Somerset Insight
Issue 53 September 2015
A MAGAZINE FOR VISUALLY IMPAIRED PEOPLE IN SOMERSET
Somerset Sight,
Northfield House,
51 Staplegrove Road,
Taunton, TA1 1DG
Registered Charity Number 1154472
Main telephone number 01823 333818
Website: www.somersetsight.org.uk
Email: admin@somersetsight.org.uk
Somerset Insight is published in January, May and September
and is distributed free to visually impaired people living in
Somerset. It is available in large print, Braille, audio cassette
and CD formats.
Pictured on the front cover:
Tom Winsborough, CEO, who is leaving us in November.
Somerset Sight Ltd is a registered charity and company
limited by guarantee, registered in England. Company no:
8432686.
CEO Report
Welcome to the September edition of Insight.
In this issue you will find an article from Jo Thomas, our brand new
Activities Officer. Jo will be organising interesting and exciting
activities such as sailing, horse riding and car driving – all for visually
impaired people. Currently we only have funding to offer this service
until July 2016. We will do our best to raise further funds to continue
the service however we cannot guarantee this.
We also said goodbye to Saskia Pearlstone, our part-time training
officer who left to take up a full-time post.
Our Low Vision Exhibition is coming up and will be held at Junction 24
on Wednesday 18th November. For more information on this event
please see Bella’s update following on from this report.
We have welcomed two new tenants to Northfield House this summer
which means you may notice quite a few more cars in the car park.
It’s with very mixed feelings that I write this report for our magazine
as it’s to be my last. Some of you will know that I am leaving Somerset
Sight at the end of November this year. I have always said that being
Chief Executive Officer of Somerset Sight is the best job that I’ve ever
had, and it is. But I’ve been doing it for five years now and I feel that
it’s time for a change.
I have had the immense pleasure of working with an incredible team of
paid and unpaid staff, both past and present. I have also met some
wonderful service users in my time at Somerset Sight and I want you to
know that I will never forget any of you and indeed, some of you have
become firm friends. I want to take this opportunity to thank the
trustees for their support and guidance over the years and I pay special
tribute to our current chairman, Bella Flood, who has been a tower of
strength over the last two years. As Somerset Sight takes on a new
Chief Executive Officer I wish the charity and everyone involved in it a
happy and prosperous future.
Tom Winsborough
CEO
Message from Bella Flood - Chair of the Trustees
We are holding our AGM at the Low Vision Exhibition on Wednesday
18th November at Junction 24 Ltd (Bridgwater, TA6 6DF). I hope to
see many of you there. Please note we will not be providing a buffet
this year but there is a café on site.
Please remember that if you want to be able to vote you need to
complete a form to be a member of the new charitable company. If
you would like to vote please contact our Office Administrator, Hollie
Newton, to request a form by Monday 26th October.
01823 366143
hollie@somersetsight.org.uk
Magazine in Other Formats
All of our magazines and leaflets are available in audio, braille and
large print formats. This magazine is also available by email and
online. If you wish to help us save costs (and the planet), please send
your name and email address to admin@somersetsight.org.uk and ask
to be added to our magazine mailing list.
Technology Advice Sessions
The technology advice sessions are still running at Northfield House, 51
Staplegrove Road, Taunton.
Darren Walker who is visually impaired himself explains; “Sometimes
the word technology frightens people, but devices are becoming much
simpler to use, many designed especially for blind and visually
impaired people.”
Come along and meet Darren. Anyone with a visual impairment can
book in for a session. The next sessions will be on
•
Thursday 1st October
•
Tuesday 27th October
•
Tuesday 24th November
As usual, bookable one hour sessions will be available between
10.00am and 3.00pm. Please call Heidi Linegar on 01823 366141 or
email heidi@somersetsight.org.uk to book your place. You do need to
book in advance.
