Confidence in the kitchen Tech tips for all budgets

Bringing together everyone affected by sight loss Issue 8 / October 2016

Tune in on , TV, computer, smartphone or tablet. Available on Freeview 730 or online at rnibconnectradio.org.uk News. Discussion. Entertainment. Community.

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Welcome Contents 4 The Big Connection update 5 Writing competition launch 6 Your Voice 8 News 10 Tech tips for all budgets 12 Confidence in the kitchen 13 Recipe for Weetabix Fruit Cake 14 Update on How See

Welcome to the October 15 Information directory audio edition of Connect, your community magazine. I’m Contact the RNIB Connect team Hussein Patwa, from Aberdeen, and I’m registered blind. Call 0303 1234 555, email [email protected] or This edition includes a feature visit rnib.org.uk/connect from me which should hopefully make your life a little easier. Hussein Patwa RNIB Connect community and communications panel member

© RNIB October 2016 Registered charity numbers 226227 and SC039316

3 Your community

The Big Connection

The Big Connection update

Thank you to everyone who together to achieve more in the joined in the conversation community. And we got practical, around our recent Big with a series of workshops – with Connection conference. tips on how to influence and achieve local change, engage The two-day event in with young people, and ultimately Birmingham brought together ensure our voices are heard. RNIB Connect members from across the UK’s blind and partially sighted community. It was a great opportunity to Tune into RNIB Connect share ideas and concentrate on Radio to hear clips from the next steps to continue to the event. Listen on build RNIB Connect for the future. Freeview Channel 730 The big issue conversations and online at from your September magazine rnibconnectradio.co.uk were carried through to the Continue to share your ideas conference. We explored the big and reflections on social picture and how we can work media using #rnibconnect

4 Writing competition Enter this year’s writing competition This year’s writing We invite entries of up to competition is now open. 1,000 words of prose or 30 lines or poetry, and the closing As we are celebrating the date is 31 January 2017. competition’s tenth year, a panel of RNIB Connect community members decided on the How to enter theme of ‘anniversary’. You can send entries in any format by email or by We encourage you to interpret post. this in any way you choose. No matter what your experience Email: [email protected] or expertise, if you think Post: RNIB Writing Competition, you’d like to give writing a Talk and Support, 105 Judd try, why not give it a go? Street, London WC1H 9NE. About the competition Our annual creative writing There will be plenty more in competition is open to anyone with Connect magazine and on sight loss, not just RNIB members. RNIB Connect Radio to get your creative juices flowing. There are two categories – prose and poetry – and each will have We’ll have exciting news of a winner and two runners up. another prestigious author to be added to our judging panel, Everyone who enters will receive exclusive interviews, the chance an audio recording of their to join a telephone writing entry. Winners will have their workshop and much more. entries professionally recorded by Talking Books narrators. It’s also an opportunity to have To find out more call the your writing read by our panel Helpline on of judges. Joanne Harris, author 0303 123 9999 or visit of Chocolat is heading up the rnib.org.uk/writingcomp panel for the prose section.

5 Writing competition Join the club Did you know that RNIB folk who have got the same runs telephone book enjoyment in such a pastime. groups throughout the UK? If you want to join a group, it’s simple. Just get in touch with the Two community members told Talk and Support team. They will us how the groups work and phone you once a month – very why they love being involved. easy – everybody’s relaxed.”

Olive Bligdon lives near Cliff Corbett lives in Essex, Aberdeen, is registered blind has AMD and joined RNIB with retinitis pigmentosa and seven years ago. facilitates a book group. “I’m in a group with six other “We discuss our favourite authors, people. I thoroughly enjoy it and I books and what we love about think they do too. We do discuss reading. There are six sessions books, but we also get to know for each book group, with what books people like, and from around eight people in each. The that you can perhaps judge a little members choose two books to of the person you’re speaking to. talk about, from a choice of six. It was particularly difficult for I like being a facilitator as I get to me initially, because I knew meet people and find out what of no authors – reading was a they enjoy about different types of completely new venture for me. books. You hear opinions from a But eventually I came to read range of people, and it makes you Wilbur Smith and PD James. think, ‘maybe I’ll check that book I’m reading what you might out.’ That’s what it’s all about. consider ‘men’s books’, but I’m If you’re like myself, who loves still exploring and have recently books and wants to discuss read a few of what I would call them, but has got nobody else books on the feminine side. in the family who enjoys books If you’re wondering what this like I do, then it’s a great way book club is all about, I’d say, of being able to speak to other join and find out for yourself!”

