Sue’s Hello!

Insight Update

Issue 28

Spring/Summer 2013

Hello Everyone! I hope you’ve all been enjoying the recent sunshine we’ve been having during the last few weeks, as much as I have. Isn’t it nice to have lighter nights again, roll on Summer! This edition of Insight is full of news as we say “welcome” to new members, new volunteers and new Trustees. Inside you will find information on some of the latest developments with our services as well as updates on various events we’ve been holding. HERIB has helped people cope with sight loss since 1864 so next year we’ll be celebrating our 150th birthday. We’ve started thinking about how we’d like to celebrate and we’ve got some great plans but we’d still like to hear your ideas too so feel free to give us a call or pop in to have a chat, or email us at mail@herib.co.uk. As for me, I’ll be celebrating my first anniversary with HERIB on 2nd July and I can’t believe where the time has gone – they say time flies when you’re having fun and that’s certainly true for me! I often hear comments from our members such as “I don’t know what I’d do without coming here, it’s the only time I get out” and “I always go home feeling happier when I’ve been to HERIB”; it makes all our jobs so worthwhile. I’m also looking forward to and joining those of you who are going on our annual holiday to Scarborough and having what I’m sure will be a fantastic time but for now that’s it from me so enjoy the Summer and hopefully some more sunshine. Wishing you all much happiness and good health until next time …………. Sandra Ackroyd, Chief Executive

here for people with sight loss

News from the Board of Trustees

Hello everyone, I have to report further changes in the makeup of the Board of Trustees since our last newsletter. Our longest serving Trustee Paul Brocklebank has not enjoyed the best of health recently and feels that regrettably he must step down from the Board of Management. His fellow Trustees thank him for his long dedicated service and will miss his wise counsel. On a brighter note we have three new Trustees. Enid Thompson will represent the views of the visually impaired, being a resident in Beech Holme Court, Debbie Rosenberg brings valuable previous charity experience to the Board and Mike O'Grady is a computer specialist with current business experience. All are very welcome and will I'm sure contribute positively to our deliberations. The Board are busy planning ahead for HERIB’s 150 year anniversary next year to celebrate our opening in 1864. Any ideas for the celebrations from yourselves would be very welcome. I hope you will agree, that the staff under Sandra's strong leadership, continue to achieve great success in their objective of providing the best possible service to all our clients

within the resources available to them. Let's hope that the better weather we have enjoyed recently will continue to brighten the next few months for all of us. Eric Harrod. Chairman of the Board of Trustees

Mike

O’Grady

Enid

Thompson

Debbie

Rosenberg

Swap With Me - East Yorkshire

Do people with sight difficulties know what it's like to be a bus driver? Does a bus driver know what it's like to have sight loss? HERIB, RNIB, VisAbility, East Yorkshire Motor Services (EYMS), Stagecoach, Hull City Council and local Blind and Partially Sighted People are holding a ‘Swap with Me’ event at the Hull Interchange. This event lets bus drivers and operators swap places with their visually impaired customers, so they can really understand why we are calling for accessibility improvements. This event will take place on 25th June 2013 at the Hull Interchange Bus Station at 10.00 am. Blind and partially sighted bus users will be given the chance to sit in the driver's seat, whilst drivers will be provided with sim-specs and challenged to board the bus, buy a ticket and find a seat. Local dignitaries from Hull will be invited to join in these activities and hear firsthand from people with sight loss about the challenges they

face when using public transport. Dignitaries will also gain the opportunity to discuss possible solutions and challenges with EYMS and Stagecoach drivers and management.

Easy Rider Wallet/Liberty Wallets The Hull City Council Easy Rider Wallet and the East Riding Council Liberty Wallets are bright orange wallets with plastic pockets in which a person can put information to make using public transport easier. The wallets can alert bus, taxi drivers and Paragon Interchange staff that a person may need help. It can also help someone to communicate what help they need particularly if they have a problem on their journey. The wallets have 10 plastic pockets that you can put words, photographs, pictures, cards or bus tickets in, to show where you want to travel, or the help you may need. If a person needs help, they simply hold the wallet up so it is clearly visible for bus, taxi drivers or interchange staff to see. Easy Rider or Liberty Wallets can be picked up from HERIB’s centre on Beverley Rd in Hull or by calling (01482) 342297.

