1

TT BB

AA News & Views from News & Views from

amesideameside lind ssociationlind ssociation

March 2009 Issue No. 13

A newsletter for visually impaired peopleA newsletter for visually impaired people

2

Thank you for all those who took part in the survey of TBA Services. The survey has been paused, however it will continue later this year and we will give you more information closer to the time.

Thank you

Editorial Team:

Editor Vicky Kay

Layout/design Tracy Hankinson

Photos

D Southworth/Lexis PR/Philip Singleton

Cover: David Southworth tells us his experiences

of finding work, see page 6.

Editorial

Hello again and welcome to this first edition of News and Views for 2009. As you read on you will see many changes around Tameside Blind Association and in the environment in which we all live and work. Vicky Kay has joined the staff team and you can read more about her later in this edition. One of Vicky‟s roles will be Editor of News and Views so give her a call or pop in for a chat and suggest new articles for the magazine. Welcome Vicky.

We wish you all a Happy and Healthy year.

Philip Singleton

Project Manager

3

Outlook Group

Tameside Visual Impairment team are hoping to run a further series of sessions of the popular „Outlook Group‟, a group for people newly diagnosed with significant sight loss.

Five sessions provide an opportunity to meet other people affected by sight loss, introduce services and aids, and also include input from the Fire Brigade and Crime Prevention. These sessions may help with daily living skills, safe mobility, low vision and information about eye conditions.

If you think this group is for you or you know someone who may benefit please contact Linda Cooper, Tameside Visual Impairment Team at

Vision First, Tel: 0161 330 7028, or Email: Linda.cooper@tameside.gov.uk.

The date of the digital switchover (from terrestrial TV to digital) has been announced as the 4

th of November. If you are worried

about this and are not prepared then fear not, as not only are we at TBA here to help, but the Digital Switchover scheme have a support system that should provide help for people over 75 years of age, or people with „significant disabilities‟. Those eligible will be sent more information around June, so look out for the digital tick logo in your post around then.

Date for your Diary

Call for Volunteers

Trailblazers (also known as „the walking group‟) are now meeting on the 2

nd Tuesday of each month and visit various parks within

the area. They are in need of more volunteers to help out, particularly if you are able to provide transport! If you are interested in taking part (volunteer or not) or want more information, please contact us for further information (see the back page for contact details).

4

Visual Impairment Team

Hospital Support & Counselling Service

After a prolonged absence while studying for her Social Work Degree, the „Hospital Support and Counselling Co-ordinator‟, Linda Cooper, is now back and based with the Visual Impairment Team at Vision First in Ashton. The team had previously been split between Stalybridge and Ashton, but it has now merged at Vision First.

Every year, many people in Tameside experience sight loss. Most expect to receive treatment that will result in significant improvement, however some experience being told that no treatment is possible and they must expect continuing deterioration in sight, sometimes over a very short period. In the hospital clinic environment, it is often difficult for people in this situation to receive the information and support that they need, both in terms of immediate emotional well-being and longer-term benefits that promote a better quality of life.

Tameside Visual Impairment Team responds to these needs via the Hos-pital Support and Counselling Service, including an Eye Clinic Help Desk located in Tameside General Hospital. This provides impartial non-medical information, practical advice, and initial emotional support to individuals experiencing sight loss, their families and other carers. Staff from the Visual Impairment Team have a pro-active presence in the Eye Clinics, and are around in Clinic 9 on Mondays (9.00-4.30pm), Thursdays (9.00-11.30am) and Fridays (2.00-4.00pm), and in Clinic 7 on Tuesdays (9.00-12.00pm and 2.00-4.30pm).

Formal counselling is available, aiming to support the transition from the medical world of sight loss to accept life changes while maintaining quality of life, control, choice and independence. Getting this support earlier is likely to help people adapt to the change and develop new skills. Supported by the Rehabilitation Service, people with a visual impairment are offered a holistic assessment of needs, which values people‟s differences and respects their backgrounds.

For further information please contact Linda Cooper at Vision First:

0161 330 7028.

5

The New Development Worker.

Hello, my name is Vicky Kay and I have just joined the team at Tameside Blind Association as the new Development Worker.

