Kingston Upon Thames Association for the Blind

Eye Opener Archive

Below are our previous KAB Eye Opener Newsletters from 2022.

December 2022

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KAB Eye Opener
Issue 29 - 15 December 2022
KAB Christmas Lunch 2022
Tuesday was a wonderful day! Our members attended a Christmas lunch at the welcoming Berrylands Pub, where they shared a delicious 3-course Christmas dinner, Christmas crackers, and great company.
The lunch was also an opportunity to thank Mariza Jurgens, the departing Charity Manager, for her very hard work and wish her all the best. Rana, Alan, Craig and Steve were also thanked for always running the extra mile to make sure that KAB supports the visually impaired community. And, of course, volunteers were also celebrated, because without them this KAB would not be able to serve our members.
The new CEO, Antony Bewick-Smith, was also welcomed by all members who look forward to having him as a part of the KAB team.
Overall, it was a lovely opportunity to look back on the many events that happened in 2022 and close the year in a festive manner.

News for our Members
 
KAB Notices
 
Office Telephone Numbers
Office Hours: 9am - 4pm.
KAB Office Telephone Number: 02086050060.
Mobile: 07305011133.
 
KAB Activities Weeks 15 December to 12 January
Thursday, 15 December, 10am to 12pm, Indoor Bowls, King George Field Indoor Bowls Club, Chessington.
Thursday, 15 December, 7pm to 8pm, Visually Impaired Swimming, New Malden Leisure Centre, New Malden.
Saturday, 17 December, 6pm to 6:30pm, Visually Impaired Swimming Lessons, New Malden Leisure Centre, New Malden.
Monday, 19 December, 10am to 12pm, Digital Drop-in Session, Kingston Quaker Centre, Kingston Upon Thames.
Friday, 23 December, 4pm, Office Closes for Christmas and New Year.
Tuesday, 3 January, 9am, Office Opens for the Year.
 
Take on 250 for KAB
Marking the start to a New Year with an exciting new challenge, Kingston Association for the Blind launches the virtual fundraiser, Take on 250.
According to the Office of National Statistics, 250 people lose their sight irreversibly in the UK every day. This is equivalent to one person every six minutes. In fact, there are many more people who lose their sight every day, but because their condition is considered rectifiable, they are not taken into account within the data.
That is why Take on 250 was created. It is a fundraiser that consists of choosing a challenge to complete 250 of whatever you decide, which is then sponsored by different people you know like your friends, family, or colleagues.
The challenge can be anything you love, such as walking 250 steps, running, swimming, baking 250 cookies, singing 250 songs, knitting 250 scarves. It could take 250 minutes or hours, involve 250 steps or laps, 250 repetitions or 250 items made; It’s up to you how you fundraise for us. Each donation, no matter the amount, is extremely appreciated, and you will be making a great difference to people facing sight loss.
In order to start your challenge, set up your fundraising page today, just go to justgiving.com/campaign/take250 the quickest and easiest way to start raising money. You can set up your campaign page now, tell people about it and start your challenge on the 1st of January.
You can raise as much as you can, but why not start with a target of £100?
Remember to add a photo to your page if you can, and a few lines about your challenge and why you chose to fundraise for KAB. It is guaranteed to boost your total. And do not forget to share your page with friends and family. Thanks again for Taking on 250 for KAB.

Working Age event – Wednesday 25th January 6.30pm to 9pm
We are very excited to announce that our 6th Working Age event will take place at MertonVision on Wednesday 25th January 2023 at the Guardian Centre at 67 Clarendon Rd SW19 2DX.
The speaker will be Mr Liam O’Carrol and he will tell us about his acting career as well as his work running the Working Age group for London Vision.
There will be a mini-celebration of Burns Night which will include a wee dram of whisky!
Cost: £5 per person.
To secure your place please book by calling the Office at 02086050060.

Digital Drop-in Session
We are pleased to invite you to a digital drop-in session which is going to take place on the 19th of December at 10am, in which HumanWare is coming to do a demonstration of their digital accessible products especially designed for visually impaired people. If you would like to know more about what they do the link to their website is: humanware.com/en-united_kingdom/home.
 
Big give Christmas Challenge
KAB wishes to thank all its supporters and members for ensuring that we reached our target of £600.
 
More Lunch Clubs
Thanks to a grant from Kingston council KAB will offer one extra lunch club per month until the end of March 2023.
For more information, you can call the office Monday to Friday from 9am to 4pm.
 
Freelance Worker Opportunity - Immediate Start
15 hours per week
£15 per hour
Kingston Association for the Blind (KAB) has successfully won funding for a short-term freelance worker to support local people to apply for benefits and services that would otherwise be difficult to do if you have sight loss.
These benefits and services will assist persons with visual impairments to in the first instance apply for the Kingston Council's Household Support Fund, but also for state benefits, blue badges and signposting to activities that may benefit people's health and wellbeing.
The worker will also need to be able to travel with a laptop within the Borough of Kingston to client's homes to provide this service, and, when at our base at the Kingston Quaker Centre, assist in the office.
Ideally, they will have a current enhanced DBS check or be prepared to undergo a DBS check at KAB's cost. Knowledge or experience of the issues faced, and the needs of, people with sight-loss would be an advantage.
If you have relevant experience, please send your CV to ceo@kingstonassociationforblind.org.
 
KAB Concession Policy
In recognition of the high cost-of-living experienced by many members of the Kingston Association for the Blind currently, the Board of Trustees of KAB has instituted a concessions policy. Members of KAB who are in financial distress can apply for a concession which will exempt them from paying the £5 fee normally paid at all KAB activities.
For more information, or to request an application form, please call Mariza at the office at 02086050060.
 
Fundraising Notices
 
Are you planning to take part in a Challenge?
Do you have a place in a marathon, cycle race, or other similar event this year? Please consider using your entry to help KAB. Challenge Fundraising can be a very rewarding way to generate income for charities. So, if you have a place in such an event, please let us know. Together we can use your place to fundraise for KAB. Please call us on 02086050060.
 
Platform Fundraising
A gentle reminder, KAB is registered with both Amazon Smile and Easy Fundraising. By using their Apps to shop and selecting Kingston Association for the Blind as your chosen charity, we will receive a small donation from your purchase.
 
Co-Op Charity of the Year
And another reminder: KAB is one of the three Local Charities of the Year of the Co-Op. For us to get the highest benefit from this, all our members with Co-Op cards can select KAB as their favourite charity. You can do so by either calling 08000234708, choosing option one and asking for help in choosing your favourite charity, or doing so through the Co-op App which can be found by following this link: tinyurl.com/download-co-op-app.
 
Kingston Lottery
The Kingston Community Lottery is an exciting weekly lottery that raises money for 'good causes' in the Royal Borough of Kingston upon Thames, and KAB is delighted to let you know that you can now support them as your 'good cause', by visiting the following link: kingstonlottery.co.uk/support/kingston-association-for-the-blind.
If you find the link inaccessible, or you do not have internet access, and you would like to play, and support KAB, please contact the office for assistance by calling 02086050060.
Tickets cost just 1 pound a week. Each ticket has a 1 in 50 chance to win a prize each week, with a top prize of £25,000. That's a much better chance of winning than the National Lottery, or the Health Lottery. Each ticket has six numbers, and each number is between 0 and 9. There will be a draw every Saturday night when a six-digit winning combination will be picked. Prizes will be given to players with tickets that match the first or last 2 to 6 numbers from the winning combination. All 'good causes' supported by the lottery will benefit the Royal Borough of Kingston upon Thames and its residents. We hope you'll support us in making KAB even better and have some fun along the way!

KAB Christmas/New Year opening and closing dates
The KAB office will close on Friday 23rd December 2022 at 4pm and reopen on Tuesday 3rd January 2023 at 10am.
 
Community Notices
 
Let’s go swimming!
KAB is pleased to announce that, in conjunction with the Spartans club, swimming is now available every Thursday evening at the New Malden Leisure Centre, Blagdon Road, New Malden, KT3 4TA, between 7pm and 8pm. The pool will be closed to the general public during this hour and is therefore for the exclusive use of people with disabilities. You can arrive before 7pm, so that you have time to get changed before the session starts and can swim right up to 8pm if wanted and then change after that. There are disabled parking spaces near the entrance, disabled toilets, changing rooms and showers, next to the pool, all of which are accessible. As this is a joint venture, members will have to sign up to the Spartans club and unlike our other activities, there will be a £2 fee payable to Spartans each night. Before you attend for the first time, there is a form which needs to be completed and then signed by your GP to confirm you are safe to swim and this can be obtained from the KAB office.
 
Assisted Boarding Points
It’s now quicker and easier to get assistance at South Western Railway, you can arrive at the station with 10 minutes notice and contact the South Western Railway Accessibility Team on WhatsApp through 08005286599 and simply tell them:
  • Where you are
  • Where you are going
  • The time of the train you would like to travel on
  • What assistance is required
The team will contact the guard on the train that you intend to travel on, informing them that you are waiting on the platform. When the train arrives, the guard will approach you and help you board the service.
For more information, please go to this web site: southwesternrailway.com/assistedboardingpoints.
 
Love to Sing
We want to encourage anyone who loves singing to come along and join in an hour of fun, music and dancing. There are so many reasons why everyone should have the opportunity to be part of this lively and exciting group.
With musicians, upbeat, modern and old songs, this is a group like no other, suitable for anyone who loves to sing.
Sessions take place every Friday from 10.30am to 12pm at the Kingston Quaker Centre.
Attendance is £5 per session; no booking is required.
For more information, please contact Suzie Speed at 02089424137 or email her at s.speedy@homeinstead.co.uk.
If you need assistance with transportation, please speak to Suzie and she will see what she can organise.
 
Balance Community Cafe
Balance is a local Kingston charity providing community-based support to disabled and vulnerable people. Every Wednesday they hold the Balance Community Cafe at St Matthew's Church, St Matthew's Avenue, Surbiton KT6 6JQ from 10am to 3pm. The cafe is a welcoming space for people to meet and enjoy their menu including panini, jacket potatoes and cakes. Balance has a supported horticulture project, Stud Nursery, in Home Park, so they try to use the produce including the sale of eggs laid from rescue chickens. 
They are a member of the Chatty Cafe scheme, aiming to offer a friendly welcome to everyone. The Balance Community Cafe at St Matthew's Church is accessible, including the toilets.
 
Blind Aid - Courses for Persons with Visual Impairments
Blind Aid is currently offering places at their Camden Community project to anyone with a visual impairment living in London who is able to travel to Euston or Kings Cross stations (or a local bus stop). Each service user is offered a 16-week place (free of charge) and they run classes in IT/NVDA (Non-Visual Desktop Access screen reader), safe cooking and healthy eating, yoga, art and creative writing.
Please forward your details to the KAB Office if you are interested in taking up this offer.

Wishing you a Merry Christmas and a Prosperous New Year from everybody at KAB!
 
Find Out More
Copyright © 2022 Kingston Upon Thames Association for the Blind, All rights reserved.

Kingston Quaker Centre, Fairfield East, Kingston Upon Thames KT1 2PT

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KAB Eye Opener
Issue 28 - 1 December 2022
Last Tuesday we had an amazing evening at Sutton Vision, where they hosted a quiz for all associations including Merton, Croydon, MSC, Sutton and, of course, KAB.
The quiz was super competitive and interesting, asking questions such as what the national dish of South Africa was or whether it was true that more people had died jumping off the monument to the Fire of London than from the fire itself. Terry Rocks, the member of staff of Sutton Vision who put it all together said that “organising it was a bit chaotic but very rewarding and that he loved doing this kind of events”.
The fish and chips that they offered was lovely as usual and I can proudly announce that the KAB was the winner! Hurrah! So, in order to keep winning we need more people like you who can help us think. After all, the more brains, the better.

News for our Members
 
KAB Notices
 
Office Telephone Numbers
Office Hours: 9am - 4pm.
KAB Office Telephone Number: 02086050060.
Mobile: 07305011133.
 
KAB Activities Weeks 1 December to 14 December
Thursday, 1 December, 10am to 12pm, Indoor Bowls, King George Field Indoor Bowls Club, Chessington.
Thursday, 1 December, 7pm to 8pm, Visually Impaired Swimming, New Malden Leisure Centre, New Malden.
Saturday, 2 December, 10:30am to 11:30am, Visually Impaired Football, Motspur Park, New Malden.
Saturday, 3 December, 6pm to 6:30pm, Visually Impaired Swimming Lessons, New Malden Leisure Centre, New Malden.
Monday, 5 December, 11am to 1pm, Tenpin Bowling, Hollywood Bowl, Tolworth.
Monday, 5 December, 2pm to 2:45pm, Tandem Cycling, Weir Athletics Track, Kingston.
Thursday, 8 December, 10am to 12pm, Indoor Bowls, King George Field Indoor Bowls Club, Chessington.
Thursday, 8 December, 7pm to 8pm, Visually Impaired Swimming, New Malden Leisure Centre, New Malden.
Saturday, 10 December, 6pm to 6:30pm, Visually Impaired Swimming Lessons, New Malden Leisure Centre, New Malden.
Saturday, 10 December, 10:30am to 11:30am, Visually Impaired Football, Motspur Park, New Malden.
Monday, 12 December, 11am to 1pm, Tenpin Bowling, Hollywood Bowl, Tolworth.
Monday, 12 December, 2pm to 2:45pm, Tandem Cycling, Weir Athletics Track, Kingston.
Tuesday, 13 December, 12:30pm to 3:00pm, Christmas Lunch, Berrylands Pub, Berrylands.
Wednesday, 14 December, 6pm to 8pm, Tenpin Bowling, Rotunda Centre, Kingston upon Thames.
 
KAB Christmas Lunch
We would like to inform you that the KAB Christmas Lunch, which will take place on Tuesday 13 December at 12:30pm at the Berrylands Pub at 107 Chiltern Drive, Surbiton KT5 8LS, is now fully booked. However, should you wish to attend, a waiting list is available in case of any cancelations. In order to join it, you can call us on 02086050060.
The cost is £10 per person.
How do I get there? The K2 bus passes the pub, however if you need other arrangements you can contact the pub by calling them on 02083994043 or by emailing them at theberrylands@outlook.com. They can inform you of any other convenient busses to take. Should you wish to drive, there is plenty of parking space.
 
Digital Drop-in Session
We are pleased to invite you to a digital drop-in session which is going to take place on the 19th of December at 10am, in which HumanWare is coming to do a demonstration of their digital accessible products especially designed for visually impaired people. If you would like to know more about what they do the link to their website is: humanware.com/en-united_kingdom/home.
 
Big give Christmas Challenge
We are proud to announce that this year’s Big Give Christmas Challenge is now open until the 6th December at 2pm. All donations are much appreciated.
The link to the platform where you can donate is: donate.thebiggive.org.uk/campaign/a056900002NfVZLAA3.
 
More Lunch Clubs
Thanks to a grant from Kingston council KAB will offer one extra lunch club per month until the end of March 2023.
For more information, you can call the office Monday to Friday from 9am to 4pm.

Freelance Worker Opportunity - Immediate Start
15 hours per week
£15 per hour
Kingston Association for the Blind (KAB) has successfully won funding for a short-term freelance worker to support local people to apply for benefits and services that would otherwise be difficult to do if you have sight loss.
These benefits and services will assist persons with visual impairments to in the first instance apply for the Kingston Council's Household Support Fund, but also for state benefits, blue badges and signposting to activities that may benefit people's health and wellbeing.
The worker will also need to be able to travel with a laptop within the Borough of Kingston to client's homes to provide this service, and, when at our base at the Kingston Quaker Centre, assist in the office.
Ideally they will have a current enhanced DBS check or be prepared to undergo a DBS check at KAB's cost. Knowledge or experience of the issues faced, and the needs of, people with sight-loss would be an advantage.
If you have relevant experience please send your CV to ceo@kingstonassociationforblind.org by Monday 5 December.
 
Visually Impaired Football
KAB is pleased to announce that a weekly V.I. football session has started at the Fulham FC Training Ground at Motspur Park, New Malden KT3 6PT on every Saturday from 10:30am to 11:30am.
Sessions cost £5 and there is a session for juniors under the age of 16 and another session for adults.
Do not worry about your age as these sessions concentrate on ball skills and technique, and it is a great exercise for young persons and adults of any age.
This program is proudly offered to you by KAB in partnership with the Fulham Foundation and the Surrey Football Association.
For more information please follow this link: soccerschools.fulhamfc.com/soccerschools.
If you have any difficulties booking a session or need more information, please call Mariza at the office at 02086050060.
 
KAB Concession Policy
In recognition of the high cost-of-living experienced by many members of the Kingston Association for the Blind currently, the Board of Trustees of KAB has instituted a concessions policy. Members of KAB who are in financial distress can apply for a concession which will exempt them from paying the £5 fee normally paid at all KAB activities.
For more information, or to request an application form, please call Mariza at the office at 02086050060.
 
Fundraising Notices
 
Are you planning to take part in a Challenge?
Do you have a place in a marathon, cycle race, or other similar event this year? Please consider using your entry to help KAB. Challenge Fundraising can be a very rewarding way to generate income for charities. So, if you have a place in such an event please let us know. Together we can use your place to fundraise for KAB. Please call us on 02086050060.
 
Platform Fundraising
A gentle reminder, KAB is registered with both Amazon Smile and Easy Fundraising. By using their Apps to shop and selecting Kingston Association for the Blind as your chosen charity, we will receive a small donation from your purchase.
 
Co-Op Charity of the Year
And another reminder: KAB is one of the three Local Charities of the Year of the Co-Op. For us to get the highest benefit from this, all our members with Co-Op cards can select KAB as their favourite charity. You can do so by either calling 08000234708, choosing option one and asking for help in choosing your favourite charity, or doing so through the Co-op App which can be found by following this link: tinyurl.com/download-co-op-app.
 
Kingston Lottery
The Kingston Community Lottery is an exciting weekly lottery that raises money for 'good causes' in the Royal Borough of Kingston upon Thames, and KAB is delighted to let you know that you can now support them as your 'good cause', by visiting the following link: kingstonlottery.co.uk/support/kingston-association-for-the-blind.
If you find the link inaccessible, or you do not have internet access, and you would like to play, and support KAB, please contact the office for assistance by calling 02086050060.
Tickets cost just 1 pound a week. Each ticket has a 1 in 50 chance to win a prize each week, with a top prize of £25,000. That's a much better chance of winning than the National Lottery, or the Health Lottery. Each ticket has six numbers and each number is between 0 and 9. There will be a draw every Saturday night when a six-digit winning combination will be picked. Prizes will be given to players with tickets that match the first or last 2 to 6 numbers from the winning combination. All 'good causes' supported by the lottery will benefit the Royal Borough of Kingston upon Thames and its residents. We hope you'll support us in making KAB even better and have some fun along the way!
 
Community Notices

Let’s go swimming!
KAB is pleased to announce that, in conjunction with the Spartans club, swimming is now available every Thursday evening at the New Malden Leisure Centre, Blagdon Road, New Malden, KT3 4TA, between 7pm and 8pm. The pool will be closed to the general public during this hour and is therefore for the exclusive use of people with disabilities. You can arrive before 7pm, so that you have time to get changed before the session starts and can swim right up to 8pm if wanted and then change after that. There are disabled parking spaces near the entrance, disabled toilets, changing rooms and showers, next to the pool, all of which are accessible. As this is a joint venture, members will have to sign up to the Spartans club and unlike our other activities, there will be a £2 fee payable to Spartans each night. Before you attend for the first time, there is a form which needs to be completed and then signed by your GP to confirm you are safe to swim and this can be obtained from the KAB office.
 
Assisted Boarding Points
It’s now quicker and easier to get assistance at South Western Railway, you can arrive at the station with 10 minutes notice and contact the South Western Railway Accessibility Team on WhatsApp through 08005286599 and simply tell them:
  • Where you are
  • Where you are going
  • The time of the train you would like to travel on
  • What assistance is required
The team will contact the guard on the train that you intend to travel on, informing them that you are waiting on the platform. When the train arrives, the guard will approach you and help you board the service.
For more information please go to this web site: southwesternrailway.com/assistedboardingpoints.
 
Love to Sing
We want to encourage anyone who loves singing to come along and join in an hour of fun, music and dancing. There are so many reasons why everyone should have the opportunity to be part of this lively and exciting group.
With musicians, upbeat, modern and old songs, this is a group like no other, suitable for anyone who loves to sing.
Sessions take place every Friday from 10.30am to 12pm at the Kingston Quaker Centre.
Attendance is £5 per session; no booking is required.
For more information please contact Suzie Speed at 02089424137 or email her at s.speedy@homeinstead.co.uk.
If you need assistance with transportation, please speak to Suzie and she will see what she can organise.
 
Balance Community Cafe
Balance is a local Kingston charity providing community-based support to disabled and vulnerable people. Every Wednesday they hold the Balance Community Cafe at St Matthew's Church, St Matthew's Avenue, Surbiton KT6 6JQ from 10am to 3pm. The cafe is a welcoming space for people to meet and enjoy their menu including panini, jacket potatoes and cakes. Balance has a supported horticulture project, Stud Nursery, in Home Park, so they try to use the produce including the sale of eggs laid from rescue chickens. 
They are a member of the Chatty Cafe scheme, aiming to offer a friendly welcome to everyone. The Balance Community Cafe at St Matthew's Church is accessible, including the toilets.
 
Blind Aid - Courses for Persons with Visual Impairments
Blind Aid is currently offering places at their Camden Community project to anyone with a visual impairment living in London who is able to travel to Euston or Kings Cross stations (or a local bus stop). Each service user is offered a 16-week place (free of charge) and they run classes in IT/NVDA (Non-Visual Desktop Access screen reader), safe cooking and healthy eating, yoga, art and creative writing.
Please forward your details to the KAB Office if you are interested in taking up this offer.
 