New Glaucoma Group

HERIB is delighted to be supporting a new Glaucoma Group. The group is made up of a small voluntary committee which has been meeting every month since February to look at ways of moving the group forward. The committee has been busy forming links with other agencies, including staff at Hull Royal Infirmary, formulating a basic policy and working out an interim programme that will take it to the

end of the year.

Future Meetings

Meetings will take place every two months on either the third Friday in the month or the third Wednesday in the month from 10.30 am to 12.15. Subscriptions will be £1.50 per person. A lunch will be available at an extra charge if booked in advance. A full programme will be sent out for the year 2014 in December, meanwhile an interim programme, jointly with the Macular Society, is

as follows:

Friday 19th July. Speaker: Mr. E.

Blair, Optometrist.

Friday 18th October. Speaker: Louise Downey, Consultant Ophthalmologist, East Yorks Hospital

Trust.

December (To be arranged) Xmas

Lunch.

A referral to hospital does not necessarily mean that you have glaucoma, but it does mean that your optometrist has found signs that you may be at increased risk which can be due to a number of

factors.

Not all people referred for these reasons will, in fact, have an eye problem that requires hospital treatment, but with a condition such as glaucoma, where it can be controlled very effectively, it is most important that you have an examination at the hospital in order to exclude this possibility. If you do indeed have glaucoma, the best possible news is that you are given a diagnosis so that treatment can be started and your vision can be protected. If you are discharged from the hospital, it is still very important that you continue to have regular routine eye examinations from your optometrist so that if anything changes in the future, you will again be given an appropriate

referral to the hospital.

The group’s aim is to provide advice, information and support to local people with glaucoma. Go to the International Glaucoma Association website for more general information on glaucoma: www.glaucoma-association.com. To find out more please call HERIB on 01482 342297 or visit HERIB’s

website: www.herib.co.uk

Day Groups

Talking Newspapers Do you enjoy local news? Would you like to have it delivered to you at home for FREE? Call your local Talking Newspaper today: Hull & District 01482 585 822 Beverley & District 07845 047 044 Bridlington 01262 603 166 Goole & District Email: caldicod@aol.com

1.00pm sees the start of the afternoon activities, anything from arts and crafts, quiz and musical entertainment, occasional trips including visits to the seaside, garden centre, shopping or to see a

show.

The afternoon finishes around 3.00pm when the drivers take you

home.

If you would like more information about our Day Groups or if you would like to come along and visit please call Julie Woolley on

01482 342297.

Day Groups

HERIB’s Day Groups are small and friendly, meeting every week in a variety of locations; Monday to Thursday in the Hull in the Beverley Road Centre, Withernsea on Monday, Hornsea on Wednesday, Hessle on Thursday and Bridlington and Goole

on Fridays.

You can be collected by one of our minibuses from your home driven by our professional drivers between 10.00 and 11.00am. There is tea or coffee on arrival and lunch is served at 12.15, two courses are available or an alternative of sandwiches or

jacket potatoes.

Home Visiting Service

If you think you, or someone you know, would benefit from a home visit please contact Julie Woolley,

Services Manager, on 01482 342297.

Home Visitors

Our home visitors Jayne, Janie, Harry, Tracy, Laura and Sandra continue to provide a wonderful service visiting people in their own homes, offering helpful advice and information. The areas covered by the Home Visitors are detailed by postcodes below: Jayne – HU1, HU2, HU3, HU4, HU5, HU10, HU13 Janie – HU17, YO14, YO15, YO16, YO25 Harry – HU8, HU9, HU12, HU19

Laura – HU6, HU7, HU16, HU20~ Sandra – DN14, YO41, YO42, TO43, YO44, YO45, HU13, HU14, HU15

Tracy – HU11, HU18

The areas and the number of people they visit continues to grow, so you may notice that they are not able to visit as often as they did previously, spending much of their time out of the office but they are always at the end of the phone and happy to arrange a visit if there is something

you think they could help you with.