I‟m from Stockport, and although I am only 25, I have just finished my Masters Degree in Social

Psychology, and have a Bachelors Degree in Psychology. I used to work as an Activities Co-ordinator at a nursing home, so I‟m good at organising fun activities and am used to working with visually impaired people. I have also been a volunteer for a number of projects, including a „listening and information service‟ for troubled students, and a befriending service for young people in care.

I will be taking over as editor of the newsletter, as well as lots of other jobs that the team will ease me into once I‟ve found my feet! Similar to Glenis, I shall also be involved in home visits, advocacy, arranging services for people (such as arranging guiders, befrienders and highlighting clubs and services like Talking News, etc) and promoting awareness of visual

Impairment.

I shall be on hand most days at the office (although not Thursdays and Tuesday afternoons as, like the rest of the team, I work part time), so feel free to drop in or ring me if you have any ideas about what to put in the newsletter or have any

issues you want my help with.

Hope to hear from you soon!

Vicky.

6

David Southworth

‘My experiences of finding work’. My name is David Southworth. I was diagnosed with a degenerative visual impairment nearly 20 years ago, and once my eyesight became too bad for me to work as a chef I resigned and was then unemployed for over 10 years.

I am originally from Darwen in Lancashire and for 8 years I could not find work, was very low and convinced myself that no one would want to employ me. In the mean time I did lots of things to keep myself busy like doing volunteer work and college courses.

In 2005 I moved to Ashton-under-Lyne to start a new life. I met some lovely people in the Blind Society and people in Manchester who gave me the confidence to think that maybe I could find work. After thinking about it for a while I contacted the Job Centre and had an interview with a job advisor who put me in touch with Working Links who were delivering the „New Deal for Disabled People‟ scheme in the area.

I saw one of their advisors at the Job Centre. The first meeting involved looking at what I was interested in doing work-wise and my qualifications. Once an area of work was identified we started looking at jobs within that area. During this time they helped me get my CV updated and helped me look at interview techniques.

7

This helped me gain confidence and prepared me for what might be asked in an interview situation.

We found a job for a Hospital Service Advisor at BUPA, we applied and shortly after I got an interview with them. I got passed the interview and they offered me the job. This is when the hard work started, as they needed to adapt the training to meet my needs. This was done and I applied to „Access to Work‟ for support with equipment I might need and for help to the cost of taxis to and from work.

The application for this support was quiet easy but it did take time to get everything done. I started work in September 2006 and have not looked back since.

I find work really rewarding and the difference in me is great! I have more confidence in myself and my work colleagues now see me, and not my disability.

A Good Night In or Out!

Fancy watching a film?

Here at TBA we are regularly updated with the details of the latest films out at the cinema that are available with Audio Description. We also hold a comprehensive list of DVDs that have Audio Description, and are on the mailing list for information on up and coming audio described theatre

showings in the region. If you want more information on any of these please do not hesitate to ask. (Contact details on the back page).

8

Meet the Committee

John Price, Acting Chair:

“I have been on the committee since 1985; been Vice Chair for several years, and Chair for 5 years. I first got involved, like most blind people, through Social Services, as I have been registered blind for many

years. I have been able to help others through my own personal understanding of being blind. My main duties involve running the centre; dealing with problems, post and people; and generally anything else that crops up. I‟m involved with 2 clubs: Wednesday Blind Club and Thursday Audenshaw Blind Club. I‟m also involved in the Guide Dogs organisation, but in my spare time I enjoy craft work such as chair cane work, and am also known as a bit of an expert on music!”

Margaret Carter, Secretary:

“My role involves dealing with correspondence, organising meetings, issuing minutes from trustee meetings in relevant formats, liaising between TBA and the Community Support Project (CSP), and

meetings with other groups etc. I am retired, and have been involved in TBA since 1990, before which I was a library assistant at The Centre for Visually Impaired. I feel our greatest achievement has to be applying for and being awarded 3 lottery grants! I‟m not really involved in any clubs, however I have recently got back into watercolour painting after not painting since I was in college!”

Ray Carter, Treasurer:

“I have been involved with the association for about 16 years, initially through my wife Margaret who is the Secretary. I think our greatest achievement has to be raising the funding to start and continue the CSP).

Before retiring I was a major accounts executive for a UK based

9

Meet the Committee

German engineering company and sat on various trade committees for over 20 years. I‟m a volunteer for Stockport Council; teaching children safe cycling, and have many other hobbies, including walking, DIY, gardening, keeping tropical fish, and of course, caring for my wife.”

