Your local charity supporting blind & partially sighted people ISSUE 39 AUG/SEPT 2015 Editor: Jo Wood

Dorset Dolphins VI Cricket Team

FRONT PAGE - help!!!!!

Bournemouth Blind Society was pleased to provide its minibus and a volunteer driver for the Dolphins VI Cricket Team to travel to two away matches recently. The Dolphins played the Kent Spitfires in June and the Berkshire Stags in July. These trips were funded thanks to the generosity of North Rotary Club and a private donor. Several of our members play for the Dorset Dolphins, including 83 year old Jean, thought to be the oldest player in the national league. The Dolphins compete in the South Development League of 7 teams. Everyone enjoys the fun and competitive spirit. If anyone is interested in playing, please call Team Captain Steve Bailey on 07799 511215.

Assistive Technology to any visually impaired person living locally to help them We are so pleased develop their technology skills.’ that our working partnership with Walking Group Action for Blind People continues to thrive and Would you like to join our develop. Walking Group? Great A 6 week Assistive Technology company, great scenery and a course took place in our great way to get fit! Conference Room in May and Refreshment stop included! June. Minibus transport from your Course leader Yvonne Brooks home is provided. explains, 'whether starting We enjoyed a lovely time at from scratch or refreshing old in June - skills, our 6 members were some opted for a shorter stroll able to learn in a relaxed and whilst 3 more energetic, friendly atmosphere.' enthusiastic members reached Further courses are also the highest point of the Head. planned, with the next one commencing 1st September. If you are interested in attending, please contact Yvonne on 01722 345440 or e-mail: yvonne.brooks@ actionforblindpeople.org.uk Chief Exec Philip says, ‘we are now planning the creation of an Assistive Technology Suite on the ground floor of the Our next 2 walks: Centre. This will involve a Friday August 14th - New number of room changes. We Forest (£7 includes Picnic) are very dependent on getting Friday September 18th - sufficient funding for this Christchurch Quay (£5) project to be completed over Please call 01202 546644 if the next few months. you would like to book for The new suite will be available either of these. We look forward to hearing from you! 2

