Kingston Upon Thames Association for the Blind

KAB Eye Openers


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KAB Eye Opener

Issue 46 / 27th September 2023
Office hours: 10:00am - 4:00pm
Phone: 0208 605 0060
Office mobile: 07442 394 472
Charity registration number: 249295


Follow us on social media for the very latest news and events from KAB:
FaceBook:
 facebook.com/people/Kingston-Association-for-the-Blind/
X: twitter.com/kingston_blind
Instagram: instagram.com/kingstonassociationforblind
Website: www.kingstonassociationforblind.org
 

KAB Activities

27th September - 10th October 2023
For more details and to book: 
Phone 0208 605 0060, or our office mobile: 07442 394 472 
Email: 
kab@kingstonassociationforblind.org
 
Image of Odette preparing to bowl, she is standing on a yellow mat and holding a black ball. Behind her looking on, is Norman the volunteer and KAB member George
Image shows George kneeling down on a yellow mat, about to bowl a black ball onto the green.
Our Bowls Club is back fortnightly on Thursdays! Join us for the next session on October 5th.

Date and time by arrangement
Beginners and Improvers swimming lessons
Date and time by arrangement at New Malden Leisure Centre, Training Pool, New Malden, KT3 4TA. For beginners, or swimmers who would like to improve. The swimming sessions are on a one-to-one basis and dates and times can vary, if you are interested, please contact the office to arrange a session and discuss any needs you may have on 0208 605 0060, or the office mobile 07442 394 472.


Thursday September 28th
Swimming Session for Accomplished Swimmers 7:00 — 8:00pm
Sessions are in association with Spartans Swimming Club and need to be prebooked. All members new to the session need to fill out a form signed by their GP, please phone or email for further details. Sessions are £2. At New Malden Leisure Centre, Main Pool, New Malden, KT3 4TA.
 
Friday September 29th
Lunch Club 12:30am – 3:00pm
Enjoy a light lunch and take the opportunity to socialise with other KAB members. Call the office to book your place. Kingston Quaker Centre, Fairfield East, KT1 2PT.
 
Saturday September 30th
Football Club 10:45am – 11:45am
Two football sessions run at the same time for Blind and Visually Impaired Juniors (5-16 years old), and Adults (16+). Both sessions are open to all levels, male and female. Sessions take place in a huge indoor bubble using audio balls and are supported by a team of coaches and volunteers. To book visit: tinyurl.com/Football-VI. If the website is inaccessible, please call or email our office. Fulham FC Training Ground, Motspur Park, KT3 6PT.
 
Monday October 2nd
Ten-pin Bowling 11:00am - 1:00pm
The Club meets on Monday’s twice a month in the Hollywood Bowl, Charrington Bowl, Kingston Road, Tolworth, London, KT5 9PB. 2 games are played. Please wear flat, closed toe, non-marking soled shoes. Hollywood Bowl, Charrington Bowl, Kingston Rd, Surbiton KT5 9PB.

Tandem and Adapted Cycling 2:00pm — 2:45pm
Sessions are held at the Weir Archer Athletics Centre, Jack Goodchild Way, 422a Kingston Road, KT1 3PB.
 
Tuesday October 3rd
Social Eyes 1:00pm — 3:00pm
At the Kingston Quaker Centre, Fairfield East, Kingston, KT1 2PT. 

Wednesday October 4th
Living with Sight Loss Workshop 10:00am — 12:00pm

For people who have low vision, visually impaired or blind and their families and carers who want to understand how better support a family members of patient with low or no vision. 

In this workshop we will touch on:

  • Understanding the emotional impact of living with sight loss
  • Support services available
  • Benefits and concessions
  • Tips and tricks to adapt to everyday living
  • Getting out and about
  • Adapted technology
  • Hobbies and employment
  • Staying active

Free, but places are limited and advanced booking is essential. To book your place phone 0208 605 0060, or the office mobile 07442 394 472. Or email kab@kingstonassociationforblidn.orgAt the Kingston Quaker Centre, Fairfield East, Kingston KT1 2PT.

 
Thursday October 5th
Bowls 10:00am – 12:00pm
Sessions are held fortnightly in the King George Field Indoor Bowls Club, Jubilee Way, Chessington, KT9 1TR. Food and Drink will be available there to purchase afterwards.
 
Swimming Session for Accomplished Swimmers 7:00 — 8:00pm
Sessions are in association with Spartans Swimming Club and need to be prebooked. All members new to the session need to fill out a form signed by their GP, please phone or email for further details. Sessions are £2. At New Malden Leisure Centre, Main Pool, New Malden, KT3 4TA.
 
Saturday October 7th
Football Club 10:45am – 11:45am
Two football sessions run at the same time for Blind and Visually Impaired Juniors (5-16 years old), and Adults (16+). Both sessions are open to all levels, male and female. Sessions take place in a huge indoor bubble using audio balls and are supported by a team of coaches and volunteers. To book visit: tinyurl.com/Football-VI. If the website is inaccessible, please call or email our office. Fulham FC Training Ground, Motspur Park, KT3 6PT.
 
Monday October 9th
Tandem and Adapted Cycling 2:00pm — 2:45pm
Held at the Weir Archer Athletics Centre, Jack Goodchild Way, 422a Kingston Road, KT1 3PB.


Future dates for your diary:
Tuesday October 17th

WAF, Croydon Vision 6:00pm 
The next WAF meeting will be all about independent living and cooking with Shalini. Don't forget to book your place. For more details and for registration, phone 0208 605 0060 or our office mobile 07442 394472. Or email kab@kingstonassociationforblind.org. Held at Croydon Vision, Bedford Hall, 72 – 74 Wellesley Road, Croydon, CR0 2AR.

Thursday October 19th
Tech Session 5:00pm - 6:30pm
Apple Store at Bentall’s Centre have invited us to hold a tech session on Thursday 19th of October at 5:00pm. It will last 90 minutes and it is aimed at complete beginners who have an interest in discovering how to interact with Mac and iOS. We'll explore assistive technologies like Zoom, Text to Speech and Magnifier, and practice using Dictation to turn spoken words into text.
 
Bring your device or we'll provide one. For sessions with amplified sound, hearing loop technology is available on request.
 
Note that places are limited so please book yours as soon as possible by calling KAB on 0208 605 0060 or our Mobile 07442 394472. Or email
kab@kingstonassociationforblind.org. At the Apple Store, Bentalls Shopping Centre, Wood St, Kingston upon Thames KT1 1TP.
 

KAB Concession Policy

In recognition of the high cost-of-living currently experienced by many members of the Kingston Association for the Blind, 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 details phone 07442 394 472. Or email kab@kingstonassociationforblind.org



News for our Members

 
Image shows a lady wearing black glasses, holding her iPhone and sitting by a wooden desk.
Image shows four people smiling and chatting, sitting around a wooden desk. One lady is holding her iPad on front of her.
Image shows two RNIB tech experts speaking to a lady who is holding her iPad on front of her and has a notebook and pen next to her on the wooden desk.
Image shows a patient, sleepy looking guide dog called 'Cane' who is lying next to his owners feet. He is a golden Labrador.
Images show Davinder and Jason, visiting RNIB tech experts giving tips to our members. The lovely guide dog is called 'Cane', owned by Jason.
 
New tech sessions coming up

Last Monday we had the pleasure of hosting, alongside the RNIB, one of our famous Tech sessions in which we teach members how to use their own devices in the most accessible way.
 
Whether for beginners or advanced, we provide the opportunity for you to explore accessible features like Screen readers, Zoom, Magnification and other tech tools that make our lives easier.
 
The session was very successful; many had the chance to learn something new. We are happy to announce that we have even more sessions coming up. From now on they will be on Thursdays at the Kingston Library, Fairfield Rd, Kingston, KT1 2PS, running in small groups and also 1 to 1’s. The dates and time are to be confirmed.
 
Our sessions have been so successful that the Apple Store at Bentall’s Centre have invited us to hold a session on Thursday 19th of October at 5pm. It will last 90 minutes and it is aimed at complete beginners who have an interest in discovering how to interact with Mac and iOS. We'll explore assistive technologies like Zoom, Text to Speech and Magnifier, and practice using Dictation to turn spoken words into text.
 
Bring your device or we'll provide one. For sessions with amplified sound, hearing loop technology is available on request.
 
Note that places are limited so please book yours as soon as possible by calling KAB on 0208 605 0060 or our Mobile  07442 394472. Or email kab@kingstonassociationforblind.org

 
Visit Sight Village 2023

An exciting time of the year has come; Sight Village is happening on Tuesday the 7th November 2023. And it promises to bring as many interesting novelties as ever!
 
Sight Village is the UK's leading exhibition for blind and partially sighted people. The events offer everyone the opportunity to see leading providers of products and services under one roof.
 
With over 40 exhibitors it is a great day out for anyone who is living with sight loss, friends, colleagues and family members. You can discover audio and braille equipment and services, CCTVs/Magnification, Mobile Technology, New Wearables, Daily Living Equipment, Leisure Services and more...
 
KAB would like to invite its wonderful members, carers and volunteers to join us at this marvellous event. In order for that to happen we will arrange a mini bus to take us from the Kingston Quaker Centre to South Kensington Hall, where the event is taking place, and then returning to the Kingston Quaker Centre after. Help of volunteers is indispensable as we need to ensure member’s safety at all times.
 
Please note that places are limited so book yours as soon as possible. You can do so by calling KAB on 0208 605 0060 or our office mobile 07442 394472. Or email
 kab@kingstonassociationforblind.org.

 
Living Well with Sight Loss coming up

For all who have always wondered what it is like to live with a visual impairment and would like to learn how to support people with sight loss, we have designed a special workshop that will touch on understanding the emotional impact of living with a visual impairment, support  services available, benefits and concessions, tips and tricks to adapt in everyday living, getting out and about, adapted technology, hobbies and employment, staying active and much more.
 
The course will take place next Wednesday 4th October 2023 from 10:00am to 12:00pm at the Kingston Quaker centre. if you would like to attend, please book your place in advance by calling on 0208 605 0060 or our office mobile 07442 394472. Or email
 kab@kingstonassociationforblind.org.
 