DeafPLUS visits
DeafPLUS will be at Somerset Sight, Northfield House, 51 Staplegrove
Road, Taunton, between 10.30am and 1.00pm on the following dates:
•
Friday 11th September
•
Friday 16th October
•
Friday 6th November
•
Friday 11th December
DeafPLUS will once again be giving advice and information on all
aspects of hearing loss as well as servicing hearing aids.
For more information please call DeafPLUS on 01225 446555.
Somerset Community Care Matters
Are you having problems getting the right care or health service you
need?
Help is now based at Somerset Sight’s building as we have a new
tenant.
Somerset Community Care Matters is a charitable legal service which
helps disabled people or their carers get the funding or care/health
service they need.
So if you are affected by:
-
Long delays for services
-
Inadequate care or health assessments
-
Poor quality care or health services
Councils or the NHS causing problems which affect your health ,
disability or care rights
Or if you just want information or advice
Please contact
01823 282538
enquiries@sccm.org.uk
Ted’s Special Day
We are delighted to feature former Spitfire pilot, Edwin (Ted)
Madgwick with his volunteer visitor, Enid Dukes, in this issue. Earlier
this year Enid nominated Ted to their local paper as she had heard that
the special attraction at Collett Park Festival in Shepton Mallet in June
was a Spitfire plane. Following Enid’s nomination local journalist and
film maker, Garfield Kennedy, visited and interviewed Ted. The
festival organisers decided to dedicate this year’s festival to Ted and
invited him to open it.
Ted was picked up by a 1935 Morris 8 car on the day and taken to the
festival as Guest of Honour. He subsequently opened the festival, was
chaperoned by cadets and even got into a Spitfire again! He said
afterwards that he very much enjoyed his 15 minutes of fame! Ted’s
family came down especially for the event and everybody had a very
memorable and special time including Enid who made the whole day
happen. Ted said:
“Enid helps me greatly in so many ways, I look forward to her visits
immensely and I would like to say that she is worth more than her
weight in gold to me!”
We would also like to say a huge thank you to Enid and to all our
volunteer visitors for the tremendous support they give to the people
they visit and a thank you to Ted for letting us feature him in this
article.
Image [Ted and Enid]
Somerset Sight Volunteer Visitors are here to help.
Our volunteers provide regular companionship, help with reading or
correspondence and many other things.
If you are visually impaired and feel like a fully trained and police
checked volunteer would benefit you then please get in touch with us.
Visits are usually for a couple of hours a week or fortnight.
Anyone can access the service as if you do not meet the eligibility
requirements for the council funded service we can support you with
our private service for a small charge.
To enquire, please contact:
Gloria Williams
01823 366143
Gloria@somersetsight.org.uk
British Wireless for the Blind Fund
The British Wireless for the Blind Fund (BWBF) provides high quality,
easy to use audio equipment which has been specially designed and
adapted for listeners living with sight loss.
All our radios are made available on free loan to blind and visually
impaired people who meet our criteria. If you don't qualify, our radios
are also available to purchase through BWBF Direct.
BWBF offers a range of sets to meet different needs, from the simple
Duet digital radio to the comprehensive Concerto 2 and the Sonata
Plus, our unique wireless internet audio player with an audible
programme guide.
The units will be delivered and demonstrated in the comfort of your
own home. Please contact your local BWBF agent for eligibility and
further information:
Gloria Williams
01823 366146
gloria@somersetsight.org.uk
Meet our new Activities Officer!
Hi my name is Jo Thomas and I feel very honoured and excited to be
the new Activities Officer for Somerset Sight. I deeply believe that
activities and group work helps to build confidence while also creating
and sustaining support networks and friendships. Doing activities with
people who understand what you’re going through or have gone
through is amazing. Having fun is high on the agenda for what I hope to
help set up for people as well as empowering people to try new things
and learn new skills.
A bit about my background….. I studied Drama at Exeter University; I
am inspired by the use of Drama as a social tool for instigating positive
change. I previously worked at WESC – (West of England School and
College for children and young people with no or little sight) as a
Learning Support Worker. I learnt so much about supporting people
with visual impairments and was inspired by the activities that I
supported and went on to lead. These included sensory creative clubs,
trampolining, cycling on bikes and trikes. I also put my drama skills
into action with sensory stories. I supported a student to take part in
the Ten Tors Jubilee Challenge.