Jayne

Janie

Harry Laura

Tracy

Sandra

HERIB’S Home Visiting Team

A Trip to the Ballet

The only experience I had of ballet was watching the New Years Day concert on TV so I was glad to take advantage of the offer to join other HERIB members on a trip to see the Northern Ballet Theatre’s production of the Great Gatsby. What an experience! The tour backstage, the props, costumes and seeing how easily the flats moved was fascinating, our time at the workshop was a great help in understanding the story and the steps of the ballet. Our attempts at following the instructions caused much laughter and made us realise we had muscles and tendons we didn’t know we had. We thoroughly enjoyed the workshop and seeing the dancers so close was a joy. It was lovely to have Alison’s daughter Maddie helping in the demonstration.

Booking our tables for lunch was helpful – it took the stress out of

looking for somewhere and allowed time for a gentle stroll outside before the performance. What an experience: The beautiful stage settings and lighting, the exquisite dancing, the large orchestra providing such glorious music and last but not least, the sensitive commentary by two beautiful voices through the earpieces made it an unforgettable experience.

Thank you to Alison at HERIB for organising a wonderful day. From Alan and Janet Wright

Thank You

HERIB would like to thank the Northern Ballet Theatre and Hull New Theatre for their kind

support of this event.

Clubs and Groups

MACULAR SOCIETY HULL GROUP

A self help group for people with impaired central vision. The group meets at HERIB on the 3rd Friday of every month between 10.30am—12.15pm.

For more information, call Clive Skinner on 01482 656714.

Beech Holme Tandem Club

The Beech Holme Tandem Club based at HERIB, was formed in about 1952 by a group of cyclists from the Cyclists Touring Club so that blind back riders could enjoy the pleasures of cycling through the countryside with sighted front riders.

The club meets each Wednesday evening and follows a set runs list to various East Riding villages. The main season runs from the beginning of April through to October and then informally through the rest of the year.

Back up is provided by a HERIB minibus and sighted members of the club who do all they can to make each ride as safe and interesting as possible.

Anybody who is ready, willing and able to help either as a rider, or to provide support and back up would be most welcome and should contact any of the following:

Robin Russell Dave Pratt Runs Leader Treasurer 01482 846246 01377 217 453

Or call HERIB on 01482 342297.

Tandem Club riders enjoy a

refreshment break

Training News

visually impaired people maintain an independent lifestyle. Our new course, “Meeting the Needs of the Visually Impaired Service User”, has now also gained approval and accreditation by the Open College Network. The course has been written and developed by HERIB’s Training Section and is aimed at people working in a professional capacity with visually impaired service users and will form part of their continuing professional development. Our Braille training sessions continue every Wednesday from 1-2pm. Congratulations to Chris, Alan and Joyce for progressing to the end of Grade One Braille. If you, or anyone you know, would like further information or to book on any of the above training course or information sessions, please call Tracy Atkinson on 01482 342297. Barrie Wheatley Training Officer

In the last three months the HERIB’s Training section has completed a contract with Hull City Council which provided training in Sensory Impairment Awareness for thirty of their staff. In March we delivered Visually Impaired Basic Awareness course for Social Services and care staff which was successfully completed by seven learners and in June we will be providing similar training for a group of Trainers from East Yorkshire Bus Service (see page 3). The idea is not only that the trainers themselves will gain valuable knowledge but that they will pass on their knowledge to EY bus drivers to help them provide better service for visually impaired travellers in the future. Our Information Sessions for newly registered people and their carers/families, previously held at the Hull Royal Infirmary, are now being held at HERIB. The last session was a great success with nine people attending. One attendee commented, “Being able to exchange views and information with other people like myself was very beneficial”. Our Looking Ahead sessions continue to be well received by newly registered people and their carers and families. These sessions run throughout the year and provide information and advice to help

Fundraising News

In this newsletter, we could not possibly include everyone who has run, walked, dived, baked, danced or simply donated but we are grateful to each and everyone of you for your kind support. Here are just a few of the things you have been

doing:

Thanks to Kay and all the lovely ladies in Hull & Humberside Ladies Circle for an amazing year of fundraising for HERIB and their

recent donation of £2,000!