Have an enjoyable weekend from everybody at KAB!
Find Out More
Copyright © 2022 Kingston Upon Thames Association for the Blind, All rights reserved.

Kingston Quaker Centre, Fairfield East, Kingston Upon Thames KT1 2PT

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Winter 2022 Newsletter
Welcome to the 48th edition of KAB’s Eye Opener, and the 27th Issue of the Online Eye Opener!
KAB and Guide Dogs met in a friendly tenpin bowling match on Wednesday the 2nd of November.
Everybody had great fun!
Message from our Acting Chair
Ding dong! This is the KAB chairman’s Christmas message. Kevin, KAB’s Acting chair, sends you all Christmas greetings and best wishes for the season.
Last night I was visited by 3 Christmas spirits…
Dong!
The first was the spirit of KAB Christmas past….
He showed me lots of people with sad faces sitting in dark, cold rooms with unlit fires. These were the blind and visually impaired (VI) people in the borough of Kingston who had no places to meet, no friends to talk to who understood what their lives were like, and they couldn’t do the activities other people enjoyed like socialising and sports. I could see them finding it difficult to cope with everyday chores like cooking and dealing with bills within the home and even more so outside the home when travelling and shopping. I could see them struggling to find places like restaurants and shops, reading menus, locating what they needed in shops, and identifying toilets. The people around them didn’t appear to understand so didn’t help, there seemed to be so many obstacles to leading fulfilled lives. Many seemed to be struggling financially so didn’t appear to receive financial support as they didn’t know what they were entitled to get or if they did, how to get it.
Dong!
The second was the spirit of KAB Christmas present….
The Spirit pointed to a booklet explaining KAB had been set up in 1966. He showed me KAB’s one member of staff, in a small office in a beautiful, accessible building its office is located in. I could see lots of happy people chatting over lunch, doing quizzes, sharing their life’s experiences, giving support to each other. I could see people enjoying lots of different activities like bowls, cycling, swimming and football. I could see a volunteer Eye Buddy helping someone read their post and fill in forms. I could see groups of VIs going on outings to the seaside, vineyards, and meeting animals at the zoo. I can see there are some wonderful volunteers, but I noticed that more are needed to spread the workload. I can see the money and that KAB had been enjoying regular funding from GLFB/Vision Foundation, but this has now stopped so KAB are working hard to secure sufficient new funding.
Dong!
The final Spirit took me to see what KAB’s future could be ….
I can see KAB has a new manager called Antony, in KAB’s own premises with office space, consultation and activity rooms. He is supported by a team of experienced and qualified staff. I can see some of them are VI themselves and are looking happy from the buzz they get from using their skills and personal experience to help others. A wider range of activities are available and are led by activity leaders supported by lots of volunteers. I can see the charity working in partnership with various organisations, like the NHS, council, and other voluntary organisations so people receive all the support they need from when they experience their sight loss. Together they have reduced sight loss in the borough, as people are more aware about eye health. I can see the VIs now include the whole range of ages and all local ethnic groups. I can see everyone is getting the support they are entitled to. The whole borough is now fully accessible to VI people. KAB is now fully funded not just by grants but as members share their experiences and the impact KAB makes to their quality of life, with family, friends, and the whole community via word of mouth and social media, as a result KAB is secure and receives regular donations and legacies. I can see the whole VI community is leading happy, fulfilled lives.
 
Welcome to our new CEO
In October Antony Bewick-Smith joined KAB as its new Chief Executive. Antony has a lifetime of experience in leading charities; he was a senior manager at Ealing Community and Voluntary Service and Voluntary Action Islington - organisations similar to Kingston Voluntary Action - supporting mainly local health and social care organisations. He also worked as a senior manager at Sense (The Deafblind and Rubella Charity) in Norbiton. He welcomes his return to the Borough of Kingston and looks forward to meeting you all and taking KAB through its next phase of development.
 
Message from KAB’s new Marketing and Communications Manager
Dear all,
I hope this letter finds you well.
My name is Nachi Picas and I would like to introduce myself as I started working as the Marketing and Communications officer since last week. My role consists of being in charge of the digital communications with members such as sending the Eye Opener, as well as making sure that the website is accessible to screen readers and it is up to date with the events that are currently going on at KAB.
My role started last Monday. If you have any questions about anything, please do feel free to contact me at my email address media@kingstonassociationforblind.org or call me at 02086050060.
Best wishes,
Nachi
 

News for our Members
 
KAB Notices
 
KAB Office
Office Hours: 9am - 4pm.
KAB Office Telephone Number: 02086050060.
Mobile Number: 07305011133.
KAB Website: www.kingstonassociationforblind.org.
KAB Email Address: kab@kingstonassociationforblind.org.
KAB Address: Kingston Quaker Centre, Fairfield East, K.U.T KT1 2PT.
 
KAB Activities Weeks 17 November to 30 November
Thursday, 17 November, 10am to 12pm, Indoor Bowls, King George Field Indoor Bowls Club, Chessington.
Thursday, 17 November, 7pm to 8pm, Visually Impaired Swimming, New Malden Leisure Centre, New Malden.
Saturday, 19 November, 10:30am to 11:30am, Visually Impaired Football, Motspur Park, New Malden.
Saturday, 19 November, 6pm to 6:30pm, Visually Impaired Swimming Lessons, New Malden Leisure Centre, New Malden.
Monday, 21 November, 11am to 1pm, Tenpin Bowling, Hollywood Bowl, Tolworth.
Monday, 21 November, 2pm to 2:45pm, Tandem Cycling, Weir Athletics Track, Kingston.
Tuesday, 22 November, 6:30pm to 9pm, South London Working Age Forum Quiz, Sutton Vision, Sutton.
Thursday, 24 November, 10am to 12pm, Indoor Bowls, King George Field Indoor Bowls Club, Chessington.
Thursday, 24 November, 7pm to 8pm, Visually Impaired Swimming, New Malden Leisure Centre, New Malden.
Thursday, 24 November, 12:30pm to 3pm, Lunch Club, Kingston Quaker Centre, Kingston Upon Thames.
Saturday, 26 November, 6pm to 6:30pm, Visually Impaired Swimming Lessons, New Malden Leisure Centre, New Malden.
Saturday, 26 November, 10:30am to 11:30am, Visually Impaired Football, Motspur Park, New Malden.
Monday, 28 November, 10am to 4pm Living Well with Sight Loss Course, Kingston Quaker Centre, Kingston Upon Thames.
Monday, 28 November, 11am to 1pm, Tenpin Bowling, Hollywood Bowl, Tolworth.
Monday, 28 November, 2pm to 2:45pm, Tandem Cycling, Weir Athletics Track, Kingston.
Monday, 28 November, 10am to 4pm Living Well with Sight Loss Course, Kingston Quaker Centre, Kingston Upon Thames.
Tuesday, 29 November, 1:30pm to 3:30pm, Social Eyes, Kingston Quaker Centre, Kingston upon Thames.
Wednesday, 30 November, 6pm to 8pm, Tenpin Bowling, Rotunda Centre, Kingston upon Thames.
KAB Christmas Lunch
KAB is pleased to invite all our members and volunteers to our Christmas Lunch which will take place on Tuesday 13 December at 12:30pm at the Berrylands Pub at 107 Chiltern Drive, Surbiton KT5 8LS.
Costs will be £10 per person.
Please call the Office to secure your place.
 
Working Age Forum November Meeting
The November Meeting will be hosted by Sutton Vision on Tuesday the 22nd of November 2022.
They are planning to have a quiz evening again. If you wish to join the KAB Team for the evening, please call Mariza at the Office at 02086050060 to secure your spot.
The venue is at Sutton Vision, Ground Floor, 3 Robin Hood Ln, Sutton SM1 2SW.
 
Living Well with Sight Loss Course
Have you been recently diagnosed with sight-loss or are you experiencing significantly higher levels of sight-loss than before?
Then you will benefit from attending KAB’s upcoming Living Well with Sight Loss Course. The Course is scheduled for the 28th and the 29th of November at the Kingston Quaker Centre.
Please call the Office at 02086050060 to book.
 
Let’s Go Swimming!
KAB is pleased to announce that, in conjunction with the Spartans club, swimming is now available every Thursday evening at the New Malden Leisure Centre, Blagdon Road, New Malden, KT3 4TA, between 7pm and 8pm. The pool will be closed to the general public during this hour and is therefore for the exclusive use of people with disabilities. You can arrive before 7pm, so that you have time to get changed before the session starts and can swim right up to 8pm if wanted and then change after that. There are disabled parking spaces near the entrance, disabled toilets, changing rooms and showers, next to the pool, all of which are accessible. As this is a joint venture, members will have to sign up to the Spartans club and unlike our other activities, there will be a £2 fee payable to Spartans each night. Before you attend for the first time, there is a form which needs to be completed and then signed by your GP to confirm you are safe to swim and this can be obtained from the KAB office.
In addition, KAB is now offering one-on-one swimming lessons on Saturday evenings from 6pm to 6:30pm also at the New Malden Leisure Centre. If you wish to learn to swim or regain your confidence in water after sight-loss, please call the Office at 02086050060 to book a spot.
 
KAB Concession Policy
In recognition of the high cost-of-living experienced by many members of the Kingston Association for the Blind currently, the Board of Trustees of KAB has instituted a concessions policy. Members of KAB who are in financial distress can apply for a concession which will exempt them from paying the £5 fee normally paid at all KAB activities.
For more information, or to request an application form, please call Mariza at the office at 02086050060.

The Winter Fuel Payment
The winter fuel payment, also referred to as a “heating allowance”, is an annual tax-free payment from the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) for older people.
Anyone who is eligible can receive £100-£300 each year. This year, the Government will give about eight million pensioners an extra £300, which is called the pensioner cost of living payment, to help with rising costs.
Here is everything you need to know about it:
 
Who qualifies for the winter fuel payment?
The winter fuel payment will be made available for households that include someone born on or before 25 September 1956.
You must also live in the UK for at least one day during the week of 19-25 September 2022.
If you do not live in the UK during the qualifying week, you might still get the payment if both the following apply:
  • You live in Switzerland or a European Economic Area (EEA) country;
  • You have a genuine and sufficient link to the UK – this can include having lived or worked in the UK and having family in the UK.
You cannot get the payment if you live in Cyprus, France, Gibraltar, Greece, Malta, Portugal or Spain because the average winter temperature is higher than the warmest region of the UK.

Is it paid to individuals or households?
The payment is made to individuals, rather than households. However, people will receive less money if they live with someone who also qualifies.

Do I need to apply for the payment?
You don’t typically have to apply for the winter fuel payment if you are eligible. You should receive the money automatically.
If you have not had the payment before, you will need to claim if any of the following apply:
  • You do not get benefits or a state pension;
  • You only get housing benefit, council tax reduction, child benefit or universal credit;
  • You get benefits or a state pension but live in Switzerland or an EEA country;
  • You get an adult disability payment from the Scottish Government.
You can claim winter fuel payment by phone or by post. Call 0800 731 0160 (+44 191 218 7777 from outside the UK) or find the claim form here. (www.gov.uk/government/publications/winter-fuel-payment-claim-form)
Before you call, you will need to know your:
  • national insurance number;
  • bank or building society details;
  • BIC and IBAN numbers if you live in an EEA country or Switzerland;
  • date you were married or entered into a civil partnership (if appropriate).
Claims will be accepted until 31 March 2023.

How much will I get?
The amount you will get depends on when you were born, your living situation and the type of benefits you receive. Those benefits that can affect your payment are:
  • Pension credit;
  • Income-based jobseeker’s allowance (JSA);
  • Income-related employment and support allowance (ESA);
  • Income support.
When will it be paid?
When he was chancellor, Rishi Sunak promised in the House of Commons that the winter fuel payment would be with pensioners by autumn 2022.
You will get a letter telling you how much you’ll get and an estimated payment date. You should be paid by 13 January 2023 at the very latest.
If you do not get your payment, contact the winter fuel payment centre by following this link: gov.uk/winter-fuel-payment/report-change-circumstances.
 
Fundraising Notices
 
Big Give Christmas Challenge
KAB is pleased to advise that we are taking part in this year’s Big Give Christmas Challenge. If you donate to us through the Big Give platform from 2pm on the 29th of November to 2pm on the 6th of December, your donation will be matched by our pledge partners through the Big Give Christmas Challenge.
To donate please follow this link: donate.thebiggive.org.uk/campaign/a056900002NfVZLAA3.
 
Co-Op Charity of the Year
And another reminder: KAB is one of the three Local Charities of the Year of the Co-Op. For us to get the highest benefit from this, all our members with Co-Op cards can select KAB as their favourite charity. You can do so by either calling 08000234708, choosing option one and asking for help in choosing your favourite charity, or doing so through the Co-op App which can be found by following this link: tinyurl.com/download-co-op-app.
 
Wishing you a Merry Christmas and a Prosperous New Year from Everybody at KAB!
Find Out More
Copyright © 2022 Kingston Upon Thames Association for the Blind, All rights reserved.

Kingston Quaker Centre, Fairfield East, Kingston Upon Thames KT1 2PT

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Winter 2022 Newsletter
Welcome to the 48th edition of KAB’s Eye Opener, and the 27th Issue of the Online Eye Opener!
KAB and Guide Dogs met in a friendly tenpin bowling match on Wednesday the 2nd of November.
Everybody had great fun!
Message from our Acting Chair
Ding dong! This is the KAB chairman’s Christmas message. Kevin, KAB’s Acting chair, sends you all Christmas greetings and best wishes for the season.
Last night I was visited by 3 Christmas spirits…
Dong!
The first was the spirit of KAB Christmas past….
He showed me lots of people with sad faces sitting in dark, cold rooms with unlit fires. These were the blind and visually impaired (VI) people in the borough of Kingston who had no places to meet, no friends to talk to who understood what their lives were like, and they couldn’t do the activities other people enjoyed like socialising and sports. I could see them finding it difficult to cope with everyday chores like cooking and dealing with bills within the home and even more so outside the home when travelling and shopping. I could see them struggling to find places like restaurants and shops, reading menus, locating what they needed in shops, and identifying toilets. The people around them didn’t appear to understand so didn’t help, there seemed to be so many obstacles to leading fulfilled lives. Many seemed to be struggling financially so didn’t appear to receive financial support as they didn’t know what they were entitled to get or if they did, how to get it.
Dong!
The second was the spirit of KAB Christmas present….
The Spirit pointed to a booklet explaining KAB had been set up in 1966. He showed me KAB’s one member of staff, in a small office in a beautiful, accessible building its office is located in. I could see lots of happy people chatting over lunch, doing quizzes, sharing their life’s experiences, giving support to each other. I could see people enjoying lots of different activities like bowls, cycling, swimming and football. I could see a volunteer Eye Buddy helping someone read their post and fill in forms. I could see groups of VIs going on outings to the seaside, vineyards, and meeting animals at the zoo. I can see there are some wonderful volunteers, but I noticed that more are needed to spread the workload. I can see the money and that KAB had been enjoying regular funding from GLFB/Vision Foundation, but this has now stopped so KAB are working hard to secure sufficient new funding.
Dong!
The final Spirit took me to see what KAB’s future could be ….
I can see KAB has a new manager called Antony, in KAB’s own premises with office space, consultation and activity rooms. He is supported by a team of experienced and qualified staff. I can see some of them are VI themselves and are looking happy from the buzz they get from using their skills and personal experience to help others. A wider range of activities are available and are led by activity leaders supported by lots of volunteers. I can see the charity working in partnership with various organisations, like the NHS, council, and other voluntary organisations so people receive all the support they need from when they experience their sight loss. Together they have reduced sight loss in the borough, as people are more aware about eye health. I can see the VIs now include the whole range of ages and all local ethnic groups. I can see everyone is getting the support they are entitled to. The whole borough is now fully accessible to VI people. KAB is now fully funded not just by grants but as members share their experiences and the impact KAB makes to their quality of life, with family, friends, and the whole community via word of mouth and social media, as a result KAB is secure and receives regular donations and legacies. I can see the whole VI community is leading happy, fulfilled lives.
 
Welcome to our new CEO
In October Antony Bewick-Smith joined KAB as its new Chief Executive. Antony has a lifetime of experience in leading charities; he was a senior manager at Ealing Community and Voluntary Service and Voluntary Action Islington - organisations similar to Kingston Voluntary Action - supporting mainly local health and social care organisations. He also worked as a senior manager at Sense (The Deafblind and Rubella Charity) in Norbiton. He welcomes his return to the Borough of Kingston and looks forward to meeting you all and taking KAB through its next phase of development.
 
Message from KAB’s new Marketing and Communications Manager
Dear all,
I hope this letter finds you well.
My name is Nachi Picas and I would like to introduce myself as I started working as the Marketing and Communications officer since last week. My role consists of being in charge of the digital communications with members such as sending the Eye Opener, as well as making sure that the website is accessible to screen readers and it is up to date with the events that are currently going on at KAB.
My role started last Monday. If you have any questions about anything, please do feel free to contact me at my email address media@kingstonassociationforblind.org or call me at 02086050060.
Best wishes,
Nachi
 

News for our Members
 
KAB Notices
 
KAB Office
Office Hours: 9am - 4pm.
KAB Office Telephone Number: 02086050060.
Mobile Number: 07305011133.
KAB Website: www.kingstonassociationforblind.org.
KAB Email Address: kab@kingstonassociationforblind.org.
KAB Address: Kingston Quaker Centre, Fairfield East, K.U.T KT1 2PT.
 
KAB Activities Weeks 17 November to 30 November
Thursday, 17 November, 10am to 12pm, Indoor Bowls, King George Field Indoor Bowls Club, Chessington.
Thursday, 17 November, 7pm to 8pm, Visually Impaired Swimming, New Malden Leisure Centre, New Malden.
Saturday, 19 November, 10:30am to 11:30am, Visually Impaired Football, Motspur Park, New Malden.
Saturday, 19 November, 6pm to 6:30pm, Visually Impaired Swimming Lessons, New Malden Leisure Centre, New Malden.
Monday, 21 November, 11am to 1pm, Tenpin Bowling, Hollywood Bowl, Tolworth.
Monday, 21 November, 2pm to 2:45pm, Tandem Cycling, Weir Athletics Track, Kingston.
Tuesday, 22 November, 6:30pm to 9pm, South London Working Age Forum Quiz, Sutton Vision, Sutton.
Thursday, 24 November, 10am to 12pm, Indoor Bowls, King George Field Indoor Bowls Club, Chessington.
Thursday, 24 November, 7pm to 8pm, Visually Impaired Swimming, New Malden Leisure Centre, New Malden.
Thursday, 24 November, 12:30pm to 3pm, Lunch Club, Kingston Quaker Centre, Kingston Upon Thames.
Saturday, 26 November, 6pm to 6:30pm, Visually Impaired Swimming Lessons, New Malden Leisure Centre, New Malden.
Saturday, 26 November, 10:30am to 11:30am, Visually Impaired Football, Motspur Park, New Malden.
Monday, 28 November, 10am to 4pm Living Well with Sight Loss Course, Kingston Quaker Centre, Kingston Upon Thames.
Monday, 28 November, 11am to 1pm, Tenpin Bowling, Hollywood Bowl, Tolworth.
Monday, 28 November, 2pm to 2:45pm, Tandem Cycling, Weir Athletics Track, Kingston.
Monday, 28 November, 10am to 4pm Living Well with Sight Loss Course, Kingston Quaker Centre, Kingston Upon Thames.
Tuesday, 29 November, 1:30pm to 3:30pm, Social Eyes, Kingston Quaker Centre, Kingston upon Thames.
Wednesday, 30 November, 6pm to 8pm, Tenpin Bowling, Rotunda Centre, Kingston upon Thames.
KAB Christmas Lunch
KAB is pleased to invite all our members and volunteers to our Christmas Lunch which will take place on Tuesday 13 December at 12:30pm at the Berrylands Pub at 107 Chiltern Drive, Surbiton KT5 8LS.
Costs will be £10 per person.
Please call the Office to secure your place.
 
Working Age Forum November Meeting
The November Meeting will be hosted by Sutton Vision on Tuesday the 22nd of November 2022.
They are planning to have a quiz evening again. If you wish to join the KAB Team for the evening, please call Mariza at the Office at 02086050060 to secure your spot.
The venue is at Sutton Vision, Ground Floor, 3 Robin Hood Ln, Sutton SM1 2SW.
 
Living Well with Sight Loss Course
Have you been recently diagnosed with sight-loss or are you experiencing significantly higher levels of sight-loss than before?
Then you will benefit from attending KAB’s upcoming Living Well with Sight Loss Course. The Course is scheduled for the 28th and the 29th of November at the Kingston Quaker Centre.
Please call the Office at 02086050060 to book.
 
Let’s Go Swimming!
KAB is pleased to announce that, in conjunction with the Spartans club, swimming is now available every Thursday evening at the New Malden Leisure Centre, Blagdon Road, New Malden, KT3 4TA, between 7pm and 8pm. The pool will be closed to the general public during this hour and is therefore for the exclusive use of people with disabilities. You can arrive before 7pm, so that you have time to get changed before the session starts and can swim right up to 8pm if wanted and then change after that. There are disabled parking spaces near the entrance, disabled toilets, changing rooms and showers, next to the pool, all of which are accessible. As this is a joint venture, members will have to sign up to the Spartans club and unlike our other activities, there will be a £2 fee payable to Spartans each night. Before you attend for the first time, there is a form which needs to be completed and then signed by your GP to confirm you are safe to swim and this can be obtained from the KAB office.
In addition, KAB is now offering one-on-one swimming lessons on Saturday evenings from 6pm to 6:30pm also at the New Malden Leisure Centre. If you wish to learn to swim or regain your confidence in water after sight-loss, please call the Office at 02086050060 to book a spot.
 
