SIGHTLINESpring 2016

Welcome to the spring edition of Sightline. The snowdrops are already out and even daffodils are making a surprising early appearance this year!

Table of contents Message from the Editors......................................................................2Membership...........................................................................................3Waitrose Green Disc Scheme...............................................................3News from Support 4 Sight....................................................................4Chelmsford Coffee Afternoon................................................................4Claire’s half-marathon...........................................................................4Sam Tracey Gets Cracking on Her Bucket List.....................................5Support 4 Sight Events and Activities....................................................6What’s On Further Afield.......................................................................9Support 4 Sight Past Outings and Events...........................................11National Update...................................................................................12Talking Newspapers............................................................................12Sight Line News Letter On USB Stick.................................................13In the Media.........................................................................................13Podcasts - What they are and how to listen to them...........................13Gardening Tips....................................................................................16Contact us...........................................................................................18

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Supporting people with sight loss in EssexRegistered charity number: 1074812

Message from the Editors I would like to introduce myself, Mary, and my colleague Jon – we are both volunteers at Support 4 Sight’s Centre and I include a short biography of each of us below. Together we write this Newsletter and hope that we do our best to cover the issues that are relevant to all of you. If there is anything you can think of that may be of interest and that you think we might like to include – maybe a news item, a radio programme, or a piece of equipment that you find particularly useful – then please do let us know at sightline@support4sight.org.uk. We are only too happy to take suggestions from our readers as you are what this newsletter is all about!

Mary I live in Quendon and have 3 grown up children. I have taught IT to adults in the local area for 14 years and have been volunteering for Support 4 Sight since September 2015. I have had a steep but enjoyable learning curve regarding the various sight conditions and am currently involved in the production of various publications. In my spare time I help to run, and enjoy performing with, the Saffron Walden Musical Theatre. I also enjoy sailing and travel.

Jon I have experience in teaching adults, working in dementia social care and giving guided tours at the Imperial War Museum Duxford. I am also involved in giving special tours for the partially sighted and this has been one of the reasons which drew me to volunteering with Support 4 Sight. I started last month. I enjoy music, bird watching and a bit of snooker.

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Membership Just to let you know that membership renewals are due by 1st April. A membership form is included with your newsletter - please let us know if you need help completing the form. This year our membership fee is £14 for single and £15 for joint membership. We would be grateful if you could forward it to us as soon as you can. If you are unsure about whether or not you have paid membership, please call the Centre and we can look this up for you. You can be sure that your membership means a lot to us.

For the first time Support 4 Sight has decided to introduce a membership card, following valuable feedback from our members. This is something that you can keep with you or put somewhere safe. You will always have Support 4 Sight’s contact details and opening hours to hand. A new card will be issued every year on receipt of membership payment and will act as a receipt; however in order to replace lost or damaged cards we will have to charge a small fee.

This year IC SW Retail, one of our main suppliers of low vision aids, very kindly agreed to design and print these for us and their contact information can also be found on the card.

Waitrose Green Disc Scheme Support 4 Sight has been selected by the Saffron Walden branch of Waitrose as one of the three local charities to take part in their Community Matters Scheme. Please support us when you visit Waitrose during the month of March by placing your green tokens into the Support 4 Sight box. Please also ask your family and friends to do the same. Every green token goes towards another home visit, coffee morning or other vital service which supports local people with sight loss.

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News from Support 4 SightChelmsford Coffee Afternoon Support 4 Sight volunteer Graham Hawkes has worked very hard and been instrumental in helping to launch this very successful social event. Graham reports the following:

“Our Chelmsford coffee afternoon started in November last year; we had an amazing launch event which saw around 30 to 35 people in attendance. The coffee afternoon was officially opened by councillor Sandra Pontin. We also had some other notable guests from the Chelmsford visually impired community such as Pat Wilson (Chelmsford Talking Newspaper) and Margaret Perrin (Secretary of the Day Centre for the Blind). We also had a photographer from the Essex Chronicle taking pictures. We had our Christmas party in December, when we had over 20 people who enjoyed the sandwiches and party nibbles, washed down with prosecco, bucks fizz or fruit juice. It was pleasing to see 18 people at our first regular event, which for a fairly cold January afternoon was still a very good attendance. We are looking forward to upcoming events with the anticipation that things carry on in the same positive manner that they have started, and hopefully raise even more interest in the months to come.”

Claire’s half-marathon The amazing Claire Hopkins, daughter of volunteer Tony Treglown, completed the Cambridge Half Marathon on 28 February in 1 hour 39 minutes. We are very grateful to Claire who raised around £750 for Support 4 Sight.

