Society for the Visually Impaired providing support, guidance & information to the visually impaired for over 100 years

Eye can’t, but I can! 

ISSUE 25 APRIL & MAY 2013 Editor: Jo Wood Darren Kenny presents Tandems to BSVI

Members, staff, volunteers and trustees of BSVI had a wonderful day on Friday 22nd February when local Paralympic cyclist Darren Kenny, OBE presented the tandems that were generously donated by the Steve Bernard Foundation. Members were then invited to take a spin around the Slades Farm Velodrome before returning to the Centre for refreshments and having the opportunity to talk to Darren. (continued on page 2)

Darren was particularly This can happen at any age enthusiastic that more visually and I know that many of the impaired people will be able to children and teens who attend take up cycling and we thank our ActivEyes Youth Club each him for his time and support. month will be thrilled to know We were all excited to view his that they can now begin Paralympic medals and hear of cycling. his training plans for the Rio Barbara, our receptionist, is Games in 2016. fully blind and says that being the stoker on a tandem gives her a sense of freedom that she rarely experiences anywhere else. To her, the rush of the wind across her face and through her hair (as much as a helmet will permit!) is an indescribable joy. When the tandems were delivered to the centre, one of the members said, “I really wish that I could ride on the back of one of them, but I’m 93 and too far past it now!” I will try and encourage her to have a go, if only around the block!’ We also thank the Steve Bernard Foundation for their Drop In Cafe generosity. As Chief Executive Philip Tarrant says, ‘Words fail Any visually impaired person is to express the gratitude of the welcome to ‘drop in’ to the various members of the Café on a Tuesday between Society who will benefit from 10.30 and 12.30. Minibus this marvellous gift. For a transport can be arranged. sighted person, it is almost Cooked breakfasts are served impossible to fully comprehend most weeks, with a roast lunch the isolation and frustration of being offered on the last the severely sight impaired. Tuesday of each month. 2 Sainsbury’s BSVI thank everyone for their continued generosity and support for our work in the local community. Rotary Quiz This new fundraising event at the end of February was thoroughly enjoyed by all who attended. Over £650 was taken on the night of the BSVI’s Philip Tarrant and Ruth competition, which was won by Stanley visited Sainsbury’s the Bournemouth East Cliff ‘A’ during January to team. Another Quiz is planned collect a cheque for a fantastic for 2014 and we thank all £3,000 that was donated by those who supported us. the staff. This money was Ladies Night raised from the team who took part in the Three Peaks We are holding a fundraising Challenge last year. We thank Ladies Pamper Night in everyone involved for their Rooper Hall on Thursday 4th huge effort, together with those April from 7.30-10.30pm. Why who generously sponsored the not come along and sample climbers. some of the delights on offer? These include massage, make Quarterly Donations up and skincare, manicure and During the last quarter, BSVI reflexology. received the following funds: Then treat yourself to a new Donations from Bournemouth handbag, a scarf, some East Cliff Rotary Club, Ultra jewellery, cupcakes or gifts. Electronics Sports and Social Tickets are £5 which includes a Club and Julian May Opticians. glass of wine or fruit juice and Donations In Memory Of Betty a complimentary Body Shop King, Lionel Adlem and goodie bag will be given with Dorothy Cook. each ticket bought in advance. A legacy from the estate of For further details contact Ruth Patience Rawding. Stanley on 01202 546644. 3 BSVI services

We would like to remind you of some of the services that we offer to our members:

Emotional Support - We have 2 BACP qualified Counsellors who can help you either at the Centre or in your own homes. Please call Caterina or Marie on 01202 522184.

Chiropody - Margareth Sackett provides appointments every 6 weeks or so. Transport can be arranged. The next date is Wednesday 8th May - Please phone 01202 546644 to book.

Job Focus - Karen Kerley, Employment Co-ordinator for the Action for Blind People (Salisbury) offers sessions between 10.30 and 12.30 on Wednesday mornings. The next sessions will be on Wednesday 3rd April and Wednesday 1st May. Please call Karen on 01722 345440 for more information.

Befriending - For those unable to attend the Centre, volunteers will come and visit you in your own home or provide Telephone Befriending. This service is free of charge and can be tailored to suit each individual’s requirements. For further information, please contact Geraldine Bradley on 01202 522184.

ActivEyes - The ActivEyes Youth Group runs on Saturday mornings for youngsters aged 8 and over. Please go to [email protected] if you would like further details. The dates for the next 2 months are Saturday 20th April and Saturday 18th May from 10.30-12.30.

Walking Group - Our walks are planned for the 3rd Friday of most months and allow opportunity for outside photography and a stop at a café for refreshments. The next dates are: Friday 19th April at Poole Quayside (£5) and Friday 17th May at Christchurch

Quayside (£5) Please book early in the office.