KAB Concession Policy
In recognition of the high cost-of-living experienced by many members of the Kingston Association for the Blind currently, the Board of Trustees of KAB has instituted a concessions policy. Members of KAB who are in financial distress can apply for a concession which will exempt them from paying the £5 fee normally paid at all KAB activities.
For more information, or to request an application form, please call Mariza at the office at 02086050060.

The Winter Fuel Payment
The winter fuel payment, also referred to as a “heating allowance”, is an annual tax-free payment from the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) for older people.
Anyone who is eligible can receive £100-£300 each year. This year, the Government will give about eight million pensioners an extra £300, which is called the pensioner cost of living payment, to help with rising costs.
Here is everything you need to know about it:
 
Who qualifies for the winter fuel payment?
The winter fuel payment will be made available for households that include someone born on or before 25 September 1956.
You must also live in the UK for at least one day during the week of 19-25 September 2022.
If you do not live in the UK during the qualifying week, you might still get the payment if both the following apply:
  • You live in Switzerland or a European Economic Area (EEA) country;
  • You have a genuine and sufficient link to the UK – this can include having lived or worked in the UK and having family in the UK.
You cannot get the payment if you live in Cyprus, France, Gibraltar, Greece, Malta, Portugal or Spain because the average winter temperature is higher than the warmest region of the UK.

Is it paid to individuals or households?
The payment is made to individuals, rather than households. However, people will receive less money if they live with someone who also qualifies.

Do I need to apply for the payment?
You don’t typically have to apply for the winter fuel payment if you are eligible. You should receive the money automatically.
If you have not had the payment before, you will need to claim if any of the following apply:
  • You do not get benefits or a state pension;
  • You only get housing benefit, council tax reduction, child benefit or universal credit;
  • You get benefits or a state pension but live in Switzerland or an EEA country;
  • You get an adult disability payment from the Scottish Government.
You can claim winter fuel payment by phone or by post. Call 0800 731 0160 (+44 191 218 7777 from outside the UK) or find the claim form here. (www.gov.uk/government/publications/winter-fuel-payment-claim-form)
Before you call, you will need to know your:
  • national insurance number;
  • bank or building society details;
  • BIC and IBAN numbers if you live in an EEA country or Switzerland;
  • date you were married or entered into a civil partnership (if appropriate).
Claims will be accepted until 31 March 2023.

How much will I get?
The amount you will get depends on when you were born, your living situation and the type of benefits you receive. Those benefits that can affect your payment are:
  • Pension credit;
  • Income-based jobseeker’s allowance (JSA);
  • Income-related employment and support allowance (ESA);
  • Income support.
When will it be paid?
When he was chancellor, Rishi Sunak promised in the House of Commons that the winter fuel payment would be with pensioners by autumn 2022.
You will get a letter telling you how much you’ll get and an estimated payment date. You should be paid by 13 January 2023 at the very latest.
If you do not get your payment, contact the winter fuel payment centre by following this link: gov.uk/winter-fuel-payment/report-change-circumstances.
 
Fundraising Notices
 
Big Give Christmas Challenge
KAB is pleased to advise that we are taking part in this year’s Big Give Christmas Challenge. If you donate to us through the Big Give platform from 2pm on the 29th of November to 2pm on the 6th of December, your donation will be matched by our pledge partners through the Big Give Christmas Challenge.
To donate please follow this link: donate.thebiggive.org.uk/campaign/a056900002NfVZLAA3.
 
Co-Op Charity of the Year
And another reminder: KAB is one of the three Local Charities of the Year of the Co-Op. For us to get the highest benefit from this, all our members with Co-Op cards can select KAB as their favourite charity. You can do so by either calling 08000234708, choosing option one and asking for help in choosing your favourite charity, or doing so through the Co-op App which can be found by following this link: tinyurl.com/download-co-op-app.
 
Wishing you a Merry Christmas and a Prosperous New Year from Everybody at KAB!
Find Out More
Copyright © 2022 Kingston Upon Thames Association for the Blind, All rights reserved.

Kingston Quaker Centre, Fairfield East, Kingston Upon Thames KT1 2PT

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KAB Eye Opener
Issue 26 - 3 November 2022
KAB attended the Wheels for All Open Day on Monday the 24th of October.
KAB members have an opportunity to, on every Monday from 2pm to 2:45pm, go tandem cycling at the Weir Athletics Track in Kingston. Side-by-side cycling and other accessible cycling will also be available.

News for our Members
 
KAB Notices
 
Office Telephone Numbers
Office Hours: 9am - 4pm.
KAB Office Telephone Number: 02086050060.
Mobile: 07305011133.
 
KAB Activities Weeks 3 November to 16 November
Thursday, 3 November, 10am to 12pm, Indoor Bowls, King George Field Indoor Bowls Club, Chessington.
Thursday, 3 November, 7pm to 8pm, Visually Impaired Swimming, New Malden Leisure Centre, New Malden.
Saturday, 5 November, 10:30am to 11:30am, Visually Impaired Football, Motspur Park, New Malden.
Saturday, 5 November, 6pm to 6:30pm, Visually Impaired Swimming Lessons, New Malden Leisure Centre, New Malden.
Monday, 7 November, 11am to 1pm, Tenpin Bowling, Hollywood Bowl, Tolworth.
Monday, 7 November, 2pm to 2:45pm, Tandem Cycling, Weir Athletics Track, Kingston.
Tuesday, 8 November, 10am to 4pm, Sight Village Outing, Kensington Town Hall, Kensington.
Thursday, 10 November, 10am to 12pm, Indoor Bowls, King George Field Indoor Bowls Club, Chessington.
Thursday, 10 November, 7pm to 8pm, Visually Impaired Swimming, New Malden Leisure Centre, New Malden.
Saturday, 12 November, 10:30am to 11:30am, Visually Impaired Football, Motspur Park, New Malden.
Saturday, 12 November, 6pm to 6:30pm, Visually Impaired Swimming Lessons, New Malden Leisure Centre, New Malden.
Monday, 14 November, 11am to 1pm, Tenpin Bowling, Hollywood Bowl, Tolworth.
Monday, 14 November, 2pm to 2:45pm, Tandem Cycling, Weir Athletics Track, Kingston.
Tuesday, 15 November, 1:30pm to 3:30pm, Social Eyes, Kingston Quaker Centre, Kingston upon Thames.
Wednesday, 16 November, 6pm to 8pm, Tenpin Bowling, Rotunda Centre, Kingston upon Thames.
Kingston Warm Spaces
Kingston Council has instituted a program of supplying Warm Spaces during the Winter months to residents who cannot afford to keep the heating on at home all day due to the rising energy costs.
To find the closest warm space to you, please click here.
You might need sighted assistance to use this link as it links to a map.

Living Well with Sight Loss Course
Have you been recently diagnosed with sight-loss or are you experiencing significantly higher levels of sight-loss than before?
Then you will benefit from attending KAB’s upcoming Living Well with Sight Loss Course. The Course is scheduled for the 28th and the 29th of November at the Kingston Quaker Centre.
Please call the Office at 02086050060 to book.

KAB Christmas Lunch
KAB is pleased to invite all our members and volunteers to our Christmas Lunch which will take place on Tuesday 13 December at 12:30pm at the Berrylands Pub at 107 Chiltern Dr, Surbiton KT5 8LS.
Costs will be £10 per person.
Please call the Office to secure your place.

Sensory Tour at Kew Gardens
When: Sunday 13th November at 2pm.
The tour is approximately 1 hour long and led by their team of trained volunteers. Each tour is different to reflect the ever-changing nature of the gardens so whatever the season they promise to be a treat. The Sensory tours are mainly designed for blind and partially sighted people but are also open to anyone with a condition that means they may benefit from experiencing the gardens in a more sensory way.
It is recommended that any guests with access needs that might need further support are accompanied by a family member, friend, or key worker. The tour will likely be outdoors so dressing for the weather is highly recommended.
Tickets are free and include entry into the gardens. Spaces are limited so booking in advance is essential.
If you, or anyone you know, would like to attend either tour, please email, Ben White, at discovery@kew.org.uk or phone 07341114533 and let him know the number of attendees and any additional access needs that they can accommodate.
 
Sight Village
Join KAB at Sight Village in Kensington Town Hall on Tuesday 8 November for their first London event since 2019. Sight Village is more than just an exhibition of technology, products and services; Sight Village provides the opportunity to meet new people, network and catch-up with old friends.
KAB will be going, and we invite everybody who wishes to join us to meet at the Quaker Centre at 10am on Tuesday 8 November. We will take the train and underground together as a group.
Pre-registration is recommended.  You can contact a member of their team on 01218035484 or call the office on 02086050060.
This is a free one-day event, but travel costs will vary.
 
The Nutcracker
The Northern Ballet brings their audio described performance, for visually impaired patrons, The Nutcracker to Woking.
Northern Ballet’s production The Nutcracker arrives at Woking New Victoria Theatre on Wednesday 9 to Saturday 12 November 2022.
There will be an audio described performance on Saturday 12 November at 2.30pm.
The live audio description will be delivered by ex-premier dancer Pippa Moore MBE and a specialist VocalEyes practitioner, bringing the performance to life in your mind’s eye with vivid descriptions of the movement, action and drama that takes place on stage.
At the free Touch Tour, from 12.15pm to 1.30pm, you will gain a deeper understanding of The Nutcracker as you hear descriptions of the scenery, with the opportunity to see and feel some of the costumes.
To find out more and book a ticket please contact New Victoria Theatre Box office on 08448717627.

Visually Impaired Football
KAB is pleased to announce that a weekly V.I. football session has started at the Fulham FC Training Ground at Motspur Park, New Malden KT3 6PT on every Saturday from 10:30am to 11:30am.
Sessions cost £5 and there is a session for juniors under the age of 16 and another session for adults.
Do not worry about your age as these sessions concentrate on ball skills and technique, and it is a great exercise for young persons and adults of any age.
This program is proudly offered to you by KAB in partnership with the Fulham Foundation and the Surrey Football Association.
For more information please follow this link: soccerschools.fulhamfc.com/soccerschools.
If you have any difficulties booking a session or need more information, please call Mariza at the office at 02086050060.

KAB Concession Policy
In recognition of the high cost-of-living experienced by many members of the Kingston Association for the Blind currently, the Board of Trustees of KAB has instituted a concessions policy. Members of KAB who are in financial distress can apply for a concession which will exempt them from paying the £5 fee normally paid at all KAB activities.
For more information, or to request an application form, please call Mariza at the office at 02086050060.
 
Fundraising Notices
 
Are you planning to take part in a Challenge?
Do you have a place in a marathon, cycle race, or other similar event this year? Please consider using your entry to help KAB. Challenge Fundraising can be a very rewarding way to generate income for charities. So, if you have a place in such an event please let us know. Together we can use your place to fundraise for KAB. Please call us on 02086050060.
 
Platform Fundraising
A gentle reminder, KAB is registered with both Amazon Smile and Easy Fundraising. By using their Apps to shop and selecting Kingston Association for the Blind as your chosen charity, we will receive a small donation from your purchase.
 
Co-Op Charity of the Year
And another reminder: KAB is one of the three Local Charities of the Year of the Co-Op. For us to get the highest benefit from this, all our members with Co-Op cards can select KAB as their favourite charity. You can do so by either calling 08000234708, choosing option one and asking for help in choosing your favourite charity, or doing so through the Co-op App which can be found by following this link: tinyurl.com/download-co-op-app.
 
Kingston Lottery
The Kingston Community Lottery is an exciting weekly lottery that raises money for 'good causes' in the Royal Borough of Kingston upon Thames, and KAB is delighted to let you know that you can now support them as your 'good cause', by visiting the following link: kingstonlottery.co.uk/support/kingston-association-for-the-blind. 
If you find the link inaccessible, or you do not have internet access, and you would like to play, and support KAB, please contact the office for assistance by calling 02086050060.
Tickets cost just 1 pound a week. Each ticket has a 1 in 50 chance to win a prize each week, with a top prize of £25,000. That's a much better chance of winning than the National Lottery, or the Health Lottery. Each ticket has six numbers and each number is between 0 and 9. There will be a draw every Saturday night when a six-digit winning combination will be picked. Prizes will be given to players with tickets that match the first or last 2 to 6 numbers from the winning combination. All 'good causes' supported by the lottery will benefit the Royal Borough of Kingston upon Thames and its residents. We hope you'll support us in making KAB even better, and have some fun along the way!
 
Community Notices

Let’s go swimming!
KAB is pleased to announce that, in conjunction with the Spartans club, swimming is now available every Thursday evening at the New Malden Leisure Centre, Blagdon Road, New Malden, KT3 4TA, between 7pm and 8pm. The pool will be closed to the general public during this hour and is therefore for the exclusive use of people with disabilities. You can arrive before 7pm, so that you have time to get changed before the session starts and can swim right up to 8pm if wanted and then change after that. There are disabled parking spaces near the entrance, disabled toilets, changing rooms and showers, next to the pool, all of which are accessible. As this is a joint venture, members will have to sign up to the Spartans club and unlike our other activities, there will be a £2 fee payable to Spartans each night. Before you attend for the first time, there is a form which needs to be completed and then signed by your GP to confirm you are safe to swim and this can be obtained from the KAB office.

Assisted Boarding Points
It’s now quicker and easier to get assistance at South Western Railway, you can arrive at the station with 10 minutes notice and contact the South Western Railway Accessibility Team on WhatsApp through 08005286599 and simply tell them:
  • Where you are
  • Where you are going
  • The time of the train you would like to travel on
  • What assistance is required
The team will contact the guard on the train that you intend to travel on, informing them that you are waiting on the platform. When the train arrives, the guard will approach you and help you board the service.
For more information, please go to this website: southwesternrailway.com/assistedboardingpoints.

Love to Sing
We want to encourage anyone who loves singing to come along and join in an hour of fun, music and dancing. There are so many reasons why everyone should have the opportunity to be part of this lively and exciting group.
With musicians, upbeat, modern and old songs, this is a group like no other, suitable for anyone who loves to sing.
Sessions take place every Friday from 10.30am to 12pm at the Kingston Quaker Centre.
Attendance is £5 per session; no booking is required.
For more information please contact Suzie Speed at 02089424137 or email her at s.speedy@homeinstead.co.uk.
If you need assistance with transportation, please speak to Suzie and she will see what she can organise.

Balance Community Cafe
Balance is a local Kingston charity providing community-based support to disabled and vulnerable people. Every Wednesday they hold the Balance Community Cafe at St Matthew's Church, St Matthew's Avenue, Surbiton KT6 6JQ from 10am to 3pm. The cafe is a welcoming space for people to meet and enjoy their menu including panini, jacket potatoes and cakes. Balance has a supported horticulture project, Stud Nursery, in Home Park, so they try to use the produce including the sale of eggs laid from rescue chickens. 
They are a member of the Chatty Cafe scheme, aiming to offer a friendly welcome to everyone. The Balance Community Cafe at St Matthew's Church is accessible, including the toilets.

Blind Aid - Courses for Persons with Visual Impairments
Blind Aid is currently offering places at their Camden Community project to anyone with a visual impairment living in London who is able to travel to Euston or Kings Cross stations (or a local bus stop). Each service user is offered a 16-week place (free of charge) and they run classes in IT/NVDA (Non-Visual Desktop Access screen reader), safe cooking and healthy eating, yoga, art and creative writing.
Please forward your details to the KAB Office if you are interested in taking up this offer.
 
Have an enjoyable weekend from everybody at KAB!
Find Out More
Copyright © 2022 Kingston Upon Thames Association for the Blind, All rights reserved.

Kingston Quaker Centre, Fairfield East, Kingston Upon Thames KT1 2PT

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October 2022

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KAB Eye Opener
Issue 24 - 6 October 2022
Eye Health-Care Week
On Friday 23 September, KAB was invited by the Co-Op in Lower Marsh Lane, Surbiton to do awareness on the prevention of sight loss and the services offered by KAB to the Community.

News for our Members
 
KAB Notices
 
Office Telephone Numbers
Office Hours: 9am - 4pm.
KAB Office Telephone Number: 02086050060.
Mobile: 07305011133.
 
KAB Activities Weeks 6 October to 19 October
Thursday, 6 October, 7pm to 8pm, Visually Impaired Swimming, New Malden Leisure Centre, New Malden.
Thursday, 6 October, 10:30am to 4:30pm, Denbies Outing, Denbies Winery, Dorking.
Saturday, 8 October, 10:30am to 11:30am, Visually Impaired Football, Motspur Park, New Malden.
Saturday, 8 October, 6pm to 6:30pm, Visually Impaired Swimming Lessons, New Malden Leisure Centre, New Malden.
Monday, 10 October, 11am to 1pm, Tenpin Bowling, Hollywood Bowl, Tolworth.
Monday, 10 October, 2pm to 2:45pm, Tandem Cycling, Weir Athletics Track, Kingston.
Wednesday, 12 October, 6pm to 8pm, Tenpin Bowling, Rotunda Centre, Kingston upon Thames.
Thursday, 13 October, Time to be confirmed, Indoor Bowls, St George Field Indoor Bowls Club, Chessington.
Thursday, 13 October, 7pm to 8pm, Visually Impaired Swimming, New Malden Leisure Centre, New Malden.
Saturday, 15 October, 10:30am to 11:30am, Visually Impaired Football, Motspur Park, New Malden.
Saturday, 15 October, 6pm to 6:30pm, Visually Impaired Swimming Lessons, New Malden Leisure Centre, New Malden.
Monday, 17 October, 11am to 1pm, Tenpin Bowling, Hollywood Bowl, Tolworth.
Monday, 17 October, 2pm to 2:45pm, Tandem Cycling, Weir Athletics Track, Kingston.
Tuesday, 18 October, 1:30pm to 3:30pm, Social Eyes, Kingston Quaker Centre, Kingston upon Thames.

Indoor Bowls
The KAB Indoor Bowls Season will commence on Thursday 13 October at the King George Field Indoor Bowls Club at King George Field, Jubilee Way, Chessington KT9 1TR, United Kingdom (times on request).
If you want to try out bowls or need more information, please call Mariza at 07305011133.

Lunch Club
KAB is pleased to advise that the Kingston Quaker Centre has confirmed that Lunch Club can move to Thursdays with effect from Thursday 27 October.
Lunch on this first Thursday will be a special pumpkin lunch to celebrate the season.

Digital Drop-in Session
The next Digital Drop-in Session will be on Monday 24 October at 10am at the Kingston Quaker Centre. The speaker will be Mr Davinder Kullar, from the RNIB, who will talk about the accessibility of mobile phones to persons with visual impairments.

Go Boat
Go Boat has invited members of the Kingston Association for the Blind to experience going on a Go Boat cruise of the Thames.
You and your sighted guide are thus cordially invited at 2pm on Tuesday the 25th of October to a Go Boat experience at the Kingston Go Boat Pier (which is very close to the Kingston Bridge).
Bookings are essential due to limited capacity.
Please call Mariza at 07305011133 or email mariza@kingstonassociationforblind.org for more information and to book.

South London Working Age Forum
KAB will be hosting the next South London Working Age Forum event on Tuesday the 25th of October at 6.30pm to 8pm at the Kingston Quaker Centre. The speaker will be Ms Pam Goodall who will talk about her experience travelling with her bicycle and a tent as a 60 year old woman.
Please come along and share your own experience of being visually impaired and what hobbies you have engaged in and what adventures you have been on.

Sight Village
Join KAB at Sight Village in Kensington Town Hall on Tuesday 8 November for our first London event since 2019. Sight Village is more than just an exhibition of technology, products and services; Sight Village provides the opportunity to meet new people, network and catch-up with old friends.
KAB will be going and we invite everybody who wishes to join us to meet at the Quaker Centre at 10am on Tuesday 8 November. We will take the train and underground together as a group.
Pre-registration is recommended.  You can contact a member of the team on 0121 803 5484, or call the office on 02086050060.
This is a free one day event, but travel costs will vary.

The Nutcracker
The Northern Ballet brings their audio described performance, for visually impaired patrons, The Nutcracker to Woking.
Northern Ballet’s production The Nutcracker arrives at Woking New Victoria Theatre on Wednesday 9 to Saturday 12 November 2022.
There will be an audio described performance on Saturday 12 November at 2.30pm.
The live audio description will be delivered by ex-premier dancer Pippa Moore MBE and a specialist VocalEyes practitioner, bringing the performance to life in your mind’s eye with vivid descriptions of the movement, action and drama that takes place on stage.
At the free Touch Tour, from 12.15pm to 1.30pm, you will gain a deeper understanding of The Nutcracker as you hear descriptions of the scenery, with the opportunity to see and feel some of the costumes.
To find out more and book a ticket please contact New Victoria Theatre Box office on 08448717627.

Tandem Cycling
KAB is pleased to announce that we found a new home for our tandems at the Weir Archer Athletics and Fitness centre in Kingston Road.
Persons with visual impairments who wish to try out tandem cycling, or volunteer cyclists who wish to be front riders, are invited to our Tandem sessions every Monday between 2pm to 2:45pm at the athletics track. The next session will be on Monday the 10thof October.
To book your spot please call Mariza at 07305011133.

Visually Impaired Football
KAB is pleased to announce that a weekly V.I. football session has started at the Fulham FC Training Ground at Motspur Park, New Malden KT3 6PT on every Saturday from 10:30am to 11:30am.
Sessions cost £5 and there is a session for juniors under the age of 16 and another session for adults.
Do not worry about your age as these sessions concentrate on ball skills and technique, and it is a great exercise for young persons and adults of any age.
This program is proudly offered to you by KAB in partnership with the Fulham Foundation and the Surrey Football Association.
For more information please follow this link: soccerschools.fulhamfc.com/soccerschools.
If you have any difficulties booking a session or need more information, please call Mariza at the office at 02086050060.