Thank you, Claire!

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Sam Tracey Gets Cracking on Her Bucket List We've heard a lot in the media about things to do before you’re 40 and 101 things to do before you die, but when Sam was told that the sight she has left would deteriorate, she put together a bucket list titled – “Things to do before you lose your sight”.

Mum of two from Great Leighs in Essex, Sam Tracey is a trustee and volunteer at Support 4 Sight. After 18 operations on her eyes, Sam has recently been given devastating news by her eye surgeon: her eyesight is now failing. This diagnosis has been heartbreaking for Sam and her family but, after the initial shock, she has decided to remain positive by drawing up her own bucket list. For more information please contact Natalie on 01799 523700 or visit Sam’s MyDonate page online at https://mydonate.bt.com/events/samslistSo far, Sam has baked a cake with master baker Ian Cummings, acted on stage, cut a ribbon to open an event, visited the Olympic park in London and had a day at the races.

Sam baking a cake with Ian.

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Sam met Gaby Roslin at the Olympic park, and appeared on her Sunday morning radio programme a few days later.

Support 4 Sight Events and Activities

Low Vision Exhibitions For information and advice about sight loss, or for the latest in low vision technology and equipment, come to one of these exhibitions:

HarlowThursday 26th May 10am to 2.30pm at Harlow Central Library, Cross Street, Harlow CM20 1HA

ChelmsfordWednesday 24th August 10am to 3pm at Broomfield Village Hall, Broomfield, Essex, CM1 7AH

Saffron WaldenSaturday 22nd October 10am to 3pm at the Town Hall, Market Square, Saffron Walden, CB10 1HR

BraintreeThursday 27th October 10am to 2.30pm at Church House, St. Michael’s Lane, Braintree, CM7 1EY

Focus Days Come and discover the latest low vision technology and equipment at our Centre in Saffron Walden. There will be lots of advice and information available plus the opportunity for demonstrations.

Tuesday 17th May 10am to 2.30pm Edward Marcus Ltd. will be demonstrating daily living and kitchen aids.

Tuesday 9th August 10am to 2.30pm Enhanced Vision and Dolphin Computer Access will be demonstrating electronic video magnifiers and computer accessibility.

Tuesday 29th November 10am to 2.30pm Optelec Ltd. will be demonstrating magnifiers and lighting.

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Chocolate, chocolate and more chocolate!

Tombola on Tuesday 22nd MarchFollowing our very successful Easter egg tombola last year, we’re hoping to make our 2016 tombola even better. If you would like to help us make this day a huge success, please consider donating an egg into the centre by 21st March and join us on the 22nd for your chance to win. Nessie was picking all the winners last year so if you need a bit of luck, you could ask her to choose your ticket for you (Paul offers no guarantees now she is retired!).

Easter Bee raffleLocal artisan chocolatier, Smith's: L'Art Du Chocolat, are raffling a HUGE Easter bee to raise funds for Support 4 Sight. Tickets are £2.50 and are available from their market stall in Saffron Walden or the Support 4 Sight Centre. The Market is buzzing with excitement!

Or how about some Chocolate Tasting on 13th April? Discover the world of chocolate by enjoying some chocolate tasting and a quiz. Smith’s: L’Art Du Chocolat will be hosting an evening to raise money for Support 4 Sight at the Uttlesford District Council chambers. Tickets cost £12 per person. Please contact Natalie at the Centre for further information.

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Coffee Mornings We are delighted to have Sam Tracey back with us for our Braintree coffee mornings. Sam and the team would love to welcome any new or existing members in the Braintree area to join them for a coffee on the last Thursday of each month.If you have any questions about the coffee mornings, or for information on how to get to the venues, contact us on 01799 523700.

ChelmsfordLast Wednesday of each month at the Village Hall, 158 Main Road, Broomfield, CM1 7AH, 1.30pm to 3pm.Dates: 30th March, 27th April, 25th May, 29th June

Saffron Walden Last Tuesday of every month at the Bowls Club, Abbey Lane, 10:30am till noon. Dates: 29th March, 26th April, 31st May, 28th June

Great Dunmow Second Thursday of every month at Banks Court, Chequers Lane, 10:30am till noon. Dates: 14th April, 12th May, 9th June, 14th July

Braintree Last Thursday of every month at Church House, St Michaels Lane, 10:30am till noon. Dates: 24th March, 28th April, 26th May, 23rd June

Singers entertained us at the Saffron Walden Christmas coffee morning.