I am keen to find out what people do already with Somerset Sight and
what I can do to make the things you’d like to do happen! Please
contact me if you have any ideas or to share activities you have done
that helped and inspired you!
I am also looking for volunteers to help with driving and with
supporting sight impaired people with activities.
Jo Thomas
Activities Officer
jo@somersetsight.org.uk
01823 366145
Horse Riding in Devon
Jo has already organised her first outing and we are pleased to report
that on Thursday 30th July she accompanied Phillip Millington, Sarah
Jukes, Sheila Cook and Marve King to explore Lower Ford Equestrian
Centre in Stoodleigh in Devon. Becky Fry, our Development Officer,
discovered the centre which accommodates sight impaired people with
a welcoming, relaxed and open approach.
The group thoroughly enjoyed the outing. Here is some of the
feedback;
“It was a wonderful experience with all the variety of sensory
stimulation like the smell of the horses and the feel of their lovely
coats and their soft muzzles. The people were lovely. We went through
the woods and across the fields, and took an exciting plunge into the
mud on horseback!” Sheila Cook
“The staff members at the centre were very welcoming and
accommodating. They could have just led us round a field for an hour!
But they gave us such a full and varied experience.” Marve King
On the bus the group rated the activity experience 10 out of 10 and all
agreed that they would like to make it a regular event.
If you are interested in joining them for a trek in the future please get
in touch with Jo – 01823 366145 jo@somersetsight.org.uk
Adventure Weekend in Weymouth
We had a brilliant response to our offer of an adventure weekend in
Weymouth with Dorset Blind Association. Seven sight impaired people
from across Somerset are booked to attend the weekend in midAugust. Jo, our new Activities Officer, will be attending to support
along with a volunteer.
Unfortunately it will miss the publication date for this edition so we
will bring you an update of how it went in January’s edition.
Living with Sight Loss Courses
We are thrilled to report that this year we have run two living with
sight loss courses which have taught daily living skills to fourteen sight
impaired people. The course is run one afternoon a week over a six
week period and includes advice on specialist equipment, emotional
support, getting out and about independently, being safe in the
kitchen and benefits. It also provides people with an opportunity to
meet others facing the same issues which helps hugely with those
facing isolation and loneliness.
One of the group members said “the advice we have been given was
very useful. I have enjoyed meeting other people and feel I have more
confidence to do more and meet new people.”
Harvey Godber’s visit to Buckingham Palace
In June Harvey Godber, a Somerset Sight volunteer and service user
from Taunton, was amongst thousands of veterans celebrating the
Blind Veterans UK’s 100 year anniversary at a special garden party at
Buckingham Palace.
Harvey served in the Royal Observer Corps for three years. A civilian
organisation it was affiliated with the Royal Air Force. He was tasked
to observe the sky and identify and report if any enemy planes
approached the UK. Harvey later signed on as a pilot in the R.A.F.
Harvey first noticed he was starting to lose his sight in 2008 and was
later diagnosed with age related macular degeneration (ARMD). He
started receiving support from Blind Veterans UK last year.
He was thrilled to be invited and had a very special day.
Trip down memory lane for Taunton craft group
In the spring we welcomed John French from South West Heritage
Trust to deliver a reminiscence session at the Friday craft group in
Taunton. The session attracted a large audience including some of the
residents from Abbeyfield in Taunton.
John ran a session centred on old fashioned sweets with lots of tactile
objects for the group to handle. He also bought reproductions of the
Saxon artefacts on show at the Museum of Somerset; the Alfred Jewel
and the St Peter’s Sculpture, a 1000 year old sculpture which was
identified in 2004 near Illminster being used as a makeshift headstone
for a cat.
Joan Phillips loved the session, “it was a lovely trip down memory lane
for the group. Fascinating session and great to know about what is at
the Museums in Somerset”.