Thanks to Elliot Newsome from Benedicts Sandwich Bar on Cottingham Rd, Hull. Elliot gave up bread for Lent (not easy when you work in a sandwich bar!) and raised a

fantastic £218 for HERIB thanks to

Thanks to the Barchester Foundation who donated £1,500 to purchase a new bike for the Beech Holme

Tandem Cycle Club.

Thanks to the Rotary Club of Hull for providing an evening of musical entertainment. The “Rotary Choir” sang a selection of popular songs from musicals and also Beatles and Elton John classics plus folk song performances by Rotarian Gordon Norman accompanied by

violinist Jill Fisher.

Whether you give your time,

expertise, goods or money, each

and every gift we receive helps us

to improve the quality of life for

someone living with sight loss.

Thank you!

the generous support of his family, friends and customers. He's not just great at fundraising he makes a

delicious sandwich and salad too!

Fundraising News

Thanks to Paul & Sue from Community Performance Partnership for some fabulous support work with HERIB's Board of Trustees & Management Team. We all really

appreciate your help and advice.

Thank you to the Lord Mayor of Hull Councillor Danny Brown and his Appeal Committee for all their hard work over the last twelve months. The team has raised in excess of £25,000 in support of three local

charities including HERIB.

Thanks to Springhead Spartans U16‘s football team who undertook a sponsored walk from Hull to Hornsea

to raise £310 for HERIB.

Thanks to Gary Jackson and friends who organised a charity evening at Barinda Restaurant which raised more than £500 for the Beech Holme

Tandem Club.

Thanks to the members of the Carnegie Heritage Centre who have been helping to research HERIB’s historical roots and archive many documents in preparation for our 150th anniversary celebrations in

2014. They really know their stuff!

Thanks to staff at De Smet Rosedowns

for their kind donation of £260.

Thanks to Colin Vize Clinic Lead for Opthamology at Hull Eye Hospital who donated £150 to HERIB following his presentation to the Rotary Club of

Hornsea.

Fundraising News

BUPA Great North Run 2013

HERIB is once again delighted to have a team of runners taking part in this year’s BUPA Great North Run half marathon in September. This year our official team includes none other than our very own Chief Executive Sandra Ackroyd! Sandra is pictured left with her sister Linda Simpson who is also running for HERIB. The pair recently completed the Jane Tomlinson 10k as part of their training programme. “I can often be seen huffing and puffing my way around Willerby and Cottingham in an attempt to get fit!” says Sandra “It’s hard work! I’m up to about 4 – 5 miles now so still a few to go until I’m ready for a half marathon but I’m sure it will be all worth it when I cross the finish line!” If anyone would like to sponsor Sandra it would be very much appreciated. Please contact HERIB on 01482 342297 for more details.

Sky Dive 2013 Saturday 27th July 2013 HERIB is looking for adventurous volunteers to take on the challenge of a lifetime FREE OF CHARGE! • Skydive from 15,000ft—highest

in the UK! • No experience necessary • All training needed is given on

the day For further information and to book your place on the HERIB Tandem Skydiving Team, please contact us on 01482 342297 or email: mail@herib.co.uk. We will send you a full information pack and everything you need to take part in this experience of a lifetime!

HERIB Diary

FUNDRAISING DATES ASDA Hessle Rd Collection Mon 1st & Tues 2nd July I’m A Celebrity get Me In Here Party Sat 6th July Driffield Show Wednesday 17th July HERIB Skydive Sat 27th July Little Weighton Carnival Saturday 3rd August Sky Ride Sun 18th August Humber Bridge Dog Walk Sunday 1st September BUPA Great North Run Sun 15th Sept Rotary Club of Hull Concert 19th Oct Victorian Heritage Market 30th Nov Christmas Craft & Gift Fayre Sat 7th Dec Cottingham Civic Hall For more information about any of the above events please call HERIB on 01482 342297.

We are always in need of volunteers to assist with our fundraising collections. If you can spare even an hour or two on any of the dates listed, your help would be very much appreciated. Please contact us on 01482 342297. Thank you.