Book your place now
Image from a WAF session held in a Vision Foundation charity shop. There are a group of 8 people smiling at the camera. One is holding her cane. Odette, Ceo is in the middle of the group.
Image from our last WAF session, which was held in the Vision Foundation shop, Kingston.
 
Next WAF session

The next WAF meeting will take place at Croydon Vision on Tuesday 17 October at 6:00pm - 8:00pm. It will be all about independant living and cooking with Shalini. Don't forget to book your place. For more details and to register phone 0208 605 0060 or our office mobile 07442 394472. Or email kab@kingstonassociationforblind.org.

Image shows a silver and black microwave. There are three white small buttons and one large.
Creative Cooking: The Talking Microwave

This week we would like to tell you about a crucial item in the kitchen of any VI cook: The Talking Microwave.
 
Everyone knows how useful a microwave can be in daily life. Whether it is defrosting a ready meal or poaching an egg, nothing has been quite the same after the invention of the microwave. To make cooking even simpler, RNIB created the talking microwave which has similar functions to a regular microwave but enables blind users to feel more confident at using it as they know exactly which button they have pressed.
 
Not only is it fully talking (with adjustable volume) but, for simplicity, there are only four controls. There are no complicated menus or features. You just select the cooking power, the minutes and the seconds and press Start to cook.
 
Set the time using the ‘minutes’ button (the letter M is printed next to it and the button has a single tactile dot for identification) and the ‘seconds’ button (found below the ‘minutes’ button, printed with an S and with two tactile dots).
Use the Power mode button (this is the only button without tactile dots and has the letter P printed next to it) to choose cooking power.
 
Below these three buttons is a rotary dial to adjust the volume (choose from 15 levels, the microwave will announce the volume level as you rotate the dial). Press the dial to start cooking (press and hold the dial to reset the microwave). The dial has a V printed next to it and the words START, RESET raised on it.
 
As well as announcing power and time as you set them, the microwave will alert you to the cooking time remaining. It is a very useful piece of equipment to have if you would like to explore the cook within you in a safe and accessible environment. You can find the microwave on the RNIB website: 
tinyurl.com/RNIB-talking-microwave

KAB Member Survey

Your feedback is invaluable to us and we are currently conducting a Member survey with a selection of you to find out which KAB services you enjoy or currently use, and if there are more services that you would like us to provide. A huge thanks to all members who are helping us, we will be continuing to contact you!

If you haven't been contacted and would like to have your say, please phone the office on 0208 605 0060 or our office mobile 07442 394 472.

 



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 0208 605 0060 or 07442 394 472. Or email kab@kingstonassociationforblind.org.

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 0800 0234 708, 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 you can now support KAB as your 'good cause', by visiting the following link: 
tinyurl.com/58fp3jvp.

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 0208 605 0060. Tickets cost just £1 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!
Find Out More
Facebook
Twitter
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Website
Follow us on social media for the very latest news and events from KAB:
FaceBook:
 facebook.com/people/Kingston-Association-for-the-Blind/
X: twitter.com/kingston_blind
Instagram: instagram.com/kingstonassociationforblind
Website: www.kingstonassociationforblind.org
Charity registration number: 249295
Copyright © 2023 Kingston Upon Thames Association for the Blind, All rights reserved.

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

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Past issues of Eye Opener

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KAB Eye Opener

Issue 45 / 6th September 2023
Follow us on social media for the very latest news and events from KAB:
FaceBook:
 facebook.com/people/Kingston-Association-for-the-Blind/
X: twitter.com/kingston_blind
Instagram: instagram.com/kingstonassociationforblind
Website: www.kingstonassociationforblind.org

Office hours: 10:00am - 4:00pm
*KAB Office Telephone Number: 07442 394 472
Charity registration number: 249295


*Please note that the KAB phone system is changing providers and isn't working at the moment. Instead of phoning the office landline (0208 605 0060), please use the mobile number 07442 394 472, until further notice.

KAB Activities

6th - 19th September 2023
For more details and to book call 07442 394 472 or email kab@kingstonassociationforblind.org
 
Our Bowls Club is back, the first session is on Thursday 7th September, we hope to see you there! Image: Flickr/Ian Halsey

Thursday September 7th
Bowls 10:00am – 12:00pm. We are pleased to announce that indoor bowls will be returning at King George Field Indoor Bowls Club, Jubilee Way, Chessington, KT9 1TR. Food and Drink will be available there to purchase.
 
Swimming Session for Accomplished Swimmers 7:00pm — 8:00pm. Sessions are in association with Spartans Swimming Club and need to be prebooked. All members new to the session need to fill out a form signed by their GP, please phone or email for further details. Sessions are £2. At New Malden Leisure Centre, Main Pool, New Malden, KT3 4TA.
 
Monday September 11th
Ten-pin Bowling, 11:00am - 1:00pm. The Club meets on Monday’s twice a month in the Hollywood Bowl, Charrington Bowl, Kingston Road, Tolworth, London, KT5 9PB. 2 games are played. Please wear flat, closed toe, non-marking soled shoes.
 
Tandem and Adapted Cycling 2:00pm — 2:45pm. At Weir Archer Athletics Centre, Jack Goodchild Way, 422a Kingston Road, KT1 3PB.
 
Thursday September 14th
Bowls 10:00am – 12:00pm. The Bowls Club meets weekly at the King George Field Indoor Bowls Club, Jubilee Way, Chessington, KT9 1TR. Food and Drink will be available there to purchase.
 
Swimming Session for Accomplished Swimmers 7:00pm — 8:00pm. Sessions are in association with Spartans Swimming Club and need to be prebooked. All members new to the session need to fill out a form signed by their GP, please phone or email for further details. Sessions are £2. At New Malden Leisure Centre, Main Pool, New Malden, KT3 4TA.
 
Saturday September 16th
Football Club 10:45am – 11:45am, Autumn Term. Two football sessions run at the same time for Blind and Visually Impaired Juniors (5-16 years old), and Adults (16+). Both sessions are open to all levels, male and female. Sessions take place in a huge indoor bubble using audio balls and are supported by a team of coaches and volunteers. To book visit: tinyurl.com/Football-VI. If the website is inaccessible, please call or email our office. Fulham FC Training Ground, Motspur Park, KT3 6PT.
 
Monday September 18th
KAB Tech Session, 10:00am - 3:00pm. Time slots will be available, more information is available in the news section below. The session will be at the Kingston Quaker Centre. For more information or to book, please phone or email our office.
 
Monday September 18th
Tandem and Adapted Cycling 2:00pm — 2:45pm at Weir Archer Athletics Centre, Jack Goodchild Way, 422a Kingston Road, KT1 3PB.
 
Tuesday September 19th
Social Eyes 1:00pm — 3:00pm at the Kingston Quaker Centre, Fairfield East, Kingston, KT1 2PT.

Date and time by arrangement

Absolute Beginners swimming lessons
Date and time by arrangement at New Malden Leisure Centre, Training Pool, New Malden, KT3 4TA. For beginners, or swimmers who have lost their confidence. The swimming sessions are on a one-to-one basis and dates and times can vary, if you are interested, please contact the office to arrange a session and discuss any needs you may have on 07442 394 472.


 

KAB Concession Policy

In recognition of the high cost-of-living currently experienced by many members of the Kingston Association for the Blind, 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 details phone 07442 394 472. Or email kab@kingstonassociationforblind.org



News for our Members

 

Important Notice
 
Our landlines are still not working. If you would like to contact us, please do so via email kab@kingstonassociationforblind.org or call our mobile phone 07442 394 472. We sincerely apologise for the inconvenience.
 
KAB, Charity of The Month

We were delighted to be presented with a cheque for £500 by Councillor Yvonne Tracey yesterday at our Social Eyes lunch session. “I'm really pleased to be in a position to start distributing my Councillor allowance to good causes across the Borough, as per my election pledge I made last November. Having experienced how the blind live by walking with glasses that simulate different eye conditions, I feel that life as a blind person is very difficult. there are so many barriers that need to be broken and therefore KAB is a wonderful Charity to donate to”, says Yvonne.
 
Yvonne is distributing donations through a Charity of the Month initiative, which will involve her giving £500 (plus Gift Aid) to a Charity each month, and encouraging others who are able to donate to her chosen cause too.

This month KAB has been blessed to be the Charity of the Month. We are truly thankful for this wonderful donation. We also encourage any members of the public to help us raise more funds, so that we can keep this lovely Charity running. We appreciate any donation, no matter how big or small, every penny counts.

 

 
Bowls Re-opening

The moment that we have been waiting for has arrived! KAB is re-launching its Bowls sessions indoors at the King George Field Indoor Bowls Club, Jubilee Way, Chessington, KT9 1TR. 

The official opening date is on Thursday the 7th September at 10:00am – 12:00pm. The match will be followed by a session in the House Club, where lunch will be available to purchase. It will be a wonderful opportunity for bowlers to meet and build a team together once again.

How to play Bowls:

  • The game of Bowls is the same for blind bowlers as it is for sighted bowlers. The aim is to get your bowls nearer to the Jack than any bowl of your opponents. Bowls are delivered from a mat at one end of the green while the target “Jack” is at the other end.
  • A sighted marker helps the blind bowler by describing where the bowls come to rest. He does this using the ‘clock method’ to describe the angle (i.e. time) and distance from the ‘Jack’ the bowl has come to rest.  The ‘Jack’ is the centre of the clock; therefore, six o’clock would be in front and twelve o’clock behind, with all other positions being relative to the clock. 
  • From the information fed back from the ‘Marker’ the player can build up a mental picture of the ‘Head’, knowing exactly the position of each bowl in the ‘Head’, thus allowing the player who cannot see, to be involved and familiar with the finer points of the game.  The only minor concession made to the blind is that a fine white centre string runs under the mat and is fixed at both ends.  The main object of this centre string is to help the bowler to judge the angle for the amount of green required.

 
If you feel this sport is for you, don’t hesitate to contact us via email kab@kingstonassociationforblind.org or phone our office mobile 07442 394 472, and we will be happy to help you with the next steps for you to become a bowler.