The secret cone at pedestrian crossings
Few seem to know about this useful little device, which is surprising
because in many areas of the country it can be found on every street.
It not only makes life easier for blind and partially sighted people but
it also saves lives.
Some crossings make sounds but it is not possible for all to do so. For
instance, if two crossings are close to each other neither will beep in
case pedestrians are misled into walking out into oncoming traffic on
the wrong road.
In these cases there is a small, unassuming plastic or metal cone which
you can find on the underside of many pedestrian crossings. When the
green man lights up the cone starts spinning. It points downwards and
has tactile ridges on it.
A tactile indicator helps deaf-blind people too. They can't hear audible
signals. The cones provide the same information as the beeping signal
but in tactile form. Some crossings both beep and rotate
When crossing a road you can stand near the control box with your
hand on the cone and independently know you can cross when it spins,
without having to get help from a passer-by, if there is one.
Play Guitar? Want to Learn?
In the last issue of Insight there was a terrific offer from an
experienced guitar teacher, Nick Ham, of free guitar lessons for sight
impaired people. The lessons are being held at our office in Taunton.
Nick can supply the guitar in the first instance. It is a steel string
acoustic guitar which Nick finds the most versatile for beginners.
Graham de Bolla has taken up this offer and is really enjoying himself;
“I have now enjoyed several sessions with Nick and found his relaxed
style very encouraging. I started from absolute scratch about a year
ago after becoming Seriously Sight Impaired (SSI). I am proof that it
can be done! Why not come and join us? It would be brilliant to help
one another learn and perhaps form a small group one day.”
If you are interested please contact Somerset Sight on 01823 333818
How to Survive? - 6 Years On: By Peter Morgan
Here Peter explains how he has overcome some of the problems he has
encountered due to his sight loss.
Six years ago I was told that I could no longer drive and I was also
registered as sight impaired.
The way forward was to make a list of actions to overcome the
situation. I wanted to make more friends, join new clubs, and think
about holidays and transport. I also decided I needed to move so I
could access transport and convenient shops within walking distance.
It took me 18 months to sell my bungalow in…. and I moved without a
car. I am now well settled in the City of Wells where I rent a flat
which gives me the freedom required to take part in the following
activities.
Cooking - There are coloured dots (bumpons) on the cooker switches,
hobs and the oven. Although my wife died in in 2005 I carried on the
tradition of Christmas and Birthday cakes. I also prepare and cook my
meals every day unless I am on holiday.
Holidays - There are many local coach holiday providers that pick me
up from home and in the last 6 years I have been abroad to Belgium,
Austria, Holland and Switzerland. I am also working my way round
Great Britain. The love of my life is heritage steam railways. I have
visited 35 different ones plus ones in Europe.
Entertainment/Sport – I am unable to go to the cinema anymore, as it
is difficult to focus. The Little Theatre at Wells is ideal however as the
chairs are closer to the stage. I play both croquet and bowls as they
are really good exercise and the clubs are very friendly.
Taunton Visually Impaired Bowls Club is looking for new members!
The club has been running for twenty years and they currently have
about twelve members who have varying degrees of sight loss (some
are totally blind). One member has to use a walking stick because he
has MS and another is in a wheelchair.
Roger Tyson, the club secretary, says it is a very easy game to play;
“we have a great group of volunteers who help us each week. The
club is open to both men and women and it is a game where men and
women are equal. We are a very friendly group. So apart from trying
a new sport which does not require a high level of physical fitness, it is
also a great opportunity to socialise.”
Bowling is something you can do just once a week or, if you like it
enough, you can enter tournaments which take place in various parts
of the country. Four of the players have just returned from a trip to
Leamington Spa where they did very well.
There are tournaments in Scarborough and Torquay which can last for
two or three days whereas others are over a full week. There are also
various one day tournaments which are held locally.
The club play on Wednesday mornings from 11 until 1 at Blackbrook
Pavilion and community transport is available for those who need it.
Taunton Deane Bowling Club have great facilities both indoor and out.
If you are interested in playing and would like a chat about it please
contact Roger on 01823 330803.
Residential Educational Courses from Add-venture in Learning
Add-venture in Learning is a registered charity which provides three or
four residential educational courses per year for sight impaired adults.
The course contact is usually, but not always, led by a professional
tutor and held in different parts of the country. Each sight impaired
person is assisted by a sighted guide and guide dogs are always
welcome.
Past courses have included studying the works of Brahms or the authors
Arnold Bennett and D. H. Lawrence. There has also been field trips to
Swanage and Suffolk for the more physically active.
Accommodation varies from hotels to outdoor educational centres or
university halls of residence. They unfortunately cannot provide
transport to the course venues but they are not usually far from a
railway station.
The next course, ‘Sheffield, the City of Steel’, will be run from Monday
5th to Friday 9th October. This course will involve visits to the Assay
Office, Kelham Island Museum, Abbeydale Industrial Hamlet, Sheffield
Cathedral and the Cutlers Hall where the archivist will have some
interesting objects to handle. There will be an optional theatre visit
to see an audio described performance of Romeo and Juliet.
The cost for students is £265 and guides £200, which includes the
hotel, evening meal and all visits.
If you are interesting in joining them for this or future courses as a
sight impaired person or a sighted guide, please do look at the website
www.add-ventureinlearning.org.uk for more details. You can also call
Isobell Phillips (the course administrator) on 07731 867931 or Barbara
Rickitt (a local committee member) on 01460 281226.
Add-venture in Learning would love to hear from you but please
remember that the committee are all volunteers.
A light hearted look at blindness
We have been approached by an aspiring sight impaired author called
Honoria Baranovich. She is writing a book that aims to raise public
awareness of blindness and to raise money for sight charities like ours.
Her book will be a light hearted look at blindness and will be entitled
‘Who left that table there?’ Hanoria is looking for sight impaired
people across the country to share their experiences of blindness and
anecdotes. If you would like to share please contact her on 01708
878052 or annibags1@msn.com
Fundraising and Publicity News
Nomads Mixed Bowls Association
Many thanks to the Nomads for their wonderful donation of £1200
The Nomads, the first mixed association for bowlers started over 25
years ago when there was no mixed bowling. As their name suggests
they have no fixed club and play across the whole of the West Country.
They play for charity especially disability causes and help the many
groups of blind and partially sighted bowlers.
Richard Northam, who lives in Wellington, is a founder member of the
Nomads. He was keen that the money would be spent locally, “After I
was diagnosed with Macular Degeneration I attended the Living with
Sight Loss course at Somerset Sight. The support from the charity is
brilliant so I wanted to give something back.”
Musical April
In April we were thrilled to benefit from not one but two wonderful
music events. The first was ‘Anthems through the Ages’ held at
Watchet Methodist Church by the Watchet and District Choral Society.
It was a wonderful evening of beautiful uplifting music and over £270
was raised. The second was a performance by the Avon and Somerset
Police Male Voice Choir in Wellington. It was a super event and over
£1380 was raised.
Somerset County Quilters
Many thanks to the Somerset County Quilters for their wonderful
donation of £567. The money was raised through a raffle held at their
monthly meetings.
Lin Fry, member of the quilters said “As quilters we are all acutely
aware of how much we rely on our sight to do what we love. We
wanted to make a donation to a local charity that helps people
continue to do the things they love despite sight loss.”
Rumwell Farm Shop
As part of our charity of the year partnership Rumwell Farm Shop on
Wellington Road, Taunton are offering a 10% discount to people with a
registered sight impairment in September. Co-owner, Anne Mitchell,
will also be sponsored to go blind for the day on Thursday 24th October
to coincide with National Eye Health Week. She will wear a pair of
‘Sim Specs’ which simulates an eye condition like glaucoma or
cataracts.
Collections Success
We have run some very successful collections this year so far.
