that everyone is represented.

Brian Mace organized another mystery tour for the Ambleside Group this April. This time I was not included in the secret to stop me spilling the beans! The minibus picked us up from Rowan Court and off we went; we had just got our seat belts on when we were off again! We had arrived at Waterhead and boarded the Swan. We headed south and took in the atmosphere; many of the members had not been on a boat for a long time and it was a good chance to reminisce. We were met at Bowness by the minibus and then taken on a steep but short trip up the hill to the Belsfield Hotel. What a treat! We had our own room overlooking the lake and a spread fit for a King or Queen! We sank into the leather chairs and had to be prized out at the end of a lovely afternoon. Thanks Brian for a lovely trip; I know he is already planning the next one!

Many thanks also to Mary Reckitt who hosted the Milnthorpe Group at her house in May.

The members walked around her gardens taking in the different floral arrangements. The weather was kind to us and we chatted after around the kitchen table with a lovely spread.

Anyway, I hope by the time you read this you are basking in the sun with your factor 30 on!

Scott Hemsley

Thursday mornings at the Sight Advice Centre

Every Thursday morning the Sight Advice Centre is open for you to drop-in and have a go on the internet. We have magnified and talking computers that enable internet access for anyone. If you have never used the internet, this is an excellent chance to have a go, you never know you might even enjoy it! Help will be available, if you need it, to guide you through whatever you want to do, or if you know what you are doing, you can just get on with it. You don’t need to make an appointment, just turn up anytime between 09:30 and 12:30.

Also on Thursday mornings once a month (the first Thursday of the month) we will be holding a meeting for computer users. People will be able to exchange ideas and keep up to date with what is available. If you would like to come to the meetings, please email charles@slsb.org.uk or ring Charles on 01539 742633.

Keswick to Barrow walk

Please see the attached photo of two of our team who entered the Keswick to Barrow walk last Saturday. As explained to Scott, once we gather in the sponsorship money, it has to be passed to the K2B walk charity committee - they then forward the monies on to the nominated charities.

‘Elgar Banknote gives way to accessible ‘Adam Smith’ note

The Bank of England is withdrawing the older style £20 notes that show a portrait of Sir Edward Elgar. Holders of these notes may continue to use them until the end of June 2010.

The ‘Elgar’ note is being replaced by the new £20 note featuring 18th century economist Adam Smith, which was launched in March 2007 and has been used alongside the old note until note.

Following advice from RNIB, the new note incorporates accessibility features including a large, bright ‘£20’ which appears in a clear white area of the note, together with a watermark with the queen’s portrait. The new note is the same size as the old £20 note but there are more raised print areas, including foil patches with a large embossed figure 20 in a holographic strip. Serial numbers now feature on the back of the note.

Hearing Aid Problems?

Anyone who has hearing aids knows that they are not the perfect solution to hearing loss – far from it, but the important thing is to get the best out of your hearing aids so that they can give you the best possible assistance with your hearing loss. Unfortunately, many people who receive hearing aids find them fiddly and difficult to get used to, especially if combined with sight problems as well.

If you have any questions about your hearing aids, or if you have hearing aids which live in the bedside cabinet, (or fruit bowl!), then do come along and find out more.

Also, a little known fact, but one which may be useful for many of you, is that the NHS will provide a spare hearing aid, free of charge, (or pair of hearing aids if appropriate) to people with a substantial visual impairment. The reason for this is that people with poor sight are far more reliant on their hearing. If a hearing aid breaks, this will make life far more difficult until it is repaired or replaced. Hearing is important for mobility and communication, and a spare hearing aid will ensure continuity. Ask your audiologist if you feel that this would be helpful to you.

Janet Eardley.

SIGHT ADVICE CENTRE

The Sight Advice Centre at Stricklandgate House, Kendal is open at the following times;

WEDNESDAYS

1.00 pm - 4pm

Try the latest equipment for reading and writing.

THURSDAYS

9.30 am - 12.30am

Internet access for people with sight problems

FRIDAYS

9.30 am - 12.30pm

Drop-in with tea, coffee & biscuits.

Try everyday living aids.

No appointment necessary.

To visit at any other times please contact the Sight Advice Centre on: 01539 742633

Children and Young Peoples’ Project – latest news

We have been using our individual and group DVD’s showing some of our members talking about their visual impairment and what they would want leaders of potential new groups to know about them. It also shows our member’s strengths and weaknesses their wants and needs as well as their views on how others in responsibility could help. A parent of a recent DVD that had been created for her daughter told me that the new school had found it useful in the beginning as it showed her personality that may have taken months to come out as she had transferred from a primary to a secondary school.