‘My Guide’ to Guide Dog - Part 2

Sue Dewey has been a Volunteer in Bournemouth Blind Society’s Resource Centre since 2012. She explains, ‘In 2013 I took a “My Guide” course organised by Guide Dogs for the Blind, learning the best way to guide a partially sighted or blind person. The course members were given the opportunity to have to be compatible. experience a lack of sight by Beth and I embarked on a being blindfolded and this series of outings to enable her proved a very scary and, may I to thoroughly get to know the say, a real "eye opening” but various routes she needed to invaluable experience. use in her daily life and in the In 2013, I agreed to be a “My future with another dog. We Guide” to a severely visually commenced local walks, took impaired member, Debbie, who the bus to Winton several was hoping to get a guide dog times, to , Poole, the in the near future. Debbie was hospital and Centre. eventually paired up with We regularly continued with Jasper and it is wonderful to these trips throughout the see Debbie so confident and whole year with no news of a settled with him now. suitable dog, until early this In 2014 I was asked if I would year when Guide Dogs agree to be a “My Guide” a identified what they thought second time to a young blind would be a suitable candidate. member of 28, Beth. Beth had I then stepped back from my previously been matched with involvement while Beth was a dog but the partnership did introduced to Goldie. They not work out. It is quite crucial gelled immediately and then to match a suitable dog to an became involved with the owner as their personalities specific Guide Dogs for the 3 Blind intense training. On 21st July he visited the On 17th June I went to meet Stroke Association group at Goldie, a gorgeous golden Clinic. Labrador who has fitted into the family perfectly. She is an If you know any group who enthusiastic worker, but also a would like a presentation lovely soft, friendly family pet. about visual impairment and It was wonderful to see Beth our work, please contact Philip so happy, confident and on 01202 546644 or e-mail: settled with her. philip.tarrant@bournemouth “My Guide” is not only for blindsociety.uk those hoping to get guide dogs, but for any visually Chiropody impaired person who wants to get out and about confidently. Chiropody appointments can It is gratifying to know that be booked for Wednesday both Debbie and Beth found 2nd September (£16). my help valuable.’ If you would Transport is available. Please like to benefit from “My Guide” phone 01202 546644 to book please phone 01202 546644. your appointment. In the Community Tuesday Drop in Cafe In early June Philip gave Cooked breakfasts are served presentations to Age UK on Tuesdays from 10.30- groups at Turbary Park and 12.30. Roast lunches can be Sutton Road. booked for the last Tuesday of Geraldine and Marie went to each month. Minibus transport Action for Blind People’s June can be arranged. Come along training course for early reach to meet friends, have fun and support in eye clinics. They a good chat! discussed the different eye conditions, the registration Hearing Club process and emotional impact of sight loss. Our Hearing Club will meet On 16th July Philip gave talks on Wednesdays 12th August to the 7th Bournemouth and 9th September (10.30- Beavers, Cubs & Scouts at 12.00) Optional activities can be arranged. Richmond Hill. 4 Home Library Service difference to other people’s lives. We are currently urgently Many people looking for volunteers to act use one of the as Befrienders, Minibus 12 libraries in Escorts and Hearing Resource Bournemouth Centre assistants. but less is known about the Home Library If you or anyone you know Service. This is a small team would be interested in joining that organises the delivery of us, please call 01202 546644 reading materials to people in for an informal chat. their homes via a partnership We look forward to welcoming with RVS volunteers. new people to our friendly The Home Library Service is team. ideal for people who find transport or carrying heavy Filming books difficult. It has books on CD or cassette, a huge range Florence Pellacani, a Film of large print books and offers student from Bournemouth clients free monthly deliveries University spent time at the and no overdue charges. Centre during June filming For those keeping up with the clips that we hope to use on latest technology you can our website. register for the e-book and e- We thank Florence for her audio book service and commitment and enthusiasm. download for free. We look forward to seeing the To see if you meet the criteria edited final results soon. for deliveries, please contact 01202 547879 or e-mail: HLS@Bournemouthlibraries .org.uk Volunteers Small charities like ours depend greatly on wonderful volunteers who so generously give up their time to make a 5 Quiz Night attended or baked cakes. We have been grateful to Our next fundraising Quiz receive several personal Night is on Saturday 19th donations from members. September. We thank Councillor Anne Rey Doors open at 7pm for organising a Street for a 7.30pm start. Collection in Bournemouth Teams of 6-8 Arcade at the beginning of people compete June. over 6 rounds of The June Quiz night raised friendly fun, with an over £775. interval to enjoy We gratefully received £200 Fish & Chips and Ice-creams. from the Hounslow Lodge Tickets are £9 and a Raffle is Benevolent Fund. drawn at the end of the Thank you to everyone for evening. their continued support. Guests may bring their own VSS drinks or purchase from our Bar - all drinks sold at Visionary Support Services reasonable and competitive held a Networking event in our prices. All profits go to Café on 1st July to give Bournemouth Blind Society. parents of children with visual Please phone Caroline on impairment a chance to meet 01202 546644 or e-mail: up and share experiences. caroline.simmons@ bournemouthblindsociety.uk In August, Angela Wood from if you wish to join us and book the team is bringing a group of in your team! school age children to the Centre for training courses The next Quiz Night is on which include sessions in our Saturday 28th November Rehabilitation Kitchen and Sight Resource Centre. Fundraising She is also holding an Employment Day to give Over £200 was raised at our assistance with preparing CV’s Coffee Morning at the end of and interview preparation/ May - thanks to everyone who techniques. 6 Sight & Hearing Blind Society mugs (£3) and pens (50p) complete with our Resource Centre bright new logo and contact details. Opening Hours: Monday - Friday 10am - 1pm Everyone is welcome to visit our Resource Centre - no appointment is necessary. Our friendly staff and volunteers can offer full Activities Bookings demonstrations of specialist Please don’t forget to check equipment for sight and your Activities Calendar to hearing impaired people find out what’s going on which they may then order or during August/September. purchase. You can book Activities, In our Donation Cabinet we Lunch and Transport by have many items that may phoning the office on 01202 interest you, including talking 546644. clocks, watches, a keyboard, large print and Braille playing If you fancy catching the last cards. Please feel free to take few rays of sunshine down by a look and see if anything the seaside, please book early interests you and make an for our Beach Hut Day on offer! We also have a few Thursday 17th September as items of old stock at reduced transport places will be limited. prices. You will notice that in August In the Hearing Room we have and September, we have 2 an Introson Digital TV listener Arts & Crafts sessions per neck loop system for month. We hope to organise demonstration. This costs £86 an Exhibition in the future of plus postage and packaging the wonderful work that our when ordered from Sarabec. members have produced this year. We now sell Bournemouth 7

Saturday 10th October 2015

The Rooper Hall 5 Victoria Park Road

7.30pm

£10 (includes Supper)

Tel: 01202 546644 to purchase tickets

Cash Bar & Raffle Bournemouth Blind Society

5 Victoria Park Road, Bournemouth BH9 2RB

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

Supporting blind and partially sighted people to remain independent and part of the community

www.bournemouthblindsociety.uk

Company No: 5792657 Charity No: 1114570

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