 
KAB Tech Session

We are pleased to announce that, alongside the RNIB, on Monday 18 September, 10:00am – 3:00pm, we are running a session for all who wish to learn how to use any form of accessible technology, ranging from how to use a Screenreader on the computer/phone, to sending emails confidently or even use a new device or app. Whatever you’d like to learn, we are here for you.
 
Note that this is not a drop/in session, slots have to be booked in advance. Members are invited to book a 1 hour slot, please specify what equipment/device you will bring and what support you would like us to provide.
 
Slots are as follows:

  • 10:00am and 11:00am - Voiceover training.
  • 12:00pm - Session teaching useful apps on your smartphone. These apps are: Facetime, Whatsapp, Voice Memos, Reminders, Bus Times and Traineline.
  • 13:00pm and 14:00pm - Zoom and Magnification.

For those members who would like to take part in both a training session and the useful apps session, we would encourage them to book their slot for either 11:00am or 13:00pm and let us know which app you’re most interested in learning.
 
Sessions will be at the Kingston Quaker Centre. For more information or to book, please phone our office mobile on 07442 394472 or email
kab@kingstonassociationforblind.org and one of our staff members will be happy to help you.
 

Book your slot
 
Blind Benefits and Concessions:
Blind TV Licence

If you are registered blind (severely sight impaired) then you are entitled to a “Blind Concession TV Licence” which gives you 50 per cent off of the cost of a licence. For more information, do call us on 07442 394472 and we’ll be happy to explain to you how to apply. Or visit the TV licensing website: tinyurl.com/Blind-TV-Licence.

Image shows a see-through measuring jug with a black grip on the handle and black numbers printed on the surface. a green tactile measure is attached to the jug with braille on.
Creative Cooking: Easy-to-see Measuring Jug

This week we’d like to tell you about the easy-to-see measuring jug, available in the RNIB shop. With a tactile, braille measuring gauge which fits over the rim of the jug, it allows you to measure liquids by touch. The jug is designed to be used with a talking kitchen scale, but can now be useful to anyone who just wants an easy-to-see jug with a tactile measuring feature.
 
In addition to the bold markings which show millilitres, pints and UK fluid ounces, the measuring gauge has tactile and braille markings for millilitres on one side and fluid ounces on the other. (To change which measure is used, remove the gauge from the clip, rotate it and reattach.)
 
The tactile measuring gauge is made of high temperature-resistant, food grade polypropylene and is designed to be fitted over the rim of the jug with the gauge on the inside.
 
To use the gauge, simply place your finger on the mark that represents the measuring capacity you wish to add to the jug and pour the ingredients into the jug until you feel the ingredient touch your finger. Please do not use this method when adding very hot liquids or ingredients.

 
Both the jug and tactile measuring gauge are microwave- and dishwasher-safe. Available on the RNIB website: tinyurl.com/braille-jug.

Image shows two young children, one of whom is blind playing with lego on a table with a woman.
Image courtesy of Lego.com
An unusual way to learn Braille

Lego is now selling bricks coded with braille to help blind and partially-sighted children learn to read the touch-based alphabet. The Danish toymaker has been providing the specialist bricks, which were tested and developed in partnership with blind organisations around the world, free of charge to a selection of schools and services catering for vision-impaired children since 2020.

From next month, shoppers will be able to buy packs of the bricks, which have studs corresponding to the braille version of numbers and letters with a printed version of the symbol or letter below, to use at home. Lego hopes the initiative will help parents and siblings share in learning braille, and the packs will include ideas for a range of educational games that families can play together.
 
While some view braille as old-fashioned, given modern technology that can turn written text into spoken word, blind adults say they like the freedom to multitask by reading with their fingers while listening to other things. The European Blind Union (EBU) says knowledge of braille leads to improved spelling, reading and writing, contributing to higher levels of education and better employment opportunities for those who are vision impaired.
 
Dave Williams, an Inclusive Design Ambassador for the RNIB, which acts for blind and partially-sighted people, says knowledge of Braille helps give those who could not read print independence. “Who would want a greetings card read to you? And there are things like board games, labels and being able to read your kids a bedtime story – that’s hard to do with a computer talking in your ear,” he said.
 
Williams says software could now convert text from laptops and smartphones into the correct braille code via raised pins. He says learning braille via Lego makes the process less slow and dull, while using a toy “that everybody recognises means it doesn’t feel weird. It breaks down barriers.”

Braille Lego is now available on the Lego website: 
tinyurl.com/Braille-lego.

Inspirational KAB Member Story:
John McCarthy

John McCarthy, a truly unstoppable man, is one of our lovely KAB members. He is 95 years old and he has lived in Kingston since 1933. He is mostly blind is due to macular degeneration, which luckily allows him to still see shapes of things but not in great detail. For instance, he cannot see individual pieces of food on a plate so he normally eats using a spoon.
 
With the help of his sister-in-law, he has managed to live as independently as possible. He lives in a flat on his own and does most activities by himself such as; cooking home-made meals by using the rest of his senses, visiting places, and even uses a Screenreader to shop on Amazon and to read the News. John also really enjoys listening to the Kingston Talking Newspaper.
 
Despite sometimes suffering from anxiety because he periodically loses sight due to the degenerative nature of his condition, his secret to keep going is to always look at the glass being half full instead of half empty, in other words, he focuses on the sight he still has and the instruments he can use for his daily life instead of concentrating on the sight he has lost. “I believe that something which really helps is to keep having interests, like keeping informed on what is going on in the world and keeping in touch with friends and relatives”, he explains.
 
Mr McCarthy is an unstoppable gentleman. It is amazing how he does everything himself and uses all technological advances despite his age and condition. We can conclude, therefore, that if he can make his wishes come true despite the obstacles, so can we.



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 0208 605 0060 or 07442 394 472. Or email kab@kingstonassociationforblind.org.

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 0800 0234 708, 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 you can now support KAB as your 'good cause', by visiting the following link: 
tinyurl.com/58fp3jvp.

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 0208 605 0060. Tickets cost just £1 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!
Find Out More
Facebook
Twitter
Instagram
Website
Follow us on social media for the very latest news and events from KAB:
FaceBook:
 facebook.com/people/Kingston-Association-for-the-Blind/
X: twitter.com/kingston_blind
Instagram: instagram.com/kingstonassociationforblind
Website: www.kingstonassociationforblind.org
Charity registration number: 249295
Copyright © 2023 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 44 / 22nd August 2023
Follow us on social media for the very latest news and events from KAB:
FaceBook:
 facebook.com/people/Kingston-Association-for-the-Blind/
X: twitter.com/kingston_blind
Instagram: instagram.com/kingstonassociationforblind
Website: www.kingstonassociationforblind.org

Office hours: 10:00am - 4:00pm
*KAB Office Telephone Number: 07442 394 472
Charity registration number: 249295


*Please note that the KAB phone system is changing providers and isn't working at the moment. Instead of phoning the office landline (0208 605 0060), please use the mobile number until further notice.

KAB Activities

22nd August - 5th September 2023
For more details and to book call 07442 394 472 or email kab@kingstonassociationforblind.org
 
Image of large groups of members sitting around long tables eating a light lunch of sandwiches and cups of tea and coffee. They are in the Quaker Centre.
Our popular Social Eyes sessions are fortnightly on Tuesdays, at the Kingston Quaker Centre. On the 5th September Councillor Yvonne Tracey will be visiting to present KAB with a Charity of The Month Cheque.

Tuesday August 22nd
Social Eyes 1:00pm — 3:00pm at the Kingston Quaker Centre, Fairfield East, Kingston, KT1 2PT. 

 
Absolute Beginners swimming lessons
Date and time by arrangement
at New Malden Leisure Centre, Training Pool, New Malden, KT3 4TA. For beginners, or swimmers who have lost their confidence. The swimming sessions are on a one-to-one basis and dates and times can vary, if you are interested please contact the office to arrange a session and discuss any needs you may have on 07442 394 472.
 
Lunch Club
Date tbc
 at 12:30am — 3:00pm at Kingston Quaker Centre, Fairfield East, KT1 2PT.
 

Monday September 4th
Tandem and Adapted Cycling
2:00pm — 2:45pm at Weir Archer Athletics Centre, Jack Goodchild Way, 422a Kingston Road, KT1 3PB.
 
Tuesday September 5th
Social Eyes
at 1:00pm — 3:00pm at the Kingston Quaker Centre, Fairfield East, Kingston, KT1 2PT. We are pleased to be welcoming Councillor Yvonne Tracey to the session, she will be making a special visit to present us with a cheque of £500. KAB are her Charity of The Month for September. Please join us to thank her and have a chat.

 
Thursday September 7th
Bowls 10:00am – 12:00pm. We are pleased to announce that indoor bowls will be returning in at King George Field Indoor Bowls Club, Jubilee Way, Chessington, KT9 1TR. Food and Drink will be available there.

 

KAB Concession Policy

In recognition of the high cost-of-living currently experienced by many members of the Kingston Association for the Blind, 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 details phone 07442 394 472. Or email kab@kingstonassociationforblind.org



News for our Members

 

Important Notice
 
Our landlines are still not working. If you would like to contact us, please do so via email kab@kingstonassociationforblind.org or call our mobile phone 07442 394 472. We sincerely apologise for the inconvenience.
 
Bowls Re-opening

The moment that we have been waiting for has arrived! KAB is re-launching its Bowls sessions indoors at the King George Field Indoor Bowls Club, Jubilee Way, Chessington, KT9 1TR. 

The official opening date is on Thursday the 7th September at 10:00am – 12:00pm. The match will be followed by a session in the House Club, where lunch will be available to purchase. It will be a wonderful opportunity for bowlers to meet and build a team together once again.

How to play Bowls:
The game of Bowls is the same for blind bowlers as it is for sighted bowlers. The aim is to get your bowls nearer to the Jack than any bowl of your opponents. Bowls are delivered from a mat at one end of the green while the target “Jack” is at the other end.

A sighted marker helps the blind bowler by describing where the bowls come to rest. He does this using the ‘clock method’ to describe the angle (i.e. time) and distance from the ‘Jack’ the bowl has come to rest.  The ‘jack’ is the centre of the clock; therefore, six o’clock would be in front and twelve o’clock behind, with all other positions being relative to the clock. 

