News Archive
For further details of any of the following items, phone the Society on 01983 522205.
January 2007
Volunteers News - January/February 2007
Happy New Year!
A big 'thank you' once again for everything you do. It makes a big difference to many people.
What happened to Tony!?
I'm sorry there wasn't time to tell you in the last newsletter of Tony's change of job; we went to print before it was finalised. He has taken on a teaching job once again but he's still in the office on Fridays, when he can be found filling in application forms for grants and searching the internet for fund providers.
Strollers, Striders and Gadabouts
Come and join us! Dates are:
Strollers:
Wed. January 10th - Quarr to Fishbourne
Wed. February 7th - Brighstone
Wed. March 7th - Botanical Gardens
Striders: Fri. January 19th - Bembridge to Culver
Fri. February 23rd - Yarmouth/ Freshwater
Fri. March 23rd - Newport to the Folly
Gadabouts:
Fri. January 5th - Chichester
Fri. February 2nd - Rosemary Vineyard
Fri. March 2nd - Lymington
Lake District Walking Holiday
A small group is going to the Action for Blind People Hotel on Lake Windermere
from Saturday September 15th to Saturday September 23rd; the cost will be around
£490. If you would like to join us as an escort please send in your deposit
of £30 asap. Please ring if you need more details.
Volunteers' Pub Lunch
Wednesday January 17th - Quay Arts Centre
Meet there for an informal lunch and chat: 12.30pm
Induction Session
Tuesday February 13th - 10.00arn
Come and take part and give new volunteers some encouragement and refresh your
own knowledge.
Hints and Tips
- When guiding, offer your visually impaired companion your arm and allow him or her to follow at your side; never pull or push anyone
- If leaving the room during a conversation with a blind person, tell him/her you are going; it can avoid much embarrassment
Situations vacant!
A client is seeking a volunteer to accompany him on fishing trips. Can you help?
Escorts needed urgently to go out in the minibus, picking up clients or returning
them home.
Occasional entertainment wanted for some of the clubs - do you read, sing or
play an instrument?
A Happy and Prosperous New Year
If you'd like to find out more about Volunteering, pleasee go to the How to Help page.
Newsight January 2007
Download the January edition of Newsight in PDF format (60kb)
New Director
We are pleased to announce that Mrs Anne Watts has been appointed as Director of the Society with effect from 1 January 2007.
Our Acting Director, Peter Scott, will be staying on for a short while working with Anne in order to ensure a smooth transition.
The Society would like to take this opportunity to thank Peter for all the hard work he has done and continues to do on our behalf.
December 2006
Blind People March on Parliament
On
Monday 4th December 2006, eleven members representing The Isle of Wight Society
for the Blind, along with over 800 visually impaired people from across the
UK, went to Westminster where they met with their MPs to lobby for support to
claim the same level of mobility benefits as physically disabled people. This
was the biggest ever lobby of Parliament by Blind people.
The campaign led by organisations including the Royal National Institute of the Blind are calling for people with serious sight loss to be eligible to claim the higher rate mobility component of Disability Living Allowance - a benefit for disabled people that helps with their extra transport costs. This Component is worth £43.45 per week.
Campaigners say that the higher rate of the benefit should be available to blind people who, despite experiencing major barriers in getting out and about, are only eligible to claim the lower rate of just £16.50 per week
Andrew Turner MP said "I have listened to the Island blind people today, talking about the huge difference that this extra money would make to them in terms of being able to get out and about by taxi to meet friends and family, go shopping and enjoy leisure time."
Steve Winyard, RNIB's Head of Campaigns, said: " It's not surprising that blind
people who can't drive and often find public transport impossible to navigate
feel cheated by not being allowed to claim the same level of benefit as other
disabled people. Many have become virtual prisoners in their own homes because
the low level of benefit they receive doesn't cover the cost of taxis".
He continued saying "RNIB is delighted that over 140 MPs of all parties
have expressed their support for the campaign in Parliament by signing a Commons
motion calling on the government to review blind people's benefit entitlements".
Andrew Turner MP for the Isle of Wight told the 11 members of the Isle of Wight Society for the Blind - Don Haver, Ian Bast (Chairman of Trustees), Vivienne Booth, Vera Kersey, Eddie Goodlet, George Hudson & his wife Joy, David Reed & his wife Sylvia, George Salter and his mother - that he was investigating the criteria for claiming the higher rate mobility allowance.
RNIB's 'Taken for a Ride' report estimates the cost of giving blind people access to the extra mobility money would be just £61 million per year, or less than 0.05% of the Government's social security budget.
Christmas Fayre
The inaugural Christmas Fayre at Millbrooke House, held on Wednesday 29th November,
turned out to be a great success.
A grand total of £617.62 was raised and it is intended to put these proceeds
towards the purchase of two new signs for the front and rear of our new Headquarters.
