Your local charity supporting blind & partially sighted people ISSUE 49 APRIL & MAY Balls Eye Club

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1 Your local charity supporting blind & partially sighted people ISSUE 49 APRIL & MAY 2017 Balls Eye Club Editor: Jo Wood The Balls Eye Club is growing have you joined yet? Don t miss out on this great way to support us and be in with the chance of winning a CASH PRIZE each month For just 2 per month (payable as 24 per year) members are allocated a number, which they retain for the year 45% of each month s subscriptions will be paid out 1st, 2nd and 3rd prizes Please call us to collect your membership form, club rules and standing order mandate Funds raised will go to the Society to support our work with blind and partially sighted people in the local area The 1st draw date is fast approaching - Thursday 27th April Don t Delay - Buy you Ball Today!

2 Assistive Technology Courses run throughout the year Learn to use tablets, computers or mobile phones One to one tuition Teaching tailored to suit individual needs Learning at your own pace Training can be provided in Dolphin Guide; Jaws; NVDA; Zoomtext; Supernova and Synapptic plus inbuilt speech and zoom software both on Windows and Mac computers. A new course began on Tuesday 14th March. Another will commence on Wednesday 29th March. For more information or to reserve your place on a future course, contact Yvonne from RNIB on Recent enthusiastic users of the AT suite have commented: The volunteers were really knowledgeable about my Apple Mac. The training gave me just what I needed. (Steve) I ve had my iphone for ages and was frustrated with it. I m so pleased there s now a place where I can be taught to use it more confidently. (Jean) Sight and Hearing Resource Centre Our Sight and Hearing Resource Centre is open 10am-1pm, Monday-Friday Staff can offer demonstrations of equipment designed to help you retain your independence and make everyday living easier. After trying out equipment, we can order anything that you find suitable. We can help you to reset your clocks and watches at the end of this month. We can also replace batteries for you at a reasonable cost. 2

3 New event to add to your social calendar... We invite you, your family and friends to a on Sunday 9th April 3-5pm in Rooper Hall Tickets cost 5 (including Tea) This event is being held in conjunction with In2Ballroom We thank Martyn for assisting us with this new venture Please come along to support the Society and dance the afternoon away! You may prefer to sit relaxing to some classic tunes and then enjoy a delicious tea Please call us on to purchase or reserve your ticket Alternatively you can pay on the door Transport may be available - please enquire ASAP as spaces on the minibus are limited 3

4 Cricket TV Stars The Dorset Dolphins VI Cricket Team have been training hard over the winter and now eagerly await the start of the new 2017 season. A BBC South Today reporter and cameraman filmed a training session at Victoria School recently and were impressed by the skills and commitment displayed. The reporter had a go at batting whilst wearing a blindfold, just as the Society s Philip and Jo had experienced at the previous week s training. They all acknowledged how difficult it is to hit the ball and were full of admiration for the team, including Jean, the oldest blind cricket player in the country, who was featured on the BBC programme. The Dolphins first fixture is away against Berkshire on Sunday 7th May. We are using our minibus to transport the team to the game and wish them lots of luck. If you are free on Sunday 14th May, why not pop down to Poole Park at 1pm to support them in their second match against Surrey? Archery The indoor Archery season continues in The Rooper Hall on Tuesday evenings (6-8pm). Please call the office on if you would like to join our friendly group, who are tutored by instructors from Sagittarii Archery Club. Walking Group Hurray, the weather is finally warming up so it must be time to start getting out and about to explore popular local walking venues. Our new season of walks: Friday 28th April - Seafront Friday 26th May - Upton Country Park Friday 30th June - New Forest Picnic Friday 28th July - Avon Heath Friday 25th August - Hengistbury Head Friday 29th September - TBC Walks are suitable for people who don t require walking aids. Our volunteers guide you on your walk, with opportunity for conversation, fun and forming new friendships. Transport cost is 5 and we stop at a café after our exertions for much needed refreshments! 4