From the information fed back from the ‘marker’ the player can build up a mental picture of the ‘head’, knowing exactly the position of each bowl in the ‘head’, thus allowing the player who cannot see, to be involved and familiar with the finer points of the game.  The only minor concession made to the blind is that a fine white centre string runs under the mat and is fixed at both ends.  The main object of this centre string is to help the bowler to judge the angle for the amount of green required.
 
If you feel this sport is for you, don’t hesitate to contact us via email kab@kingstonassociationforblind.org or phone our office mobile 07442 394 472, and we will be happy to help you with the next steps for you to become a bowler.

Image shows a sign attached to a wooden post saying 'Blue badge holders only'. To the left of the words are two symbols; the blue and white disabled logo which is a stylised looking person sitting on a wheelchair. Below is the 'P' blue and white parking symbol
 
Blind Benefits and Concessions:
Blue Badges

The Blue Badge scheme enables Blue Badge holders to park on/in reserved disabled parking spaces near a venue so that services can be accessed more easily.

The card has to be displayed on the car’s front window and, in order to use it, the disabled passenger must be out of the car, in other words, if the driver decides to park and both them and the disabled blue badge holder stay inside, the Blue Badge will not stop them from paying the parking fee.

Though the parking concessions don't apply to private car parks, some may still have signage indicating concessions for Blue Badge parking is allowed.

For more information contact the office and we will be happy to tell you about the application process.

Image shows a yellow Liquid indicator attached to a blue mug.
Creative Cooking: Liquid indicator

Hot water in the kitchen seriously burns thousands of Britons every year. Getting burnt whilst pouring liquid is the most common accident that happens when cooking to both sighted and non-sighted people.

Getting burnt is not about someone’s ability to see with their eyes or about not paying enough attention. Even a sighted person who is paying full attention to the task can get burnt easily because pouring liquid is tricky.

Luckily, the RNIB came up with the bestselling Liquid Level Indicators, which have been helping people with sight loss get their morning cuppa for more than 25 years. This compact, lightweight device has three metallic probes which indicate two separate liquid levels within a cup or mug by triggering audible and vibratory alerts. The first alert tells you when to stop adding hot water if you also want to add milk; the second alert tells you when the cup is nearly full.

The device can be used on most cups and mugs, as well as glasses, jugs and (cold) cooking pots. Store your Liquid Level Indicator on the fridge door, using the built-in magnets, so it's always easy to find when you need it.

Available on the RNIB website 
shop.rnib.org.uk/rnib-liquid-level-indicator-audible-vibratory
 

Inspirational Story: Lord Blunkett, the respected politician 

David Blunkett needs no introduction. Having retired from politics in 2015 he remains one of the UK’s most respected and influential politicians.

David was born on 6 June 1947 in Sheffield. Improperly developed optic nerves meant that he was blind from birth. He attended The Royal National College for the Blind (RNC), when it was based in Shrewsbury.

After leaving RNC he successfully studied for a degree via evening classes while simultaneously working as a local councillor for Sheffield City Council. He remained at the Council for 18 years, and was Leader from 1980 to 1987. He also served on South Yorkshire County Council from 1973 to 1977.

David entered parliament in 1987 as Labour MP for Sheffield Brightside and Hillsborough. Within 15 months he had been appointed Shadow Local Government Minister before becoming first Shadow Health Secretary and then Shadow Education Secretary.

With Labour’s election victory in 1997 he became Education and Employment Secretary. He has since described walking in to the Department of Education and Employment for the first time as a high point of his career and has always maintained his keen interest in both areas.

In 2001 David became Home Secretary where he dealt with the changes in society that followed the September 11 attacks. After the 2005 general election he became Work and Pensions Secretary.

David is an Associate Governor of the Royal National College for the Blind (RNC), a residential college for blind students who wish to finish their education alongside becoming physically independent.

David now devotes his time to causes which he is passionate about. One of those causes is breaking down the barriers and misconceptions about disability. His message is: 'I can by example motivate young people to reach their full potential and change attitudes across society towards disability in a positive manner.'

 

Macular Society Social Meet-up

The Macular Society is pleased to announce that they have re-launched their Working Age and Young People Social Meet-up in London.

Date: Tuesday 5 September 2023

Time: 6.30pm – 8.30pm

Where: The Rocket, 120 Euston Road, NW1 2AL

This group is open to working age and young people living with central vision loss. RSVP is required. For any questions, contact Natasha on 07824 330 951 or email groupsadmin@MacularSociety.org.
 



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 0208 605 0060 or 07442 394 472. Or email kab@kingstonassociationforblind.org.

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 0800 0234 708, 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 you can now support KAB as your 'good cause', by visiting the following link: 
tinyurl.com/58fp3jvp.

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 0208 605 0060. Tickets cost just £1 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!
Find Out More
Facebook
Twitter
Instagram
Website
Follow us on social media for the very latest news and events from KAB:
FaceBook:
 facebook.com/people/Kingston-Association-for-the-Blind/
X: twitter.com/kingston_blind
Instagram: instagram.com/kingstonassociationforblind
Website: www.kingstonassociationforblind.org
Charity registration number: 249295
Copyright © 2023 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 43 / 8th August 2023
Follow us on social media for the very latest news and events from KAB:
FaceBook:
 facebook.com/people/Kingston-Association-for-the-Blind/
X: twitter.com/kingston_blind
Instagram: instagram.com/kingstonassociationforblind
Website: www.kingstonassociationforblind.org

Office hours: 10:00am - 4:00pm
*KAB Office Telephone Number: 07442 394 472
Charity registration number: 249295


*Please note that the KAB phone system is changing providers and isn't working at the moment. Instead of phoning the office landline (0208 605 0060), please use the mobile number until further notice.

KAB Activities

8th - 21st August 2023
For more details and to book call 07442 394 472 or email kab@kingstonassociationforblind.org
 
Image shows a girl with eyes closed swimming under water in a blue pool. Bubbles are coming out of her mouth.
We have swimming sessions throughout August for beginners, those who have lost confidence, and for accomplished swimmers.
Tuesday August 8th
Social Eyes at 1:00pm — 3:00pm at the Kingston Quaker Centre, Fairfield East, Kingston, KT1 2PT.
 
Thursday August 10th
Swimming Session for Accomplished Swimmers at 7:00pm — 8:00pm at New Malden Leisure Centre, Main Pool, New Malden, KT3 4TA.
 
Saturday August 12th
Absolute Beginners swimming lessons at 6:00pm — 6:30pm at New Malden Leisure Centre, Training Pool, New Malden, KT3 4TA. For beginners, or swimmers who have lost their confidence. The swimming sessions are on a one to one basis and dates and times can vary, if you are interested please contact the office on 0208 605 0060 to pre-book and discuss any needs you may have.
 
Monday August 14th
Tandem and Adapted Cycling
2:00pm — 2:45pm at Weir Archer Athletics Centre, Jack Goodchild Way, 422a Kingston Road, KT1 3PB.
 
Thursday August 17th
Swimming Session for Accomplished Swimmers
7.00pm — 8.00pm at New Malden Leisure Centre, Main Pool, New Malden, KT3 4TA.
 
Saturday August 19th
Absolute Beginners swimming lessons
at 6:00pm — 6:30pm at New Malden Leisure Centre, Training Pool, New Malden, KT3 4TA. For beginners, or swimmers who have lost their confidence. The swimming sessions are on a one to one basis and dates and times can vary, if you are interested please contact the office on 0208 605 0060 to pre-book and discuss any needs you may have.
 
Monday August 21st
Tandem and Adapted Cycling
2:00pm — 2:45pm at Weir Archer Athletics Centre, Jack Goodchild Way, 422a Kingston Road, KT1 3PB.
 
Tuesday August 22nd
Social Eyes
at 1:00pm — 3:00pm at the Kingston Quaker Centre, Fairfield East, Kingston, KT1 2PT.
  
Thursday August 31st
Lunch Club
at 12:30am — 3:00pm at Kingston Quaker Centre, Fairfield East, KT1 2PT.
 
Indoor Bowls
We are pleased to announce that the KAB indoor bowling sessions will be starting again on September 7th, 10:00am to 12:00pm, and every other Thursday after that date. Held at the King George Field Indoor Bowls Club, Jubilee Way, Chessington, KT9 1TR. Cost: £5 per session. Food and Drink is available at the Club.

 

KAB Concession Policy

In recognition of the high cost-of-living currently experienced by many members of the Kingston Association for the Blind, 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 details phone 07442 394 472. Or email kab@kingstonassociationforblind.org



News for our Members

 
Image shows an iphone screen showing a 'Social Media' folder of app icons: FaceBook, Messanger, instagram, whatsApp and X
Twitter is now called 'X'
 
The app formally known as Twitter changed its name last week. The logo has changed to a flashing X where there once was a happy bird, but what is this app all about?

The app once was about posting our thoughts on a topic. The idea was to create instant posts with a limit of 140 characters per message. The name made sense as it was about short messages going back and forth as a tweeting bird. Now, however, they have decided to re-name it because the app has transformed completely.

"Twitter was acquired by X Corp both to ensure freedom of speech and as an accelerant for X, the everything app," the company's owner, billionaire Elon Musk, recently said. They claim it is an app in which you can post almost anything, including several hours of video, and even engage with the financial world.

If you are interested in learning how to use this app, do come to one of our drop-in tech sessions in which we can demonstrate its functions.
 
Useful benefits for the visually impaired: Disabled Persons Rail Card

A Disabled Persons Rail Card gives you 1/3 off rail travel plus a travel companion to travel the journey with you. This could be a friend, relative or support worker etc.

Even if you do not have the Disabled Person’s Railcard, you can get discounted rail travel of 34 per cent or 50 per cent on certain tickets, or free travel for a companion when you travel on your season ticket.

To qualify, you must be travelling with another person and have a document confirming your registration both when you buy and when travelling on your ticket.

You can get sighted assistance at the start and end of your rail journey. Contact the train operator you’re travelling with in advance to arrange this.

Image shows a kitchen scale with a large measuring bowl filled with dried pasta.
 
Creative cooking: Talking Kitchen Scales

Many people find it difficult to measure the weight of ingredients without scales. Baking, for instance, is a chemical process that requires exact ingredient quantities. We can estimate that a cup is roughly 9 ounces (250 grams) but it is not exact and the recipe can be ruined.  How to measure ingredients, then, if kitchen scales don’t talk and the font is too small to read? This is when accessible scales come to the rescue.