The event was admirably organised by Jane Busbridge who was helped on the day by Lesley Batchelor, Veronica Smallman, Liz Hopper and a host of volunteers. Thanks go to all involved.
November 2006
Fundraising Quiz
A Quiz organised by Viv Booth was held on Sunday 26th November at Salvatore's Restaurant - Ryde. A grand total of £238 was raised towards our Holiday fund. A very enjoyable evening was had by all - special thanks to Salvi for his hospitality and also to questionmaster Geoff Uncle who once again performed in his own inimitable way!
Annual General Meeting 2006
The A.G.M. of the Society was attended by 36 Members on Friday 24th November.
After a brief silence for all to remember the late Ruth Daniell who was a Trustee of the Society, the Chairman announced the appointment of four new Trustees, Hilary Bolton, Steve Palmer, David Rogers and Roger Skidmore. This raises the number of Trustees to 10.
The Annual Report was presented followed by the Annual Accounts for 2005-6. The Treasurer said that the Society is in a better position than last year but must continue to attract more funding if the finances are to be assured for the future. A number of grants have been applied for and we are in discussions for a higher level of funding for the services which we provide on behalf of others.
A question was asked concerning the current level of rehabilitation work and the meeting was informed that applications were in for higher funding and if and when this is agreed the current level can be increased.
The meeting lasted for approximately 35 minutes.
Download the 2006 Annual Report (130kb pdf)
Isle of Wight Variety Show 2006
Our third Variety Show was held on Sunday 12th November 2006 at the Medina Theatre.
The event, ably organised by Ian Bast, Chairman of Trustees, was a great success and raised an estimated £1200 for the Society.
We would like to specially thank all the performers who gave up their Sunday
evening to help us.
Those taking part:
Matthew Busbridge - Poem/Prayer for the Blind
Totland Old Timers - Janet Price along with her team
Denise Palmer School of Dance
Rowen - Vocalist
Reef - Tap and Ballet
Hannah Jacobs - Vocals/Guitar/Piano
Ann Neal and her Shamrock & Thistle Scottish & Irish Dance School
Wight Harmony - Barber Shop singers
Martin's Line Dancers (including Martin's Electric Reel)
Alex Parker & Michael Mahoney - Comedy Sketch
Marc Tuckey - Ghost Story
Denise Palmer School of Dance
Rowan - Vocalist
David Woodford & Gavin Scovell - Guitar Duo
The Magic of David Randini
Wight Satin - Ladies Barber Shop singers
Also very many thanks to our compere Marc Tuckey, who kept the evening flowing in his own inimitable way, Theatre staff and our volunteer helpers on the night.
Lastly - thank all of you who turned up to watch the show.
10 November 2006 - New computer suite unveiled
The IW Freemasons' representative, Peter Hewison, officially opened the Society's new computer suite at Millbrooke House on Saturday 4th November.
The Society can now run a computer course for up to six people at a time, thanks to cash from the Freemasons, funding for a teacher from the IW College and the donation of computer chairs from IW Rotary clubs.
The 12-week qualification includes modules in word processing, database, Excel and desktop publishing to provide people with basic computer skills. The courses run every Tuesday.
Anyone who wants to enrol on the next one can call IWSB on 01983 522205.
3 November 2006 - CDs of ghost books presented to the Society
Island author Gay Baldwin has donated free copies of her ghost books to the Society. The CDs were launched at the IW County Press Shop on 28th October. The two 78-minute books feature stories from her best-selling Ghost Island series.
They are a collection of 29 true tales and supernatural happenings and include eerie accounts about Osborne House, Arreton Manor, Knighton Gorges and Carisbrooke Castle.
Gay said: "After being approached by a number of visually impaired people who wanted a recording of my books, I decided to make them available to everyone on audio CDs, so I have made compilations of ghost stories from some of the Island's best-known haunted places".
We are sad to announce that our Vice-Chairman, Mrs Ruth Daniell, passed away on Tuesday 31st October 2006.
Browsealoud
We
are very pleased to announce that our Website has now been speech enabled.
Browsealoud is a Windows programme that instantly speech-enables websites, reading the text that users require with the hover of a mouse.
Free to download, easy to use with control over the voice, pitch and speed,
Browsealoud is there when you need assistance as you navigate the web.
Note: Browsealoud can only read sites that have been enabled for its use.
Using
Browsealoud on a PC
Browsealoud
Support
Browsealoud
enabled sites
Sites that are Browsealoud ready include:
Isle of Wight Council
BBC
Google
Any problems, please phone us on 522205 or e-mail enquires at iwsightconcern dot org dot uk
October 2006
Newsight October 2006
Download the latest edition of Newsight in PDF format (90kb)
Volunteer News - October, November, December 2006
New events
Some new clubs are beginning this autumn: a monthly games afternoon on the first Tuesday of each month will enable members to play chess, Scrabble and other games and have a go at cryptic crosswords. A weekly Alexander Technique session begins on October 4th and yoga is planned for Friday mornings from November 3rd. If you'd like to be involved in any of these or if you're available to bring any clients to Millbrooke House to take part, please contact Sally.