I attended a youth group in Ambleside with a member and discussed with the young people there about others with different abilities attending groups; how they would like to be treated; and what they would bring to the group and potential friendships to existing members. Another parent has said that her daughter finds it difficult to describe and talk about her visual condition when you go to a new group as she finds it embarrassing. We intend to create a DVD for her to take along to her new school and potential new clubs in the next few months.

Some recent events have got the children and young people excited as we have been invited to attend Brockhole Visitors center (3rd July 2010) to be involved in a days planned activities including the new zip wire, climbing wall, and sailing. At the event the children will also be asked about how the activities could be improved for others with a visual impairment as well as giving them an insight into what would interest them in the future. Our parents and members will be invited to the house, canteen and grounds to discuss the exciting potential changes and ideas to be developed in the next year. This is a fantastic opportunity for us all I will keep you updated in the next insight.

Finally I am sure you will not be as excited as one of our members whose family has been working hard completing a lot of ground work to raise and level off the whole back garden in order to make it accessible and safe for their severely visual impaired primary aged daughter Leah. Funds are being raised by the local family with the help from the SLSB and a local turfing company called CHAPLOW LANDSCAPE AND GROUNDS WORK LIMITED the area is being turfed and the new play equipment can be ordered. A HUGE well done to the family and all the people who have donated time, money and resources to help Leah have some more fun in the safety of her own family garden.

Jan Quinn

Children and Young Peoples Project Coordinator

Gift Aid donations

HOW TO INCREASE YOUR CONTRIBUTION TO SOUTH LAKES SOCIETY FOR THE BLIND WITHOUT ADDED COST TO YOURSELF

Any donation made to the Society by a person who is an INCOME TAX PAYER, can be increased through Gift Aid, thereby enabling the Society to reclaim from the Inland Revenue a sum equal to the Income Tax that has been deducted from the donation plus a Government supplement. For example the following amounts could be reclaimed through Gift Aid:-

Annual amount donated

  Income Tax

recoverable by

Society Amount Society

actually receives £5.00 £1.40 £6.40 £10.00 £2.80 £12.80 £15.00 £4.20 £19.20 £25.00 £7.00 £32.00 £50.00 £14.00 £64.00 £100.00 £28.00 £128.00

All you need to do is fill out a form once and we do the rest. If you would like to be sent a Gift Aid Declaration form please contact Lisa on 01539 742633 or info@slsb.org.uk

Many thanks

PALIZ Walking Group Reminders

All walks start at 10.45am.

If walks to be cancelled, Pam/Liz will ring guides asap after 8.30am on day of walk. Guides to ring passengers.

All walkers to be suitably equipped for wet weather and rough terrain and a coffee stop ON EVERY WALK, for own safety.

Most VIPs to be encouraged to bring BLUE BADGE if they have one.

Health & Safety - Liz always carries a mobile phone, & Pam carries first aid.

June 16th - Natland canal and river with a picnic.

July 14th - Cartmel with a picnic.

August 11th - Latterbarrow.

September 8th - to be arranged.

October 6th - Witherslack with pub lunch.

November 10th - Heysham with cafe or pub lunch.

December 8th - Christmas lunch.

Wef May - September : PICNIC LUNCH

Please make sure passengers are aware of eating arrangements.

Any new ideas for walks are always welcome. Liz Lannaghan

Vacancies At the Craft Corner

For New Members of the SLSB

Weekly Art and Craft Activities Staff and Volunteer led

Tuesday 9:30-3:00 Kendal Lunch Provided

Members from within the South Lakes Area, Activities for All

For more information:

Contact Scott or Jan 01539 742633

Low Vision Service - Making the best use of remaining sight

Do you use a magnifier?

Are you finding that things are not quite as easy to see?

Would you like to try other low vision aids?

South Cumbria Low Vision Service may be able to help, but please ensure you have seen an optician within the last six months, in case you are prescribed spectacle mounted low vision aids.

Low vision clinics are held every month at four locations

Kendal is held on 3rd Tuesday at the Sight Advice Centre, Stricklandgate House, Kendal.

Windermere is held on 3rd Monday (afternoon only) at the Goodly Dale Health Centre, Windermere.