KAB Concession Policy
In recognition of the high cost-of-living experienced by many members of the Kingston Association for the Blind currently, the Board of Trustees of KAB has instituted a concessions policy. Members of KAB who are in financial distress can apply for a concession which will exempt them from paying the £5 fee normally paid at all KAB activities.
For more information, or to request an application form, please call Mariza at the office at 02086050060.
 
Fundraising Notices
 
Are you planning to take part in a Challenge?
Do you have a place in a marathon, cycle race, or other similar event this year? Please consider using your entry to help KAB. Challenge Fundraising can be a very rewarding way to generate income for charities. So, if you have a place in such an event please let us know. Together we can use your place to fundraise for KAB. Please call us on 02086050060.
 
Platform Fundraising
A gentle reminder, KAB is registered with both Amazon Smile and Easy Fundraising. By using their Apps to shop and selecting Kingston Association for the Blind as your chosen charity, we will receive a small donation from your purchase.

Platform Fundraising
A gentle reminder, KAB is registered with both Amazon Smile and Easy Fundraising. By using their Apps to shop and selecting Kingston Association for the Blind as your chosen charity, we will receive a small donation from your purchase.
 
Co-Op Charity of the Year
And another reminder: KAB is one of the three Local Charities of the Year of the Co-Op. For us to get the highest benefit from this, all our members with Co-Op cards can select KAB as their favourite charity. You can do so by either calling 08000234708, choosing option one and asking for help in choosing your favourite charity, or doing so through the Co-op App which can be found by following this link: tinyurl.com/download-co-op-app.
 
Kingston Lottery
The Kingston Community Lottery is an exciting weekly lottery that raises money for 'good causes' in the Royal Borough of Kingston upon Thames, and KAB is delighted to let you know that you can now support them as your 'good cause', by visiting the following link: kingstonlottery.co.uk/support/kingston-association-for-the-blind. 
If you find the link inaccessible, or you do not have internet access, and you would like to play, and support KAB, please contact the office for assistance by calling 02086050060.
Tickets cost just 1 pound a week. Each ticket has a 1 in 50 chance to win a prize each week, with a top prize of £25,000. That's a much better chance of winning than the National Lottery, or the Health Lottery. Each ticket has six numbers and each number is between 0 and 9. There will be a draw every Saturday night when a six-digit winning combination will be picked. Prizes will be given to players with tickets that match the first or last 2 to 6 numbers from the winning combination. All 'good causes' supported by the lottery will benefit the Royal Borough of Kingston upon Thames and its residents. We hope you'll support us in making KAB even better, and have some fun along the way!
 
Community Notices

Let’s go swimming!
KAB are pleased to announce that in conjunction with the Spartans club, swimming is available from now onwards, every Thursday evening at the New Malden Leisure Centre, Blagdon Road, New Malden, KT3 4TA, between 7pm and 8pm. The pool will be closed to the general public during this hour and is therefore for the exclusive use of people with disabilities. You can arrive before 7pm, so that you have time to get changed before the session starts and can swim right up to 8pm if wanted and then change after that. There are disabled parking spaces near the entrance, disabled toilets, changing rooms and showers, next to the pool, all of which are accessible. As this is a joint venture, members will have to sign up to the Spartans club and unlike our other activities, there will be a £2 fee payable to Spartans each night. Before you attend for the first time, there is a form which needs to be completed and then signed by your GP to confirm you are safe to swim and this can be obtained from the KAB office.

Assisted Boarding Points
It’s now quicker and easier to get assistance at South Western Railway, you can arrive at the station with 10 minutes notice and contact the South Western Railway Accessibility Team on WhatsApp through 08005286599 and simply tell them:
  • Where you are
  • Where you are going
  • The time of the train you would like to travel on
  • What assistance is required
The team will contact the guard on the train that you intend to travel on, informing them that you are waiting on the platform. When the train arrives, the guard will approach you and help you board the service.
For more information please go to this web site: southwesternrailway.com/assistedboardingpoints.

Love to Sing
We want to encourage anyone who loves singing to come along and join in an hour of fun, music and dancing. There are so many reasons why everyone should have the opportunity to be part of this lively and exciting group.
With musicians, upbeat, modern and old songs, this is a group like no other, suitable for anyone who loves to sing.
Sessions take place every Friday from 10.30am to 12pm at the Kingston Quaker Centre.
Attendance is £5 per session; no booking is required.
For more information please contact Suzie Speed at 02089424137 or email her at s.speedy@homeinstead.co.uk.
If you need assistance with transportation, please speak to Suzie and she will see what she can organise.

Balance Community Cafe
Balance is a local Kingston charity providing community-based support to disabled and vulnerable people. Every Wednesday they hold the Balance Community Cafe at St Matthew's Church, St Matthew's Avenue, Surbiton KT6 6JQ from 10am to 3pm. The cafe is a welcoming space for people to meet and enjoy their menu including panini, jacket potatoes and cakes. Balance has a supported horticulture project, Stud Nursery, in Home Park, so they try to use the produce including the sale of eggs laid from rescue chickens. 
They are a member of the Chatty Cafe scheme, aiming to offer a friendly welcome to everyone. The Balance Community Cafe at St Matthew's Church is accessible, including the toilets.

Blind Aid - Courses for Persons with Visual Impairments
Blind Aid is currently offering places at their Camden Community project to anyone with a visual impairment living in London who is able to travel to Euston or Kings Cross stations (or a local bus stop). Each service user is offered a 16-week place (free of charge) and they run classes in IT/NVDA (Non-Visual Desktop Access screen reader), safe cooking and healthy eating, yoga, art and creative writing.
Please forward your details to the KAB Office if you are interested in taking up this offer.
 
Have an enjoyable weekend from everybody at KAB!
Find Out More
Copyright © 2022 Kingston Upon Thames Association for the Blind, All rights reserved.

Kingston Quaker Centre, Fairfield East, Kingston Upon Thames KT1 2PT

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September 2022

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KAB Eye Opener
Issue 23 - 22 September 2022
Anne Blanche, KAB’s new Chairperson

News for our Members
 
KAB Notices
 
Office Telephone Numbers
Office Hours: 9am - 4pm.
KAB Office Telephone Number: 02086050060.
Mobile: 07305011133.
 
KAB Activities Weeks 22 September to 5 October 
Thursday, 22 September, 7pm to 8pm, Visually Impaired Swimming, New Malden Leisure Centre, New Malden.
Saturday, 24 September, 10:30am to 11:30am, Visually Impaired Football, Motspur Park, New Malden.
Saturday, 24 September, 6pm to 6:30pm, Visually Impaired Swimming Lessons, New Malden Leisure Centre, New Malden.
Monday, 26 September, 11am to 1pm, Tenpin Bowling, Hollywood Bowl, Tolworth.
Monday, 26 September, 2pm to 2:45pm, Tandem Cycling, Weir Athletics Track, Kingston.
Tuesday, 27 September, 6:30pm to 9pm, South London Working Age Forum, Croydon Vision, Croydon.
Wednesday, 28 September, 12:30pm to 3pm, Lunch Club, Kingston Quaker Centre, Kingston upon Thames.
Wednesday, 28 September, 6pm to 8pm, Tenpin Bowling, Rotunda Centre, Kingston upon Thames.
Thursday, 29 September, 7pm to 8pm, Visually Impaired Swimming, New Malden Leisure Centre, New Malden.
Saturday, 1 October, 10:30am to 11:30am, Visually Impaired Football, Motspur Park, New Malden.
Saturday, 1 October, 6pm to 6:30pm, Visually Impaired Swimming Lessons, New Malden Leisure Centre, New Malden.
Monday, 3 October, 11am to 1pm, Tenpin Bowling, Hollywood Bowl, Tolworth.
Monday, 3 October, 2pm to 2:45pm, Tandem Cycling, Weir Athletics Track, Kingston.
Tuesday, 4 October, 1:30pm to 3:30pm, Social Eyes, Kingston Quaker Centre, Kingston upon Thames.

A New Chairperson for KAB
The Board of Trustees of KAB is pleased to announce that they have appointed a new Chairperson for KAB.
Anne Blanche was born in Derby in 1939 and joined the NHS at the age of 16 where she spent the next fifty-one years serving in various capacities.
She retired from the NHS in 2002 as the Chief Officer of the Hounslow Health Council. Before this role she was the District Personnel Officer in Derby where she oversaw over ten thousand staff in twenty-two different medical units.
After her retirement she did not stop but continued in the voluntary sector. She is currently the local ambassador for Carers UK, she is a Rotarian, and for the last three and a half years she has served on the Board of Governors of the Kingston Hospital.
We are so pleased that she has decided to join the Board of Trustees of the Kingston Association for the Blind as Chairperson to share her experience and expertise for the benefit of the members of our organisation.
 
Look out for Anne who will be attending many of our activities over the coming weeks to get to know our members and volunteers.
Anne stated that her goal as the new Chairperson of KAB is to use her connections to encourage KAB to integrate and use the resources of other organisations to offer better services to KAB’s visually impaired members and service users.

South London Working Age Forum
The next South London Working Age Forum event will take place at Croydon Vision, Bedford Hall, 72-74 Wellesley Rd, Croydon CR0 2AR on Tuesday the 27thof September 6.30pm to 8pm. The speaker will be Mr Michael Spooner who will talk about the assistance available to persons with visual impairments when job hunting.

Tandem Cycling
KAB is pleased to announce that we found a new home for our tandems at the Weir Archer Athletics and Fitness centre in Kingston Road.
 
Persons with visual impairments who wish to try out tandem cycling, or volunteer cyclists who wish to be front riders, are invited to our Tandem sessions every Monday between 2pm to 2:45pm at the athletics track. The next session will be on Monday the 26thof September.
To book your spot please call Mariza at 07305011133.

Let’s cool off and go swimming!
KAB are pleased to announce that in conjunction with the Spartans club, swimming is available from now onwards, every Thursday evening at the New Malden Leisure Centre, Blagdon Road, New Malden, KT3 4TA, between 7pm and 8pm. The pool will be closed to the general public during this hour and is therefore for the exclusive use of people with disabilities. You can arrive before 7pm, so that you have time to get changed before the session starts and can swim right up to 8pm if wanted and then change after that. There are disabled parking spaces near the entrance, disabled toilets, changing rooms and showers, next to the pool, all of which are accessible. As this is a joint venture, members will have to sign up to the Spartans club and unlike our other activities, there will be a £2 fee payable to Spartans each night. Before you attend for the first time, there is a form which needs to be completed and then signed by your GP to confirm you are safe to swim and this can be obtained from the KAB office. Additionally, KAB is hoping to organise separate swimming lessons for non-swimmers/non-confident swimmers possibly on a Saturday afternoon for half an hour at the same leisure centre.
Further details will follow as soon as available.
 
Visually Impaired Football
KAB is pleased to announce that from Saturday 17th September a weekly V.I. football session has started at the Fulham FC Training Ground at Motspur Park, New Malden KT3 6PT.
Sessions cost £5 and there is a session for juniors under the age of 16 and another session for adults.
This program is proudly offered to you by KAB in partnership with the Fulham Foundation and the Surrey Football Association.
For more information please follow this link.
 
If you have any difficulties booking a session or need more information, please call Mariza at the office at 02086050060.
 
KAB Concession Policy
In recognition of the high cost-of-living experienced by many members of the Kingston Association for the Blind currently, the Board of Trustees of KAB has instituted a concessions policy. Members of KAB who are in financial distress can apply for a concession which will exempt them from paying the £5 fee normally paid at all KAB activities.
For more information, or to request an application form, please call Mariza at the office at 02086050060.

Denbies Trip
The trip to Denbies Vineyard Trip has been rescheduled for Thursday the 6th of October. To enquire about availability of space on the trip, please call Rana at the Office at 020 8605 0060.
We will be leaving the Kingston Quaker Centre at 10:30am and should be returning by 4:30pm. During the day the group will also do an hour-long train tour of the vineyard.

KAB Vacancies

The KAB currently has vacancy for a Communications and Marketing Officer.
If you are interested or wish to have more information about the role please follow this link.
 
Fundraising Notices
 
Are you planning to take part in a Challenge?
Do you have a place in a marathon, cycle race, or other similar event this year? Please consider using your entry to help KAB. Challenge Fundraising can be a very rewarding way to generate income for charities. So, if you have a place in such an event please let us know. Together we can use your place to fundraise for KAB. Please call us on 02086050060.

Platform Fundraising
A gentle reminder, KAB is registered with both Amazon Smile and Easy Fundraising. By using their Apps to shop and selecting Kingston Association for the Blind as your chosen charity, we will receive a small donation from your purchase.
 
Co-Op Charity of the Year
And another reminder: KAB is one of the three Local Charities of the Year of the Co-Op. For us to get the highest benefit from this, all our members with Co-Op cards can select KAB as their favourite charity. You can do so by either calling 08000234708, choosing option one and asking for help in choosing your favourite charity, or doing so through the Co-op App which can be found by following this link.
 
Kingston Lottery
The Kingston Community Lottery is an exciting weekly lottery that raises money for 'good causes' in the Royal Borough of Kingston upon Thames, and KAB is delighted to let you know that you can now support them as your 'good cause', by visiting the following link: kingstonlottery.co.uk/support/kingston-association-for-the-blind.
If you find the link inaccessible, or you do not have internet access, and you would like to play, and support KAB, please contact the office for assistance by calling 02086050060.
Tickets cost just 1 pound a week. Each ticket has a 1 in 50 chance to win a prize each week, with a top prize of £25,000. That's a much better chance of winning than the National Lottery, or the Health Lottery. Each ticket has six numbers and each number is between 0 and 9. There will be a draw every Saturday night when a six-digit winning combination will be picked. Prizes will be given to players with tickets that match the first or last 2 to 6 numbers from the winning combination. All 'good causes' supported by the lottery will benefit the Royal Borough of Kingston upon Thames and its residents. We hope you'll support us in making KAB even better, and have some fun along the way!
 
Community Notices

Assisted Boarding Points
It’s now quicker and easier to get assistance at South Western Railway, you can arrive at the station with 10 mins notice and contact the South Western Railway Accessibility Team on WhatsApp through 0800 528 6599 and simply tell them:
  • Where you are
  • Where you are going
  • The time of the train you would like to travel on
  • What assistance is required
The team will contact the guard on the train that you intend to travel on, informing them that you are waiting on the platform. When the train arrives, the guard will approach you and help you board the service.
For more information please click here.

Love to Sing
We want to encourage anyone who loves singing to come along and join in an hour of fun, music and dancing. There are so many reasons why everyone should have the opportunity to be part of this lively and exciting group.
With musicians upbeat modern and old songs, this is a group like no other, suitable for anyone who loves to sing.
Sessions take place every Friday from 10.30am to 12pm at the Kingston Quaker Centre.
Attendance is £5 per session; no booking is required.
For more information please contact Suzie Speed at 020 8942 4137 or email s.speedy@homeinstead.co.uk.
If you need assistance with transportation, please speak to Suzie and she will see what she can organise.

Balance Community Cafe
Balance is a local Kingston charity providing community-based support to disabled and vulnerable people. Every Wednesday we hold the Balance Community Cafe at St Matthew's Church, St Matthew's Avenue, Surbiton KT6 6JQ from 10am to 3pm. The cafe is a welcoming space for people to meet and enjoy our menu including panini, jacket potatoes and cakes. Balance has a supported horticulture project, Stud Nursery, in Home Park, so we try to use our produce including the sale of eggs laid from our rescue chickens. 
We are a member of the Chatty Cafe scheme, aiming to offer a friendly welcome to everyone. The Balance Community Cafe at St Matthew's Church is accessible, including the toilets.

Blind Aid - Courses for Persons with Visual Impairments
Blind Aid is currently offering places at their Camden Community project to anyone with a visual impairment living in London who is able to travel to Euston or Kings Cross stations (or a local bus stop). Each service user is offered a 16-week place (free of charge) and they run classes in IT/NVDA (Non-Visual Desktop Access), safe cooking and healthy eating, yoga, art and creative writing.
Please forward your details to the KAB Office if you are interested in taking up this offer.
 
Have an enjoyable weekend from everybody at KAB!
Find Out More
Copyright © 2022 Kingston Upon Thames Association for the Blind, All rights reserved.

Kingston Quaker Centre, Fairfield East, Kingston Upon Thames KT1 2PT

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Special Edition KAB Eye Opener
Queen Elizabeth II
1926 - 2022
The Kingston upon Thames Association for the Blind has noted with sadness the passing of Queen Elizabeth II.
Her Majesty was a stalwart supporter of persons with Visual impairments, raising awareness and advocating on their behalf.
The Trustees, the staff and members of The Kingston upon Thames Association for the Blind offer their condolences to His Majesty King Charles III and the Royal Family.

Signed by, 
Mariza Jurgens
Charity Manager

Statement by the Kingston Upon Thames Association for the Blind on 13 September 2022.

Important Information about the Mourning Period for our Members
  • To write an online message of condolence, please visit the Royal Family Website.
  • To get information about attending the Lying-in-State period which commences on Wednesday 14 September at 5pm, please click here.
  • The RNIB will be hosting telephone groups to commiserate, reminisce and celebrate the life of Her Majesty. These one-off phone groups will last for an hour and will be facilitated by an RNIB staff member or volunteer. Groups will take place on Wednesday 14 September and Thursday 15 September this week, and will continue next week subject to demand. To book a place, please contact RNIB’s Talk and Support team on 02073912218 or at talkandsupport@rnib.org.uk.

Accessibility Information for attending the Lying-in-State unperson for Persons with Disabilities

Accessibility information for the Palace of Westminster:
  • The security search point and Palace of Westminster have step-free access.
  • Guide dogs, hearing dogs and other official assistance dogs are permitted within the Palace of Westminster. No other animals are permitted.
Accessibility information for the queue:
  • There is step-free access along the queue route for those who need it. Once you have joined the back of the queue, signs along the route will show you when the queue is approaching steps. At these points, let a steward know you are unable to use the steps. The steward will escort you to a step-free route, and return you to your place in the main queue.
  • Please note that wheelchairs cannot be provided.
  • British Sign Language interpreters will be available to people joining the queue.
  • There is also an accessible queuing scheme available for those with a disability or long-term condition which means they are unable to queue for an extended period of time.

Accessible queuing scheme:

  • There is an accessible queuing scheme available for those with a disability or long-term condition which means they are unable to queue for an extended period of time. If you require this queue, you may be accompanied by one carer or companion.
  • The accessible queueing scheme will open at 5pm on Wednesday, 14 September.
  • Please note that there will be limited capacity for the accessible queue each day, so entrance is not guaranteed. There will still be some waiting time for people in the accessible queue.
  • Please note that each person with a disability will only ba allowed one sighted guide or carer to accompany them through the queue.
If you need to use the accessible queuing scheme:
  • Go to the accessible kiosk at Tate Britain on Millbank.
  • The Accessible Kiosk opens at 5pm on Wednesday the 14th of September. There is a limit on the number os Accessible Entries every day, so visiting the Kiosk does not guarantee entree to the Lying-inState of Her Majesty.
  • You will be given a timed entry slot for the Lying-in-State. When it is time for your visit, you can join the accessible queue.
  • Join the accessible queue at Victoria Tower Gardens.
    • The accessible queue entrance in Victoria Tower Gardens is approximately half a mile from the accessible kiosk.
    • There is a direct, step-free route from Tate Britain to Victoria Tower Gardens along Millbank. There will be stewards along this route to direct you and guide you to the accessible queue.
Accessible transport:
  • Visit Transport for London’s accessibility page for more information on accessible public transport information in London. You can find out how accessible each station is, and there is also a step-free journey planner. You can also follow TfLAccess on Twitter for up-to-date information on accessibility.
  • Transport for London offers a Turn-up-and-go service to help passengers who require additional assistance, such as people with visual impairments, mobility impairments, and large groups travelling together.

Monday 19 September 2022
Her Majesty, Queen Elizabeth II will be laid to rest on Monday the 19th of September 2022. This day has been proclaimed a bank holiday and KAB will cancel all activities planned for this day. This includes the Digital Drop-in Session at the Kingston Quaker Centre, Tenpin Bowling at Hollywood Bowl in Tolworth, and Tandem Cycling at the Weir Athletics Track in Kingston.
All activities will resume as normal on Tuesday the 20th of September.

Wishing you all strength through this difficult time.
Copyright © 2022 Kingston Upon Thames Association for the Blind, All rights reserved.

Kingston Quaker Centre, Fairfield East, Kingston Upon Thames KT1 2PT

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KAB Eye Opener
Issue 22 - 8 September 2022
South London Working Age Forum Quiz Night
6 September 2022
The KAB took part in the Quiz Night hosted by Sutton Vision. Four sight-loss charities from boroughs in South-West London took part. Croydon Vision were crowned the winners.

News for our Members
 
KAB Notices
 
Office Telephone Numbers
Office Hours: 9am - 4pm.
KAB Office Telephone Number: 02086050060.
Mobile: 07305011133.
 
KAB Activities Weeks 25 August to 7 September
Monday, 12 September, 11am to 1pm, Tenpin Bowling, Hollywood Bowl, Tolworth.
Wednesday, 14 September, 6pm to 8pm, Tenpin Bowling, Rotanda Centre, Kingston Upon Thames.
Thursday, 15 September, 9am to 3pm, Denbies Trip, Dorking.
Saturday, 17 September, 10am to 11am, VI Football, Motspur Park, New Malden.
Monday, 19 September, 10am to 12pm, Digital Drop-in Session, Kingston Quaker Centre.
Monday, 19 September, 11am to 1pm, Tenpin Bowling, Hollywood Bowl, Tolworth.
Tuesday, 20 September, 1:30pm to 4pm, Social Eyes Club, Kingston Quaker Centre.
Tuesday, 20 September, 2:30pm to 4pm, Outdoor Lawn Bowls, Hook and Southborough Bowling Club.