Beryl Williams, Membership Secretary:

“I have been involved for about 11 years now, keeping records up to date, issuing the March renewal notices and informing the CSP manager Philip Singleton of any changes. I was the secretary for Denton Blind

Centre previously, which was how I first got in contact with TBA. My experience of visual impairment is through my son, who is partially sighted, and his wife, who is blind. I think my greatest achievement regarding TBA has to be either the 5 years I spent as the fundraising organiser when we raised approx £4,500 to £5,000 per year, or TBA‟s 30

th celebration, which I organised and

the Lady Mayoress joined along with several dignitaries!”

Gordon Collinge, Trustee:

“I attend meetings, assist in the supervision of the CSP, as well as getting involved in grant applications and lottery funding. I‟ve been involved with TBA since 2005, when I retired after gradual sight loss. Outside of TBA I

am involved in the North-West Area Brass Band Association, and am currently the Manchester District‟s Secretary. I am also a member of the Manchester United Disabled Supporters Association, and have been in their magazine „Rollin‟ Reds‟, which covered the Christmas party where I gave an award to Cristiano Ronaldo, and met the players! I am also currently studying a BA in Humanities through the Office for Students with Disabilities at Open University.”

10

Boots the Chemist

Boots can provide a „talking label‟ for your medicines. Apparently it is about the size of a credit card and has a button to press to hear the message recorded regarding what the medicine is, how and when you take it. The pharmacist will record this message personally and it can be updated or changed so it can be attached to other medicines. Currently there is a deposit between £3-£5 for this gadget. Ask in your local store about it as not all stores have them in stock and may need to order them in. Some staff may also not be aware of them as they were implemented a few years ago but don‟t seem to have been promoted recently or utilised by patrons of some of the stores. We have rung around some of the local stores to highlight them and warn them of a possible increase in demand for them, so hopefully they should have them ready to go when you next need a prescription!

Talking

Labels

TM

11

The Citizens Advice Bureau now offers a weekly advice surgery in Dukinfield every Thursday from 9am to 11.30 for residents of Dukinfield. They are situated at 73 King Street, and offer advice on topics such as benefits, debt, finance, housing, health, education, employment, taxes, legal issues, consumer issues, immigration, and even relationships! This advice is

free, confidential, impartial and independent, so if you are in a jam about something they may be able to help!

Lost Money

The Building Societies Association, National Savings and Investments, and the British Bankers‟ Association have launched a new service to assist people locate dormant accounts or savings. This free service can be found online at www.mylostaccount.org.uk, however if you do not have access to the Internet then we here at TBA may be able to help. If you would like to set up a meeting for someone to go through the website with you, please give us a ring (our contact details are on the back page).

Tameside are currently changing the rubbish and recycling bins in the area. We are in talks with them to try and resolve the issue of visually impaired people being able to tell which bin is for what. We will keep you posted on this matter...

Load of Rubbish

12

Scams and how to avoid them.

Although it‟s not a nice thought, there are people out there who would rather rob a trusting person rather than do an honest days work. They are in the minority, and you may never come across one in your lifetime, however it is best to be prepared for the worst! Here are a few helpful hints regarding unwelcome callers to keep yourself and your money safe:

Keep money in the bank. Even in this economic climate it is safer than keeping it at home. If you are worried about banking, spread your money over two or more different accounts rather than keeping it at home.

Keep your back door locked at all times.

If you are not confident in dealing with unwelcome callers, don‟t answer the door to anyone who hasn‟t already made an appointment to see you.

Ask to see ID even if you have seen the person in the area before, and don‟t take any excuses for why they don‟t have it on them.

Don‟t turn your back on anyone at the door, particularly if a handbag or purse has been left in plain sight.

If someone encourages you to come out of the house to look at your building then lock the door behind you, as this can be a way of getting you out of the way while someone else enters.

Get a written quote before work is done, and if the cost has changed ask for a receipt to explain why, and if you are not sure it is right then ask a neighbour or relative to come and check it out before handing any money over.

Don‟t pay for anything in advance of work being done.

13

If anyone is in your house to do a job, keep an eye on where they are. If they need to go to the bathroom make sure that is where they are, and tidy away any money, handbags or jewellery that are in sight of where they may need to work.