Talking scales say numbers out loud and, if necessary, convert grams into ounces or ounces into grams. They indicate when ingredients are ready to be put onto the scales and the font, both on the buttons and the screen is much larger than in regular scales.

This marvellous invention allows us to measure ingredients efficiently and without having to ask a sighted person to do it for us.

KAB has its own scales in the office. If you would like to feel them, please contact us on 07442 394 472, or email kab@kingstonassociationforblind.org and we will be happy to demonstrate them to you.

Image shows Judy Dench who has short white hair smiling on front of an '007 James Bond' sign.
Judy Dench was notable for being the first
female 'M' character in the James Bond film series.
Image: Danie van der Merwe/Flickr
 
Inspirational Story: Dame Judy Dench

Dame Judi Dench was born Judith Olivia Dench in York, England, to Eleanora Olive (Jones), who was from Dublin, Ireland, and Reginald Arthur Dench, a doctor from Dorset, England. She attended Mount School in York, and studied at the Central School of Speech and Drama.

She has performed with the Royal Shakespeare Company, the National Theatre, and at Old Vic Theatre. She is a ten-time BAFTA winner including Best Actress in a Comedy Series for A Fine Romance (1981) in which she appeared with her husband, Michael Williams, and Best Supporting Actress in A Handful of Dust (1988) and A Room with a View (1985). She received an ACE award for her performance in the television series Star Quality: Mr. and Mrs. Edgehill (1985). She was appointed an Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) in 1970, a Dame Commander of the Order of the British Empire (DBE) in 1988 and a Member of the Order of the Companions of Honour (CH) in 2005.

The esteemed actor, known for often playing roles of dignified, strong-willed women, has been struggling with age-related macular degeneration (AMD), which causes the gradual loss of vision, for more than a decade, first revealing her diagnosis in 2012.

AMD is the most common cause of vision loss for adults over age 50 and especially impacts the ability to read, recognise faces and view road signs. As a result of her disability, she has supported Sight for Surrey as their patron.

Dench believes she could still be on stage, as long as there aren’t things to trip over. She is determined to learn a new way of reading scripts despite having a photographic memory, and that this condition will not rob her of her ability to continue with her career.
 



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 0208 605 0060 or 07442 394 472. Or email kab@kingstonassociationforblind.org.

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 0800 0234 708, 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 you can now support KAB as your 'good cause', by visiting the following link: 
tinyurl.com/58fp3jvp.

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 0208 605 0060. Tickets cost just £1 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!
Find Out More
Facebook
Twitter
Instagram
Website
Follow us on social media for the very latest news and events from KAB:
FaceBook:
 facebook.com/people/Kingston-Association-for-the-Blind/
X: twitter.com/kingston_blind
Instagram: instagram.com/kingstonassociationforblind
Website: www.kingstonassociationforblind.org
Charity registration number: 249295
Copyright © 2023 Kingston Upon Thames Association for the Blind, All rights reserved.

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

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Eye Opener Archive


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KAB Eye Opener

Issue 42
26th July 2023
Follow us on social media for the very latest news and events from KAB:
FaceBook:
 facebook.com/people/Kingston-Association-for-the-Blind/
Twitter: twitter.com/kingston_blind
Instagram: instagram.com/kingstonassociationforblind
Website: www.kingstonassociationforblind.org

The office currently has reduced hours: 10am - 2.30pm
KAB Office Telephone Number: 0208 605 0060 or 07442 394 472

Charity registration number: 249295
Odette, who has her dark hair pulled back on a ponytail is smiling and looking at her interviewer. She is wearing a navy blazer and a green dress with a leafy botanical print. There is a brick background.
New CEO joins KAB
 
We have the pleasure to announce that Kingston Association for the Blind has a new CEO. Her name is Odette Battarel and she is thrilled to be part of our team. Her mission, as she states, is to develop our services and activities and to reach out in the community to ensure no one is left struggling alone.
 
Odette became visually impaired when she was in her thirties losing her peripheral vision due to Stargardt Disease. Since then, she has had to change her way of doing things completely.
 
Before she became blind, she was a dance teacher for Westminster Adult Education and touring primary and secondary schools in London. When her sight became poorer and poorer, it came to the point when she had to change career.
 
She had never met anyone with visual impairment, she had no role model and was not sure how blind people managed to live their lives. Nevertheless, she decided to make the best of it and kept positive. She went to Dorton College for the Blind where she not only did a Business Administrator and PA course, she learnt from her teachers how to use a computer, and also gained knowledge from her fellow students of many tips and tricks to help in everyday life. One of the things Odette remembers is learning about the existence of rotating cones underneath traffic lights that indicate that it is safe to cross the road, the fact that there is a special tax allowance for the blind, and that there are loads of accessible technology gadgets available.
 
One day, a Japanese tennis delegation came to London to demonstrate how to play tennis for the blind. Odette went to watch it, and the more she listened, the more she liked the sound of it. It was not just a pastime to keep blind people busy, but a very competitive sport. Since then, tennis has become her favourite sport as a visually impaired person. She got to know Metro Blind Sports and fundraised in order to go on a journey to Tokyo and learn more about VI tennis in order to play the sport in England. This passion became so great that with a group of 50 other players they funded the International Blind Tennis Association (IBTA). ‘Tennis is something that I would have never experienced had it not been because I became visually impaired’, she explains.

Of course, life changed radically for her when she lost her sight, but you should always experience it all and not let your fears and imagination be your enemy. Let’s be inspired and have a positive mindset regardless of how difficult a situation can be.


KAB Activities
July 27th - 8th August 2023

For more details and to book call 0208 605 0060 or 07442 394 472
or email kab@kingstonassociationforblind.org
 
Thursday July 27th
Lunch Club at 12:30am — 3:00pm at Kingston Quaker Centre, Fairfield East, KT1 2PT. 
 
Swimming Session for Accomplished Swimmers at 7:00pm — 8:00pm at New Malden Leisure Centre, Main Pool, New Malden, KT3 4TA.

Saturday July 29th
Absolute Beginners swimming lessons at 6:00pm — 6:30pm at New Malden Leisure Centre, Training Pool, New Malden, KT3 4TA. For beginners, or swimmers who have lost their confidence. The swimming sessions are on a one to one basis and dates and times can vary, if you are interested please contact the office on 0208 605 0060 to pre-book and discuss any needs you may have.
 
Monday July 31st
Tandem Cycling 2:00pm — 2:45pm at Weir Archer Athletics Centre, Jack Goodchild Way, 422a Kingston Road, KT1 3PB. 

Thursday August 3rd
Swimming Session for Accomplished Swimmers 7.00pm — 8.00pm at New Malden Leisure Centre, Main Pool, New Malden, KT3 4TA.
 
Saturday August 5th

Absolute Beginners swimming lessons at 6:00pm — 6:30pm at New Malden Leisure Centre, Training Pool, New Malden, KT3 4TA. For beginners, or swimmers who have lost their confidence. The swimming sessions are on a one to one basis and dates and times can vary, if you are interested please contact the office on 0208 605 0060 to pre-book and discuss any needs you may have.

Tuesday August 8th
Social Eyes at 1:00pm — 3:00pm at the Kingston Quaker Centre, Fairfield East, Kingston, KT1 2PT.

Bowls
We will announce future dates as soon as we can.

 
KAB Concession Policy
In recognition of the high cost-of-living currently experienced by many members of the Kingston Association for the Blind, 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 details phone 0208 605 0060 or 07442 394 472. Or email 
kab@kingstonassociationforblind.org

News for our Members
 

 
Image is taken inside a church, with many people in the background. There are three people in the foreground - Ina, smiling in a pink dress holding her white haired service dog Doodle. Next to her is the Mayor smiling, she is wearing her gold Mayor medal. To the right is Odette, smiling, wearing a KAB blue t-shirt. The KAB table stall is on front of them, there is a yellow table cloth and leaflets plus a poster on top of the table.
Image shows Jo wearing a blue KAB t-shirt next to the KAB stall. The table has a yellow table cloth and has a large buttoned phone, a white cane plus other VI items to show to the members of the public visiting.
Image shows three people in the church hall, Ben on the left who has a beard and glasses and is smiling, in the centre is a costumed member of the Save The World Club. He is wearing a costume that resembles a tree, his hat has leaves on top. To the right is Ina, wearing a pink dress and smiling.
RBK Volunteer Fair July 2023
 
Last Thursday was a special day. KAB took part in the RBK Volunteer Fair 2023 by having their own stall to recruit new volunteers.

There were many charities taking part, such as Save the World Club, Voices of Hope, London Vision, The Blue Cross and Kingston Voluntary Action. Hosted by All Saints Church Kingston, they were delighted to bring together so many charities under one roof. The Vicar explained that they came up with the idea of hosting the event due to the shout out for volunteering during the Coronation this year, and that their aim as an institution was to deliver help to the vulnerable sectors of the population in Kingston where it is most needed. 

The Mayor of Kingston, Diane White, also attended the event. When asked about her opinion on the fair she stated that ‘The fact that many people want to help the community is what makes our Borough a special place’.

We will continue to look out for opportunities to hold stalls in the community to recruit more volunteers to help us run more activities and support more members with new Eye Buddies.
Royal opening for FUSEBOX
 
A new space for creative young people in Kingston has been officially opened by HRH the Duke of Edinburgh. 

Located under John Lewis on Kingston’s riverside, FUSEBOX was developed by Creative Youth in partnership with Kingston Council. The stunning space, built around the footings of the original 12th Century Kingston Bridge, has been carefully renovated to feature areas for performance, exhibitions, creative practice, socialising, co-creation and more.  

Leader of Kingston Council, Andreas Kirsch said: 'We are proud to collaborate with innovative, local organisations like Creative Youth to bring spaces like this back to life. We are also committed to ensuring our children and young people have a fairer start in life, and reinvigorating places within the borough to help develop new skills, spark imagination and create opportunities.'

ULEZ is expanding
 
The Mayor of London and Transport for London are expanding the Ultra Low Emission Zone (ULEZ) across outer London on 29 August 2023. The expanded zone will include most of the Royal Borough of Kingston.