Digital Drop-in Session
The next Digital Drop-in Session will take place on Monday the 19thof September at 10am.
The Speaker will be Davinder Kullar from the RNIB.
To book your spot please call Mariza at 07305011133.

South London Working Age Forum
The next South London Working Age Forum event will take place at Croydon Vision, Bedford Hall, 72-74 Wellesley Rd, Croydon CR0 2AR on Tuesday the 27th of September 6.30pm to 8pm. The speaker will be Mr Michael Spooner who will talk about the assistance available to persons with visual impairments when job hunting.

Tandem Cycling
KAB is pleased to announce that we found a new home for our tandems at the Weir Archer Athletics and Fitness centre in Kingston Road.
Persons with visual impairments who wish to try out tandem cycling, or volunteer cyclists who wish to be front riders, are invited to a try-out session on Monday the 12th of September at 2pm at the athletics track.
To book your spot please call Mariza at 07305011133.

Let’s cool off and go swimming!
KAB are pleased to announce that in conjunction with the Spartans club, swimming is available from now onwards, every Thursday evening at the New Malden Leisure Centre, Blagdon Road, New Malden, KT3 4TA, between 7pm and 8pm. The pool will be closed to the general public during this hour and is therefore for the exclusive use of people with disabilities. You can arrive before 7pm, so that you have time to get changed before the session starts and can swim right up to 8pm if wanted and then change after that. There are disabled parking spaces near the entrance, disabled toilets, changing rooms and showers, next to the pool, all of which are accessible. As this is a joint venture, members will have to sign up to the Spartans club and unlike our other activities, there will be a £2 fee payable to Spartans each night. Before you attend for the first time, there is a form which needs to be completed and then signed by your GP to confirm you are safe to swim and this can be obtained from the KAB office. Additionally, KAB are hoping to organise separate swimming lessons for non-swimmers/non-confident swimmers possibly on a Saturday afternoon for half an hour at the same leisure centre.
Further details will follow as soon as available.
 
Fulham Foundation DisAbility Open Day – Saturday 10th September 2022
Fulham Foundation is inviting everyone to come along to Fulham FC Training Ground, Motspur Park for a DisAbility Open Day event to kick off the 2022/23 season in style!
The event is open to both Juniors aged 5 years to 16 years, as well as adults aged 16+, with any form of physical and/or learning disability or special educational need. Participants will be split into age/ability groups on the day and will take part in a number of different fun activities, coaching, mini-matches, penalty shoot-outs and other challenges.
This session will take place on both the indoor (Juniors) and outdoor (adults) astro pitches at Fulham FC Training Ground, Motspur Park, so please ensure the participant wears adequate clothing and footwear (no metal studs) for the session including shin pads.
 
Why not come along and find out more about all we do!
  • Juniors 5-16 years – 9:00am to 11:00am
  • Adults 16+ years – 9:30am to 11:30am
  • All this for just £5 per player! 
To book please click here.
 
Please do share the open day information with anyone else who may be interested in finding out more about our sessions and attending a brilliant morning of football!

Visually Impaired Football
KAB is pleased to announce that from Saturday 17thSeptember a weekly V.I. football session will take place at the Fulham FC Training Ground at Motspur Park, New Malden KT3 6PT.
Sessions will cost £5 and there is a session for juniors under the age of 16 and another session for adults.
This program is proudly offered to you by KAB in partnership with the Fulham Foundation and the Surrey Football Association.
For more information please follow this link.
 
Are you getting the full picture? Discover the fantastic world of audio description
The London Sight Loss Council invites blind and partially sighted Londoners to an exciting evening hearing about and experiencing audio description at the fascinating Postal Museum.
The event will take place at 6pm to 9pm on Wednesday 14 September at the Postal Museum at 15-20 Phoenix Place, London WC1X 0DA.
To reserve your place please follow this link.
 
KAB Concession Policy
In recognition of the high cost-of-living experienced by many members of the Kingston Association for the Blind currently, the Board of Trustees of KAB has instituted a concessions policy. Members of KAB who are in financial distress can apply for a concession which will exempt them from paying the £5 fee normally paid at all KAB activities.
For more information, or to request an application form, please call Mariza at the office at 02086050060.

Big Give Christmas Challenge
At the moment we have reached £500 in pledges, but we need to reach £1500 in pledges. If you were planning to donate to KAB for Christmas this year, would you be so kind to consider making a pledge part of your donation by pledging at least £100 through the Big Give Portal?

Can you make a pledge for our Big Give 2022 Christmas Challenge?
We are now collecting pledges for the Big Give Christmas Challenge 2022.  We are looking for people who will pledge a minimum of £100.  If we reach our goal of £1,500 this will then be matched by ‘Champion Funders’ to provide additional funding support to us.  This is a fantastic opportunity to raise money for The Kingston Association for the Blind.  It would be amazing if we could reach our goal as soon as possible.  All pledges need to be received by Sunday the 11th of September at 1am.  They will not need to be paid until December.  To make a pledge, please follow this link: tinyurl.com/the-big-give-KAB and complete the short form.  There is also further information about how the Big Give Christmas Challenge works there.
We also need people who will donate online, this happens later in the year between the 29thof November and 6thof December 2022.
For more information or assistance, please call Mariza at the office at 02086050060.

Tenpin Bowling
The Monday tenpin bowling sessions will restart on the 12th of September at 11am at Hollywood Bowl in Tolworth, and the Wednesday tenpin bowling sessions will restart on the 14th of September at 6pm at the Rotunda Centre in Kingston.
If you wish to take part please call Mariza at 073050111

Denbies Trip
The Social Eyes Club is planning a trip to Denbies Vineyard on Thursday 15 September 2022. We will be leaving the Kingston Quaker Centre at 9:30am and will be returning at 3pm. During the day the group will also do an hour-long train tour of the vineyard.
To book, please call Rana at the Office at 020 8605 0060.

KAB Vacancies
Our Charity Manager, Mariza Jurgens, is returning to South Africa at the end of this year so we are advertising for a new CEO.
If you are interested or wish to have more information about the role please follow this link.

The KAB also has a second vacancy for a Communications and Marketing Officer.
If you are interested or wish to have more information about the role please follow this link.
 
Fundraising Notices
 
Are you planning to take part in a Challenge?
Do you have a place in a marathon, cycle race, or other similar event this year? Please consider using your entry to help KAB. Challenge Fundraising can be a very rewarding way to generate income for charities. So, if you have a place in such an event please let us know. Together we can use your place to fundraise for KAB. Please call us on 02086050060.

Platform Fundraising
A gentle reminder, KAB is registered with both Amazon Smile and Easy Fundraising. By using their Apps to shop and selecting Kingston Association for the Blind as your chosen charity, we will receive a small donation from your purchase.
 
Co-Op Charity of the Year
And another reminder: KAB is one of the three Local Charities of the Year of the Co-Op. For us to get the highest benefit from this, all our members with Co-Op cards can select KAB as their favourite charity. You can do so by either calling 08000234708, choosing option one and asking for help in choosing your favourite charity, or doing so through the Co-op App which can be found by following this link.
 
Kingston Lottery
The Kingston Community Lottery is an exciting weekly lottery that raises money for 'good causes' in the Royal Borough of Kingston upon Thames, and KAB is delighted to let you know that you can now support them as your 'good cause', by visiting the following link: www.kingstonlottery.co.uk/support/kingston-association-for-the-blind.
If you find the link inaccessible, or you do not have internet access, and you would like to play, and support KAB, please contact the office for assistance by calling 02086050060.
Tickets cost just 1 pound a week. Each ticket has a 1 in 50 chance to win a prize each week, with a top prize of £25,000. That's a much better chance of winning than the National Lottery, or the Health Lottery. Each ticket has six numbers and each number is between 0 and 9. There will be a draw every Saturday night when a six-digit winning combination will be picked. Prizes will be given to players with tickets that match the first or last 2 to 6 numbers from the winning combination. All 'good causes' supported by the lottery will benefit the Royal Borough of Kingston upon Thames and its residents. We hope you'll support us in making KAB even better, and have some fun along the way!
 
Community Notices

Assisted Boarding Points
It’s now quicker and easier to get assistance at South Western Railway, you can arrive at the station with 10 mins notice and contact the South Western Railway Accessibility Team on WhatsApp through 0800 528 6599 and simply tell them:
  • Where you are
  • Where you are going
  • The time of the train you would like to travel on
  • What assistance is required
The team will contact the guard on the train that you intend to travel on, informing them that you are waiting on the platform. When the train arrives, the guard will approach you and help you board the service.
For more information please click here.

Love to Sing
We want to encourage anyone who loves singing to come along and join in an hour of fun, music and dancing. There are so many reasons why everyone should have the opportunity to be part of this lively and exciting group.
With musicians upbeat modern and old songs, this is a group like no other, suitable for anyone who loves to sing.
Sessions take place every Friday from 10.30am to 12pm at the Kingston Quaker Centre.
Attendance is £5 per session; no booking is required.
For more information please contact Suzie Speed at 020 8942 4137 or email s.speedy@homeinstead.co.uk.
If you need assistance with transportation, please speak to Suzie and she will see what she can organise.

Upcoming Surbiton Club Events
  • 13 September Chessington Garden Centre
For more information, please contact Jo Westlake at jowestlake123@gmail.com.

Balance Community Cafe
Balance is a local Kingston charity providing community-based support to disabled and vulnerable people. Every Wednesday we hold the Balance Community Cafe at St Matthew's Church, St Matthew's Avenue, Surbiton KT6 6JQ from 10am to 3pm. The cafe is a welcoming space for people to meet and enjoy our menu including panini, jacket potatoes and cakes. Balance has a supported horticulture project, Stud Nursery, in Home Park, so we try to use our produce including the sale of eggs laid from our rescue chickens. 
We are a member of the Chatty Cafe scheme, aiming to offer a friendly welcome to everyone. The Balance Community Cafe at St Matthew's Church is accessible, including the toilets.

Blind Aid - Courses for Persons with Visual Impairments
Blind Aid is currently offering places at their Camden Community project to anyone with a visual impairment living in London who is able to travel to Euston or Kings Cross stations (or a local bus stop). Each service user is offered a 16-week place (free of charge) and they run classes in IT/NVDA (Non-Visual Desktop Access), safe cooking and healthy eating, yoga, art and creative writing.
Please forward your details to the KAB Office if you are interested in taking up this offer.
 
Have an enjoyable weekend from everybody at KAB!
Find Out More
Copyright © 2022 Kingston Upon Thames Association for the Blind, All rights reserved.

Kingston Quaker Centre, Fairfield East, Kingston Upon Thames KT1 2PT

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KAB Eye Opener
Issue 21 - 25 August 2022
The Social Eyes Club had a lovely Cream Tea at the Squires Garden Centre on Tuesday the 16th of August.

News for our Members
 
KAB Notices
 
Office Telephone Numbers
Office Hours: 9am - 4pm.
KAB Office Telephone Number: 02086050060.
Mobile: 07305011133.
 
KAB Activities Weeks 25 August to 7 September
Wednesday, 31 August, 12:30pm to 2:30pm, Lunch Club, Balance Cafe, Surbiton.
Tuesday, 6 September, 2:30pm to 4pm, Social Eyes Club, Kingston Quaker Centre.
Tuesday, 6 September, 2:30pm to 4pm, Outdoor Lawn Bowls, Hook and Southborough Bowling Club.
Tuesday, 6 September, 6pm to 8pm, Quiz Night, Sutton Vision, Sutton.

Let’s cool off and go swimming!
KAB are pleased to announce that in conjunction with the Spartans club, swimming is available from now onwards, every Thursday evening at the New Malden Leisure Centre, Blagdon Road, New Malden, KT3 4TA, between 7pm and 8pm. The pool will be closed to the general public during this hour and is therefore for the exclusive use of people with disabilities. You can arrive before 7pm, so that you have time to get changed before the session starts and can swim right up to 8pm if wanted and then change after that. There are disabled parking spaces near the entrance, disabled toilets, changing rooms and showers, next to the pool, all of which are accessible. As this is a joint venture, members will have to sign up to the Spartans club and unlike our other activities, there will be a £2 fee payable to Spartans each night. Before you attend for the first time, there is a form which needs to be completed and then signed by your GP to confirm you are safe to swim and this can be obtained from the KAB office. Additionally, KAB are hoping to organise separate swimming lessons for non-swimmers/non-confident swimmers possibly on a Sunday afternoon for half an hour at the same leisure centre.
Further details will follow as soon as available.
 
Fulham Foundation DisAbility Open Day – Saturday 10th September 2022
Fulham Foundation is inviting everyone to come along to Fulham FC Training Ground, Motspur Park for a DisAbility Open Day event to kick off the 2022/23 season in style!
The event is open to both Juniors aged 5 years to 16 years, as well as adults aged 16+, with any form of physical and/or learning disability or special educational need. Participants will be split into age/ability groups on the day and will take part in a number of different fun activities, coaching, mini-matches, penalty shoot-outs and other challenges.
This session will take place on both the indoor (Juniors) and outdoor (adults) astro pitches at Fulham FC Training Ground, Motspur Park, so please ensure the participant wears adequate clothing and footwear (no metal studs) for the session including shin pads.
 
Why not come along and find out more about all we do!
  • Juniors 5-16 years – 9:00am to 11:00am
  • Adults 16+ years – 9:30am to 11:30am
  • All this for just £5 per player! 
To book please click here.
 
Please do share the open day information with anyone else who may be interested in finding out more about our sessions and attending a brilliant morning of football!

Visually Impaired Football
KAB is pleased to announce that from Saturday 17thSeptember a weekly V.I. football session will take place at the Fulham FC Training Ground at Motspur Park, New Malden KT3 6PT.
Sessions will cost £5 and there is a session for juniors under the age of 16 and another session for adults.
This program is proudly offered to you by KAB in partnership with the Fulham Foundation and the Surrey Football Association.
For more information please follow this link.
 
Are you getting the full picture? Discover the fantastic world of audio description
The London Sight Loss Council invites blind and partially sighted Londoners to an exciting evening hearing about and experiencing audio description at the fascinating Postal Museum.
The event will take place at 6pm to 9pm on Wednesday 14 September at the Postal Museum at 15-20 Phoenix Place, London WC1X 0DA.
To reserve your place please follow this link.
 
KAB Concession Policy
In recognition of the high cost-of-living experienced by many members of the Kingston Association for the Blind currently, the Board of Trustees of KAB has instituted a concessions policy. Members of KAB who are in financial distress can apply for a concession which will exempt them from paying the £5 fee normally paid at all KAB activities.
For more information, or to request an application form, please call Mariza at the office at 02086050060.

Vauxhall App Testing
South Western Railways has approached KAB to assist with the testing of a new accessible app which assists with wayfinding at railway stations.
The planned testing will take place on Wednesday the 7thof September at Vauxhall and Putney Stations.
South Western Railway will offer a voucher to participants.
To participate you need to be a confident iPhone user (the app is not available on Android yet) with a visual impairment.
If you wish to take part, please call Mariza at 02086050060.

South London Working Age Forum Quiz
Sutton Vision will on 6 September 2022 at 6:30pm host the Quiz between sight-loss charities situated in London.
There are still 3 places available in the KAB team.
Please call Mariza at the office at 02086050060 if you wish to be part of the team.

KCIL Annual Conference 6 September
The KCIL Annual Conference will take place on 6 September 2022 and they have invited KAB members to attend. The theme of this conference will be “Out and About: The Wellbeing Benefits of Getting Outside”. Attendance to the Conference is free-of-charge and there will also be a lunch buffet.
The Conference will take place at Glenmore House at 6 The Crescent, Surbiton KT6 4BN.
Please email enquiries@kcil.org.uk or call KCIL at 020 8546 9603 to sign up to attend.
Lunch Club August
The August Lunch Club will take place at the Balance Café at St. Matthew’s Church, St Matthew's Ave, Surbiton KT6 6JQ on Wednesday the 31stof August at 12:30pm.
The closest bus stop is Hollyfield Road Bus Stop which can be reached through the 281, 406, 418, and 662 busses.
Please call Rana at the Office at 02086050060 to book.

Big Give Christmas Challenge
At the moment we have reached £500 in pledges, but we need to reach £1500 in pledges. If you were planning to donate to KAB for Christmas this year, would you be so kind to consider making a pledge part of your donation by pledging at least £100 through the Big Give Portal?

Can you make a pledge for our Big Give 2022 Christmas Challenge?
We are now collecting pledges for the Big Give Christmas Challenge 2022.  We are looking for people who will pledge a minimum of £100.  If we reach our goal of £1,500 this will then be matched by ‘Champion Funders’ to provide additional funding support to us.  This is a fantastic opportunity to raise money for The Kingston Association for the Blind.  It would be amazing if we could reach our goal as soon as possible.  All pledges need to be received by Friday the 2ndof September at 1am.  They will not need to be paid until December.  To make a pledge, please follow this link: tinyurl.com/the-big-give-KAB and complete the short form.  There is also further information about how the Big Give Christmas Challenge works there.
We also need people who will donate online, this happens later in the year between the 29thof November and 6thof December 2022.
For more information or assistance, please call Mariza at the office at 02086050060.

Tenpin Bowling
There will be no tenpin bowling during the school holidays. The Monday tenpin bowling sessions will restart on the 12th of September at 11am at Hollywood Bowl in Tolworth, and the Wednesday tenpin bowling session will restart on the 14th of September at 6pm at the Rotunda Centre in Kingston.

Denbies Trip
The Social Eyes Club is planning a trip to Denbies Vineyard on Thursday 15 September 2022. We will be leaving the Kingston Quaker Centre at 9:30am and will be returning at 3pm. During the day the group will also do an hour long train tour of the vineyard.
To book, please call Rana at the Office at 020 8605 0060.

KAB Chairperson Vacancy
The Kingston Association for the Blind is looking for a new Chairperson. Could this be you? For more information and to apply, please click here.

CEO Vacancy
Our Charity Manager, Mariza Jurgens, is returning to South Africa at the end of this year so we are advertising for a new CEO.
If you are interested or wish to have more information about the role please contact the KAB Office at 02086050060.
 
Fundraising Notices
 
Are you planning to take part in a Challenge?
Do you have a place in a marathon, cycle race, or other similar event this year? Please consider using your entry to help KAB. Challenge Fundraising can be a very rewarding way to generate income for charities. So, if you have a place in such an event please let us know. Together we can use your place to fundraise for KAB. Please call us on 02086050060.

Platform Fundraising
A gentle reminder, KAB is registered with both Amazon Smile and Easy Fundraising. By using their Apps to shop and selecting Kingston Association for the Blind as your chosen charity, we will receive a small donation from your purchase.
 
Co-Op Charity of the Year
And another reminder: KAB is one of the three Local Charities of the Year of the Co-Op. For us to get the highest benefit from this, all our members with Co-Op cards can select KAB as their favourite charity. You can do so by either calling 08000234708, choosing option one and asking for help in choosing your favourite charity, or doing so through the Co-op App which can be found by following this link.
 
Kingston Lottery
The Kingston Community Lottery is an exciting weekly lottery that raises money for 'good causes' in the Royal Borough of Kingston upon Thames, and KAB is delighted to let you know that you can now support them as your 'good cause', by visiting the following link: www.kingstonlottery.co.uk/support/kingston-association-for-the-blind.
If you find the link inaccessible, or you do not have internet access, and you would like to play, and support KAB, please contact the office for assistance by calling 02086050060.
Tickets cost just 1 pound a week. Each ticket has a 1 in 50 chance to win a prize each week, with a top prize of £25,000. That's a much better chance of winning than the National Lottery, or the Health Lottery. Each ticket has six numbers and each number is between 0 and 9. There will be a draw every Saturday night when a six-digit winning combination will be picked. Prizes will be given to players with tickets that match the first or last 2 to 6 numbers from the winning combination. All 'good causes' supported by the lottery will benefit the Royal Borough of Kingston upon Thames and its residents. We hope you'll support us in making KAB even better, and have some fun along the way!
 
Community Notices

Assisted Boarding Points
It’s now quicker and easier to get assistance at South Western Railway, you can arrive at the station with 10 mins notice and contact the South Western Railway Accessibility Team on WhatsApp through 0800 528 6599 and simply tell them:
  • Where you are
  • Where you are going
  • The time of the train you would like to travel on
  • What assistance is required
The team will contact the guard on the train that you intend to travel on, informing them that you are waiting on the platform. When the train arrives, the guard will approach you and help you board the service.
For more information please click here.

Love to Sing
We want to encourage anyone who loves singing to come along and join in an hour of fun, music and dancing. There are so many reasons why everyone should have the opportunity to be part of this lively and exciting group.
With musicians upbeat modern and old songs, this is a group like no other, suitable for anyone who loves to sing.
Sessions take place every Friday from 10.30am to 12pm at the Kingston Quaker Centre.
Attendance is £5 per session; no booking is required.
For more information please contact Suzie Speed at 020 8942 4137 or email s.speedy@homeinstead.co.uk.
If you need assistance with transportation, please speak to Suzie and she will see what she can organise.

Upcoming Surbiton Club Events
  • 13 September Chessington Garden Centre
For more information, please contact Jo Westlake at jowestlake123@gmail.com.

Balance Community Cafe
Balance is a local Kingston charity providing community-based support to disabled and vulnerable people. Every Wednesday we hold the Balance Community Cafe at St Matthew's Church, St Matthew's Avenue, Surbiton KT6 6JQ from 10am to 3pm. The cafe is a welcoming space for people to meet and enjoy our menu including panini, jacket potatoes and cakes. Balance has a supported horticulture project, Stud Nursery, in Home Park, so we try to use our produce including the sale of eggs laid from our rescue chickens. 
We are a member of the Chatty Cafe scheme, aiming to offer a friendly welcome to everyone. The Balance Community Cafe at St Matthew's Church is accessible, including the toilets.