4 BSVI Sight & Hearing All remaining stocks of large print calendars and diaries are Resource Centre now offered for sale at reduced The Resource Centre prices. provides demonstrations and loans of specialist Sight & Hearing equipment for sight and Resource Centre hearing impaired people Opening Hours: which can then be ordered Monday - Friday or purchased. 10 am-1pm With summer hopefully fast No appointment necessary approaching, we remind you that we stock a range of eye Beach Hut Day shields, including wrap-around and fit-over sunglasses We have been fortunate to be manufactured by Cobolt. able to book the Branksome These range from £6.50 up to Dene Community Beach Hut £16. A variety of different on Thursday 9th May. Please colours are available, each one book early if you would like to recommended to suit specific enjoy this ever popular day out eye conditions. - fun and games, sing-songs, lunch, walks along the seafront and an afternoon ice-cream will be on offer for an all- inclusive cost of £15. Another Beach Hut Day will be offered on 16th September. Mick & Daren Update By the time you read this newsletter, Volunteer Mick Also, whilst you are relaxing in Davidson and blind member the garden or at the beach, Daren Morris (Santa and his maybe you would be interested Elf helper at the members’ in trying out a large print Christmas lunch!) should have Sudoko, Word Search, completed the Reading Half Crossword or Word Fit puzzle Marathon. They are also book? walking the 630 mile SW 5

Coastal Path on an ongoing the same as the musician basis. If you would like to Stevie Wonder. Robin’s support their inspiring efforts, eyesight depends on the light, please donate online via their if it is really bright he can only new fundraising page - see outline shapes. www.justgiving.com/mickanddaren Robin first came into contact or fill in the Sponsor form in with BSVI after visiting the our office. As Mick explains, Resource Centre. He adds ‘I ‘Daren is the real hero in this then joined the Tuesday team - he is totally blind and Group. I like the people there was born with Talipes (two and have made lots of friends. club feet requiring four It is interesting to hear the operations to straighten them) experiences of others with and Polydactyly (an extra digit visual impairments and to find on each hand and each foot out how they have resolved which were amputated in certain issues.’ Robin also infancy). I think you will now benefited from working with understand why I hold my pal Occupational Therapy students Daren in such regard - he who were on placement here never ceases to amaze me last year and ‘helped me to find with his courage and voluntary work at the local determination, he continually Oxfam, just over the road from makes me laugh and has an BSVI.’ He has also joined in inspiring positive attitude.’ with the Friday Walking Group, has begun Tandem cycling Meet the Member once a week and has signed Robin Tapp, age 43 from Bear up for the Blind Football team. Cross, has the eye condition Robin suggests ‘BSVI is all ‘Retinopathy of Prematurity’, things for all people – you just 6 need to find out what really O T Students suits you – it gives you opportunities and motivation to try out new things and also keep up with the new developments within the visually impaired community.’ If you want to find out more about Robin’s experiences, please read his full interview Occupational Therapy on our website - bsvi.org.uk students Sue Rhodes and Hannah Deacon from In the Community have completed a 6 week placement Philip Tarrant and Geraldine with us during February and Bradley attended a meeting of March. The girls have Bournemouth East Cliff Rotary particularly focused on during February to give a providing information for presentation about BSVI. We volunteer training sessions, a thank members of the club for painting to music activity, their welcoming hospitality. If planting seeds with members you know of any other in preparation for an ongoing organisations that would like gardening project, preparing us to give a talk about our risk assessment forms for Charity and services, please offsite activities and assisting contact Philip Tarrant on 01202 some of our members to seek 546644. voluntary jobs. They were also Geraldine will be at the interviewed on Hope FM Radio Bournemouth Hearing Show about their placement here. on Thursday 9th May at The The students said, ‘it has been Queens Hotel, Bournemouth really positive to see the value from 10am - 4pm. of BSVI to its members and we BSVI are also running a hope our input has further fundraising/awareness stall at enriched their experiences. We the Bournemouth North Rotary would like to thank everyone Club Donkey Derby/ for this fantastic opportunity.’ Village Fete on Monday 6th We wish them both good luck May - hope to see you there! in their future careers. 7

‘Blind Football’ The ‘Eye Can Play’ Blind Football event organised by a group of Bournemouth University Events Management students on 16th February proved extremely successful. Many visitors completed a circuit practising dribbling, passing and shooting footballs with bells inside whilst blindfolded. The event raised awareness of visual impairment and BSVI, together with generating funds for the society in a Raffle with some superb prizes. Our thanks go to all the students who contributed to organising the event. As a result of the day’s success and the enjoyment of the visually impaired people who completed the circuit, we are pleased to say that BSVI is now in the process of organising a Blind Football team. Sarah Duncan (pictured above) enthused ‘It was my first time playing and I really enjoyed it, especially being in goal! The students were very helpful and it was a good day. I am looking forward to joining the team, both to have fun and to channel my competitive spirit!’ For more details of our Blind Football project, please contact Philip Tarrant on 01202 546644.

Bournemouth Society for the Visually Impaired

5 Victoria Park Road, Bournemouth BH9 2RB

Tel 01202 546644 (General Enquiries) Tel 01202 522184 (Community Services)

Company Reg No: 5792657 www.bsvi.org.uk Reg Charity No: 1114570

Our services are designed to enable people who have

a significant visual impairment remain independent and be part of the community.

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