6 Writing competition

Thanks to both Olive If hearing from them has and Cliff for taking part inspired you to join a in Your Voice this telephone book group, it’s month. They’ll each quick, easy and free of receive a Sonic music player charge for RNIB Connect members. for their contributions. Just call the Talk and Support team on 020 7391 2218 or email [email protected] If you’d like to take part in Your Voice, do get in touch. Call 0303 1234 555 or email [email protected]

7 News Audible partnership announced RNIB has teamed up with Audible to offer Talking Books service users access to thousands of new titles. Talking Books users already Campaign enjoy one of the world’s most extensive audio books against delayed collections, and this move will see the library grow by over 4,000. appointments Audible are one of the Next month RNIB is holding world’s biggest sellers of an event at Parliament to alert audio entertainment. This MPs to a problem which could agreement will mean Talking be costing people their sight. Books customers can access all existing Audible titles. In Hospital eye services are under addition, they can also read any huge pressure, and as a result, future titles they produce in both follow-up appointments are being the US and UK markets that delayed or cancelled more often. they hold the audio rights to. Daryl Chapman, Talking Books We need you to invite Manager, said: “We are excited your MP to the event on to share these new books Tuesday 22 November so with our members in DAISY they can find out how to and USB formats. We are support the campaign. incredibly grateful to Audible for partnering with us in this way.”

Find all the details you need by calling our campaign hotline on 020 7391 2123 or at rnib.org.uk/inviteyourmp

8 News

See Through Sound Mercury Prize-winning musicians are set to perform at a special gig for RNIB later this month. Badly Drawn Boy and Newton Faulkner (pictured) are just two of a plethora of artists playing at the See Through Sound event in London. It’s at Cadogan Hall on Friday, 14 October. Tickets cost £25 each plus booking fees.

Visit ticketmaster.co.uk/ seethroughsound or call 0844 844 0444. For accessible tickets, contact the box office on 020 7730 4500. For the latest on the event, visit rnib.org.uk/see-through-sound

9 Technology

Community member Hussein Tech tips for Patwa from Aberdeen has been finding ways to make all budgets life a little more accessible to suit a range of budgets. “In these times of austerity, social welfare cuts and uncertainty over benefits, many blind and partially If you’re blind or partially sighted people are concerned sighted, you’ll be well over access to technology and aware of the rising costs aids. I spoke to two contrasting people, who told us what of gadgets and aids. There they use to help and how.” are so many high tech devices out there that Ally is 63 and has been promise to make your life registered blind since 1978. easier, but they can leave He shared some simple, low your purse a lot lighter. cost tips for everyday life. “One handy technique I use is to always take the toothpaste out of the tube directly into the mouth. This saves dropping it on the floor, using too much or covering everything in toothpaste! Elastic bands are so helpful. You can use them on food tins to help you keep track of what you’ve got. Devise a simple system; perhaps one band for beans, two bands for soup and so on – then keep the tins separate in the cupboard. This has virtually no cost at all and is really useful. If you’re staying at a hotel and want to mark your room door, just take a thick band and wind it around the handle. No-one else

10 will notice, but when you feel your This lets me use all the different way along the corridor you’ll be features on the phone. I also use able to find your room easily. a colour detector so I can sort out my clothes for the washing. I always have an easy-to-use Victor Stream or a pocket memo to hand. These devices certainly don’t come They’re handy to take with you cheap, so I’d definitely say that this when you’re shopping. Just list a is a barrier to people being able few items before you go, get the to live an accessible life. Either person helping you to listen to it you’ve got to find a grant, which before you go round the shop and is not always easy, or do what I you can tick off items as you go.” did and just save up like mad. As we’re living in uncertain times, Amanda has been blind since the chances are that it might be birth. She has several pieces more difficult for me to do the of technology to help her with things that I’m doing for myself accessibility on a daily basis. at the moment, if I can’t keep “I’ve got two computers – a updating my equipment.” desktop and a laptop – which both have JAWS, a screen reading If you’d like to discover software. This reads everything more useful products on the screen to me, and it’s and items, starting really helped with meetings and from under £10, communicating with people. why not try the RNIB I use a Terrain mobile phone. Shop. Visit rnib.org.uk/shop or call This runs on the normal Android the Helpline on 0303 123 9999. software, but instead of using the The Helpline can also lend a hand touchscreen, it uses an overlay if you already own a high tech which goes over the screen. device that you need help with.