LOOKING AHEAD

Looking Ahead is a series of four weekly information session for those getting accustomed to their loss of vision. Each session will focus on a topic or barrier that a person with sight loss may face and will offer constructive advice to help maintain your independence, keep in touch, get around safely and understanding your eye condition. Wednesdays 10am—12noon Starting dates for each series of seven weekly sessions: 3rd July 2013 The sessions take place in the Resource Centre at HERIB. Course fee: FREE (donations welcome) For more details about Looking Ahead or to book a place, please call HERIB on 01482 342 297.

A Message from Fr. John

We use words to make known to others our thoughts and our intentions. Words are the means by which we communicate either verbally or in the written form. The words we use in any circumstance whether in the lecture room, in the pulpit, board room, general conversation with others or in prayer to God, ought not to be squandered on trivialities or delivered without any aforethought. For what we speak or write says exactly who we are. 'The pen' they say, 'is mightier than the sword'. And so too is the spoken word! We're all given a voice - so why not use it wisely. I am reminded of the words of the 16th century song by the composer Orlando Gibbons. 'The silver swan, who living hath no note,

When death approached, unlocked her silent throat. Leaning her breast against the reedy shore, Hath sung her first and last - and sung no more. Farewell, O joys, O death come close mine eyes, More Geese than Swans now live, more fools than wise!' May God bless you all. Fr John

Beech Holme Court

Beech Holme Court is a sheltered

housing complex of 22 flats for

people with visual impairments

who are independent and care for

themselves.

If you would like more information

about Beech Holme Court’s

facilities or to be considered for

addition to the tenancy waiting

list, please contact HERIB on

01482 342297.

Words, words, words!

Volunteers

Volunteer of Month Award

HERIB is delighted to announce that the charity’s new Volunteer of the Month initiative is now being supported by local supermarket

ASDA on Beverley Road in Hull.

The scheme celebrates the fantastic work carried out by the charity’s volunteers and is presented to the person who has been the most outstanding volunteer each month. Nominations are received from the charity’s staff and various factors are taken into account such as number of hours volunteered, reliability and dedication to any given volunteering role with each winner receiving an ASDA Stores

voucher.

“We would like to thank everyone who volunteers with HERIB.” said Angela Gregory HERIB’s Fundraising and Marketing Manager. “Our volunteers play an important role in supporting our clients both in terms of service delivery and fundraising. They make a huge difference to the range of services we can offer local people with sight

loss.”

“We would also like to say a big thank you to ASDA, Beverley Rd who continue to be extremely supportive of HERIB and our work supporting

local people with sight loss.

Spotlight on

Enid Thompson

When Enid suddenly and unexpectedly suffered a stroke. It left her severely sight impaired and thinking her life

was over.

Now fifteen years on, not only is Enid able to live independently, something she thought would be impossible immediately after her stroke, she also volunteers her time to help others living with sight loss. Enid gives regular microwave cooking demonstrations and talks for the visually impaired; she also helps at local fundraising collections and events and was a member of a focus group which helped to develop the

charity’s new website.

“I’m still learning new skills. As part of my fundraising activities, I recently began to learn balloon modelling. The children love them. Who knows what I will learn next?”

smiles Enid.

In 2012, Enid joined HERIB’s Board of Trustees and is now helping to shape the future of the charity and ensure that the needs of local people with sight loss remain the key focus as the charity moves forward. Thank you Enid, you are a real HERIB

Hero!

here for people with sight loss

Compliments or Complaints

If you have any compliments or complaints please contact:

Sandra Ackroyd, Chief Executive HERIB

01482 342297 Email: mail@herib.co.uk

Next Insight No.29

Out Autumn/Winter 2013

If you have anything you would like us to include in the next issue please send it to HERIB by the end of September 2013

for inclusion in the Autumn/Winter 2013 edition.

Thank You

Improving and enriching the quality of life for local people with sight loss

Hull and East Riding Institute for the Blind, Beech Holme, Beverley Road,

Hull, HU5 1NF Telephone: 01482 342297 Fax: 01482 443111 Registered Charity Number: 223668 Email: mail@herib.co.uk

www.herib.co.uk