Devon in Sight
Your local sight loss charity
Newsletter
Spring 2016 Issue 14
Spring arrives as the Devon in Sight Sensory
Garden is extended by Topsham residents
Devon in Sight
Your local sight loss charity
Editors
Grahame Flynn
[email protected]
Jennie Benham
[email protected]
Press Officer
Andrew Howard
andrew.howard@
korcommunications.co.uk
Designers
Jennie Benham &
Grahame Flynn
Printed by
Peninsular One Source
[email protected]
Devon in Sight
Station House
Holman Way
Topsham
Exeter
EX3 0EN
Tel: 01392 876 666
[email protected]
www.devoninsight.org.uk
Registered Charity No 1140978
Company Registration No 07371472
Patron
The Dowager Countess of Devon
Disclaimer
Some of the views expressed in
this newsletter are those of the
individual contributors and are
not necessarily those of Devon in
Sight.
Devon in Sight does not endorse
or recommend any product or
service that advertises in this
newsletter.
Copyright
This newsletter is copyright ©
Devon in Sight 2016
Not for profit organisations are
welcome to use the material in this
newsletter. However, we would
ask that the source of material is
acknowledged.
Photography
We would like to thank
photographer Bruce Thomas and
Jonathan Bosley for their images.
Cover Photograph:
New Sensory Garden at Station
House. Photograph by Grahame
Flynn.
Devon in Sight is a member of...
Newsletter Contents
Spring 2016 Issue 14
Page
4
Chief Executive’s Update . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
6
Sight Loss Heritage Project . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
8
Data Protection . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
10
News in Brief . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
12
Topsham resident extends our Sensory Garden
14
Volunteer Visiting Service . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
16
Topsham Resource Centre . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
18
New Skills for Seeing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
20
New Product . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
22
Employment Hub . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
23
Online Today . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
24
Assistive Technology . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
26
Low Vision Drop in Days . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
28
Action on Hearing Loss . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
30
Blind Veterans UK . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
32
Membership Matters . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
34
Talking Newspapers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36
Supporting Us . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
38
Contents
A Message from the Chair of Trustees . . . . . . .
A Message from the
Chair of Trustees
by Chris Sumner (Chair of Trustees)
“The future growth and
sustainability of Devon
in Sight remains a
concern for the Board
and Staff Team”
The saying goes that “small is beautiful”.
Well, being a small charity means that, alongside their day jobs, everyone
from the Chief Executive downwards has to help answer the phone, wash up
cups, sweep the car park and water the sensory garden from time to time. But
being small also means that we have the privilege of sitting down with you,
our customers, to listen to and hopefully help, as you share your stories of
living with sight loss.
Being small also means that everyone makes a difference. Our Low Vision
Drop-in Day last month was really well attended and it was fantastic to see
one of our 83 year old customers mucking in and helping to demonstrate an
electronic magnifier to someone who hadn’t used one before. I could give
many other examples of how volunteers at our Resource Centre and in our
Volunteer Visiting Service have made a huge difference to people’s lives each
and every day.
4
As I have shared with you before, funding our work is our biggest challenge,
and never more so than now. Income over the last 12 months has been lower
than we budgeted for. This combined with poor investment income returns
due to world markets, means that we will end the 2015/16 financial year with a
further deficit and a further reduction in our reserves.
Your Trustees continue to work closely with the Operational Team, working
passionately to secure funding which will put us on a more secure footing for
the longer term, and increase income generally, but until we can do that we
have decided not to re-appoint a couple of staff posts in order to help manage
our costs, and make further reductions in day to day operations and costs
to Devon in Sight. That means that, for a season at least, our staff team will
be smaller still and our reliance on our committed band of Volunteers and
Trustees will be a lot greater.
However, despite these challenges we remain a small charity with a big voice!
I’m delighted that over the last few weeks our Chief Executive Grahame
Flynn and myself, your Chairman, have had a number of opportunities to
encourage, inspire and challenge people from across the sight loss sector to
work together and to do more to achieve, across Devon, the objectives set out
in the England Vision Strategy, and especially to deal with the growing need
for support for those early on the path to possible sight loss. Our ambition
is for people with sight loss in Devon to get the very best practical care and
emotional support anywhere in the UK.
We might be small, but by working strategically with our partners, I am
confident that we can indeed make a big difference for people with sight loss
in Devon.
So whether you help through volunteering, with financial support, by providing
a listening ear to someone else with sight loss, by signposting people to us, or
by being one of the partner organisations that work so generously with us, can
I say thank you again for your continuing support for this small, but ‘beautiful’
charity!