Open Day
You are invited to an Open Day at Millbrooke House on Wednesday November 29th. There will be tea, coffee, light lunches and stalls selling cards, Christmas decorations and other items. Please come along.
If you can help out on the day, all offers will be gratefully received!
Christmas Tree Festival
Wanted! A small team of artistic people who would like to decorate a Christmas Tree for the IWSB to be entered in the Christmas Tree Festival in Brighstone which will run from Thursday December 7th to Sunday December 10th. Any ideas? Please ring us.
Mobile phone and cartridge collections
Do you have an old mobile phone at home that you could donate to us? We're running a collection of old mobiles and used inkjet cartridges as a fund-raising project. If you'd like an envelope for your cartridges, please ask, and if you know of a local shop, post of f ice, library or business which would have a collection box please let us know that, too, and we'll arrange to deliver one.
Strollers, Striders and Gadabouts
Come and join us! Dates are:
Strollers:
Wed. October 25th - Wootton
Wed. November 8th - to be arranged
Wed. December 6th - to be arranged
Striders:
Fri. October 27th - Headon Warren
Fri. November 24th - to be arranged
Fri. December 15th - to be arranged
Gadabouts:
Fri. November 3rd - Chichester
Fri. December 1st - A Victorian Christmas Celebration at the Historic Dockyard,
Portsmouth
Volunteers' Pub Lunch
Tuesday November 21st - Joe Daflo's in Ryde
Meet there for an informal lunch and chat: 12.30pm
Please note: the lunch which was planned for Friday December 15th at the Three
Bishops in Brighstone will NOT now take place.
September 2006
Situation Vacant - Director
We are looking for a committed and enthusiastic person to fill the key position of Director of our organisation. Key components of the role will be to ensure that client need is assessed and met, staff and resources are effectively managed and that you are able to demonstrate a proven ability to communicate efficiently with all elements of the Society.
An awareness of and experience in the care profession, and in particular the visual impairment field would be a distinct advantage.
You will have a minimum of 3 years senior management experience, be qualified to degree level, possess a suitable management qualification and have an understanding of the financial aspects of managing a voluntary organisation.
Salary Scale P.O.B £29,859 - £31,653
Closing Date 16th October 2006
For application form and information pack please telephone 01983 522205.
August 2006
Newsight August 2006
Download the latest edition of Newsight in PDF format (75kb)
June 2006
Newsight June 2006
Download the latest edition of Newsight in PDF format (90kb)
20 May 2006
New Recording Studio Officially Opened
A new Recording Studio was opened on Saturday at Millbrooke House.
The studio, which was paid for by the Island's Rotary Clubs to mark the 100th anniversary of Rotary International, will benefit the Island's 1,400 blind and partially-sighted people, who are associated with the Society.
Trustees' Chairman Ian Bast said: "We outgrew our premises on Staplers
Road and now our administrative home is here.
"We have a number of volunteers who kindly take time to read stories and
extracts from the IW County Press and we send out around 300 copies of the paper
to our clients every fortnight.
"We hope to make it a weekly thing eventually. It is fantastic the Island
Rotary clubs decided to help us in this way. We cannot thank them enough."
More audio books and audio versions of the CP will be able to be made as there is enough equipment to make 11 cassettes at a time from one master recording.
There is also a library for existing tapes and space for the Society's braille machine which can transcribe text into braille for the Society's 20 blind and partially-sighted clients who can use braille.
The studio cost £10,000 and Rotary's district governor, Reg Ling, said:
"The money to pay for this facility was raised through all sorts of events
during our centenary year in 2005.
"We wanted to try to help out. There has been ongoing support by Rotary
and this is something a little more special."
Other projects at the Society include teaching clients how to use computers
and the internet.
Mr Bast said: "It is all about opening up the world for people through
the internet on a national and international level and through the Recording
Studio on an Island level."
19 May 2006
Millbrooke House Garden Has Ground-Force-style Make-over
The Millbrooke House garden has been given a Ground Forcestyle make-over.
Eight staff from the Government Office for the South East spent the day digging, moving, planting, painting and gravelling paths to enhance the garden at our new HQ in Carisbrooke as part of a teambuilding exercise.
Tony Adlam, Acting Director of the Society, said: "They got stuck in and I was most impressed with what they did. It was a case of heavy landscaping to create more parking and clearing untidy bits in the garden and generally making the whole area more pleasant."
The project was supported by HSS Tool Hire, ITS Tools, Downer Skip Hire and Richard Carter.
The Society has a band of greenfingered volunteers, who regularly tend to the
garden and there is a space for another helper.
Call 522205 for information.