If your vehicle doesn't meet the ULEZ emissions standards, you will need to pay a daily charge to drive it within the zone.
  
You can check if your vehicle is compliant on the TfL website.
Check your vehicle (tfl.gov.uk)

Live Well, Stay Well

Image shows a person with oven gloves putting a tray of cookies into an oven.

 
Blind cooking tip:
How to bake without burning your hands
Baking can be challenging if you are visually impaired. For that reason, we would like to share with you a tip that  perhaps will be useful to you. We are talking about the use of special baking gloves.

Don’t use normal baking mittens when it comes to baking. Regular baking mittens are designed in a way that separates your thumb from the rest of your fingers, however, all your other fingers are put together in the same compartment, impeding the movement of each individual finger. This stops you from feeling surfaces such as the baking tray, the kitchen counter and the oven itself, making it very easy for you to get burnt.

Instead of mittens, you can wear baking gloves which have each individual finger in a different compartment which enables them to move freely. This way it is easier to touch your surroundings despite the hot surfaces. Furthermore, these gloves are longer than usual gloves, covering the forearm, a section of the arm which is prone to burning in the baking process. Remember to wear them on both hands and not just on the one that is touching the hot surface. You need both your hands to feel and burns can damage your finger sensitivity.

These oven gauntlets can be purchased in most kitchen supplies shops, including Lakeland www.lakeland.co.uk, or online. We have one in our office if you would like to find out how they feel.

Active Lifestyle
 
Accessible fitness classes
RJ4All, a community charity located in the Southwark Neighbourhood is offering free, inclusive, accessible fitness classes for people aged 16+ with disabilities and/or health conditions.

The classes will take place until the end of August in the accessible gym, Mondays 11:00 - 11:45am, with a qualified Personal Trainer who will lead relevant and accessible exercises tailored to a group of no more than 4 people.

There will also be seated/standing Pilates on the first Saturday of August from 12:00 to 12:45pm. This is a low-impact stretching class which is beneficial for people with long-term health conditions looking to regain mobility. 

All lessons will take place at RJ4All Community Centre, 30 Plough Way, London SE16 2LJ. In order to sign up please call 07708758600.

Employment and Volunteering
 
BlindAmbition Confidence and Resilience Course 
Blind Ambition will be launching a course to learn about confidence and resilience in the near future with Dr Anneka Kumar, Clinical Psychologist, Specialising in disability. In order to register, please email to secure your place.
contact@blindambition.co.uk
 
 


 

Activities for Children and Young People

Events ran by the Royal Society for Blind Children (RSBC) this summer holiday

Horse Riding at Park Lane Stables on Tuesday 1st August – 10am - 12pm
Have you always wanted to try your hand at Horse Riding? On Tuesday 1st August, the RSBC will be working the amazing people at Park Lane Stables for a group horse riding session! Book fast as there are limited spots! 
tinyurl.com/horse-riding
 
Ark Farm visit to the LWLC on Thursday 3rd August – at the Life without Limits Centre – 11am-12:30pm
How fond are you of animals? If the answer is 'Absolutely obsessed!' then you won't want to miss out on this very special session! On Thursday the 3rd of August, the Life without Limits Centre will host some very special guests. From chinchillas and guinea pigs, to rabbits and barn owls, the centre will have more than enough furry and flying friends for you to meet!

tinyurl.com/ark-farm

 
 

 

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 0208 605 0060 or 07442 394 472. Or email kab@kingstonassociationforblind.org.

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 0800 0234 708, 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 you can now support KAB as your 'good cause', by visiting the following link: 
tinyurl.com/58fp3jvp.

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 0208 605 0060. Tickets cost just £1 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!
Find Out More
Facebook
Twitter
Instagram
Website
Follow us on social media for the very latest news and events from KAB:
FaceBook:
 facebook.com/people/Kingston-Association-for-the-Blind/
Twitter: twitter.com/kingston_blind
Instagram: instagram.com/kingstonassociationforblind
Website: www.kingstonassociationforblind.org
Charity registration number: 249295
Copyright © 2023 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 41
26th June 2023
Follow us on social media for the very latest news and events from KAB:
FaceBook:
 facebook.com/people/Kingston-Association-for-the-Blind/
Twitter: twitter.com/kingston_blind
Instagram: instagram.com/kingstonassociationforblind
Website: www.kingstonassociationforblind.org

The office currently has reduced hours: 10am - 2.30pm
KAB Office Telephone Number: 0208 605 0060 or 07442 394 472

Charity registration number: 249295
CEO
 
We need to inform you that the former CEO, Antony Bewick-Smith, left KAB on Friday 16th June. However, the board of Trustees can confirm that they are in the final stages of recruiting a replacement and should be able to give further information in the next Eye Opener. In the interim the Trustees are supporting the office which has reduced opening hours of 10am to 2.30pm.
Image shows 5 male and female members of the KAB ten-pin bowling team linking arms and smiling to the camera. They are standing in the bowling centre.
Join in with on our next Ten-Pin bowling session on Monday 3rd July, details below.
 

KAB Activities
June 27th - 24th July 2023

For more details and to book call 0208 605 0060 or 07442 394 472
or email kab@kingstonassociationforblind.org
 
Tuesday June 27th
Social Eyes at 1:00pm — 3:00pm at the Kingston Quaker Centre, Fairfield East, Kingston, KT1 2PT.
 
Thursday June 29th
Lunch Club at 12:30am — 3:00pm at Kingston Quaker Centre, Fairfield East, KT1 2PT. 
 
Swimming Session for Accomplished Swimmers at 7:00pm — 8:00pm at New Malden Leisure Centre, Main Pool, New Malden, KT3 4TA.
 
Saturday July 1st
Football Club session for children and adults at 10:30am — 11:30am at Fulham FC Training Ground, Motspur Park, KT3 6PT. To book visit: tinyurl.com/Football-VI. If the website is inaccessible, please call our office on 0208 605 0060 or email kab@kingstonassociationforblind.org to book your place.
 
Absolute Beginners swimming lessons at 6:00pm — 6:30pm at New Malden Leisure Centre, Training Pool, New Malden, KT3 4TA.
 
Monday July 3rd
Ten-pin Bowling 11:00am - 1:00pm at Hollywood Bowl, Charrington Bowl, Kingston Rd, Surbiton KT5 9PB. 
 
Tandem Cycling 2:00pm — 2:45pm at Weir Archer Athletics Centre, Jack Goodchild Way, 422a Kingston Road, KT1 3PB. 
 
Thursday July 6th
Swimming Session for Accomplished Swimmers 7.00pm — 8.00pm at New Malden Leisure Centre, Main Pool, New Malden, KT3 4TA.
 
Saturday July 8th
Football Club session for children and adults at 10:30am — 11:30am at at Fulham FC Training Ground, Motspur Park, KT3 6PT. 
To book visit: tinyurl.com/Football-VI. If the website is inaccessible, please call our office on 0208 605 0060 or email kab@kingstonassociationforblind.org to book your place.
 
Absolute Beginners swimming lessons at 6:00pm — 6:30pm at New Malden Leisure Centre, Training Pool, New Malden, KT3 4TA. For beginners, or swimmers who have lost their confidence. Places are limited, so please phone the office on 0208 605 0060 to pre-book and discuss any needs you may have.
 
Monday July 24th
Tandem Cycling 2:00pm — 2:45pm at Weir Archer Athletics Centre, Jack Goodchild Way, 422a Kingston Road, KT1 3PB.
 
Bowls
We will announce future dates as soon as we can.

 

 
KAB Concession Policy
In recognition of the high cost-of-living currently experienced by many members of the Kingston Association for the Blind, 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 details phone 0208 605 0060 or 07442 394 472. Or email 
kab@kingstonassociationforblind.org

News for our Members
 

 
ECLOs, Miracle Workers
 
Many of us have perhaps heard of the term ECLO, but we do not exactly know what they do or how to find one. The word ECLO stands for Eye Care Liaison Officer. In a nutshell, they
are a bridge between healthcare and social care for people with sight loss.
 
When a person is diagnosed with a visual impairment condition, they begin their journey in the dark, both physically and emotionally. When they receive the diagnose in hospital, sometimes it is difficult to understand the technical vocabulary that medical professionals use to talk about different eye conditions. This is where an ECLO comes to the rescue. They help patients by talking to the consultants and explain the diagnosis to them in simple terms.
 
Often patients do not know how to carry on with their journey with being visually impaired. But there is hope, ECLOs work closely with Kingston Council, Adult Social Care and the Sensory and Housing teams and charities such as Kingston Association for the Blind.
 
Eclos also help patients to obtain a certificate of visual impairment (also known as CVI) which helps proves eligibility for benefits and concessions.
 
Becoming blind suddenly or because of sight deterioration can be very emotionally overwhelming. It is, for many, a form of bereavement. The beauty of an ECLO is that they can support patients as much as they need, and they are specially trained to do so.
 
Sometimes families do not understand what being blind is like. This is when the ECLO superheroes come to the rescue. They are truly miracle workers that support people every day and bring hope and light into their lives.
 
Our local ECLOs are Kyle Phillips, 007871 990796, and Sabeena Weyhenage, 07864 936720. You can contact them for an appointment or for more information. They are based in Kingston Eye Hospital, 1 Galsworthy Rd, Kingston, KT2 7BE.
Make a difference and volunteer for KAB
 
We need your help to keep achieving our purpose. You can make a difference to the blind world by volunteering for us.
 
Our volunteers range in age from 18 to 80+ and include people that are in full time employment. There is no minimum commitment, but the usual requirement is an hour or two once every one or two weeks. KAB provides Blind Awareness Sessions and on-going support. Travel and parking expenses are paid.
 
The roles we are looking to fill are the following:
 
Eye Buddies 
Sometimes having a visual impairment makes people feel isolated and lonely, especially if they have problems with mobility. They feel trapped at home being unable to go wherever they like. That is why we have the Eye Buddy scheme. Eye Buddies are sighted volunteers who chat to people with sight loss in their own home, take them out to go shopping together, describe objects at a museum, or simply have a coffee together. If you are keen on this role, contact us and we will introduce you to someone who needs a buddy to join them in their adventures.
 