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Social Trips Why not join us for lunch? We currently have 2 social lunches planned. Please call Stephanie at the Centre to reserve your place.

Monday 15th April Lunch at The Elder Street Café at Debden Antique Centre, 12.30pmMenu and travel costs to be confirmed. Maximum of 24 spaces.

Tuesday 17th May Lunch at the Farmhouse Inn, Thaxted, 12.30pmTravel costs to be confirmed. Choose your menu on the day. Maximum of 24 spaces.

What’s On Further Afield

The Science Museum, London On Sunday the 10th April the Science Museum is holding a day of free family events for visually impaired visitors. The timing of events is as follows:

10:30 & 12:30– ‘Seas the Day’ Immersive storytellingCome on a nautical adventure through time in this interactive storytelling session. Explore what really makes a boat ship shape and hear the exciting story behind one of the Museum’s most impressive objects.   (Recommended for families with children aged 7+. Approx.1 hour)

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12:30 & 14:30 – Audio described ‘Destination Space’ Theatre show and touch tour3, 2, 1 blast off! Join a journey through space in this fast-paced show! Help to explode some rocket fuelled bubbles, melt some marshmallows and learn all about the challenges of space in this free interactive family show.(Recommended for families with children aged 7+. Approx. 1 hour)

14:30– Object handling of Information Age gallery artefacts.Hold history in your hands with objects from the Science Museum’s collection. Find out what they are made from and how they transformed the way we communicate and share information.(Recommended for families with children aged 7+.  Drop in over an hour and a half)

Places will be restricted, so if you are interested in attending any of the events or would like some more information, you can email Imogen Small at familyprogrammes@sciencemuseum.ac.uk or imogen.small@sciencemuseum.ac.uk Telephone 0207 942 4756.

The Fitzwilliam Museum The Fitzwilliam Museum in Cambridge has a new 2016 programme of free audio tours and touch tours for blind and partially sighted adults. Information about the sessions can be found on their website at www.fitzmuseum.cam.ac.uk/whatson/events/ and the upcoming sessions are listed below. Large print flyers are also now available. If you would like to be added to their mailing list please let them know at education@fitzmuseum.cam.ac.uk

For all of these events entry is free but booking is essential - Call 01223 332904 or email education@fitzmuseum.cam.ac.uk

Tuesday 29th March 3pm – 3.45pm at the Museum of Archaeology and Anthropology. Jewellery and Adornment from Around the World. Join trained Museum staff to learn about jewellery and adornment around the world.

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Wednesday 30th March 3pm – 3.45pm at the Fitzwilliam Museum, Shells of the World. Join trained Museum staff from the Museum of Zoology and discover molluscs from their collection.

Tuesday 26th April 3pm – 3.45pm at the Fitzwilliam Museum, Death on the Nile. Uncovering the afterlife of ancient Egypt.

Wed 27th April 2016 from 3pm – 3.45pm at The Fitzwilliam Museum. Antarctica is all Stitched Up! Join trained Museum staff from the Polar Museum and explore their interactive textile map of Antarctica.

Cambridge Botanical Gardens Monthly walks take place at Cambridge University Botanic Gardens. You can walk with Garden Guides and CamSight volunteers who will help you to enjoy different plants as the seasons change, from 2pm to 3pm, the first Friday of each month; free but booking is essential. Call 01223 331875 or email education@botanic.cam.ac.uk. Guide dogs and companions are welcome at all sessions.

Support 4 Sight Past Outings and Events Beauty and the Beast January Pantomime Members enjoyed a delightful outing to see the Beauty and the Beast pantomime performed by the Saffron Players at Saffron Walden Town Hall. It was a hoot with much hilarity, great jokes, songs, dances - and to cap it all a guest appearance by Sam Tracey who had “Acting on stage” as part of her bucket list!

Lunch at Blake Craft Centre 17th February On February 17th we enjoyed lunch at the Blake Craft Centre near Braintree. It was an easily accessible venue, with very good food and

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service. It was also nice to be able to wander around the various craft shops afterwards.

Lunch at The Blue Egg, Great Bardfield 15 th March We had a wonderful day out at the Blue Egg craft and food centre. Lunch at the Knead Café was superb and we all enjoyed looking around the wonderful gift and food shops afterwards.

National Update

Talking NewspapersThese are regular recordings that you can listen to in the comfort of your own home. Most are available on USB stick (an audio player can sometimes be supplied) or on cassette. You’ll hear news, personal stories, letters to the editor, and other useful information from your local newspapers. We enjoy good coverage throughout our area.