Blind Aid - Courses for Persons with Visual Impairments
Blind Aid is currently offering places at their Camden Community project to anyone with a visual impairment living in London who is able to travel to Euston or Kings Cross stations (or a local bus stop). Each service user is offered a 16-week place (free of charge) and they run classes in IT/NVDA (Non-Visual Desktop Access), safe cooking and healthy eating, yoga, art and creative writing.
Please forward your details to the KAB Office if you are interested in taking up this offer.
 
Have an enjoyable weekend from everybody at KAB!
Find Out More
Copyright © 2022 Kingston Upon Thames Association for the Blind, All rights reserved.

Kingston Quaker Centre, Fairfield East, Kingston Upon Thames KT1 2PT

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KAB Eye Opener
Issue 20 - 11 August 2022
The KAB bowlers had a friendly match against the Hook and Southborough Bowling Club on the 9th of March and a great day was had by all.

News for our Members
 
KAB Notices
 
Office Telephone Numbers
Office Hours: 9am - 4pm.
KAB Office Telephone Number: 02086050060.
Mobile: 07305011133.
 
KAB Activities Weeks 11 August to 24 August
Tuesday, 16 August, 2:30pm to 4pm, Social Eyes Club, Squire's Garden Centre, Long Ditton.
Tuesday, 23 August, 2:30pm to 4pm, Outdoor Lawn Bowls, Hook and Southborough Bowling Club.

South London Working Age Forum Quiz
Sutton Vision will on 6 September 2022 at 6:30pm host the Quiz between sight-loss charities situated in London.
There are still places available in the KAB team.
Please call Mariza at the office at 02086050060 to book.

KCIL Annual Conference 6 September
The KCIL Annual Conference will take place on 6 September 2022 and they have invited KAB members to attend. The theme of this conference will be “Out and About: the Wellbeing Benefits of Getting Outside”. Attendance to the Conference is free-of-charge and there will also be a lunch buffet.
The Conference will take place at Glenmore House at 6 The Crescent, Surbiton KT6 4BN.
Please email enquiries@kcil.org.uk or call KCIL at 020 8546 9603 to sign up to attend.

Assisted Boarding Points
It’s now quicker and easier to get assistance at South Western Railway, you can arrive at the station with 10 mins notice and contact the South Western Railway Accessibility Team on WhatsApp through 0800 528 6599 and simply tell them:
  • Where you are
  • Where you are going
  • The time of the train you would like to travel on
  • What assistance is required
The team will contact the guard on the train that you intend to travel on, informing them that you are waiting on the platform. When the train arrives, the guard will approach you and help you board the service.
For more information please click here.

Lunch Club August
The August Lunch Club will take place at the Balance Café at St. Matthew’s Church in Surbiton on Wednesday the 31stof August at 12:30pm.
Please call Rana at the Office at 02086050060 to book.
 
Big Give Christmas Challenge
Can you make a pledge for our Big Give 2022 Christmas Challenge?
We are now collecting pledges for the Big Give Christmas Challenge 2022. We are looking for people who will pledge a minimum of £100. If we reach our goal of £1,500 this will then be matched by ‘Champion Funders’ to provide additional funding support to us. This is a fantastic opportunity to raise money for The Kingston Association for the Blind. It would be amazing if we could reach our goal as soon as possible. All pledges need to be received by Friday the 2ndof September at 1am. They will not need to be paid until December. To make a pledge, please follow this link: tinyurl.com/the-big-give-KAB and complete the short form.  There is also further information about how the Big Give Christmas Challenge works there.
We also need people who will donate online, this happens later in the year between the 29thof November and 6thof December 2022.
For more information or assistance, please call Mariza at the office at 02086050060.
 
Tenpin Bowling
There will be no tenpin bowling during the school holidays. The Monday tenpin bowling sessions will restart on the 12th of September at 11am at Hollywood Bowl in Tolworth, and the Wednesday tenpin bowling session will restart on the 14th of September at 6pm at the Rotunda Centre in Kingston.

Denbies Trip
The Social Eyes Club is planning a trip to Denbies Vineyard on Thursday 15 September 2022. We will be leaving the Kingston Quaker Centre at 9:30am and will be returning at 3pm. During the day the group will also do an hour long train tour of the vineyard.
To book, please call Rana at the Office at 020 8605 0060.

Social Eyes August
During the Month of August, there will be children’s holiday clubs hosted at the Kingston Quaker Centre so the Social Eyes Club will move out for the month. The Social Eyes Club will, on the 16thof August, go to the Squire’s Garden Centre in Thames Ditton for afternoon tea.
Please watch this space for other arrangements for August.
For more information call Rana at the office at 020 8605 0060.
 
KAB Chairperson Vacancy
The Kingston Association for the Blind is looking for a new Chairperson. Could this be you? For more information and to apply, please click here.
 
Fundraising Notices
 
Are you planning to take part in a Challenge?
Do you have a place in a marathon, cycle race, or other similar event this year? Please consider using  your entry to help KAB. Challenge Fundraising can be a very rewarding way to generate income for charities. So if you have a place in such an event please let us know. Together we can use your place to fundraise for KAB. Please call us on 02086050060.

Platform Fundraising
A gentle reminder, KAB is registered with both Amazon Smile and Easy Fundraising. By using their Apps to shop, and selecting Kingston Association for the Blind as your chosen charity, we will receive a small donation from your purchase.
 
Co-Op Charity of the Year
And another reminder: KAB is one of the three Local Charities of the Year of the Co-Op. For us to get the highest benefit from this, all our members with Co-Op cards can select KAB as their favourite charity. You can do so by either calling 08000234708, choosing option one and asking for help in choosing your favourite charity, or doing so through the Co-op App which can be found by following this link.
 
Kingston Lottery
The Kingston Community Lottery is an exciting weekly lottery that raises money for 'good causes' in the Royal Borough of Kingston upon Thames, and KAB is delighted to let you know that you can now support them as your 'good cause', by visiting the following link: kingstonlottery.co.uk/support/kingston-association-for-the-blind.
If you find the link inaccessible, or you do not have internet and you would like to play, and support KAB, please contact the office for assistance by calling 02086050060.
Tickets cost just 1 pound a week. Each ticket has a 1 in 50 chance to win a prize each week, with a top prize of £25,000. That's a much better chance of winning than the National Lottery, or the Health Lottery. Each ticket has six numbers and each number is between 0 and 9. There will be a draw every Saturday night when a six-digit winning combination will be picked. Prizes will be given to players with tickets that match the first or last 2 to 6 numbers from the winning combination. All 'good causes' supported by the lottery will benefit the Royal Borough of Kingston upon Thames and its residents. We hope you'll support us in making KAB even better, and have some fun along the way!
 
Community Notices

Love to Sing
We want to encourage anyone who loves singing to come along and join in an hour of fun, music and dancing. There are so many reasons why everyone should have the opportunity to be part of this lively and exciting group.
With musicians upbeat modern and old songs, this is a group like no other, suitable for anyone who loves to sing. 
Sessions take place every Friday from 10.30am to 12pm at the Kingston Quaker Centre.
Attendance is £5 per session, no booking is required. 
For more information please contact Suzie Speed at 020 8942 4137 or email s.speedy@homeinstead.co.uk.
If you need assistance with transportation, please speak to Suzie and she will see what she can organise.

Upcoming Surbiton Club Events
  • 13 September Chessington Garden Centre
The Surbiton Club will meet like normal during the month of August except for the 16th, which has been cancelled.
For more information, please contact Jo Westlake at jowestlake123@gmail.com.

Balance Community Cafe
Balance is a local Kingston charity providing community-based support to disabled and vulnerable people. Every Wednesday we hold the Balance Community Cafe at St Matthew's Church, St Matthew's Avenue, Surbiton KT6 6JQ from 10am to 3pm. The cafe is a welcoming space for people to meet and enjoy our menu including panini, jacket potatoes and cakes. Balance has a supported horticulture project, Stud Nursery, in Home Park, so we try to use our produce including the sale of eggs laid from our rescue chickens. 
We are a member of the Chatty Cafe scheme, aiming to offer a friendly welcome to everyone. The Balance Community Cafe at St Matthew's Church is accessible, including the toilets.

Blind Aid - Courses for Persons with Visual Impairments
Blind Aid is currently offering places at their Camden Community project to anyone with a visual impairment living in London who is able to travel to Euston or Kings Cross stations (or a local bus stop). Each service user is offered a 16-week place (free of charge) and they run classes in IT/NVDA (Non-Visual Desktop Access), safe cooking and healthy eating, yoga, art and creative writing.
Please forward your details to the KAB Office if you are interested in taking up this offer.
 
Let's Talk
Let's Talk is a series of regular meetings for blind and partially sighted people hosted by London Vision to discuss the things that have a positive effect on their lives so that others can find out how to experience the same. 
Let's Talk offers the chance to enthuse about the aspects of life that make people feel good.
The last session will take place on Thursday 18 August from 6pm to 7pm on the Zoom virtual platform.
To register to attend, please email info@londonvision.org or call 0203 761 3651.
 
Have an enjoyable weekend from everybody at KAB!
Find Out More
Copyright © 2022 Kingston Upon Thames Association for the Blind, All rights reserved.

Kingston Quaker Centre, Fairfield East, Kingston Upon Thames KT1 2PT

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KAB Eye Opener
Issue 19 - 28 July 2022
Meet and Greet 14 July 2022
The KAB was present at the recent Meet and Greet Event hosted by the Kingston Voluntary Action to introduce the newly elected Local Councillors to the Charity Sector active in the Royal Borough of Kingston.

News for our Members
 
KAB Notices

KAB Activities Weeks 28 July to 10 August
Tuesday, 9 August, 1:30pm to 3:30pm, Friendly Lawn Bowls Match against Hook and Southborough Bowling Club, Hook Bowling Club.

Office Telephone Numbers
Office Hours: 9am - 4pm.
KAB Office Telephone Number: 02086050060.
Mobile: 07305011133.

Youth Drop-in and Tandem Cycle Meet-up
The Tandem Cycle Meet-up and Youth Drop-in has been rescheduled for 5pm on Thursday 11thof August.
Come and meet Ignacia, our new Youth Co-ordinator, and speak with Erik to find a new tandem partner or have a taster session.
To book, please call the Office at 02086050060.

Summer Lawn Bowls
The KAB Summer Lawn Bowls Club will be taking on the Hook and Southborough Bowling Club in a friendly match on the 9thof August at 2:30pm at the Hook and Southborough Bowling Club at King Edwards Recreation Ground Hook Road, Chessington, Surrey, KT9 1PL.
Members of the KAB are welcome to attend to support our teams.
Please call Mariza at the Office at 02086050060 if you are coming.

Lunch Club August
The August Lunch Club will take place at the Balance Café at St. Matthew’s Church in Surbiton on Wednesday the 31stof August at 12:30pm.
Please call Rana at the Office at 02086050060 to book.
 
Big Give Christmas Challenge
Can you make a pledge for our Big Give 2022 Christmas Challenge?
We are now collecting pledges for the Big Give Christmas Challenge 2022. We are looking for people who will pledge a minimum of £100. If we reach our goal of £1,500 this will then be matched by ‘Champion Funders’ to provide additional funding support to us. This is a fantastic opportunity to raise money for The Kingston Association for the Blind. It would be amazing if we could reach our goal as soon as possible. All pledges need to be received by Friday the 2ndof September at 1am. They will not need to be paid until December. To make a pledge, please follow this link: www.thebiggive.org.uk/s/pledge?campaignId=a056900002NfVZLAA3 and complete the short form.  There is also further information about how the Big Give Christmas Challenge works there.
We also need people who will donate online, this happens later in the year between the 29thof November and 6thof December 2022.
For more information or assistance, please call Mariza at the office at 02086050060.
 
Optelec Clear Reader Plus
The Kingston Association for the Blind was recently left, in a Legacy, anOptelec Clear Reader Plus. The Board of Trustees has decided to sell the item for KAB funds. This portable machine scans and reads your favourite books, newspapers or printed documents at the press of a button. The reader sells new for £2514 and the KAB is selling it for £700.
The specifications of the machine are as follows:
  • Weight 2.46kg
  • High resolution camera
  • 3.5 Audio Stereo Jack
  • Charging time: 3 hours
  • One full charge lasts for roughly 5 hours of continuous use.
We also have the manual available for the person who purchases the reader.
Note this device cannot be used as a magnifier as it has no screen.

Tenpin Bowling
There will be no tenpin bowling during the school holidays. The Monday tenpin bowling sessions will restart on the 12th of September at 11am at Hollywood Bowl in Tolworth, and the Wednesday tenpin bowling session will restart on the 14th of September at 6pm at the Rotunda Centre in Kingston.

Denbies Trip
The Social Eyes Club is planning a trip to Denbies Vineyard on Thursday 15 September 2022. We will be leaving the Kingston Quaker Centre at 9:30am and will be returning at 3pm. During the day the group will also do an hour long train tour of the vineyard.
To book, please call Rana at the Office at 020 8605 0060.

Social Eyes August
During the Month of August, there will be children’s holiday clubs hosted at the Kingston Quaker Centre so the Social Eyes Club will move out for the month. The Social Eyes Club will, on the 16thof August, go to the Squire’s Garden Centre in Thames Ditton for afternoon tea.
Please watch this space for other arrangements for August.
For more information call Rana at the office at 020 8605 0060.
 
KAB Chairperson Vacancy
The Kingston Association for the Blind is looking for a new Chairperson. Could this be you? For more information and to apply, please click here.
 
Fundraising Notices
 
Are you planning to take part in a Challenge?
Do you have a place in a marathon, cycle race, or other similar event this year? Please consider using  your entry to help KAB. Challenge Fundraising can be a very rewarding way to generate income for charities. So if you have a place in such an event please let us know. Together we can use your place to fundraise for KAB. Please call us on 02086050060.

Platform Fundraising
A gentle reminder, KAB is registered with both Amazon Smile and Easy Fundraising. By using their Apps to shop, and selecting Kingston Association for the Blind as your chosen charity, we will receive a small donation from your purchase.
 
Co-Op Charity of the Year
And another reminder: KAB is one of the three Local Charities of the Year of the Co-Op. For us to get the highest benefit from this, all our members with Co-Op cards can select KAB as their favourite charity. You can do so by either calling 08000234708, choosing option one and asking for help in choosing your favourite charity, or doing so through the Co-op App which can be found by following this link.
 
Kingston Lottery
The Kingston Community Lottery is an exciting weekly lottery that raises money for 'good causes' in the Royal Borough of Kingston upon Thames, and KAB is delighted to let you know that you can now support them as your 'good cause', by visiting the following link: kingstonlottery.co.uk/support/kingston-association-for-the-blind.
If you find the link inaccessible, or you do not have internet and you would like to play, and support KAB, please contact the office for assistance by calling 02086050060.
Tickets cost just 1 pound a week. Each ticket has a 1 in 50 chance to win a prize each week, with a top prize of £25,000. That's a much better chance of winning than the National Lottery, or the Health Lottery. Each ticket has six numbers and each number is between 0 and 9. There will be a draw every Saturday night when a six-digit winning combination will be picked. Prizes will be given to players with tickets that match the first or last 2 to 6 numbers from the winning combination. All 'good causes' supported by the lottery will benefit the Royal Borough of Kingston upon Thames and its residents. We hope you'll support us in making KAB even better, and have some fun along the way!
 
Community Notices

Upcoming Surbiton Club Events
  • 13 September Chessington Garden Centre
The Surbiton Club will meet like normal during the month of August except for the 16th, which has been cancelled.
For more information, please contact Jo Westlake at jowestlake123@gmail.com.

Balance Community Cafe
Balance is a local Kingston charity providing community-based support to disabled and vulnerable people. Every Wednesday we hold the Balance Community Cafe at St Matthew's Church, St Matthew's Avenue, Surbiton KT6 6JQ from 10am to 3pm. The cafe is a welcoming space for people to meet and enjoy our menu including panini, jacket potatoes and cakes. Balance has a supported horticulture project, Stud Nursery, in Home Park, so we try to use our produce including the sale of eggs laid from our rescue chickens. 
We are a member of the Chatty Cafe scheme, aiming to offer a friendly welcome to everyone. The Balance Community Cafe at St Matthew's Church is accessible, including the toilets.

Blind Aid - Courses for Persons with Visual Impairments
Blind Aid is currently offering places at their Camden Community project to anyone with a visual impairment living in London who is able to travel to Euston or Kings Cross stations (or a local bus stop). Each service user is offered a 16-week place (free of charge) and they run classes in IT/NVDA (Non-Visual Desktop Access), safe cooking and healthy eating, yoga, art and creative writing.
Please forward your details to the KAB Office if you are interested in taking up this offer.

Let's Talk
Let's Talk is a series of regular meetings for blind and partially sighted people hosted by London Vision to discuss the things that have a positive effect on their lives so that others can find out how to experience the same. 
Let's Talk offers the chance to enthuse about the aspects of life that make people feel good.
Sessions take place every other Thursday from 6pm to 7pm, continuing from 4 August on the Zoom virtual platform.
Upcoming sessions:
  • 4 August – Food and Drink
  • 18 August – Anything Goes
To register to attend, please email info@londonvision.org or call 0203 761 3651.
 
Have an enjoyable weekend from everybody at KAB!
Find Out More
Copyright © 2022 Kingston Upon Thames Association for the Blind, All rights reserved.

Kingston Quaker Centre, Fairfield East, Kingston Upon Thames KT1 2PT

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KAB Eye Opener
Issue 18 - 14 July 2022
KAB members and staff with one of KAB's tandems.
Did you know that visually impaired persons can also safely cycle on a tandem? if you want to try it out please call the office and arrange for a taster session.

News for our Members
 
KAB Notices

KAB Activities Weeks 14 July to 27 July
Monday, 18 July, 10am to 11am, Digital Drop-in Session, Kingston Quaker Centre.
Monday, 18 July, 11am to 1pm, Tenpin Bowling, Hollywood Bowl, Tolworth.
Tuesday, 26 July, 1:30pm to 3:30pm, Social Eyes, Kingston Quaker Centre.
Tuesday, 26 July, 2:30pm to 5pm, Outdoor Lawn Bowls, Hook Bowling Club.
Tuesday, 26 July, 6:30pm to 8pm, Working Age Meeting, Guardian Centre, Colliers Wood.
Wednesday, 27 July, 12:30pm to 3pm, Lunch Club, Kingston Quaker Centre.

Office Telephone Numbers
Office Hours: 9am - 4pm.
KAB Office Telephone Number: 02086050060.
Mobile: 07305011133.

Big Give Christmas Challenge
Can you make a pledge for our Big Give 2022 Christmas Challenge?
We are now collecting pledges for the Big Give Christmas Challenge 2022. We are looking for people who will pledge a minimum of £100. If we reach our goal of £1,500 this will then be matched by ‘Champion Funders’ to provide additional funding support to us. This is a fantastic opportunity to raise money for The Kingston Association for the Blind. It would be amazing if we could reach our goal as soon as possible. All pledges need to be received by Friday the 2ndof September at 1am. They will not need to be paid until December. To make a pledge, please follow this link: www.thebiggive.org.uk/s/pledge?campaignId=a056900002NfVZLAA3 and complete the short form.  There is also further information about how the Big Give Christmas Challenge works there.
We also need people who will donate online, this happens later in the year between the 29thof November and 6thof December 2022.
For more information or assistance, please call Mariza at the office at 02086050060.

Optelec Clear Reader Plus
The Kingston Association for the Blind was recently left, in a Legacy, anOptelec Clear Reader Plus. The Board of Trustees has decided to sell the item for KAB funds. This portable machine scans and reads your favourite books, newspapers or printed documents at the press of a button. The reader sells new for £2514 and the KAB is selling it for £700.
The specifications of the machine are as follows:
  • Weight 2.46kg
  • High resolution camera
  • 3.5 Audio Stereo Jack
  • Charging time: 3 hours
  • One full charge lasts for roughly 5 hours of continuous use.
We also have the manual available for the person who purchases the reader.

Lunch Club
The next Lunch Club, on 27 July 2022 at 12:30pm, will feature our traditional Fish and Chips Lunch.
Please book your seat as soon as possible as this Fish and Chips Lunch Club is normally very popular. To secure your place, please call Rana at the office at 020 8605 0060.

Surrey Football Association News
The Surrey Football Association has advised that they are cancelling the upcoming Disability Football Taster Session for women and girls which was planned for the 17thof July due to the high temperatures expected for the upcoming Sunday.

Summer Open Day and Sizzling BBQ
On Friday 15 July 2022 from 1pm, Croydon Vision is inviting KAB members to come to their Summer Open Day and Sizzling BBQ for an afternoon packed full of information stalls, talks and delicious food!
Stalls are:
  • Art
  • Cooking
  • Money matters
  • Visual Awareness
Talks:
  • Eye Health
  • Accessible Social Media
  • Benefits
  • Volunteering
You can also visit their resource centre full of equipment, adapted gadgets and assistive technology
To reserve a booking, please email info@croydonvision.org.uk.

Digital Drop-in Session
The next Digital Drop-in Session will take place on the 18thof July at 10am. At this session we plan to test the new KAB website. So, it would be appreciated if everybody who comes along tries to bring their own laptop with their accessible software on it so that we can test the website using it.
Nicolai Rothe, one of KAB’s volunteers, has been working since the beginning of the year on designing a new website which would be fit-for-purpose for the KAB and be better search engine optimised.
The meeting will take place at the KAB offices at the Kingston Quaker Centre.
 
Living Well with Sight Loss Course
The KAB is planning a Living Well with Sight Loss Course offered remotely during the month of July.
The course will last for 4 weeks, 3 hours per week. It will cover issues like applying for benefits, accessing services for the visually impaired, introduction to sport for the visually impaired, as well as digital technologies and other accessibility issues.
The course is highly recommended to newly-diagnosed persons with visual impairments as well as those who have had significant changes in their sight levels.
To put your name down, call Mariza Jurgens at 07305011133.
 