11 Lifestyle and leisure Confidence in the kitchen

We all know that sight loss can Talking kitchen scale and easy- affect your life in so many ways – to-see measuring jug set (DK152, even everyday tasks like cooking £44.95 ex VAT, £53.94 inc VAT) your own meals can be tricky. “These scales are a must for Gena Parker, who has retinitis any kitchen. They read out the pigmentosa, showed us that with a weight in a beautifully clear voice. little help from some handy products The unit is really sturdy and the – and her little helpers – you can be measuring jug on top is very confident in the kitchen and whip up secure, which is great for someone a treat the whole family can enjoy. like me who often knocks things. “Today we’re making a You can easily switch between Weetabix fruit cake, and my two units of measurement. And if you grandchildren have donned their have some sight, there is a clear, aprons to give me a hand with the bold scale on the jug, so you measuring. We’ve also got some can both weigh and measure.” really useful products that will help.” Heat resistant oven gloves, medium sleeve (DK163, £21.95) “Once the cake had cooled, “These aren’t like a conventional oven glove. The sleeve comes the kids tucked in – it’s up your arm, and as I’m always certainly got their seal of burning my wrists on the shelves, approval, and hopefully I find them brilliant. The separate hands give you more control, you’ll enjoy it too.” and they’re very tactile so you can feel what you’re doing.”

12 Recipe for Weetabix Fruit Cake Ingredients • 2oz (60g) Weetabix • 6oz (170g) soft brown sugar • 6oz (170g) mixed dried fruit (any type/mix is fine) • ½ pint milk • 7oz (200g) self raising flour • 2 eggs Other kitchen helpers Non-slip food preparation Method board (DK155R, £19.95) 1. Pre-heat oven to 160°C Spill stopper silicone lid (gas mark 3). (DK175, £14.95) 2. Add the Weetabix, brown Non-slip Staybowlizer sugar, dried fruit and (DK154R, £18.85) milk to a mixing bowl. 3. Add the milk to soak the mixture, so the Weetabix Thanks to Gena and her and fruit plump up. grandchildren, Joelion and Eleanor, for proving that you don’t 4. Stir, cover with cling film and have to be Mary Berry to bake leave in the fridge overnight. a simple, delicious fruit cake. 5. Add flour and beaten eggs. Stir gently so it doesn’t get messy. Visit the RNIB shop at 6. Line a 2lb loaf tin with a rnib.org.uk/shop or paper liner – this is the call the Helpline on easiest way to line the tin, 0303 123 9999. especially with low vision. Pour the mixture into the tin. Download the recipe from 7. Bake for 1 hour – 1 ¼ hours. rnib.org.uk/fruitcake or call the Connect team 8. Leave to cool, then pop and we’ll post you a copy out, slice and serve. in your chosen format.

13 How I See How I See – RNIB’s most successful film campaign

To dispel myths around it’s missing. I’ve got quite a sadistic sight loss, RNIB made brain that thinks that what’s missing is objects flying at my a short film with the face or people walking into me!” community, How I See. “I’m Ian, and I was registered You’ve shared hundreds blind because of the severity of experiences and we’ve of my eye condition – not that I had millions of views since would ever lose all of my sight... launch in August. It’s a very difficult life as a partially sighted person, Here are some of the stories because you are straddling shared so far: that you’re not completely blind “I’m Claire, I’m an artist and and you’re not fully sighted. I’m registered blind. I’ve been You’re in that grey area.” flat out told – ‘You’re not blind Thanks to everyone who has – you’re looking at me’ – how contributed so far. We’ll keep do you argue with something sharing your stories, poems, vlogs like that? It’s really difficult.” and thoughts, so get in touch! “I’m Lorraine, and I have a number of eye conditions. Panuveitis makes my vision very cloudy. Post your story on social Glaucoma has taken all of my sight, media with #HowISee or apart from a 5 degree field, which speak to the Connect is like looking through a straw. team directly. See the film and other great I also have Charles Bonnet podcasts and blogs at Syndrome, where your brain tries rnib.org.uk/HowISee to replace the images that it thinks

14 Information directory

Eye health information, emotional support, benefits advice and product information Call 0303 123 9999 Email [email protected] or visit rnib.org.uk/ask Lines are open Monday to Friday, 8.45am to 5.30pm and calls costs no more than a standard rate call to an 01 or 02 number.

RNIB Library Join for free and choose from thousands of titles in the format of your choice, including Talking Stay in touch Books, braille or giant print. “My name is Shadeen Rose. Did you know that you can receive Call the Helpline on 0303 123 9999 Connect Magazine in print (16pt), or visit rnib.org.uk/books braille, audio CD and by email?” Fundraising At any point you can change the Call 0345 345 0054, email way you wish to receive Connect [email protected] or Magazine. Just contact the visit rnib.org.uk/donate Connect Team on 0303 1234 555 or email [email protected] Volunteering Call 01733 375 450, email Contact Connect Magazine [email protected] Write to RNIB, 105 Judd or visit rnib.org.uk/volunteering Street, London WC1H 9NE Email [email protected] Campaigning Call 020 7391 2123, email Call – leave a 0845 330 4134 [email protected] or visit message and we’ll call you back. rnib.org.uk/campaigning Calls cost 3p per minute, plus your phone company’s access charge. Advertising queries Connect online with other Contact Landmark Publishing members at rnib.org.uk/connect on 020 7520 9474 or email [email protected]

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