Club Volunteers
We need people to help with our social meetings and activities in tasks such as serving lunch, arranging the room for a meeting, help people move around, completing quizzes and making sure everyone is safe at all times.
 
Our most popular clubs include Social Eyes and lunch club, which meet fortnightly and the last Thursday of the month respectively and offer various activities including craft, gentle exercise and quizzes. In case of outings, we also need sighted guides for our members.
 
Other Clubs we run include:
Lawn Bowls, both outdoors and indoors
Whether you are an experienced bowler or not, your help would be invaluable.
 
Ten Pin Bowling
Volunteers are required to assist with helping and handling the correct bowls, guiding players to the lane, etc.
 
Tandem Scheme
Experienced cyclists are needed to be pilots (front riders) on tandems provided by KAB. This enables visually impaired people to enjoy the pleasure of cycling. Cyclists do not need experience of riding tandems as training will be provided - but experienced tandem cyclists are also very welcome. Volunteers are also needed to undertake simple maintenance, mending punctures, etc. 
 
Transport Volunteers
Using public transport can be challenging for the blind. Unfortunately this stops some of our members from coming to our activities. This is why we need Driver Volunteers who could pick members up and help them get to our premises at the Kingston Quaker Centre so that they can come to activities such as Social Eyes and Lunch Club.

Not having a car should not stop people who would like to transport our members. If you would still like to volunteer despite not having the means to drive, we are looking for people who are able to pick members up from their homes and accompany them via train or bus.
Training on how to guide the blind is provided.
 
Fundraising Volunteers
We are looking for someone who can broaden our fundraising efforts, someone passionate about blind and partially sighted people’s health and wellbeing, with a commitment to helping KAB achieve their income goals.
 
The Fundraising tasks include: research potential funding opportunities in order to apply for funding to help deliver our invaluable services and cover our core costs, maintain a schedule of all grant funding, timely preparation of grant application and coordinate review and approval process, timely submission of grants within the deadlines.
 
If you have good written communication and financial skills, this is the role for you.
 
Information Technology Volunteer
We need someone who can provide support with any tech issues to service users this may include home visits or over the phone, support with the implementation and use of assistive technologies to meet service users accessibility needs and ensure security and privacy of
networks and computer systems.
 
If you have good tech skills and/or knowledge about assistive technology, this is the position for you.
 
Trustees
You can also apply to become part of our board of Trustees.

We always have opportunities for new volunteers. If the positions we are advertising at the moment do not suit you, please keep checking the website for regular updates. We would feel honoured for you to join our team.


For more details or to have a chat about the positions available call 0208 605 0060 or email kab@kingstonassociationforblind.org.

Employment Webinars
 
RNIB and Blind Ambition present a 16-week series of free weekly webinars to support job seekers with sight loss. Aimed at helping VI job seekers achieve the next stage in their career. This could be finding a new role, entering employment, starting an apprenticeship, or starting up a new business.
Series 4 will be coming soon. If you would like to find out more about this course please contact them to express an interest.
 
LinkedIn Courses with Mark White: 
This 4 week programme run by Blind Ambition is aimed at people who are looking to get more from LinkedIn both from a personal branding and sales perspective. We look at tackling your business requirements for LinkedIn to make sure that you are getting what you need out of the site, have a system in place which you can develop in your own ways and also ensure that you are up to date with the options open to you and the ways to implement those to best effect.
 
The course’ structure is as follows:
Week 1 - Creating your professional brand
Week 2 - Identifying the right people to talk to
Week 3 - Building engagement and community
Week 4 - Developing a proactive marketing strategy
 
If you would like to find out more about this course please contact Blind Ambition 
www.blindambition.co.uk to express an interest.
 
 
Confidence and Resilience Training:
There is an online 6-week confidence and resilience course run by Blind Ambition. It is coming soon. The course includes six two-hour interactive workshops based on Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) techniques. ACT aims to help people live a meaningful life while handling pain and stress - an inevitable part of life.
 
The course will cover the following:
  •  How our body responds to fear
  • How to calm anxietyhttps://www.blindambition.co.uk/ to express an interest.
  • Using acceptance and mindfulness to change our relationship with difficult thoughts and feelings
  • Our values and doing what matters to us
  • Building self-compassion
  • Ways to respond to setbacks
  • Fostering our strengths
If you would like to find out more about this course please contact Blind Ambition on 0121 529 1786 or see their website, www.blindambition.co.uk.

Wicked Theatre Audio-described 
 
VICTA charity is organizing an audio described Wicked the musical
which will be happening on Saturday 14th of October.
The closing date for applications is approaching in August. If you
would like to attend, sign up on
 tinyurl.com/wicked-audio-described.

Polka Theatre 
 
Polka is a dedicated children's theatre in Wimbledon, whose mission is to empower children to explore the world around them.
 
Performances coming up are as follows:
The Everywhere Bear, Ages 3-7

Audio described performance is on Sunday 9 July 1.30pm.
The Everywhere Bear has a wonderful time with the children in Class One, but one day he gets more than he bargained for when he falls unnoticed from a backpack and embarks on his own big adventure! He’s washed down a drain and whooshed out to sea, rescued by a fishing boat, loaded onto a lorry, carried off by a seagull... how will he ever make it back to Class One? You can watch the trailer on
www.youtube.com/watch
 
Hairy, Ages 6-12

Audio described performance is on Sunday 6 August.
Meet Hairnry. He’s a follicle, and one in a million. Hairnry arrives at Hairy Mission Control with big dreams - to be Head Hair. He’s done his time being a toe hair, a knee hair, even a solitary mole hair! But is he ready to move to the top job? His three follicle friends are on hand to put him through his paces and make sure he’s ready to be a Super-Hairo. There will be screams of laughter. Slippery shampoo. Falling over. Trying to stand up again. Falling over some more. And some great songs too. One thing is for sure: It’s going to get HAIRY!

The theatre offers reduced rate tickets for those with access requirements, as well as a complimentary ticket for a companion/carer. Book via Box Office, phone number is 020 8543 4888 or 
boxoffice@polkatheatre.com.

Access to Work campaign by RNIB
 
Access to Work, a scheme run by the DWP, provides crucial support for many blind and partially sighted people in employment, such as specialist equipment or support workers. But it’s plagued with persistent delays.
 
It’s time to fix Access to Work. If you’ve had a bad experience, tell the DWP (Department for Work and Pensions) and your MP by filling out the form on:
tinyurl.com/access-to-work-form.
 
 


 

Share your voting experience
 

Our local Councillor Sue Ansari is hoping to gather thoughts on what it is like voting with a visual impairment. If you would like to share your experience on how you find voting with sight loss please email adminkab@kingstonassociationforblind.org and we will share your feedback to Councillor Sue Ansari.

 
 

 

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 0208 605 0060 or 07442 394 472. Or email kab@kingstonassociationforblind.org.

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 0800 0234 708, 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 you can now support KAB as your 'good cause', by visiting the following link: 
tinyurl.com/58fp3jvp.

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 0208 605 0060. Tickets cost just £1 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!
Find Out More
Facebook
Twitter
Instagram
Website
Follow us on social media for the very latest news and events from KAB:
FaceBook:
 facebook.com/people/Kingston-Association-for-the-Blind/
Twitter: twitter.com/kingston_blind
Instagram: instagram.com/kingstonassociationforblind
Website: www.kingstonassociationforblind.org
Charity registration number: 249295
Copyright © 2023 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 40
12th June 2023
Follow us on social media for the very latest news and events from KAB:
FaceBook:
 facebook.com/people/Kingston-Association-for-the-Blind/
Twitter: twitter.com/kingston_blind
Instagram: instagram.com/kingstonassociationforblind
Website: www.kingstonassociationforblind.org

Office Hours: 10am - 4pm
KAB Office Telephone Number: 0208 605 0060 or 07442 394 472
A community choir group singing together, consisting for men, women and children.
No experience necessary! Come and make music at our taster choir session on Friday June 30th
 

KAB Activities
June 12th - 26th 2023

For more details and to book call 0208 605 0060 or 07442 394 472
or email kab@kingstonassociationforblind.org
*Tandem Cycling
Mondays June 12th, 19th, 26th, 2:00pm – 2:45pm
Please phone the office to pre-book. Sessions are weather dependent. In partnership with Wheels for All Kingston. 

*Please note, due to the regular racing track being booked for school events, during the month of June the Tandem sessions will be held at Epsom Wheels for All, Harrier Centre, Athletic Park, King George Fields, Epsom, Surrey, KT19 9RY. Side-by-side passenger rides only will be available during this time.

Social Eyes
Tuesday June 13th, 1:00pm – 3:00pm
We offer lunch plus a chair-based exercise session for those who would like to participate.
Kingston Quaker Centre, Fairfield East, Kingston, KT1 2PT.

Swimming Session for Accomplished Swimmers
Thursdays June 15th, 22nd, 7:00pm – 8:00pm
Please phone the office beforehand to book and discuss any needs you have. New Malden Leisure Centre, Main Pool, New Malden, KT3 4TA. 

Football Club
Saturdays June 17th, 24th, 10:30am – 11:30am
Separate sessions for children and adults. To book visit: tinyurl.com/Football-VI. If the website is inaccessible, please call or email our office. Fulham FC Training Ground, Motspur Park, KT3 6PT.

Absolute Beginners swimming lessons
Saturdays 6:00pm – 6:30pm
For beginners, or swimmers who have lost their confidence. Places are limited, so please phone the office to pre-book and discuss any needs you may have. New Malden Leisure Centre, Training Pool, New Malden, KT3 4TA.

Digital session
Monday June 19th, 10:00am - 12:00 noon
More details in news for our members below.
Kingston Quaker Centre, Fairfield East, Kingston, KT1 2PT. Call the office to book your place.

Ten-pin Bowling
Monday June 19th, 11:00am - 1:00pm.
Hollywood Bowl, Charrington Bowl, Kingston Rd, Surbiton KT5 9PB.

Lunch Club
Thursday June 29th, 12:30am – 3:00pm
Enjoy a light lunch and take the opportunity to socialise with other members. Call the office to book your place.
Kingston Quaker Centre, Fairfield East, KT1 2PT.