Vaccine Champion’s Message
COVID 19 Test Kits
The KAB has acquired a limited number of self-test kits for COVID 19.  These are available to our Members on a first come first served basis.  If you have any symptoms or believe that you may have the virus please contact Steve in the office Tel: 020 8605 0060 or on his mobile: 07305 018140.  The kits could be collected from the office or delivered if necessary. 
If you need help taking and reading the tests Steve is willing to help.  If you have a Smart phone you can use the Be My Eyes app, which can be found on the App Store and downloaded free-of-charge to help you to look at your test and tell you what your results are through the app.
 
Pharmacy campaign
The aim of this pharmacy campaign is to encourage working aged adults and parents of under 5s to view their local pharmacy as a first port-of-call for minor health concerns. Local pharmacists are experts in medicines who can help with lots of minor illnesses, from skin rashes to earaches and flu. Many pharmacies are open late and offer private consultations, with no appointment necessary. For quick and easy health advice, local people are being encouraged to visit their local pharmacist.
Pharmacists are medically trained experts in a variety of areas and can help with lots of common conditions and minor illnesses, such as colds, sore throats, tummy trouble, aches, pains and minor injuries.
They can also offer medication advice, free consultations, vaccinations, emergency contraception, incontinence supplies, pregnancy testing and much more.
No appointments are needed, and many local pharmacies have private consultation rooms so people can ask for advice in confidence.
Pharmacists also have the right training to identify and advise if someone needs to see a GP, nurse or other healthcare professional.
For a full list of services and details of where to find local pharmacies please click here.

Tenpin Bowling
There will be no tenpin bowling during the school holidays. The Monday tenpin bowling sessions will restart on the 12th of September at 11am at Hollywood Bowl in Tolworth, and the Wednesday tenpin bowling session will restart on the 14th of September at 6pm at the Rotunda Centre in Kingston.
 
Working Age South London Forum
In order to offer better services to young and working age persons with visual impairments, the KAB has joined Merton Vision, Croydon Vision, and Sutton Vision to form a South London Working Age Forum. One of the activities of the Forum will be a monthly Working Age Face-to-Face activity. The first of these activities will take place at 6:30pm on Tuesday 26 July 2022 at Merton Vision at the Guardian Centre at 67 Clarendon Road, London SW19 2DX. 
The theme of the discussion will be “Changing Career due to Sight Loss”, since many visually impaired people have to do this during their working life.  If you would like to share your experience of doing this and share any tips and advice with others, please call Mariza at 07305011133.
In another activity planned by this South London Working Age Forum, it is planned to start a competitive quiz league between the different boroughs’ sight loss charities. If you wish to join the KAB’s team, please call Mariza at 07305011133. The first event will be in early August at Sutton Vision and we need at least 6 people to form a team.

Denbies Trip
The Social Eyes Club is planning a trip to Denbies Vineyard on Thursday 15 September 2022. We will be leaving the Kingston Quaker Centre at 9:30am and will be returning at 3pm. During the day the group will also do an hour long train tour of the vineyard.
To book, please call Rana at the Office at 020 8605 0060.
 
Social Eyes August
During the Month of August, there will be children’s holiday clubs hosted at the Kingston Quaker Centre so the Social Eyes Club will move out for the month. The Social Eyes Club will, on the 16thof August, go to the Squire’s Garden Centre in Thames Ditton for afternoon tea.
Please watch this space for other arrangements for August.
For more information call Rana at the office at 020 8605 0060.

KAB Chairperson Vacancy
The Kingston Association for the Blind is looking for a new Chairperson. Could this be you? For more information and to apply, please click here.
 
Fundraising Notices
 
Are you planning to take part in a Challenge?
Do you have a place in a marathon, cycle race, or other similar event this year? Please consider using  your entry to help KAB. Challenge Fundraising can be a very rewarding way to generate income for charities. So if you have a place in such an event please let us know. Together we can use your place to fundraise for KAB. Please call us on 02086050060.

Platform Fundraising
A gentle reminder, KAB is registered with both Amazon Smile and Easy Fundraising. By using their Apps to shop, and selecting Kingston Association for the Blind as your chosen charity, we will receive a small donation from your purchase.
 
Co-Op Charity of the Year
And another reminder: KAB is one of the three Local Charities of the Year of the Co-Op. For us to get the highest benefit from this, all our members with Co-Op cards can select KAB as their favourite charity. You can do so by either calling 08000234708, choosing option one and asking for help in choosing your favourite charity, or doing so through the Co-op App which can be found by following this link.
 
Kingston Lottery
The Kingston Community Lottery is an exciting weekly lottery that raises money for 'good causes' in the Royal Borough of Kingston upon Thames, and KAB is delighted to let you know that you can now support them as your 'good cause', by visiting the following link: https://www.kingstonlottery.co.uk/support/kingston-association-for-the-blind.
If you find the link inaccessible, or you do not have internet and you would like to play, and support KAB, please contact the office for assistance by calling 02086050060.
Tickets cost just 1 pound a week. Each ticket has a 1 in 50 chance to win a prize each week, with a top prize of £25,000. That's a much better chance of winning than the National Lottery, or the Health Lottery. Each ticket has six numbers and each number is between 0 and 9. There will be a draw every Saturday night when a six-digit winning combination will be picked. Prizes will be given to players with tickets that match the first or last 2 to 6 numbers from the winning combination. All 'good causes' supported by the lottery will benefit the Royal Borough of Kingston upon Thames and its residents. We hope you'll support us in making KAB even better, and have some fun along the way!
 
Community Notices

Upcoming Surbiton Club Events
  • 19 July Outing to tennis club
  • 13 September Chessington Garden Centre
The Surbiton Club will meet like normal during the month of August except for the 16th, which has been cancelled.
For more information, please contact Jo Westlake at jowestlake123@gmail.com.

Balance Community Cafe
Balance is a local Kingston charity providing community-based support to disabled and vulnerable people. Every Wednesday we hold the Balance Community Cafe at St Matthew's Church, St Matthew's Avenue, Surbiton KT6 6JQ from 10am to 3pm. The cafe is a welcoming space for people to meet and enjoy our menu including panini, jacket potatoes and cakes. Balance has a supported horticulture project, Stud Nursery, in Home Park, so we try to use our produce including the sale of eggs laid from our rescue chickens. 
We are a member of the Chatty Cafe scheme, aiming to offer a friendly welcome to everyone. The Balance Community Cafe at St Matthew's Church is accessible, including the toilets.

Blind Aid - Courses for Persons with Visual Impairments
Blind Aid is currently offering places at their Camden Community project to anyone with a visual impairment living in London who is able to travel to Euston or Kings Cross stations (or a local bus stop). Each service user is offered a 16-week place (free of charge) and they run classes in IT/NVDA (Non-Visual Desktop Access), safe cooking and healthy eating, yoga, art and creative writing.
Please forward your details to the KAB Office if you are interested in taking up this offer.

Let's Talk
Let's Talk is a series of regular meetings for blind and partially sighted people hosted by London Vision to discuss the things that have a positive effect on their lives so that others can find out how to experience the same. 
Let's Talk offers the chance to enthuse about the aspects of life that make people feel good.
Sessions take place every other Thursday from 6pm to 7pm, continuing from 21 July on the Zoom virtual platform.
Upcoming sessions:
  • 21 July - travel and holidays
  • 4 August – Food and Drink
  • 18 August – Anything Goes
To register to attend, please email info@londonvision.org or call 0203 761 3651.
 
Have an enjoyable weekend from everybody at KAB!
Find Out More
Copyright © 2022 Kingston Upon Thames Association for the Blind, All rights reserved.

Kingston Quaker Centre, Fairfield East, Kingston Upon Thames KT1 2PT

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June 2022

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KAB Eye Opener
Issue 17 - 30 June 2022
KAB member, Jo Westlake, getting her feet wet during the KAB Social Eyes Club's trip to Littlehampton on the 23rd of June 2022.

News for our Members
 
KAB Notices

KAB Activities Weeks  30 June to 13 July
Monday, 4 July, 11am to 1pm, Tenpin Bowling, Hollywood Bowl, Tolworth.
Thursday, 7 July, 6pm to 7pm, Tandem Cycling Meeting, Kingston Quaker Centre.
Monday, 11 July, 11am to 1pm, Tenpin Bowling, Hollywood Bowl, Tolworth.
Tuesday, 12 July, 2:30pm to 5pm, Outdoor Lawn Bowls, Hook Bowling Club.
Tuesday, 12 July, 1:30pm to 4pm, Social Eyes, Kingston Quaker Centre.
Wednesday, 13 July, 6pm to 8pm, Tenpin Bowling, Rotunda Centre, Kingston.

Office Telephone Numbers
Office Hours: 9am - 4pm.
KAB Office Telephone Number: 02086050060.
Mobile: 07305011133.

Lunch Club
The next Lunch Club, on 27 July 2022 at 12:30pm, will feature our traditional Fish and Chips Lunch.
Please book your seat as soon as possible as this Fish and Chips Lunch Club is normally very popular. To secure your place, please call Rana at the office.
 
Tandem Cycling
There will be a tandem cycling meeting for both front and back riders on Thursday 7 July at 6pm at our offices at the Kingston Quaker Centre, Fairfield East, Kingston Upon Thames KT1 2PT.
The aim of this meeting is to discuss our tandem cycling program and to introduce front-riders and back-riders looking for a riding partnership. This is also a great opportunity for new persons who wish to take part in tandem cycling to come and find out about the sport.
Please call Mariza at the Office or on 07305011133 to book.

Surrey Football Association News
The Surrey Football Association has the following events aimed at visually impaired football players:
  • Firstly for both women & girls, there is a Women’s Euro's inspired disability football taster session, this will be delivered by Fulham staff on Sunday 17 July between 12 and 1pm, at Walton Excel Sports Hub. To sign up, follow this link and apply:
  • Secondly, there is also the Regional England Para Talent day for 7 to 16 year-olds both male and female, It will have a fully accessible inflatable pitch, so I would really recommend this. To sign up, please follow this link and complete the online form: 

Summer Open Day and Sizzling BBQ
On Friday 15 July 2022 from 1pm, Croydon Vision is inviting KAB members to come to their Summer Open Day and Sizzling BBQ for an afternoon packed full of information stalls, talks and delicious food!
Stalls are:
  • Art
  • Cooking
  • Money matters
  • Visual Awareness
Talks are:
  • Eye Health
  • Accessible Social Media
  • Benefits
  • Volunteering
You can also visit their resource centre full of  equipment, adapted gadgets and assistive technology. 
To reserve a booking, please email info@croydonvision.org.uk.
 
Living Well with Sight Loss Course
The KAB is planning a Living Well with Sight Loss Course offered remotely during the month of July.
The course will last for 4 weeks, 3 hours per week. It will cover issues like applying for benefits, accessing services for the visually impaired, introduction to sport for the visually impaired, as well as digital technologies and other accessibility issues.
The course is highly recommended to newly-diagnosed persons with visual impairments as well as those who have had significant changes in their sight levels.
To put your name down, call Mariza Jurgens at 07305011133.
 
Message from our Vaccine Champions
The KAB has been asked to share the following survey with its members. The survey is all about your experiences concerning mental health services, but you do not need to have used any mental health services to be able to complete it.
To do the survey, please follow this link: www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/MentalHealthSWL2022
If you have something to say in this survey, but cannot get on-line, then please call the KAB office.
 
Working Age South London Forum
In order to offer better services to young and working age persons with visual impairments, the KAB has joined Merton Vision, Croydon Vision, and Sutton Vision to form a South London Working Age Forum. One of the activities of the Forum will be a monthly Working Age Face-to-Face activity. The first of these activities will take place at 6:30pm on Tuesday 26 July 2022 at Merton Vision at the Guardian Centre at 67 Clarendon Road, London SW19 2DX. 
The theme of the discussion will be “Changing Career due to Sight Loss”, since many visually impaired people have to do this during their working life.  If you would like to share your experience of doing this and share any tips and advice with others, please call Mariza at 07305011133.
In another activity planned by this South London Working Age Forum, it is planned to start a competitive quiz league between the different boroughs’ sight loss charities. If you wish to join the KAB’s team, please call Mariza at 07305011133. The first event will be in early August at Sutton Vision and we need at least 6 people to form a team.
 
Fundraising Notices
 
Are you planning to take part in a Challenge?
Do you have a place in a marathon, cycle race, or other similar event this year? Please consider using  your entry to help KAB. Challenge Fundraising can be a very rewarding way to generate income for charities. So if you have a place in such an event please let us know. Together we can use your place to fundraise for KAB. Please call us on 02086050060.

Platform Fundraising
A gentle reminder, KAB is registered with both Amazon Smile and Easy Fundraising. By using their Apps to shop, and selecting Kingston Association for the Blind as your chosen charity, we will receive a small donation from your purchase.
 
Co-Op Charity of the Year
And another reminder: KAB is one of the three Local Charities of the Year of the Co-Op. For us to get the highest benefit from this, all our members with Co-Op cards can select KAB as their favourite charity. You can do so by either calling 08000234708, choosing option one and asking for help in choosing your favourite charity, or doing so through the Co-op App which can be found by following this link.
When a new member joins the Co-Op using the Co-Op App from now until 12 July, they will receive a digital offer for £3 off, when they spend £10 or more in Co-Op food stores.
 
Kingston Lottery
The Kingston Community Lottery is an exciting weekly lottery that raises money for 'good causes' in the Royal Borough of Kingston upon Thames, and KAB is delighted to let you know that you can now support them as your 'good cause', by visiting the following link: https://www.kingstonlottery.co.uk/support/kingston-association-for-the-blind.
If you find the link inaccessible, or you do not have internet and you would like to play, and support KAB, please contact the office for assistance by calling 02086050060.
Tickets cost just 1 pound a week. Each ticket has a 1 in 50 chance to win a prize each week, with a top prize of £25,000. That's a much better chance of winning than the National Lottery, or the Health Lottery. Each ticket has six numbers and each number is between 0 and 9. There will be a draw every Saturday night when a six-digit winning combination will be picked. Prizes will be given to players with tickets that match the first or last 2 to 6 numbers from the winning combination. All 'good causes' supported by the lottery will benefit the Royal Borough of Kingston upon Thames and its residents. We hope you'll support us in making KAB even better, and have some fun along the way!
 
Community Notices

Upcoming Surbiton Club Events
  • 19 July Outing to tennis club
  • Note, The Surbiton Club will have no meetings in August
  • 13 September Chessington Garden Centre
For more information, please contact Jo Westlake at jowestlake123@gmail.com.
 
Balance Community Cafe
Balance is a local Kingston charity providing community-based support to disabled and vulnerable people. Every Wednesday we hold the Balance Community Cafe at St Matthew's Church, St Matthew's Avenue, Surbiton KT6 6JQ from 10am to 3pm. The cafe is a welcoming space for people to meet and enjoy our menu including panini, jacket potatoes and cakes. Balance has a supported horticulture project, Stud Nursery, in Home Park, so we try to use our produce including the sale of eggs laid from our rescue chickens. 
We are a member of the Chatty Cafe scheme, aiming to offer a friendly welcome to everyone. The Balance Community Cafe at St Matthew's Church is accessible, including the toilets.
 
Blind Aid - Courses for Persons with Visual Impairments
Blind Aid is currently offering places at their Camden Community project to anyone with a visual impairment living in London who is able to travel to Euston or Kings Cross stations (or a local bus stop). Each service user is offered a 16-week place (free of charge) and they run classes in IT/NVDA (Non-Visual Desktop Access), safe cooking and healthy eating, yoga, art and creative writing.
Please forward your details to the KAB Office if you are interested in taking up this offer.
 
Have an enjoyable weekend from everybody at KAB!
Find Out More
Copyright © 2022 Kingston Upon Thames Association for the Blind, All rights reserved.

Kingston Quaker Centre, Fairfield East, Kingston Upon Thames KT1 2PT

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KAB Eye Opener
Issue 16 - 16 June 2022
The Kingston Bell Ringers invited KAB members to a wonderful Bell Ringing Experience.
Thank you to all involved.

News for our Members
 
KAB Notices

KAB Activities Weeks  16 June to 29 June
Monday, 20 June, 10am to 11am, Digital Drop-in Session, Apple iStore, First floor of the Bentall Centre.
Thursday, 23 June, 9:15am to 5pm, Trip to Littlehampton, Leaving from the Kingston Quaker Centre.
Thursday, 23 June, 3pm to 6pm, Big Thank You for Volunteers, Rose Theatre, Kingston.
Monday, 27 June, 11am to 1pm, Tenpin Bowling, Hollywood Bowl, Tolworth.
Tuesday, 28 June, 1:30pm to 4pm, Social Eyes, Kingston Quaker Centre.
Tuesday, 28 June, 2:30pm to 5pm, Outdoor Lawn Bowls, Hook Bowling Club.
Wednesday, 29 June, 12:30pm to 3pm, Lunch Club, Kingston Quaker Centre.
Wednesday, 29 June, 6pm to 8pm, Tenpin Bowling, Rotunda Centre, Kingston.

Office Telephone Numbers
Office Hours: 9am - 4pm.
KAB Office Telephone Number: 02086050060.
Mobile: 07305011133.

Seaside Day Trip
The Social Eyes Club of KAB is planning to visit Littlehampton on Thursday 23rd June 2022. For those that have booked, please remember your sunscreen, hat, and arrive promptly at the Kingston Quaker Centre at 9:15am.

Digital Drop in Session
The next Digital Drop-in Session will take place on Monday 20 June 2022 at 10 am. We plan to visit the Apple iStore in the Bentall Centre. At this session, an accessibility consultant at the store will explain the functionality of Voice Over on your iPhone or iPad.
Spaces are severely limited so please call Mariza at 07305011133 if you wish to attend.
 
Living Well with Sight Loss Course
The KAB is planning a Living Well with Sight Loss Course offered remotely during the month of July.
 
The course will last for 4 weeks, 3 hours per week. It will cover issues like applying for benefits, accessing services for the visually impaired, introduction to sport for the visually impaired, as well as digital technologies and other accessibility issues.
 
The course is highly recommended to newly diagnosed persons with visual impairments as well as those who have had significant changes in their sight levels.
 
To put your name down, call Mariza Jurgens at 07305011133.

A Message from your Vaccine Champions
Diabetes
Diabetes is a lifelong condition that causes a person's blood sugar level to become too high. There are 2 main types of diabetes:
  • Type 1 diabetes – where the body's immune system attacks and destroys the cells that produce insulin
  • Type 2 diabetes – where the body does not produce enough insulin, or the body's cells do not react to insulin
The incidence of diagnosed Type 1 diabetes in Kingston is 800, and the incidence of known Type 2 diabetes in Kingston is 8,500. The estimated number of people with undetected Type 2 diabetes in Kingston is 3,300 (The total population of Kingston is 176,000).
 
Pre-diabetes
Many more people have blood sugar levels above the normal range, but not high enough to be diagnosed as having diabetes. This is sometimes known as pre-diabetes. If your blood sugar level is above the normal range, your risk of developing full-blown diabetes is increased.
It's very important for diabetes to be diagnosed as early as possible because it will get progressively worse if left untreated.
When to see a doctor
Visit your GP as soon as possible if you experience the main symptoms of diabetes, which include:
  • feeling very thirsty  
  • passing urine more frequently than usual, particularly at night
  • feeling very tired
  • weight loss and loss of muscle bulk
  • itching around the penis or vagina, or frequent episodes of thrush 
  • cuts or wounds that heal slowly
  • blurred vision
Type 1 diabetes can develop quickly over weeks or even days.
Many people have type 2 diabetes for years without realising because the early symptoms tend to be general.
 
Causes of Diabetes
The amount of sugar in the blood is controlled by a hormone called insulin, which is produced by the pancreas (a gland behind the stomach). When food is digested and enters your bloodstream, insulin moves glucose out of the blood and into cells, where it's broken down to produce energy. However, if you have diabetes, your body is unable to break down glucose into energy. This is because there's either not enough insulin to move the glucose, or the insulin produced does not work properly.
There are no lifestyle changes you can make to lower your risk of type 1 diabetes.
You can help manage type 2 diabetes through healthy eating, regular exercise and achieving a healthy body weight.
 
Living with Diabetes
If you're diagnosed with diabetes, you'll need to eat healthily, take regular exercise and carry out regular blood tests to ensure your blood glucose levels stay balanced.
You can use the BMI healthy weight calculator to check whether you're a healthy weight.
People diagnosed with type 1 diabetes also require regular insulin injections for the rest of their life.
As type 2 diabetes is a progressive condition, medicine may eventually be required, usually in the form of tablets.
 
Diabetic Eye Screening
Everyone with diabetes aged 12 or over should be invited to have their eyes screened once a year. If you have diabetes, your eyes are at risk from diabetic retinopathy, a condition that can lead to sight loss if it's not treated.
Screening, which involves a 30-minute check to examine the back of the eyes, is a way of detecting the condition early so it can be treated more effectively
 
 
Contact Steve or George at the KAB office.
020 8605 0060
Note, depending on your eye condition, the eye screening may not be possible, and you may need help if you have to check blood Sugar levels.
 
Fundraising Notices
 
Are you planning to take part in a Challenge?
Do you have a place in a marathon, cycle race, or other similar event this year? Please consider using  your entry to help KAB. Challenge Fundraising can be a very rewarding way to generate income for charities. So if you have a place in such an event please let us know. Together we can use your place to fundraise for KAB. Please call us on 02086050060.

Platform Fundraising
A gentle reminder, KAB is registered with both Amazon Smile and Easy Fundraising. By using their Apps to shop, and selecting Kingston Association for the Blind as your chosen charity, we will receive a small donation from your purchase.
 