Make sure any work you are paying for has actually been done.

Don‟t let anyone see where you keep your cash.

Don‟t be talked into being given a lift to a cash point so that you can pay for something. This is not professional and can be a way of making someone uncomfortable enough to pay excess money just to get rid of the unwanted caller! Get them to call back at an appointed time and if possible get someone else to be around then. If they are not happy with this arrangement ask if they would prefer someone to witness the agreement like a neighbour or Tameside

Patroller.

Do not feel guilty for not trusting an honest workman in your own home. If they are honest they will understand that you need to take precautions and that it is nothing personal.

Tameside Patrollers (similar to the Police Community Support Officers) are interested in any unsavoury activity, and will assist in confronting and getting rid of unwanted callers, particularly as Tameside Council has a „no cold-calling‟ policy in place in this region. If you need their help call them on: 0161 342 3010.

Similarly, if you are worried about unwelcome callers TBA have information on a project called the „nominated neighbour scheme‟, where you direct unwanted callers to first visit your neighbour (using an information card and without opening the door) who will check out their ID and return with them to assist.

If you are interested in this scheme please ask for information on this at TBA (contact details on back page).

14

TBA make-over

The office in Dukinfield had a revamp in December. We would like to say a big thank you to David Whitson; one of TBA‟s volunteers who managed the project, the volunteers who did all the hard work, and the Department of

Work and Pensions (DWP) who provided us with the two groups of volunteers (over two days) who have done a fantastic job! As a result of the revamp, one of the volunteers has asked for a blind and visually impaired awareness course to be conducted at one of the DWP offices within the area.

We would also like to use this opportunity to draw peoples attention to the fact that some building work has been going on outside the office over the last few months, which has now been completed. Please be aware of new steps, rails and low-walled flowerbeds around the entrance. We also apologise for any noise pollution which may have affected phone calls in the last two months.

On a more positive note, the work is now completed, and looks much better. Access to the building is more wheelchair friendly, the road is now one way around the building making vehicle access easier, and the area looks nice, with blue shutters, a patio area, flowerbeds and flagstones.

New look exterior of TBA and the CSP

office in Dukinfield

15

Dukinfield‟s library has an assortment of services and aids specifically for blind and visually impaired people to use. If you find it hard to read standard size print but still enjoy a good book then why not try one of their large print books or talking book tapes? They also hold magazines and other information on tape, have information about vision issues, services and agencies in large print, and can convert your own documents into large print or audiocassette.

Technology

The library also has specialised equipment available for use; The „Eezee Reader‟ is a hand-held scanner that enlarges text onto a TV screen, and the „Eezee Writer‟ shows a live enlarged image on a TV screen of what you are writing.

If you want to use a computer, the programme „Supernova‟ will magnify the screen image up to 32 times, and also voices what is written on screen. There are also large keyboards that make it easier to see individual letters/keys.

There are computers attached to scanners so paper documents can be copied onto the computer, and software called Cicero that can read the document out to you. You can then enlarge and print it out again if needed.

The library have staff on hand available to help with getting to grips with their technology, plus they hold a club for visually

impaired people every 3rd

Tuesday of the month from 1.30 till 3.30 at the Library, and admission is free.

For more information you can contact the library on 0161 330 3257.

Dukinfield Library

16

The Citizen Newspaper is also available on audio CD, if you are interested please contact us at TBA and we will add you to their circulation list (see below for our contact details).

Publications now available on CD

This newsletter is also available on CD, where each new track is an individual article, so you can skip articles as you fancy! You can also play the CD on most DVD players or RNIB talking book/daisy players, as well as any normal CD player. If you would be interested in getting the News and Views in this format please contact us to let us know (see below for contact details).

Published by:

3 Wellington Parade, Dukinfield, Cheshire. SK16 4LE

Tel: 0161 343 4090/6903 email:csp@tamesideblind.org.uk

www.tamesideblind.org.uk Printed by Remington Print

Ashton-under-Lyne

Registered Charity No. 504063

AMESIDE

LIND

SSOCIATION

Please remember Tameside Blind Association when you make your will.

This local charity works for all visually impaired people in Tameside - serving the Community for 30 years.

4 Wellington Parade, Dukinfield SK16 4LE

0161 330 7778

Charity No: 504063