Saffron Walden: available on USB stickWeekly, from Walden Local and Saffron Walden Reporter. Covers Saffron Walden and the surrounding area. Service improvements are on the way. Tel: 07949 201612. Email: paul.atkins@ntlworld.com

Bishop’s Stortford: available on USB stick and onlineWeekly, from Herts and Essex Observer. Covers Bishop’s Stortford, Sawbridgeworth, Dunmow, The Hadhams and Saffron Walden.A high quality MP3 player can be supplied.Tel: 01279 651270. Email: familybarnett24@hotmail.com Website: http://www.bstalkingnewspaper.co.uk

Chelmsford: available on USB stick, cassette and onlineWeekly, centred on Essex Chronicle. Covers Chelmsford and mid-Essex. You can also download to your computer or MP3 player.Tel: 01245 354079. Email: chelmsfordtalkingnewspaper@gmail.com Website: www.essexinfo.net/chelmsfordtn

Mid Essex: USB stick and online

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Weekly, based on Braintree & Witham Times, Halstead Gazette, Maldon & Burnham Standard. MP3 player available on loan.Tel: 01206 545062. Email: ray.hardisty@btopenworld.comWebsite: www.midessextalkingnews.org.uk

Harlow: available on USB stickWeekly, taken from Harlow Star, covering Harlow and surrounding areas. An MP3 player can be supplied. Tel: 01279 429178.

Sight Line News Letter On USB Stick Many of you who receive the Sight Line on audio cassette may be aware that it is getting increasingly difficult to purchase audio cassettes.  They seem to be a thing of the past.  Support 4 Sight is seeking your opinion about changing the format from cassette to USB stick.  This is a format now used by many of the local talking newspapers.  Feedback from the talking news, at the time of switch-over, appeared to be very positive.  Most talking news organisations now provide a permanent loan of a USB player.  If you are currently using the talking newspaper, the chances are that you will have a USB player.  If this is the case, you will be able to play the SightLine newsletter on this device.

Before switching to USB stick format, Support 4 Sight would welcome your feedback.  Please call Paul at the centre if you would like to have a chat about this, on 01799 523700.  If you do not have a player, they are available for around £37 and can be purchased from Support 4 Sight.

In the Media

Podcasts - What they are and how to listen to them Here is what one person said about podcasts: “I love podcasts because you can listen to content you like, when you like. You can

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learn about anything or just be entertained. It's like a radio show but on your terms.”

Podcasts are available on a variety of topics to suit your interests. You can also get podcasts to help you learn new things – Centre Manager Paul Atkins said, “I often use podcasts to find out about all the clever things my iPhone and computer can do for me. One of my favourite sites is http://applevis.com/”You can listen to podcasts on a computer, mobile phone, tablet or any MP3-playing device. You can "subscribe" to a podcast and then you will get all the latest episodes automatically. There is a lot of information available online to help you get set up.

Here are some stories and programmes that are available as podcasts.

The White Cane Story It was reported late last year that seven-year old Lily-Grace Hooper was told by her school that she could no longer use her white cane to get about in order to protect the safety of others. The school said it was a temporary measure until they could discuss it further with the family but the story spread like wildfire. You can catch this debate on the BBC’s Ouch podcast page:http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p038ndkd.

Travelling on Trains Visual impairment can make travel very difficult. So what's it like to step off a station platform into thin air, instead of onto a train? In this podcast, three blind journalists tell their tales of travelling on trains when you can't see:http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p0386hhd.

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How do Blind People Interpret Emojis? The internet is becoming increasingly visual and an emoji is a small digital picture or symbol that represents a thing, feeling, concept, etc. It can be used in text messages and on Facebook . So how do blind people interpret emojis? Find out by listening to this podcast:http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p036111y.

‘In Touch’ Radio Programme Radio 4 has a 20-minute weekly programme that covers news and information of interest to blind and partially sighted people. It goes out on Tuesday evenings at 8.40pm and is presented by Peter White. The previous four editions are kept available at ww.bbc.co.uk/radio4 and always provide informative listening.

Echolocation - A BBC News Story Ethan Loch, a blind 10-year old from Bonnybridge, near Falkirk, has been taught to use a method of ‘clicking’ to help him interpret the world around him. His teacher was Daniel Kish, who is also blind. Daniel’s eyes were removed when he was 13 months old because of retinal cancer, but it had little impact on his mobility. As he explored, Daniel would click his tongue against the roof of his mouth and the sounds would help him work out what was around him. He was beginning to master echolocation, although he didn't know it was called that back then. It is similar to animal echolocation, which is used by bats. By the age of 6, Daniel had got so good at echolocation that he could ride a bike down the road, clicking to avoid people and cars.