Co-Op Charity of the Year
And another reminder: KAB is one of the three Local Charities of the Year of the Co-Op. For us to get the highest benefit from this, all our members with Co-Op cards can select KAB as their favourite charity. You can do so by either calling 08000234708, choosing option one and asking for help in choosing your favourite charity, or doing so through the Co-op App which can be found by following this link.
 
Kingston Lottery
The Kingston Community Lottery is an exciting weekly lottery that raises money for 'good causes' in the Royal Borough of Kingston upon Thames, and KAB is delighted to let you know that you can now support them as your 'good cause', by visiting the following link: https://www.kingstonlottery.co.uk/support/kingston-association-for-the-blind.
If you find the link inaccessible, or you do not have internet and you would like to play, and support KAB, please contact the office for assistance by calling 02086050060.
Tickets cost just 1 pound a week. Each ticket has a 1 in 50 chance to win a prize each week, with a top prize of £25,000. That's a much better chance of winning than the National Lottery, or the Health Lottery. Each ticket has six numbers and each number is between 0 and 9. There will be a draw every Saturday night when a six-digit winning combination will be picked. Prizes will be given to players with tickets that match the first or last 2 to 6 numbers from the winning combination. All 'good causes' supported by the lottery will benefit the Royal Borough of Kingston upon Thames and its residents. We hope you'll support us in making KAB even better, and have some fun along the way!
 
Community Notices

Upcoming Surbiton Club Events
  • 21stJune Boat Trip
  • 19thJuly Outing to tennis club
  • Note, The Surbiton Club will have no meetings in August
  • 13thSeptember Chessington Garden Centre
For more information, please contact Jo Westlake at jowestlake123@gmail.com.
 
Balance Community Cafe
Balance is a local Kingston charity providing community based support to disabled and vulnerable people. Every Wednesday we hold the Balance Community Cafe at St Matthew's Church, St Matthew's Avenue, Surbiton KT6 6JQ from 10am to 3pm. The cafe is a welcoming space for people to meet and enjoy our menu including panini, jacket potatoes and cakes. Balance has a supported horticulture project, Stud Nursery, in Home Park, so we try to use our produce including the sale of eggs laid from our rescue chickens.
We are a member of the Chatty Cafe scheme, aiming to offer a friendly welcome to everyone. The Balance Community Cafe at St Matthew's Church is accessible, including the toilets.
 
Blind Aid - Courses for Persons with Visual Impairments
Blind Aid is currently offering places at their Camden Community project to anyone with a visual impairment living in London who is able to travel to Euston or Kings Cross stations (or a local bus stop). Each service user is offered a 16-week place (free of charge) and they run classes in IT/NVDA (Non-Visual Desktop Access), safe cooking and healthy eating, yoga, art and creative writing.
Please forward your details to the KAB Office if you are interested in taking up this offer.
 
Have an enjoyable weekend from everybody at KAB!
Find Out More
Copyright © 2022 Kingston Upon Thames Association for the Blind, All rights reserved.

Kingston Quaker Centre, Fairfield East, Kingston Upon Thames KT1 2PT

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KAB Eye Opener
Issue 15 - 1 June 2022
The KAB went Dragon Boating on Saturday 21st of May.
Thank you to the Kingston Royals for the wonderful day trying out dragon boating.

News for our Members
 
KAB Notices

KAB Activities Weeks  2 June – 15 June
Thursday, 9 June, 5pm - 7pm, Youth Drop-in Session, Kingston Quaker Centre.
Monday, 13 June, 11am - 1pm, Tenpin Bowling, Hollywood Bowl, Tolworth.
Tuesday, 14 June, 1:30pm - 4pm, Social Eyes, Kingston Quaker Centre.
Tuesday, 14 June, 2:30pm - 5pm, Outdoor Lawn Bowls, Hooke Bowling Club.
Wednesday, 15 June, 12:30pm - 3pm, Lunch Club, Kingston Quaker Centre.

Office Telephone Numbers
Office Hours: 9am - 4pm.
KAB Office Telephone Number: 02086050060.
Mobile: 07305011133.

Message from your Vaccine Champions
Giving Up Smoking
Don’t wait for a national No Smoking Day. We offer smokers in Kingston free and professional service support to quit cigarettes through our Kick-It service; https://kick-it.org.uk/
 
Stopping smoking is one of the best things you can do for your health - and the great news is that it is never too late to give up.
 
Nicotine is extremely addictive, and in Kingston, around 1 in 12 adults smoke. We know that people with anxiety and depression are more likely to smoke, and those on a lower income or living in social housing also make up a higher proportion of smokers.
 
But with help, nearly 400 Kingston residents became ex-smokers at their 4 week ‘quit date’ during 2019. Getting to 4 weeks without a cigarette means you’re 5 times more likely to quit for good.
 
Giving up cigarettes immediately gives your lungs the chance to repair, and you will breathe more easily. Your blood will pump much better to your heart and muscles. In the longer term, you will significantly reduce your chance of developing illnesses including heart disease, diabetes, COPD, stroke and cancer.
 
Ask yourself about your biggest reason for quitting - is it for your health? Or so you have more energy? Do you want to save money? Or to feel happier? Research shows that whilst it can be stressful during the withdrawal stage of quitting, smokers who stop have better mental health in the long term than those continuing to smoke.
 
Did you know … you are 4 times more likely to stop with professional help.
Kingston’s Kick-It Stop Smoking Service offers up to 6 weeks of FREE specialist one to one support, both face to face and online. Trained advisers will give you help and encouragement to improve your chances of quitting.
 
Today is the day to stop smoking. Get in touch with Kingston’s stop smoking service to find out how we can help make quitting less stressful.
Tel: 020 3434 2500 or Email: hello@kick-it.org.uk.

Working Age and Young Persons Drop-in Session
As one of its major priorities this year the KAB trustees have targeted the inclusion of young persons and persons of working age in more of its services and activities. To this end, the KAB has recently started a ten-pin bowling session every alternative Wednesday at the Roitande Center in Kingston at 6pm, as well as football every Saturday at the Fulham Training Grounds here in Kingston at 10:30am. 
Ignatia Pecas, our young person and working age volunteer, wishes to engage with the community that she serves to find out what other activities working age and young people enjoy. So you are cordially invited to come and have a cup of tea and a slice of cake at the Kingston Quaker Centre on Thursday 9thof June at 5pm, meet other young persons with visual impairment in the RBK and chat about what you wish from the KAB as a person of working age or in full-time education.
 
To book, please call Mariza at 073050 11133
 
Seaside Day Trip
The Social Eyes Club of the KAB is planning to visit Littlehampton on Thursday 23 June 2022. Bookings are now open. Please be quick, spaces are filling up fast.

Digital Drop in Session
The next Digital Drop-in Session will take place on Monday 20 June 2022 at 10 am. We plan to visit the Apple I-Store in the Bentall Centre. At this session, an accessibility consultant at the store will explain the functionality of voice over on your iPhone or iPad.
 
Spaces are severely limited so please call Mariza at 07305011133 if you wish to attend.

Kingston-Upon-Thames Talking News, what is it?
Many people with sight loss find it hard or impossible to read the printed word, and this can make it difficult to read the local newspapers, especially when these days, many newspapers have stopped publishing on paper, and are only available via the Internet.
 
Talking newspapers are publications in audio, specifically designed for those who cannot access the Internet for sight loss reasons, or cost considerations. We at Kingston-Upon-Thames Talking news aim to bring you a weekly digest of local and important information in a browsable audio publication, read by volunteers completely free.
 
In a normal newspaper you can simply skip over articles that do not interest you, and with our free player which you get on loan from the society, you can do exactly the same, as each article is on a separate track and buttons move you back and forth between the next and previous items. We are not the BBC and hence most of our readers are local people reading local news. It also allows us to be able to publish news from the Council which you would probably hear no other way without access to print or the internet.
 
We send out little thumb sized sticks that plug into our player, and these are returnable to us, simply by replacing them in the PVC pouch they arrive in, putting the label inside and posting them in any pillar box, as they come under Articles for the Blind Free post.
 
We do for those a little more adventurous also publish the weekly digest via the Amazon Echo devices, and also via an app on a smart phone, the track selection will work exactly the same way here too.
 
For the thumb drive version please call the office on 020 8605 0060, and leave us your name, Address, and telephone contact, and somebody will arrange the loan of a player to you. You will find other organisations publish audio content on similar devices, and so ours is compatible with that format.
 
If you do have the technology, try saying to your Amazon device:
"Alexa, enable talking newspaper skill then just follow the prompts and answer the question. Remember you have to say our name as Kingston Upon Thames talking news, or it will pick the wrong one!"
 
For smart phones, you have to download the app from the Apple App store or Google play store. Both are free, and unsurprisingly are called Talking Newspaper. Once its installed and you open it you will find many talking newspapers there as well as ours, and an audio copy of our Eye Opener Newsletter. So, if you miss local news, give it a go!

Living Well With Sight Loss Course
The KAB is planning a Living Well With Sight Loss Course offered remotely during the month of July.
 
The Course will last 4 weeks, 3 hours per week. It will cover issues like applying for benefits, accessing services for the visually impaired, introduction to sport for the visually impaired, as well as digital technologies and other accessibility issues.
 
The Course is highly recommended to newly diagnosed persons with visual impairments as well as those who have had significant changes in their sight levels.
 
To put your name down, call Mariza Jurgens at 07305011133.
 
Fundraising Notices
 
Are you planning to take part in a Challenge?
Do you have a place in a marathon or cycle race this year? Please consider using  your entry to help KAB. Challenge Fundraising can be a very rewarding way to generate income for charities. So if you have a place in a marathon or a cycle race, please let us know. Together we can use your place to fundraise for KAB. Please call us at 02086050060.
 
Platform Fundraising
A gentle reminder, KAB is registered with both Amazon Smile and Easy Fundraising; by using their Apps to shop and selecting Kingston Association for the Blind as your chosen charity, we will receive a small donation from your shop.
 
Co-Op Charity of the Year
Just a reminder that the KAB is one of the three Local Charities of the Year of the Co-Op. For us to get the highest benefit from this, all our members with Co-Op cards can select the KAB as their favourite charity. You can do so by either calling 08000234708, choosing option one and asking for help in choosing your favourite charity, or doing so through the Co-op App which can be found by following this link.
 
Kingston Lottery
The Kingston Community Lottery is an exciting weekly lottery that raises money for 'good causes' in the Royal Borough of Kingston upon Thames, and KAB is delighted to let you know that you can now support them as your 'good cause', by visiting the following link: https://www.kingstonlottery.co.uk/support/kingston-association-for-the-blind.
If you find the link inaccessible, or you do not have internet and you would like to play, and support KAB, please contact the office for assistance by calling 02086050060.
Tickets cost just 1 pound a week. Each ticket has a 1 in 50 chance to win a prize each week, with a top prize of £25,000. That's a better chance of winning than the National Lottery, or the Health Lottery. Each ticket has six numbers and each number is between 0 and 9. There will be a draw every Saturday night when a six digit winning combination will be picked. Prizes will be given to players with tickets that match the first or last 2 to 6 numbers from the winning combination. All 'good causes' supported by the lottery will benefit the Royal Borough of Kingston upon Thames and its residents. We hope you'll support us in making KAB even better, and have some fun along the way!
 
Community Notices

Upcoming Surbiton Club Events
  • 7thJune AGM
  • 21stJune Boat Trip
  • 19thJuly Outing to tennis club
  • Note, The Surbiton Club will have no meetings in August
  • 13thSeptember Chessington Garden Centre
For more information, please contact Jo Westlake at jowestlake123@gmail.com.
 
Balance Community Cafe
Balance are a local Kingston charity providing community based support to disabled and vulnerable people. Every Wednesday we hold the Balance Community Cafe at St Matthew's Church, St Matthew's Avenue, Surbiton KT6 6JQ from 10am - 3pm. The cafe is a welcoming space for people to meet and enjoy our menu including panini, jacket potatoes and cakes. Balance have a supported horticulture project, Stud Nursery, in Home Park so we try to use our  produce including the sale of eggs laid from our rescue chickens. 

We are a member The Chatty Cafe scheme, aiming to offer a friendly welcome to everyone. The Balance Community Cafe at St Matthew's Church is accessible, including the toilets.

 
Blind Aid - Courses for Persons with Visual Impairments
Blind Aid is currently offering places at their Camden Community project to anyone with a visual impairment living in London who is able to travel to Euston or Kings Cross stations (or a local bus stop). Each service user is offered a 16 week place (free of charge) and they run classes in IT/NVDA, safe cooking and healthy eating, yoga, art and creative writing.
Please forward your details to the KAB Office if you are interested in taking up this offer.

Have an enjoyable weekend from everybody at KAB!
Find Out More
Copyright © 2022 Kingston Upon Thames Association for the Blind, All rights reserved.

Kingston Quaker Centre, Fairfield East, Kingston Upon Thames KT1 2PT

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May 2022

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KAB Eye Opener
Issue 14 - 19 May 2022
The KAB and the Friends of the Queen's Promenade are working together to make the Promenade accessible for persons with visual impairments.
Watch this space for more updates.

News for our Members
 
KAB Notices

KAB Activities Weeks 19 May – 2 June
Saturday, 21 May, 11am - 12, Dragon Boat Racing, Kingston Royal Dragon Boat Racing Club, Teddington Lock.
Monday, 23 May, 11am - 1pm, Tenpin Bowling, Hollywood Bowl, Tolworth.
Wednesday, 25 May, 12:30pm - 3pm, Lunch Club, Kingston Quaker Centre.
Wednesday, 25 May, 7:45pm - 9:30pm, Bell Ringing Experience, All Saints Church, Kingston.
Saturday, 28 May, 10am - 12, VI Football, Fulham Training Grounds, Motspur Park.
Monday, 30 May, 11am - 1pm, Tenpin Bowling, Hollywood Bowl, Tolworth.
Tuesday, 31 May, 1:30pm - 4pm, Social Eyes, Kingston Quaker Centre.
Tuesday, 31 May, 2:30pm - 5pm, Outdoor Lawn Bowls, Hooke Bowling Club.
Wednesday, 1 June, 6pm - 8pm, Tenpin Bowling, Rotunda Centre, Kingston.

Office Telephone Numbers
Office Hours: 9am - 4pm.
KAB Office Telephone Number: 02086050060.
Mobile: 07305011133.

AGN News
The KAB office is pleased to report that the Kingston Association for the blind had a very successful AGN on Wednesday 11thof May 2022. We also wish to thank the members who attended or sent in their proxy. The officers of the board were re-elected, Martin Gale as Chairperson, Kevin White as Vice Chairperson, Anne Spong as Treasurer and Ellie Mayer. Kraig Edwards was elected to serve on the board of trustees.

Dragon Boat Racing Taster Day
The Kingston Royal Dragon Boat Club has kindly invited KAB members for a VI Dragon Boat Taster Day on Saturday 21stof May at 11am.
There is still time to put your name on the list. It is also important to note that it is advisable to be accompanied by a sighted guide as there are many boats around that can acts as a trip hazard.

Please contact Mariza at 07305011133 if you wish to be included.
 
Kingston Bell Ringing Experience
The Kingston Bell Ringers are offering a Bell Ringing Experience for KAB members on Wednesday 25 May at 7:45pm. Please note that the bell tower has 52 steps, and a guide rope.

If you wish to attend, please call Mariza at 07305011133.

Message from your Vaccine Champions
Simple tips to help you move more:
  • Make moving a habit - this could be as simple as doing stretches every time there’s a TV adceert break, or pacing the kitchene ach time you boil the kettle
  • Strength exercises like carrying heavy shopping help keep muscles, joints and bones strong - this needs to be part of your weekly exercise
  • It’s easier to exercise together - friends and family might like a bit of competition with you to see who can do the most daily steps for example
Always find something you enjoy - having fun will make it easier to keep going.
 
Contact Steve or George at the KAB office.

Working Age and Young Persons Drop-in Session
As one of its major priorities this year the KAB trustees have targeted the inclusion of young persons and persons of working age in more of its services and activities. To this end, the KAB has recently started a ten-pin bowling session every alternative Wednesday at the Roitande Center in Kingston at 6pm, as well as football every Saturday at the Fulham Training Grounds here in Kingston at 10:30am. 
Ignatia Pecas, our young person and working age volunteer, wishes to engage with the community that she serves to find out what other activities working age and young people enjoy. So you are cordially invited to come and have a cup of tea and a slice of cake at the Kingston Quaker Centre on Thursday 9thof June at 5pm, meet other young persons with visual impairment in the RBK and chat about what you wish from the KAB as a person of working age or in full-time education.
 
To book, please call Mariza at 073050 11133
KAB Football Taster
KAB is pleased to announce that we will be offering a football taster on Saturday 28th May at the Fulham Training Grounds in RBK. This football taster will be offered in conjunction with Fulham Football Foundation and the Surrey Football Association.
To book, please follow this link, or contact us at the office.
 
Seaside Day Trip
The Social Eyes Club of the KAB is planning to visit Littlehampton on Thursday 23 June 2022. Bookings are now open. Please be quick, spaces are filling up fast.

Advanced Notice
Just a reminder that the KAB hosts a digital drop-in session every third Monday of each month. The next digital drop-in session will take place on 20 June 2022. Please come along to the Kingston Quaker Centre to these well attended sessions and learn how you as a visually impaired person can interact with technology. We are fortunate to have recently secured funding for this activity to ensure these sessions will be monthly for the rest of the year. 
 
We were also fortunate to secure funding for our Living Well with Sight Loss course. A telephonic Living Well with Sight Loss course is planned for July. Our next in-person Living Well with Sight Loss course is schedule for October 2022.
 
For more information, please contact Mariza at 073050 11133.
Fundraising Notices
 
Are you planning to take part in a Challenge?
Do you have a place in a marathon or cycle race this year? Please consider using  your entry to help KAB. Challenge Fundraising can be a very rewarding way to generate income for charities. So if you have a place in a marathon or a cycle race, please let us know. Together we can use your place to fundraise for KAB. Please call us at 02086050060.
 
Platform Fundraising
A gentle reminder, KAB is registered with both Amazon Smile and Easy Fundraising; by using their Apps to shop and selecting Kingston Association for the Blind as your chosen charity, we will receive a small donation from your shop.
 
Co-Op Charity of the Year
Just a reminder that the KAB is one of the three Local Charities of the Year of the Co-Op. For us to get the highest benefit from this, all our members with Co-Op cards can select the KAB as their favourite charity. You can do so by either calling 08000234708, choosing option one and asking for help in choosing your favourite charity, or doing so through the Co-op App which can be found by following this link.
 
Kingston Lottery
The Kingston Community Lottery is an exciting weekly lottery that raises money for 'good causes' in the Royal Borough of Kingston upon Thames, and KAB is delighted to let you know that you can now support them as your 'good cause', by visiting the following link: https://www.kingstonlottery.co.uk/support/kingston-association-for-the-blind.
If you find the link inaccessible, or you do not have internet and you would like to play, and support KAB, please contact the office for assistance by calling 02086050060.
Tickets cost just 1 pound a week. Each ticket has a 1 in 50 chance to win a prize each week, with a top prize of £25,000. That's a better chance of winning than the National Lottery, or the Health Lottery. Each ticket has six numbers and each number is between 0 and 9. There will be a draw every Saturday night when a six digit winning combination will be picked. Prizes will be given to players with tickets that match the first or last 2 to 6 numbers from the winning combination. All 'good causes' supported by the lottery will benefit the Royal Borough of Kingston upon Thames and its residents. We hope you'll support us in making KAB even better, and have some fun along the way!
 
 
Community Notices

Upcoming Surbiton Club Events
  • 7thJune AGM
  • 21stJune Boat Trip
  • 19thJuly Outing to tennis club
  • Surbiton Club will have no meetings in August
  • 13thSeptember Chessington Garden Centre
For more information, please contact Jo Westlake at jowestlake123@gmail.com.

Active Kington Card
The Active Kingston Card entitles you to receive up to 70% discount on a wide range of activities at the following centres;
- Chessington Sports Centre
- Kingsmeadow Athletics Stadium
- Malden Centre
- Tolworth Recreation Centre
- YMCA Hawker Centre
- YMCA Surbiton
 
To be eligible for the card, you must be a resident of the borough
Note there are numerous conditions and a complex application form to fill in. At the moment Steve and Brian from the talking newspaper have spotted inaccuracies in the web site information, so please ring and Steve can give you the current situation. 0208 605 0060
 
The card is valid for one year for under 60s and for ten years for those over 60.
Balance Community Cafe
Balance are a local Kingston charity providing community based support to disabled and vulnerable people. Every Wednesday we hold the Balance Community Cafe at St Matthew's Church, St Matthew's Avenue, Surbiton KT6 6JQ from 10am - 3pm. The cafe is a welcoming space for people to meet and enjoy our menu including panini, jacket potatoes and cakes. Balance have a supported horticulture project, Stud Nursery, in Home Park so we try to use our  produce including the sale of eggs laid from our rescue chickens. 

We are a member The Chatty Cafe scheme, aiming to offer a friendly welcome to everyone. The Balance Community Cafe at St Matthew's Church is accessible, including the toilets.

 
Blind Aid - Courses for Persons with Visual Impairments
Blind Aid is currently offering places at their Camden Community project to anyone with a visual impairment living in London who is able to travel to Euston or Kings Cross stations (or a local bus stop). Each service user is offered a 16 week place (free of charge) and they run classes in IT/NVDA, safe cooking and healthy eating, yoga, art and creative writing.
Please forward your details to the KAB Office if you are interested in taking up this offer.

Have an enjoyable weekend from everybody at KAB!
Find Out More
Copyright © 2022 Kingston Upon Thames Association for the Blind, All rights reserved.

Kingston Quaker Centre, Fairfield East, Kingston Upon Thames KT1 2PT

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