Grange is held on 1st Friday (morning only) at Grange clinic, Hampsfell Road, Grange over Sands.

Barrow is held on the last Thursday at Furness General Hospital.

To make an appointment please ring the Patient Contact Centre

0845 055 9990

Mon – Fri from 8am to 8pm

Please state which clinic you would prefer to attend, bearing in mind, you will be able to get an appointment at the Windermere clinic at an earlier date than at the busier clinics. There is ample parking at the Windermere clinic too.

Fund raising

The 2010 in store and street collections have now started. We have had a very busy time and in spite of the recession the results of our collections have been very good.

The first collection was in April at Booths in Windermere where we collected £466.43 which was an excellent result. In the same month we held our annual street collection in Kendal and raised £935.28 and on the lst May we held a street collection in Arnside and raised £364.82. Our thanks go out to our wonderful volunteers for helping at all these collections and to two new volunteers who helped at Arnside.

TORCHLIGHT PROCESSION

This year we have been chosen as one of the charities to collect on the night of the Torchlight Procession.

We will also be allocated somewhere in town to collect during the daytime. This could mean that if we get it right we could collect a lotta lotta money.

If you or any members of your family or any of your friends can help with the collections we would like to hear from you as we will need a lot of collectors but they have to be over 18 years of age.

If you can help please let me know because without a lot of new volunteers we will find it very hard to cover the Torchlight Procession collection. The Society is allowed 25 collectors. We will be allowed to collect from the start of the procession until the end of Sandes Avenue after that we will only be allowed to collect in the area that we have been allocated.

PLEASE TRY TO HELP WITH THE EVENING COLLECTIONS.

If you are able to help please contact Elizabeth on 01539 742633.

A DATE FOR YOUR DIARY –

COFFEE MORNING

This years’ Coffee Morning will be held in Kendal Town Hall on Friday 2nd July 2010. Coffee and biscuits will cost you 70p, a bargain!

If you are able to come along and support this event we would be delighted to see you.

If you are able to bake for the cake stall, give a raffle prize or if you have any items for the Tombola Stall this would be very much appreciated.

Elizabeth.

You may remember well…..

This realistic poem was sent to us courtesy of Hazel and Bert Abbott (Wigan)

Botox and nose drops and needles for knitting,

Walkers and handrails and new dental fittings,

Bundles of magazines tied up in string

These are a few of my favourite things.

Cadillacs and cataracts, hearing aids and glasses,

Polident and Fixodent and false teeth in glasses,

Pacemakers, golf carts and porches with swings,

These are a few of my favourite things.

When the pipes leak, when the bones creak,

When the knees go bad,

I simply remember my favourite things,

And then I don’t feel so bad.

Hot tea and crumpets and corn pads for bunions,

No spicy hot food or food cooked with onions,

Bathrobes and heating pads and hot meals they bring,

These are a few of my favourite things.

Back pain, confused brains and no need for sinnin’,

Thin bones and fractures and hair that is thinning,

And we won’t mention our short shrunken frames,

When we remember our favourite things.

When the joints ache, when the hips break,

When the eyes grow dim,

Then I remember the great life I’ve had,

And then I don’t feel so bad.

Vital Group News

The NW Branch of the Retinitis Pigmentosa Society are holding a Social Weekend at Windermere Manor Hotel, tel. 015394 45801, from Saturday 28th to Monday 30th August, this is the Bank Holiday Weekend.

The cost is £115 for 2 nights and all meals. Also for younger people there will be an Activity day on the Sunday at no extra cost. If you would like to know more details, please tel. Carole Holmes on 01253 404194; or maybe if you live nearby you would be welcome to join us for a few hours and meet some of the members.

Many thanks and take care, Carole

Profile of Jane Dodding Sight Action Officer

I cannot believe where the last 4 weeks have gone since I started my new role as Sight Action officer. I have been kept busy and met lots of people through the local groups, training sessions and meetings.

Those of you who have already met me will know that I lead a very active life. I live at Lakeside on Windermere with my partner and enjoy walking, sailing, cycling to name but a few activities. Now I wonder why I have been asked to oversee the Walking, Keep Fit and Swimming Groups!

I have two very active Springer Spaniels which can only be described as “Mad” and they say they take after their owners!!

In terms of my past life I was born and educated in Burnley, East Lancashire, and no I don’t follow the football and I am proud of my roots. I started

voluntary work through school and have always enjoyed working with people and making a difference to their lives.