Daniel has taught echolocation to thousands of other blind people through his school, World Access for the Blind, in California, and in July last year he flew to Scotland to tutor Ethan. Ethan wasn't completely new to the technique - many blind people use it. But he'd never been taught as intensively as this. Ethan began with some clicking exercises in the family's living room, clicking into the air and trying to work out where things were located from the echoes. Over a

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period of months Ethan’s confidence and independence has improved so much that he says, "I'm not walking around blind," he says. "I know I am actually blind, but I'm clicking so that I can hear echoes to help me find the way. I just see in a different way." For the full story see http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/disability-35550768.

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Gardening Tips

With spring approaching your thoughts might be turning to gardening. Gardening can be a wonderful sensory experience and here are a few tips that are useful for the visually impaired.

Use Landscaping Fabric or Mulch

Try using landscaping fabric, mulch, or even corrugated cardboard around plants and seedlings. Using these materials can reduce the need to weed and water so frequently.

Use Colourful and Tactile Borders

Use commercial edging products, such as crushed stone, bricks, pavers, pieces of lumber, or fencing to mark where one area ends and another begins.

Use planking, long boards, rocks, or bricks to mark off the outer edges of your garden or raised beds for easier location and separation from lawn or play areas.

Paint your existing fencing or stones in contrasting colours, such as white or yellow, that will contrast with the green grass.

Use textured and/or colourful materials, such as crushed white marble chips, natural wood chips, and crushed seashells.

Old car tyres can contain spreading plants like pumpkins and squash.

Choose Plants for their Sensory Qualities

Explore new plant varieties and focus on each plant's sensory qualities. For example, in addition to planting geraniums, also consider mint, lemon, lavender, a variety of roses, and plants with different textures and scents.

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Create Your Own Plant and Row Markers

Create large-print signs or labels with index cards and a wide-tip black marker. Laminate the cards or seal them in plastic sandwich bags. Attach each card to a small craft stick.

Use brightly painted stones in different colours to indicate the type of flower or plant. For example, white stone for daisies, red stone for tulips or tomatoes.

Tie beads to small craft sticks. For example, one bead for carrots, two beads for onions, three beads for lettuce.

Yogurt cups with the bottoms removed can protect young plants. Sink the cup halfway into the soil and plant inside it. It will outline the area in which your seedlings are growing and can also help with weed control.

Lay down a fishing line or a cane and use it as a guide for planting straight rows.

If you form rows by running strings between stakes, you can secure old tennis balls or another type of tactile reminder on the top of each stake for identification purposes.

Additional Gardening Tips

Use an egg carton as a planting spacer. Poke a 1-inch hole in the bottom of each egg portion and position the egg carton/spacer on the soil. Place one seed into each hole and cover with soil. Gently remove the spacer and continue planting.

If you have low vision, look for commercially produced garden tools with brightly coloured handles that will contrast with the ground or with your plant bench. You can also apply contrasting tape or paint to the handles of your favourite tools or paint the tines of your rake to help with locating your tools and identifying your work area.

A long-handled garden tool can also become a measuring stick by placing contrasting tape along the handle every 6 inches, or whatever distance you need to measure.

Use an apron, utility belt, or plastic carryall container to hold your gardening tools.

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Contact us

If you have any concerns and want to speak to someone at Support 4 Sight, you can contact us at the Centre from 9.30am to 2.30pm on 01799 523700. You are welcome to drop into the Centre, without an appointment, for a chat and a coffee. It’s a good opportunity to meet the staff, our volunteers and other members.

Here is the list of staff at Support 4 Sight:

Madeleine Cassidy – Director

Paul Atkins – Resource Centre and Volunteer Manager

Linda Pollard & Michael Lovell – Paul’s Support Workers

Vanessa Cowell – Community Support Worker

Natalie Emuss – Administrator

Gemma Golab – Essex Vision Coordinator

Stephanie Emberson – Community Support Worker (Carers)

We are here to help and if you do need us, please do not hesitate to call or pop in.

With support from:

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All information in this Newsletter is checked and believed to be correct at the time of publication, but cannot be so guaranteed. Support 4 Sight shall not be liable for any

loss suffered directly or indirectly as a result of its use.

Produced by Support 4 Sight (Essex)2 & 4 George Street

Saffron Walden, Essex CB10 1EQTelephone 01799 523700

Registered Charity No. 1074812