5
Chief Executive’s Update
by Grahame Flynn (Chief Executive Officer)
“The needs of the many
outweigh the needs of
the few, or the one!”
Mr Spock
‘Star Trek II: The Wrath of
Khan, 1982’
For nearly 50 years, Star Trek’s Mr Spock has been the most prominent
philosopher in movies and television, mixing the logical mind of
Sherlock Holmes and the inspirational messages of ancient proverbs.
The actor who brought the character to life was Leonard Nimoy who
died in February at the age of 83.
During a 1982 adventure difficult decisions needed to be made to save the
crew of the USS Enterprise under the command of Captain James T Kirk. In
offering guidance to his commanding officer, Mr Spock utters the following…
“The needs of the many outweigh the needs of the few, or the one!”
As the Chief Executive Officer of Devon in Sight I have often spoken of the
privilege of steering the mighty ship that is ‘Devon in Sight’. I have a loyal crew
of staff and volunteers and back at the ‘Admiralty’ I have a Board of Trustees
who share the burden of taking difficult decisions.
6
We have spoken about the ongoing challenges to our funding in the pages
of this newsletter and at three Annual General Meetings. We have been
working tirelessly to improve the effectiveness of what we are doing, record the
outcomes and build stronger links with partner agencies. This professionalises
the service but will also make us better able to respond to opportunities for
funding.
Our diminishing reserves, reduced donations and legacies mean that the next
few months are crucial. We have successfully passed the first stage of a major
funding process but there is more work to be done. The exciting news is that
if we are awarded the funding we will be able realise our long term strategic
objective to extend our coverage to more of Devon. Sight loss is closely linked
to ageing, and as the number of older people is set to rise dramatically, so
will the number of blind and partially sighted people. People in later life face
unique challenges as, in addition to sight loss, they are also more likely to have
additional health problems such as loss of hearing, reduced physical mobility
or dementia. Devon in Sight must be able to respond to this.
In designing our response to this challenge I am reminded of Mr Spock’s
words. Devon in Sight is not here to support just a few but has a greater
responsibility to the people of Devon as a whole.
We know there are some very practical steps we can take to help people with
sight loss so we are developing a new Community Support Service. We aim to
help people understand their sight loss condition and use their remaining sight
effectively. We will introduce people to a range of equipment and training to
help them adjust to their sight loss. We will help people identify ways that they
can remain healthy and active. We will also help people take practical steps
to keep safe at home and to interact with their local community to break down
isolation.
Devon in Sight’s mission statement is to provide practical help and advice to
people affected by sight loss, to maximise their independence, wellbeing and
choice. In reading these words I am reminded of another Mr Spock quote;
“Live long and prosper”.
If Mr Spock had written our mission statement he might well have said…
“Devon in Sight is here to help people affected by sight loss to live long
and prosper!”
7
Sight Loss Heritage Project
by Julian Garner (Business Development Manager)
“Would you like to
share your story of
living with sight loss as
part of our Sight Loss
Heritage Project.”
Devon in Sight recently celebrated its 90th anniversary. Alongside other
events we are launching an appeal in order to refurbish our main centre
at Station House in Topsham, Exeter. Part of the building is in a poor
state of repair and we are keen to refurbish it to stop the leaks and to
avoid further damage.
Built in 1860, Station House is a historic Grade II listed building designed
by the renowned architect Sir William Tite. It was originally the Ticket Office
and Station Master’s House for Topsham Railway Station. In 1996 it was
purchased by Devon in Sight to be used as an office and Resource Centre.
Alongside the restoration of Station House we are applying for funding for a
Sight Loss Heritage Project to document changes to the lives of people with
sight loss in Devon over the last 90 years.
Over that time the medical interventions, equipment and daily experiences of
people who are blind or partially sighted have changed significantly.
8
We will be looking at four aspects as part of the project:
1)
2) Changes to the daily lives and social inclusion of people with sight loss in Devon.
Developments in medical interventions and equipment to support people with sight loss in Devon.
3) The role of Devon in Sight and our partners in supporting people with sight loss in Devon.
4) Celebrating the Heritage of Station House as a notable local landmark, and its role in delivering Devon in Sight services.
We would love to hear from you if you would be willing to share your
story about what it has been like living with sight loss or supporting
people with sight loss as a carer or professional.
•
Have you lived with sight loss for some time?
•
What was it like when you were growing up?
•
How have medical treatments for sight loss changed?
•
Have you worked in Health and Social Care and supported people with sight loss?
If we are successful in getting funding for the project we will be
making a start in the autumn – but do get in touch as soon as
possible so we can send you further information about the project.
You can register your interest with our Office Manager, Jennie
Benham, on 01392 878 802.
9
Data Protection
by Grahame Flynn (Chief Executive Officer)
There has been lots of very bad publicity about charities in the media
recently, particularly with regard to ethical fundraising and sharing
personal information with third parties.
At the AGM last year our former Chair Gwyn Dickinson MBE asked me to
reassure our members that we do not share their information. I would like to
assure you all that Devon in Sight complies with The Data Protection Act
1998 in how it stores your information and keeps it secure. Devon in Sight
does not share its database with any fundraising or marketing company.
Furthermore, in its fundrasing activities Devon in Sight follows best practice
as laid down by The Charity Commission,The Institute of Fundrasing and
Institute of Legacy Management.
We will only share your information with another organisation with your
consent. This is normally with The Sensory Team or a partner agency which
is providing specialist training for you. The only exception would be where
the police want information in connection with a criminal investigation or in an
event where you posed a risk to yourself or others.
The Data Protection Act 1998 controls how your personal information is used
by organisations, businesses or the government. Everyone responsible for
using data has to follow strict rules called ‘data protection principles’.
We are legally obliged to make sure the information we hold is:
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
used fairly and lawfully
used for limited, specifically stated purposes
used in a way that is adequate, relevant and not excessive
accurate
kept for no longer than is absolutely necessary
handled according to people’s data protection rights
kept safe and secure
10
There is stronger legal protection for more sensitive information, such as
health.
The Data Protection Act 1998 requires every organisation that processes
personal information to register with the Information Commissioner’s Office
(ICO), unless they are exempt. Failure to do so is a criminal offence.
We have been registered since the 21st January 2011. Registration
Certificate Number: Z251961X (Devon County Association for the Blind).
Partnerships
Tribute
Devon in Sight’s Data Protection Registration is held with the Information
Commissioner’s Office. The Information Commissioner’s Office is the UK’s
independent authority set up to uphold information rights in the public interest,
promoting openness by public bodies and data privacy for individuals.
If you have any concerns about your personal information please do not
hesitate to contact me via our Office Manager Jennie Benham on 01392
878 802.
11
News in Brief
Hugh Courtenay, the 18th Earl of Devon
It was with great sadness that we learnt that Hugh
Rupert Courtenay, The Earl of Devon, had died
peacefully on 18 August last year.
We would like to extend our sincere condolences to
the Dowager Duchess of Devon following the loss of
her husband. Diana Devon has been our Patron for
a number of years.
Volunteers brave extreme weather at The Exeter Chiefs Match
Last year we were delighted to hear that we
had become a designated charity of the Exeter
Foundation.
On Saturday 28th November 2015 thirty volunteers
attended the Exeter Chiefs V Harlequins match in
atrocious weather conditions. We would like to extend
our thanks to all the family and friends who came
along to support Devon in Sight. The Exeter Chiefs
won the match 26 - 25.
Buffaloes make Devon in Sight their Charity of the Year
The Paignton Branch of The Royal
Antediluvian Order of the Buffaloes has made
Devon in Sight their Charity of the Year.
Grahame Flynn was pleased to give a
presentation to the Order at their meeting on
Sunday 20th March 2016. He said, “ I was
delighted to hear that Richard Wilson who is
one of our clients had put us forward”.
12
Exeter MG Owners Club cheque presentation
Exeter MG Owners Club Treasurer Pat Mayo and her husband Roger made a
cheque presentation of £600 to Devon in Sight on Friday 12th February 2016.
The money was raised at the club’s 26th Annual Rally called ‘Moor 2 Sea’ held
on May 24 2015.
The couple bought ‘Sophie’ their 1972 MGB Roadster to Station House for the
presentation. The car was one of only 500 cars produced in British Leyland
Aqua Blue.
Grahame said, “We would like to thank Exeter MG Owners Club for making
us their Charity of The Year for 2015. We would like to extend our thanks to all
the MG enthusiasts that participated. The rally attracted 80 cars from all over
the country”.
For more information please visit: exetermgoc.co.uk
For more news please visit our website: www.devoninsight.org.uk
13
Topsham
resident
extends our
Sensory
Garden
Topsham resident Mick Heeley
was so inspired by the
rejuvenated Devon in Sight
Sensory Garden that he extended
it to the Exeter bound platform of
Station House.
Mike said, “In May 2015 my good
neighbour, Liz Mackenzie, asked
me if I wanted to help volunteer
to tidy up Topsham Station.
Unfortunately I was visiting family in
Leicester so I couldn’t help with the
initial tidying up efforts.
However, on my return, I wandered
around to see how things had gone.
A start had been made; but lots still
needed to be done so I thought I
would tackle the remaining work on
my own.
After five weeks hard labour, all the
brambles, nettles and hawthorns
were cleared. Waste railway ballast
and thirty years of debris on the
Exeter side of the platform was
cleared.
After surveying what was left, we had an uninspiring large stretch of tarmac!
I thought raised beds were the only option. I imagined that these planted with
shrubs and 100’s of daffodils, tulips and alliums would make an attractive
addition to the station.
Timber was ordered from Culver Saw Mills and with the help of Noel Harrison
and Chris Austin, in atrocious conditions, we successfully erected the first
five raised beds. Planting was carried out by me, Maureen Brooks and Liz
Mackenzie. The area of tarmac was topped off with three tons of decorative
chippings.
Having seen the fantastic work done at the ‘Devon in Sight’ premises by
Grahame Flynn and his team with plants donated by St Bridget’s Nursery,
my planting was chosen to complement and extend the Sensory Garden at
Station House.
Feedback from the public and committee members of the Avocet Line Rail
Users Group was complimentary, so much so that the request was made to
extend the renovation work to a further three larger raised beds further along
the platform, financed mainly by more donations. These beds were completed
by late January 2016, again in atrocious weather and planted up this time
– roses being the main feature. I would like to thank my family for kindly
donating funds to enable me to finance the first five raised beds and it is their
names you will find on the five beds.
Plans are now afoot, subject to further funding being negotiated by Noel
Harrison and associates to add more planting near the signal box.
I have carried out many renovation projects in the UK and abroad, but
although Topsham Station provided a daunting proposition, it is the one I have
enjoyed most”.
The Sensory Garden can be viewed at any time from Platform Two of
Topsham Railway Station which is open 24 hours a day.
All of us at Devon in Sight would like to extend our gratitude to Mike,
Maureen, Liz, Noel, Chris and Mike’s family Gina, Polly, Chloe, Sarah and
Miss Munch!
15
Volunteer Visiting Service
“Our Volunteer Visiting
Service in Mid Devon
and Torbay is closed to
new referrals until further
funding is in place”
You may be aware that the Volunteer Visiting Service was set up as a
pilot in 2008 with the aim of securing external funding.
Funding the service has continued to be difficult, but the service was
valued so highly by people with sight loss that Devon in Sight has used
charitable reserves to pay for the service for eight years.
The current economic climate, a fall in donations and legacies, competition
for Trusts and Grants and under performance in investments have had a
significant impact on our income.
Our funds have now reduced significantly and we therefore need to minimise
our costs until new funding can be secured.
We have submitted a major funding application and will find out if we are
successful later in the year. However, in the mean time we need to keep costs
to an absolute minimum.
16
What does this mean for people receiving our current service?
• For the time being we will be maintaining support for existing client and
volunteer pairings but we will not be able to arrange new pairings.
• We will not be recruiting a new Coordinator for Torbay until new funding is in
place.
• If an existing volunteer relationship comes to end unfortunately we will not
be able to replace them unless an existing volunteer is available. However,
we will try to see whether support might be available from other local
organisations.
How can you help?
As part of the current funding applications we may contact you to ask you
some questions about the service to help us gather evidence of the need for
potential funders.
What is the future?
We hope to be able to start a new Community Support Service, with a slightly
different focus, towards the end of the year if new funding is in place.
How do I get ongoing support?
Helen Head, our Mid Devon Co-ordinator, will be able to offer telephone
support and advice to existing clients and volunteers to address any pressing
issues.
Helen Head
VVS Co-ordinator
07580 787 308
[email protected]
Helen normally works on Mondays, Tuesdays and Thursdays. If you leave
a message on her mobile she will return your call as soon as possible.
17
Topsham Resource Centre
Our Resource Centre offers a range of
equipment and training to help people to adjust
to their sight loss.
We put people with sight loss at the heart of everything that we do. To
ensure that you get time to talk about the issues affecting you we ask
that you make an appointment to attend our Resource Centre.
During your appointment our Adviser will assess your needs and try and
provide you with solutions. We will not provide any equipment without a
consultation to ensure that it is the right equipment for your condition.
A number of our services are provided in partnership with other organisations
including Optima Low Vision Services Ltd., the Sensory Teams in Devon and
Torbay, Action for Blind People and Guide Dogs for the Blind.
We can usually offer appointments between 10 am and 3pm on
Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays depending on whether or not
we have an NHS Low Vision Clinic running. Specialist training sessions
with partner agencies are held on some Mondays and Fridays.
To make an appointment
to visit our Resource
Centre please ring:
01392 876 666
18
Resource
Centre
Services:
Equipment includes:
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Task Lighting
Optical Magnifiers
Electronic Magnifiers
Clocks & watches
Kitchen equipment
Mobiles & Telephones
Eye shields
Large Print Stationery
Other services include:
• Information & Support
• Low Vision Clinics
• Sensory Team
Consultations
• ‘New Skills for Seeing’
Training
• Employment Hub
• Assistive Technology
• ‘Online Today’
• Low Vision Drop-in
Days
• Guide Dogs ‘MyGuide’
Training
19
‘New Skills for Seeing’
appointments are available
in Topsham and Paignton
‘New Skills for Seeing’ training can help people with central vision loss
make the most of their remaining peripheral vision. Devon in Sight
offers this specialist service at our Resource Centre in Topsham and
also at the Jasmyn House Community Hub in Paignton.
Our team can help you learn about:
•
•
•
•
How Lighting can help you
How to use Magnification properly
Eccentric Viewing to help with recognising faces and reading
Steady Eye Technique to improve reading speed
Practising these skills can help you with daily activities like reading, watching
television, hobbies, personal care and getting about. People often say that
they feel more confident and have more control over their lives.
To book ring our Topsham
Resource Centre on...
01392 876 666
This service is provided in
partnership with...
20
“It is a privilege
to help someone
to do something
they haven’t done
before”
Nanette Bolton
Resource Centre
Adviser
Optelec - Traveller HD
Take it anywhere
The Traveller HD allows you to comfortably read letters, newspapers and
to view text and smaller details of photos on the high brightness 13.3-inch
widescreen. and other materials at the dining table, in bed, or in your favourite
chair.
Slide & Read
The Traveller HD’s unique Slide & Read mechanism provides you with a more
natural reading experience, especially if you find it difficult to keep your hands
steady. Simply slide the screen across a line of text and view the content onscreen. It has never been easier to follow the line or sentence. Sliding back
and forth enables you to recognize the shapes of individual words.
What’s unique about the
Traveller HD?
• The roll enables you to
effortlessly navigate from
the top to the bottom of the
document.
• The slides help you to follow a
straight line.
• Use the Zoom wheel to adjust
the level of magnification.
• Use the reading line to stay
straight while navigating
horizontally.
• The large 13.3 inch screen
makes it easier to recognize
the words that are being
displayed. The brightness
can be customized from ultra
bright to soft and sharp.
• Press the Open / Close button
to unlock the Traveller HD
and lock it securely into place.
Optelec Traveller HD is
£1,995 (ex VAT)
To arrange a consultation or for
further information please ring our
Resource Centre on...
01392 876 666
Employment Hub
by Sarah Clifton, Action for Blind People
Devon in Sight has been hosting Action for Blind People’s Employment
Hub at Station House since March 2013.
The aim of the Employment Hub is to assist people with sight loss who are
seeking to move into employment.
At the sessions Action Employment Coordinators support visually impaired
job seekers to use computers for a range of employment specific tasks. For
instance, job seekers are supported with their job search, CV writing, covering
letters and job applications and disability disclosure statements together with
an ongoing review of their action plans. This enables students to progress in
their job search whilst, at the same time, having the opportunity to become
more familiar and confident in using Assistive Technology for this purpose, in a
friendly and supportive environment.
This forms part of the way in which Action for Blind People are delivering their
employment provision – a combination of Pre-Employment Courses and
Employment Hubs.
The Employment Hub takes place on the 2nd and 4th Friday of each month
with a morning and afternoon session being offered on these days.
The morning session is scheduled
from 10.30am to 12.30pm and the
afternoon session from 1:30pm to
3.00pm.
To access this service, clients
need to phone the Action for Blind
People office to check availability
and book a time slot.
01392 458 060
23
Technology - ‘Online Today’
Would you like to build a better understanding of the benefits of being
online and how it can assist your everyday living?
‘Online Today’ is a Big Lottery funded project led by RNIB, delivered in
partnership, to help people with sensory loss across the UK get online.
“Online Today is for you if you have little or no experience of being
online.” Darren Walker, Assistive Technology Coordinator
At these free sessions, the ‘Online Today’ Team will help you realise the
benefits of being online. There will be demonstrations of devices like iPads,
tablets, E-readers and smartphones, as well as an opportunity to try out these
products and ask questions. Online Today is for you if you have little or no
experience of using the internet, or if your skills need updating and you’d like
to find out more.
Devon in Sight was delighted to host the first ‘Online Today’ Session on
Friday 15th April. Four students and two carers attended the training day
which was a huge success. Course Trainer Darren Walker said, “ The Internet
is so ubiquitous these days that it is good to demystify and dispel some of
the myths surrounding it, for those who maybe didn’t understand it or were
nervous about it”.
Further ‘Online Today’ sessions are taking place at the Devon in Sight
Resource Centre on the following dates:
Friday 15th July 2016
Friday 21st October 2016
Friday 16th December 2016
To book a place please contact
Action for Blind People on:
01392 458 060
24
“Online Today is for you if you have little or no
experience of being online.” Darren Walker, Assistive Technology Coordinator
25
Assistive Technology
We can provide advice and training on the use of specialist Assistive
Technology such as screen magnifiers, screen readers and speech
software.
People often think they can’t use technology because of their sight loss. In
fact they can – and it can actually be a real help. People with sight loss can
use technology for email, home shopping, home banking, scanning letters,
keeping up to date on news stories and many other tasks.
As part of our service we can also demonstrate the accessibility features
already built-in to many computers, tablets and mobile phones, enabling you
to either magnify what is on the screen or have the computer or phone read it
to you.
We run an Assistive Technology workshop on the first Friday of every month
at our Resource Centre in Topsham.
To book a place please contact
Action for Blind People on:
01392 458 060
26
Low Vision Drop-in Days
“Simple solutions for people with sight loss”
Devon in Sight is dedicated to bringing you the latest innovations in
technology. We work closely with our suppliers to update the products
available through our Resource Centre.
We are continuing to hold regular Low Vision Drop-in Days throughout
the year where you will have the opportunity to spend some time with
representatives from leading companies and our partner charities.
Over 80 people attended our Drop-in day on Wednesday 13th April where
they were able to have a closer look at the new products available from
Dolphin, Enhanced Vision and Calibre.
Provisional Low Vision Drop-in Days are as follows:
Wednesday 13 July 2016 (10am - 2.30 pm)
Station House, Topsham
Dolphin and Professional Vision Services
Friday 29 July 2016 (10am - 2.30pm)
Paignton Library, Paignton
Optelec (See advertisment on back cover)
Friday 7 October 2016 (10am - 1.30pm)
Barnstaple Library, Barnstaple
Optelec and Living Options Devon (See Hear Centre)
Wednesday 16 November 2016 (10am - 2.30pm)
Station House, Topsham
Dolphin, Enhanced Vision and a talking book provider
28
29
Action on Hearing Loss
Here at Devon in Sight we recognise that many people with sight loss
also have other conditions that affect their lives particularly as they
grow older. One of the most common is hearing loss.
Age related hearing loss is a natural and gradual deterioration in hearing
ability that affects individuals from as early as in their mid-40s, but is far more
common in the over 65s.
Do you sometimes have difficulty understanding speech on the
telephone or TV?
Do you sometimes feel that people are mumbling or not speaking
very clearly?
Do you find yourself asking people to speak up or repeat
themselves?
Do you experience difficulty understanding soft speech?
Do you find it difficult to follow a conversation in a noisy restaurant
or crowded room?
Action on Hearing Loss (formerly known as Royal National Institute
for the Deaf) is a national charity working to support people confronted by
deafness, hearing loss and tinnitus to be able to take action and live the life
they choose.
Nationally they campaign against cuts to services, background noise on
television programmes and for subtitling on all on demand services as well as
ensuring deaf people get fully qualified interpreters at medical appointments.
Their biomedical team ensure funding goes into research for improved
understanding and treatments for deafness, hearing loss and tinnitus and their
products team research assistive equipment which can support people to live
their life to the full.
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At a local level their outreach information volunteers give talks to local groups
and run stands in libraries, hospitals and at local events. Nearly all of their
volunteers have a hearing loss or tinnitus and they work tirelessly for the
charity to help others get the right information and support to manage their
hearing loss or tinnitus or support a family member or friend.
Getting information and access to assistive equipment at a local level is one of
their key aims for rural Devon and they are excited at the prospect of working
with Devon in Sight across the county as we both face similar challenges and
can do so much more together.
We are delighted to be working with Action on Hearing Loss to bring
you an open day at Station House shortly. If you would like to have an
informal chat with someone from the charity in a confidential space
please give us a ring.
How to get an Online Hearing Check:
Hearing matters. Action on Hearing Loss have a Hearing Check on
their website which will tell you if you may have hearing loss and what
you need to do next.
If you would like to take an online hearing check the link is:
http://hearinglosscheck.org/hearingcheck/check/
Once Action on Hearing Loss know your result, they can give you lots
of helpful information, advice and support.
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21
“Blind Veterans UK helped me through
the very worst times and for that I am
very grateful”
Veteran - Simon Brown
Blind Veterans UK
Have you or anyone you know served in the
Armed Forces?
We are delighted to announce that Blind
Veterans UK (formerly known as St. Dunstan’s)
will be holding a clinic at Station House.
With their ‘No One Alone’ campaign, Blind
Veterans UK want to let vision impaired Armed
Forces and National Service veterans and their
families know that they are here for them.
They give veterans much-needed support to adjust
to sight loss, overcome the challenges of blindness
and enjoy daily life.
Our first Blind Veterans Drop-in will be running
shortly. To register your interest please contact:
Jennie Benham
Office Manager
01392 878 802
[email protected]
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Membership Matters
by Elizabeth Twining (Membership Secretary)
“Our Annual General
Meeting for 2016 will
be held in Torbay this
October”.
The AGM goes West
Following comments from
members, and especially from
people who have not been
able to come to recent Annual
General Meetings, we are trying
something new this year.
Many members have suggested
that we should hold the AGM in
different places around the county,
so the 2016 AGM will be held in
Torbay. We will try to choose a
venue which is near a railway
station and has plenty of
parking.
At the AGM you will be able to meet
the staff and volunteers of Devon in
Sight, and give us your comments on
what we should be doing, and on the
changes in the wider world that affect
you. We hope to meet as many of
you as possible.
However, if getting to Torbay is
difficult for you, be assured that we
will look for venues in other towns for
future years. All suggestions will be
welcome.
Full details of the event will be
sent out nearer the time.
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Open Days at Topsham
Feedback from the last AGM
suggested that while the exhibition
at the AGM can be interesting,
many people would appreciate
having more time and space to talk
to the exhibitors and examine the
equipment. So this year instead of
an exhibition at the AGM we are
running a series of Open Days at
our Topsham office. Each Open Day
will feature one or more exhibitors,
and you will also be able to see the
full range of what our Resource
Centre offers. You will find details
of the Open Days elsewhere in this
newsletter. Again, we would be very
glad to have your suggestions for
future Open Days.
Just let us know that you would
like one and we will post or email
it to you.
Alternatively, you can give me a
telephone call and I can take your
details over the telephone.
You can also register when
visiting us in Topsham or at any
event, including at the AGM itself.
I work at Topsham on most
Thursdays when I will be happy
to help you.
Getting to Topsham is quite easy,
with direct trains from Exeter,
Barnstaple, Torbay and Exmouth,
as well as buses and a large car
park nearby. If you would like details
of these do please ask.
Voting Membership
All are welcome at the AGM, but
to submit formal questions prior to
the meeting or vote you need to be
registered as a Voting Member.
Becoming a Voting Member is free
and straightforward - there is a
simple form to complete and return.
Elizabeth Twining
Membership Secretary
01392 878 801
[email protected]
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Talking Newspapers
by Helen McIntosh (Editor, The Mid Devon Messenger)
Josh makes the news – then turns newsreader
The newest recruit to the reading team at the Mid Devon Messenger
talking newspaper made a faultless debut recently as he helped
bring the latest news from the district to listeners with little or no
sight.
11 year old Josh Ramsay-Smith raised almost £750 for the National Eye
Research Centre charity in March by going to school with patches over
his eyes for the day to experience what it might be like to be blind.
Josh’s Nan became blind
virtually overnight, and has
never seen her grandson.
Despite some tricky stories
to read, including one
about Showaddywaddy,
the debutant breezed
through his cuttings with
confidence.
The Mid Devon Messenger
team of 59 volunteers is
confident that their 70
listeners will be delighted
by their new reader.
Helen McIntosh (Editor - The Mid Devon Messenger)
01884 855 464
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Newspaper Directory
Being able to see the printed
word is something a lot of us
take for granted. Blind and
partially sighted people don’t
have this opportunity – but we
can help you in other ways.
Mid Devon Messenger
Tel: 01884 855 464
Contact: Helen McIntosh
Newton Abbot
Dyrons Journal
Tel: 01626 821034
Contact: Brian Smith
We like to promote as many
services across Devon for people
with sight loss as we can. Below
we have listed details of Talking
Newspapers in Devon.
North Devon
North Devon Talking Newspapers
Tel:01271 373 180
Contact: Andy Shiner
Talking Newspaper Directory:
Plymouth and West Devon
Tel: 01822 613 611
Contact: John Harris
Crediton
Tel: 01363 773 437
Contact: Mr Peter Bryan
South Hams
Tel: 01548 531 450
Contact: Phyllis Angliss
Dawlish and Teignmouth
Hear and Now
Tel: 01626 866 640
Contact: Valerie Forrester
Torridge
Tel: 01271 861 032
Contact: Shirley Law
East Devon
Sid Vale and East Devon Email:
[email protected]
Contact: Renee Forth
Totnes
Tel: 01803 868 679
Contact: Helen Savin
Exeter
Iscatape
Tel: 01392 975 666
Contact: Patricia Fay
To be included contact:
Exmouth
Tel: 01395 266 968
Contact: Mrs Laws
01392 878 802
Jennie Benham
Office Manager
[email protected]
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Supporting Us
We are a small charity trying
to help some of the estimated
30,000 people with sight loss in
Devon.
If you are a tax payer we can
claim back the tax on your
donation through the Gift Aid
scheme, which means that
every £1 you give is worth 25p
more, and at no extra cost to
you!
We can only do what we do with
your ongoing support; whether that
is by giving your time as a volunteer,
becoming a Voting Member, making
a donation, fundraising for us,
including a legacy in your will or, if
you are a local business, becoming
one of our corporate partners.
We will be happy to send you a
Gift Aid Form.
By Direct Bank Transfer
You can also make a direct
bank transfer to:
One-off Donations
Sort code: 30-80-37
Account No: 62326768
Please add your name as the
‘reference’.
By cheque
If you would like to make a one-off
donation towards our work please
write a cheque to ‘Devon in Sight’.
By Telephone
We can take a donation using
a Debit Card through our
Resource Centre.
Donations can be sent to:
Jennie Benham
Office Manager
Devon in Sight
Station House
Holman Way
Topsham
EX3 0EN
Please ring 01392 876 666
Online
For those of you with access to
a computer you can also make
donations through our website.
www.devoninsight.org.uk/
support-us/donate
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Regular Giving
What do legacies enable us
to do?
Regular giving enables us to plan
ahead, and to continue to deliver
our core services. Setting up a
standing order is an easy and
effective way of providing financial
support over a longer period. For
more information please give our
Office Manager a call.
Originally our Resource Centre
was crampt and had limited
stock. The current centre has all
the latest equipment and training
for people to adapt to their sight
loss.
This enormous improvement was
largely funded by legacy income,
and legacies, large or small,
remain essential for maintaining
our services and reaching more
people.
Legacies
A gift in your will can help
hundreds of people affected by
sight loss.
Devon in Sight receives no statutory
funding which means that we have
to fundraise to operate our services.
How can I find out more
information?
Our information pack gives
more detail on how your legacy
will support Devon in Sight’s
plans for the future, on planning
your Will, and on wording for
different types of legacy.
If you are planning to make or
change your will, you will first want
to provide for your family and
friends. But when you have done
that please consider including a
legacy to Devon in Sight. This could
be a share of what is left over, or a
specific amount of money. However
much it is, it will be carefully used
for the benefit of people in Devon
affected by sight loss.
For more information please
telephone:
Jennie Benham
Office Manager
01392 878 802
[email protected]
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Showcasing equipment,
resources and services for
people with sight loss.
This is a great opportunity to meet representatives
from local and national organisations offering
support services,
daily living aids,
talking books and
magnifiers.
Try reading a newspaper
and viewing your favourite
photographs using the
latest video magnifiers.
Friday, 29th July, 2016
10.00 am to 2.30 pm at
Paignton Library, Great Western Road,
Paignton TQ4 5AG.
For further information about the event, call
Freephone 080 8090 8090.
or browse www.visionzone.org.uk
Come along to VisionZone, connect with others and
discover how to make the most of life with sight loss.
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