The wonderful volunteers in Minehead have collected at the Co-op,
Morrisons and Tesco and raised £812. We’d like to thank our coordinators Doreen Matthews and Janet Coram for organising these
collections.
One of our trustees, David Long, kindly organised a collection at
Morrisons in Yeovil and raised £248.
We also organised a collection at Taunton Morrisons and raised £469!
We are very grateful to all volunteers who give their time to collect.
If you think you could spare an hour or two to collect or to co-ordinate
a collection please contact Becky Fry on 01823 366147.
Trusts
We are pleased to report that several of our applications to trusts and
foundations have been successful. Since April we have had grants from
trusts including the Ennor Trust, The Will Charitable Trust and Fairfield
Charitable Trust.
Legacies
Since our last magazine we have received legacies from the wills of Mr
Edward Dobbas and Mr T Smith. We are immensely grateful to those
who remember us in their Will. Without income from legacies we
could not continue to help people live a full and independent life
despite sight loss.
In Memoriam
Since April we have gratefully received donations in memory of Violet
Snow, Winifred Mattock and Ron Smith. We are very grateful to be
remembered at such a difficult time and offer our condolences to
everyone who have lost family and friends.
Coming up!
Snowdon
On Saturday 5th September Dave Ridgway and Julian Brandon will be
climbing Mount Snowdon, which at an elevation of 1,085 metres above
sea level, is the highest mountain in Wales.
They are raising money for Somerset Sight and the visually impaired
cricket team and bowling club.
Please sponsor them here or come and see us at Northfield House in
Taunton! http://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/team/teamsnowden4
Country House Car Boot Sale
We are once again holding our country house car boot sale on Sunday
13th September at Yarlington House near Wincanton (BA9 8DY). We
thank our patron Count Charles de Salis and his wife Carolyn for
hosting this event and hope that you will join us. Entry is £2.50 and
gates open at 9am.
Skydive
On Saturday 3rd October Rob Newton, Zoe Salter and Shelley Scribbins
will be facing the ultimate adrenaline rush and completing a tandem
skydive! We hope a few more people will join them.
If you would like to support or are interested in doing a skydive
yourself please contact our Development Officer Becky Fry on
becky@somersetsight.org.uk 01823 366147.
How can you help?
Fundraising income is hugely important to our charity and we are
always looking for more people to help out. Here are some simple
ideas to get you started:
•
Organise a quiz or a darts night at your local pub or community
centre
•
Take on a sponsored challenge – a walk, cycle or a skydive!
•
Collect used stamps, inkjets or old mobile phones
•
Nominate us for fundraising at your work, school or club
If you can help us or would like more information about how to
organise events Becky would be thrilled to hear from you. Contact her
on 01823 366147 or becky@somersetsight.org.uk.
Update on Resource Centre and Mobile Resource Unit
I’m pleased to say our Mobile Resource Unit and Resource Centre have
become increasingly popular both with existing service users and those
who are newly diagnosed with sight loss. We believe the time and
service we offer individuals results in return visits. We will always try
our best to help and if we can’t we more than likely know an
organisation that can!
As well as managing advice and equipment I’ve been busy with jointly
running the Living with Sight Loss course with our CEO Tom
Winsborough. My role as a Rehabilitation Worker makes courses such
as this incredibly rewarding and beneficial to those who attend. We
hope to make a real difference and show that there is practical and
emotional support to those who want and need it.
On the subject of emotional support Graham Glover’s 1 to 1 sessions
are going very well. If you think you would benefit from someone to
talk to about your sight loss please do get in touch and I will arrange a
suitable time for you and Graham to meet.
Finally, before you know it 2016 will be here. Please pop in or ring and
order your large print calendars and diaries as early as you can as
these are always in high demand!
Heidi Linegar
Resource & Rehabilitation Centre Manager
01823 366141
Heidi@somersetsight.org.uk
Annual Garden Party
I hope those that attended the annual volunteers’ garden party agree
that it was a success. We were lucky with the weather in as much that
it didn’t actually rain during the event itself – although it did before
and after! We didn’t have a huge turn-out for the party and I think
that that was due to the fact that we moved it – from late July to early
June so that it happened during National Volunteers Week. However
we were pleased to welcome the new MP for Taunton Deane, Rebecca
Pow as our guest for the afternoon and we were blessed with the
wonderful singing of Evie Cosgrove. Evie has a real talent and was a
bit hit with everyone who attended.
Please look out for your invite to the Volunteers’ Christmas Party
which will be on Friday 11th December.
Safeguarding Training
If you are an in-house volunteer or a volunteer visitor you will know
that I have been carrying on from Saskia delivering the mandatory
safeguarding training. I’d like to record my thanks to you all for your
perseverance during this period and for putting yourself out to actually
attend the training. All the volunteers who help run the socials, the
music appreciation group and the Yeovil craft will be hearing from me
in the not too distant future to arrange their safeguarding training.
Appeal from new Activities Officer
Our new Activities Officer, Jo Thomas, is going to be organising lots of
interesting and exciting activities and events over the next twelve
months and she will need volunteers to help her with driving and
helping with new activities. If you feel able and willing to help please
get in touch with her at jo@somersetsight.org.uk or on 01823 366145.
Queen’s birthday honours list
I’m delighted to be able to tell you that one of our long-standing
volunteers, Hilary Bolitho, has been awarded the MBE in the Queen’s
birthday honours for services to her community. Hilary has run the
Chard social afternoon on behalf of Somerset Sight for over thirty years
and is a true supporter of people with a visual impairment.
Tom Winsborough
CEO
Meet John and Thorley Oliver
John and Thorley live in Chard. They have always felt sympathetic to
people with sight loss and were keen to help as much as they could.
Three years ago John saw an article in their local paper from Somerset
Sight asking people to come forward to be volunteer visitors. He
thought this would be a perfect opportunity for them to give back to
their local community.
Following an interview and police checks John was matched with a
completely blind woman who lived in a little village near Illminster.
John visited regularly and helped her go for a walk or to access local
services. Sometimes they would go for a hot chocolate in a local café
for a treat. This visiting has now come to an end but John is looking
forward to being matched with someone else.
Thorley was matched with a partially sighted woman who she visits
regularly. Thorley visits this lady once a week to provide
companionship and a cup of tea. Two years ago John and Thorley
heard that a completely blind woman in Chard needed support to take
her young son to the park. Thorley volunteered to help this lady too so
is now visiting two clients!
In addition to their volunteer visiting John also looks after some of our
Eddie the Elephant boxes in their area helping to raise vital funds for
our charity.
John said, “We both get a lot of satisfaction from helping local people
with sight loss make the most of their lives.”
Somerset Sight would like to say a huge thank-you to John and Thorley
for their hard work over the last three years.
If you would like to feature in the next edition of Somerset Insight
please contact Becky Fry on 01823 366147 or
becky@somersetsight.org.uk.
Somerset sight AGM
The AGM will be held at Junction 24, on Wednesday 18th November,
the postal code for the venue is TA6 6DF.
Volunteer Christmas Party
The party for volunteers will be held at Northfield House on Friday 11th
December from 11am to 1.30pm.
Please contact reception to confirm attendance for both events on
01823 333818 or
reception@somersetsight.org.uk.
To save costs, this is your invitation.
The back page is an advertising feature from Vision Hotels.
Relaxing or active holidays and short breaks.
Beautiful coastal or countryside locations.
Back page advert
Vision Hotels- Three superb country or coastal settings:
 Cliffden Hotel in Teignmouth
 Lauriston Hotel in Weston-super-Mare
 Windermere Manor in the Lake District.
We aim to make our hotels accessible to everyone – particularly guests
who are visually impaired.
Thanks to Big Lottery funding, we offer free and subsidised activities
for guests who are blind or partially sighted, including:
 Walking
 Sailing
 Theatre and shopping trips (depending on which hotel)