5 In the Community The Macular Forum will be presenting a talk Your Macular Matters at Bournemouth Eye Unit on Saturday 1st April from 11am to 1pm. Marie Evans of Bournemouth Blind Society will be attending to offer information about our services to local people with sight loss. Philip and Geraldine will be discussing sight awareness with Occupational Therapy students from Bournemouth University on 6th April. Philip will be speaking about the Charity s work to the staff at Littledown Surgery in May. If you know any other groups or businesses who would like sight awareness talks, please call Philip on School Awareness Philip and Geraldine delivered successful practical sessions about sight loss to each year group at Moordown St John s School in February. Headteacher Peter Herbert complimented them, saying Thank you for your time and effort in putting together rewarding sessions across the school. Diversity, respect and equality of opportunity are continual messages and your inputs have been invaluable in broadening understanding and empathy. I look forward to continuing our community links into the future. Two pupils commented, it was really useful to find out what equipment can help blind people and I found out how important it is to show respect and help people who are partially sighted. As a token of the school s appreciation, each year group has made an audio gift for the Society s members, which includes joke telling, singing songs, playing instruments and reading stories. We are certain our members will enjoy listening to these! If you are aware of any other schools who would like similar sessions, please ask them to contact Philip by philip.tarrant@ bournemouthblindsociety.uk 5

6 Fundraising Thanks We thank everyone for their generosity to the Society. Recent donations include: Our January Bingo Night raised thank you to everyone who attended. We remind you that the next Bingo Night is on Saturday 20th May - please book your seat soon to join in the fun! We thank the Bournemouth Lions for raising money for our charity at their Dick Whittington pantomime held at Kinson Community Centre in January. We are pleased that the Victoria Park Methodist Church Amateur Dramatic Group have also decided to donate funds to us from their performances of plays in February. We thank Glenhurst Manor for donating 120 raised at their Christmas Raffle. We thank the Come Prima Orchestra, who rehearse in Rooper Hall and donated 400 from their Christmas Raffle. We are grateful to member Margaret Hebditch, who raised 300 from Christmas and New Year Tea Dances. The BBLOC A Song for You concert in February raised 522. We thank the group for providing such a wonderful evening. We hope to welcome them back for another show before the end of Our March Quiz Night raised 1,430. Our next Quiz Night is on Saturday 17th June. Philip collected 300 from the West Parley Townswomen s Guild earlier this month. We are grateful to the group for making us their Charity of the Year 2016/17. As an independent charity, we rely heavily on donations and fundraising like the above to continue providing our vital services to local blind and partially sighted people. 6

7 Tuesday Drop in Café Have you visited our Tuesday Café? Cooked breakfasts Roast lunches on the last Tuesday of each month ALL visually impaired people welcome to attend Ideal way to meet new friends Chat about similar experiences Lively environment Minibus Transport available if booked in advance - call Activities Bookings We remind you to check the Activities Calendar enclosed with this newsletter to find out what s on at the Centre during April and May. Please also remember to book your transport as early as possible - spaces may be limited! Easter Raffle Easter Raffle tickets are still on sale in the office. For just 1 you can buy a number and be in with the chance of winning: 1st prize - Basket of Chocolate Treats 2nd prize - Cuddly Chick 3rd prize - Classic Egg The draw will be made on Thursday 13th April. Thank you for your support! We wish you all a very 7

8 Bingo Time... Looking for a Full House! Saturday 20th May pm The Rooper Hall Tickets: 10 (includes 2 course Supper) Cash Bar & Raffle Please tell all your family & friends! If you visit Bournemouth North Rotary s Donkey Derby & Fete in Kinson on Monday 1st May, please have a go on Bournemouth Blind Society s Toy Tombola & Games. This promises to be a fun event that will help raise funds and awareness of our Charity. Bournemouth Blind Society 5 Victoria Park Road Bournemouth BH9 2RB Tel Supporting blind and partially sighted people to remain independent and part of the community Company No: Charity No: