BLIND CHARITIES WORK TOGETHER FOR BENEFIT OF MEMBERS

 
 Devon in Sight based in Topsham has joined forces with Action for Blind People to launch a new drop-in advice centre to help visually impaired people in the region to claim their full benefit entitlement.

The two charities are working together by pooling their resources and expertise to provide regular benefits advice sessions on Thursday mornings at the Devon in Sight Resource Centre in Topsham.  Staff and volunteers will be able to advise locals with visual impairment find out exactly what they are able to claim and to offer help in filling out any necessary paperwork. 

Katherine Charman, Resource Centre Manager, Devon in Sight says:  “With sight loss you can face additional expenses that may prevent you from going out and about in your day to day life and there are a number of benefits available.  We are delighted to be working with Action for Blind People to ensure that people with visual impairment get the best advice in order to receive their full and rightful entitlement.  There is no need to book an appointment as the sessions will be run on a drop-in basis regularly every Thursday morning.”

http://www.devoninsight.org.uk/

Welfare Rights Drop-in Sessions are held every Thursday 10.30am – 12.30pm at Station House, Topsham.  To find out more or how you can help support Devon in Sight Tel: 01392 876666

DEVON IN SIGHT REMEMBERS THE PAST AND LOOKS TO THE FUTURE WITH OPEN AGM EVENT

The annual AGM event for Topsham based Devon in Sight is taking place on Monday 17th October at Exmouth Pavilions from 12 noon onwards.  Admission is free with all welcome and visitors can enjoy a complimentary light buffet with pre-booking essential.  For the past 85 years the charity formerly known as The Devon County Association for the Blind has enjoyed a long and rich history.  The modern day charity has seen a lot of exciting changes over the past 12 months, including a new name, logo and website and has a lot to shout about.  Highlight of the year was the official opening of the newly refurbished Resource Centre in July by local celebrity Bill Pertwee MBE of Dad’s Army fame. 

Bill Pertwee MBE at the grand opening of the newly refurbished Resource Centre

The new name Devon in Sight was chosen earlier this year following a competition with the members and the aim of this new working title is to raise awareness of the Charity.

Gwyn Dickinson MBE Chair of Trustees says “The name change, new logo and website are just the start of some exciting changes for the future of this well established and valued charity. The expansion into the newly refurbished centre means that we can now grow and improve the range of services and support we provide and “taster” days such a bowls and a guided walk around Topsham."

Devon in Sight is moving forward at a fast pace and among the services offered is the provision of a low vision clinic at the recently refurbished Topsham Resource Centre.  Members of the team here are also on hand to assist people to choose the best equipment on the market today for their individual needs.

The Charity also offers a volunteer visiting service in Torbay and Mid-Devon to support visually impaired people to live independent lives.

Martin Pallett, Director of Services says: “This is a really important day for the charity and we are keen for as many people as possible to join us. On the day we will be discussing exciting future plans and how people can get more involved to help and support us.  Also there will be a feedback session where any issues or concerns about visual impairment can be answered.  In addition we want to build stronger links with the local community and businesses as well as providers of training so we are inviting everyone to come along and be part of the exciting changes and developments at Devon in Sight.”

If you wish to attend the event on the 17^th October or wish to find out more about the Charity please call:  01392 876666     www.devoninsight.org.uk

DEVON IN SIGHT MEMBERS ARE BOWLED OVER!

Devon in Sight (formerly known as Devon County Association for the Blind) is continuing its run of unusual activities for local visually impaired people with a successful game of bowls afternoon held at Topsham Bowling Club founded in 1928.

John Chamberlain participating in the day's event

Charity member Eric Greenaway who regularly visits the new Resource Centre based at Station House in Topsham was one of the first members to sign up to this event.  He says:  “I wish to thank Devon in Sight for organising an afternoon at the Topsham Bowls Club which I enjoyed immensely. I have watched Bowls on the television for many years and have always wished to have a go. Everyone was so kind and full of understanding; the instruction was excellent and I was able to settle down very quickly. I  returned home tired and with a few aches but so happy with the afternoon’s events and the wonderful people I met – it was great to live my dream at last.”

Keith Woolgar, Adrian Elson, Margaret Brealey and Eric Greenaway getting tips from
England bowls coach David Nicholls

Carol Horgan Topsham Bowling Club Secretary says: “We were delighted to be part of this wonderful series of activities for the visually impaired people in the local area.  Having smaller numbers at the first event worked very well as we could assist each person on a one to one basis. Everyone seemed to enjoy the experience and hopefully we can repeat the day at the beginning of next season, perhaps early on in May or at the end of April when the weather is usually quite good.”

The afternoon concluded with tea and cakes for the members to relax after their fun-filled afternoon.



Hilary and Keith Woolgar enjoying tea and cakes after the bowling session



The computer courses have also proved popular with the charity working in association with the British Computer Association for the Blind House under the EyeT4All programme.  The series of training sessions at Station House are designed to help participants with writing letters and emails; shopping; reading; entertainment and using the web.  The free workshops will run from 10 am – 3.30 pm with refreshments and lunch provided.  The Charity is asking for a small £3 contribution towards the refreshment cost.

A photography course is also commencing this autumn. The aim of the participatory photography workshops is to provide a means of empowerment and engagement to the service users of Devon in Sight by engaging them in creative photography workshops. 



To find out more about the activities or to book your place please telephone 01392 876666 or visit http://www.devoninsight.org.uk/

SIGHT CHARITY ORGANISES UNUSUAL ACTIVITIES FOR THE VISUALLY IMPAIRED

Innovative Topsham based charity Devon in Sight (formerly known as Devon County Association for the Blind) is organising a series of unusual activities for visually impaired people. These will include computer training, an interesting and innovative photography group being established in August and a game of bowls at Topsham Bowling Club founded in 1928.

The first organised event is a guided walk with Topsham Society on Monday 8^th August at 2 pm, culminating with tea and a talk at the Topsham Museum.  The cost will be just £1 and walkers will meet at the Resource Centre recently opened by local celebrity Bill Pertwee MBE well known from the British comedy classic, Dad’s Army.  

This will be quickly followed by the first of a series of computer training sessions from the 11^th August. The charity is working with the British Computer Association for the Blind who are going to run a series of computer training sessions at Station House under the EyeT4All programme.  The workshops are designed to help participants with writing letters and emails; shopping; reading; entertainment and using the web.  The free workshops will run from 10 am – 3.30 pm with refreshments and lunch provided.  The Charity is asking for a small £3 contribution towards the refreshment cost.

A photography course will commence in early September. The aim of the participatory photography workshops is to provide a means of empowerment and engagement to the service users of Devon in Sight by engaging them in creative photography workshops. 

 

Clive Chilvers Photography says: “Participatory photography, also referred to as “photovoice,” are terms used to describe a form of photography whereby a group of individuals are provided with photographic equipment and through guided workshops offered the opportunity to document an issue or problem that affects themselves and or the people and the communities around them by the use of photographic imagery.  The resulting images can form the basis for discussion that can lead to heightened awareness, advocacy and potential social change.  This allows individuals to communicate their story or situation to a wider audience. It fits perfectly with the members of the charity.”

Director of Services Martin Pallett says: “With the recent opening of the new larger Resource Centre we are holding a variety of taster sessions to give visually impaired people an opportunity to try things out and help improve their quality of life.  It is a very exciting development with a large number of activities including we hope some art classes. It also helps build links with the local community as well as providers of training and activities.  Anyone can join us; they just need to have some level of sight difficulty to qualify and will need to pre-book as we are limited to numbers although we currently have availability.  We are looking to run the majority of sessions free however we will ask for a nominal contribution where appropriate towards the cost of refreshments or material costs.”

To find out more about the activities or to book your place please telephone 01392 876666