I then followed in my father’s footsteps and joined Lancashire Constabulary where I have had enjoyed 30 years before retiring and joining SLSB.

I am looking forward to new challenges ahead in my new role. Jane.

This is the last of the Fur & Feathers articles due to lack of space

Hello. I am Tika Joanne the cat (8 years old). I live with my sister, Diane, who was very lonely after getting her own bungalow and having always lived with her parents.

I was very nervous when I first came but now I love being with Diane – it is so much better than the ‘cattery’. Diane would have liked a monkey as well - but I would have been very jealous.

I love to sit on the knees of any visitors that come. Each morning I go to Diane’s bedroom door and cry until she lets me in. I would love to kiss her but she just blows me a kiss. I think the world of her – and I know she loves me.

From ‘Tika Joanne’.

Spport Service

Patient Support Service

Many Insight readers will know that SLSB offers a Patient Support Service (me!) at Westmorland General Hospital. Any visually impaired person who has to go into hospital (as an inpatient or outpatient) can access this service. It does not matter if they are registered or not, or whether they are previously known to SLSB.

I can take referrals by phone to SLSB (please leave a message: I’m not in the office that much), or by email to dave@slsb.org.uk. People can refer themselves, or someone else (with their permission). The hospital social workers have my contact details, and I am in the process of introducing myself to staff on various wards and departments.

All well and good, you might say. But what does this Dave bloke actually do?

Well, so far I have visited people on the wards, and discussed their needs with the doctors, nurses and admin staff. I always get permission from the patient to do this, unless there is a health and safety issue. I have ensured that there is information provided to bedside visitors that the patient is vision impaired.

Being visually impaired and in hospital can be - I am reliably informed - incredibly boring. In addition to a chat, I can also look at ways if bringing information and entertainment to the bedside. I have agreed with the extremely helpful South Lakes Talking Newspapers organisation that machines can be provided so that local news is not missed. This can be on an individual basis or in the visiting room on the ward for general use.

Emotional support to patients, families and friends is important too. I can provide a listening ear, and information on vision impairment issues. I can make referrals to appropriate agencies if someone needs further assistance.

I can also attend outpatient clinics with a patient, to provide support. Some people find expressing themselves to a Consultant difficult. I have helped with this. If requested, I will take notes: which will then be provided to the patient in their preferred format.

This service is being developed. If anyone can think of a way I can help, or if you have a problem, then please get in touch. And yes..... I am a fan of the “A Team” television programme!

Dave Nelson

Paliz Walk Outing by Liz Lannaghan

After the break over the winter the walking group met in April for the first walk of 2010. 

We met at White Moss car park near Grasmere.  Quite unbelievably the weather was wonderful, sunny, and quite warm and the hills were so clear.  A day you feel glad to be alive and live in such a beautiful part of England.

We started walking towards Grasmere through the woods and then down to the shores of Grasmere.  We had a coffee stop at the edge of the water sitting on the grass bank.  There were certainly lots of people around; everyone seems to be glad to get out in the good weather.

We headed off for Grasmere village and our lunch stop at Cumbria Cafe.  The village was also very busy but fortunately our cafe was quiet.  It could have had something to do with the fact that there was a power cut in the village.  The owner had however,  managed to get a generator so we all got something to eat and drink.

After lunch we herded for the main road and then up onto the old Corpse Road stopping for a rest by the coffin stone.  The road then took us over the hill above the main road.  Spring was bursting out all over with the trees coming into bud and the wild flowers showing through. We arrived back at our cars in good mood as the sunshine and scenery had lifted our spirits.  A very good walk enjoyed by all.

For Sale

Two Electronic Magnifiers £50 each

Pulse data Smart View 8000 magnifier

Aladdin Rainbow Pro

Friends of SLSB

The Friends of SLSB provides a way in which our supporters can make a donation to the charity on a regular basis and therefore help us to maintain the services we offer.

By becoming a Friend of SLSB your support will help over 700 visually impaired people in our local area. You can choose from £20, £10, £5, £2 or any other amount each month and all donations can make a real difference.

If you would like to become a Friend of SLSB and receive the annual Friends Newsletter please cut out and return the slip below or contact the office for information on 01539 742633.

Thank you.

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To: South Lakes Society for the Blind

Stricklandgate House

92 Stricklandgate

Kendal

Cumbria

LA9 4PU

Please send me more information on becoming a Friend of SLSB.

From: ..........................................................

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Phone 01539 742633