No experience necessary! Come and make music at our taster choir session
Friday June 30th, 12:00 noon - 1:00pm
A free singing session for VI people, and their friends, family and carers. Run by Voices of Hope www.voh.org.uk, who are based in Kingston and run several community-based choirs and other creative activities for health and well-being. 
In the Meeting Room, Kingston Quaker Centre, Fairfield East, KT1 2PT. If you would like to know more information about Voices of Hope and can't access their website, call the office.

Bowls
We will announce future dates as soon as we can.

 

 
KAB Concession Policy
In recognition of the high cost-of-living currently experienced by many members of the Kingston Association for the Blind, 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 details phone 0208 605 0060 or 07442 394 472. Or email 
kab@kingstonassociationforblind.org

News for our Members
 

 
Possible disruption in contacting the office
 
We are changing our phone supplier – so there will be possible disruption to the office landline (0208 605 0060) while we change supplier for our broadband and internet-based phone system. We are awaiting a date for this transition to take place.

Should you experience difficulty in contacting us using 0208 605 0060 please use the following number:  07442 394 472.
Disruption to our website, too
 
Due to circumstances entirely beyond our control the most recent version of our website was lost, beyond recovery.  We are trying our utmost to repopulate the site with the latest information and reinstate all the accessibility improvements we had been making. This may take some time, so we suggest that for the time being, to find information about upcoming activities please refer to your Eye Opener or email adminkab@kingstonassociationforblind.org.

Alternatively, do call the office on 0208 605 0060 or 07442 394 472.

We apologise for any inconvenience this may cause and hope to resume normal service as soon as possible.
 
Image shows the Trustees sitting at a table on front of the member audience. From left: Kevin, Anne, Ellie and Roy.
Image shows Liam O'Carroll, speaking on front of the KAB members. Liam has short dark grey hair and is wearing a green jumper.
Image shows the KAB audience seated on rows of red chairs with wooden edges.
Image shows the KAB members enjoying a chat and light lunch around rectangular tables.

The KAB Annual General Meeting
 
The 6th of June was a very special day for KAB. We had our Annual General Meeting (AGM), where we said our thanks to Barbara Amess and Eleanor Mayor, our Trustees who stepped down. We also welcomed our new Secretary Olam Ray-Imanuel. Roy Smith MBE, was voted as Chair.

Liam O’Carroll, our guest speaker gave a great speech on what it's like to be a blind actor. 

It was very well attended meeting by our members, where everyone had a very nice time as a community, with a light lunch and time to chat afterwards.

 
Image shows Monique from KAB wearing a golden headscarf demonstrating to our member, Sheila, wearing a green top and scarf, how to use her iPad.

Digital session
 
KAB is hosting a another digital session on the 19th June, 10:00am - 12 noon.   Everyone is welcome to enjoy this event where you can explore accessibility features on Apple devices, such as iPhones and iPads. The session will be led by Monique and Ina, (KAB members of staff), and it will consist of a personalised experience to answer all queries and make sure that everyone learns how to access their devices thoroughly. 

To confirm your attendance please call Ina, on 07368273141 or email adminkab@kingstonassociationforblind.org.
Image shows the Pride flag (red, orange, yellow, green, blue and purple stripes) against a blue sky.

Pride Month
 
June is Pride month when the LGBTQ+ 's community celebrates its identity. A good place to meet members of this community is the Kingston LGBT forum. It is a space which aims to promote equality and diversity, social inclusion, and the advancement of the health and wellbeing of LGBTQ+ people within the Royal Borough of Kingston upon Thames.

They host many different events in and around Kingston. To find out more information join their forum on 
www.kingstonlgbtforum.org.uk

Sometimes identifying as a member of this community brings mental health concerns. Mind is an excellent organisation to contact in case of any issue related to this topic. They offer counselling services on the phone and face to face. They also offer café sessions where people can talk about their mental health.

Kingston Adult Education offer practical courses such as the ‘Practical Ideas for Happier Living’ Course. The course offers practical ideas and tips, based on the latest scientific research to increase resilience, improve wellbeing, and manage stress and anxiety levels better. Designed with the charity Action for Happiness, which has over 275,000 members worldwide and whose patron is the Dalai Lama.

Either try a 90 minute Taster session or sign up for one of their 6 week courses, there is NO CHARGE for either.

Taster Sessions: Wednesdays:-
21 June 2023, 6:45 - 8:15pm - ONLINE.
July 2023, 2:15 - 3:45pm - The Hook Centre, Chessington, KT9 1EJ.12/bit.ly/KAE-CLpifhl2223
and here for the 6 week course:
bit.ly/KAE
 
For more information on how to access the sites, contact them on 0208 547 6700 or email: adult.education@kingston.gov.uk 

5 or 6 week courses:-
Tuesdays, 13 June-11 July 2023, 9.30am-12noon (5 weeks)
ONLINE.

Thursdays, 8 June-20 July 2023, 10.30am-1pm (6 weeks).
at Canbury Medical Centre, 1 Elm Rd, Kingston upon Thames, KT2 6HR
Thursdays, 15 June-13 July 2023, 6.45pm-9.15pm (5 weeks). ONLINE.

To enrol on a taster above, please click here: 
bit.ly/KAE-CLpifhl2223
and here for the 6 week course: bit.ly/KAE-CLpihfln2223
 
For more information on how to access the sites, contact them on 0208 547 6700 or email: adult.education@kingston.gov.uk 
 

Inspiring member stories:
David Cohen

 
David Cohen, one of KAB’s amazing members, was born with congenital cataracts. After the age of one he lost his right eye, because of a failed operation during the Second World War, when medical staff were in short supply.

Despite this setback, he attended a regular school, studied accountancy at university and opened his own practice. 

When he was in his mid-60s he suffered from a detached retina in his good eye. He was operated on but due to complications he lost that eye and, as a result, lost his sight completely. “It was very painful and sudden”, he recalls.

It was a tremendous shock for David. His life changed drastically: he had to sell his business and was forced to retire. He also had to stop doing many hobbies he enjoyed, such as playing bridge or collecting stamps.

After a few months and with the support of his lovely wife, he started enjoying life again. With the support of RNIB he learnt to use a long cane, a talking watch and even a screenreader which allowed him to use his computer completely independently. 
David found a new way to watch films by listening to audio description as well as listening to audio books. He also participates in as many activities for the blind as he can, such as attending touch tours in theatres, and socializing with other visually impaired at lunch clubs offered by KAB.

When asked about how he finds the courage to constantly learn and try new things, he says, “Some people believe they are too old to try. I don’t. I am very optimistic, and I don’t give up. It’s such a shame that people don’t want to try. They don’t know what wonderful things they are missing in life. What is the point in giving up, living a life of loneliness and misery when you can do the opposite by trying everything that is available?”.

His desire to keep going is inspirational. It is a clear message to keep on learning and never give up, despite adverse circumstances.
 
 


 

KAB vacancies
 


Could you - or someone you know be our new Trustee? 

Are you passionate about volunteering and want to make a difference in someone's life? Then this opportunity may be perfect for you. KAB is looking to recruit new trustees to ensure our Association remains sustainable, relevant and effective in a rapidly changing landscape in the economic, societal and technological aspects, so that we can continue to serve and be the voice of the visually impaired.
 
For the trustee roles we are particularly keen to hear from people whose specialisms are Equality, Diversity and inclusion, Finance, Legal, IT, Digital Communications and HR. We’re also interested in reaching out to younger people who could bring new ideas into the organization by being trustees.
 
If you are interested please email ceo@kingstonassociationforblind.org attaching your CV and a completed equal opportunities form which you can find on our website www.kingstonassociationforblind.org. We will assess and interview prospective candidate on a rolling basis.
 
If you would like to have an informal chat about the role of a Trustee, then contact the CEO Antony Bewick-Smith on 07985 283079 or email ceo@kingstonassociationforblind.org. We look forward to hearing from you.
 
For more information, or to request an application form, please call the office at 0208 605 0060 or 07442 394 472. Or email: ceo@kingstonassociationforblind.org.
 
 
IT Volunteering

We are looking for  more volunteers who can support us in the technological aspect. If you are an expert on technology or know someone who can help please contact us by email at ceo@kingstonassociationforblind.org.
 
 
Could you be an Eye Buddy? 

Sometimes visual impairment makes people feel lonely and trapped, especially if they also have limited mobility. People might know certain routes to get where they want to, but not to access other places they are interested in visiting or shopping. The fear of going out can also leave people with sight-loss feeling isolated and depressed.
 
That is why we have the Eye Buddy scheme. Eye Buddies are sighted volunteers who simply chat to people with sight loss in their own home, help with paperwork, take people out, for example going shopping together, describing objects at a museum, or simply having a drink together at a coffee shop. 
 
If you are sighted and keen on helping the visually impaired, please contact us and we will introduce you to someone who needs a buddy to join them in their adventures.
 
 
Could you help people with sight-loss play Bowls? 
 
KAB supports a group of visually impaired people to play indoor and outdoor bowls in Tolworth and Chessington. We need sighted volunteers to help run our sessions. 
 
Familiar with bowls or not - why not give it a try?
 
For more information email ceo@kingstonassociationforblind.org or call 07442 394 472.

 
 

 

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 0208 605 0060 or 07442 394 472. Or email ceo@kingstonassociationforblind.org.

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 0800 0234 708, 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 you can now support KAB as your 'good cause', by visiting the following link: 
tinyurl.com/58fp3jvp.

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 0208 605 0060. Tickets cost just £1 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!
Find Out More
Facebook
Twitter
Instagram
Website
Follow us on social media for the very latest news and events from KAB:
FaceBook:
 facebook.com/people/Kingston-Association-for-the-Blind/
Twitter: twitter.com/kingston_blind
Instagram: instagram.com/kingstonassociationforblind
Website: www.kingstonassociationforblind.org
Copyright © 2023 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 39
24th May 2023
Follow us on social media for the very latest news and events from KAB:
FaceBook:
 facebook.com/people/Kingston-Association-for-the-Blind/
Twitter: twitter.com/kingston_blind
Instagram: instagram.com/kingstonassociationforblind
Website: www.kingstonassociationforblind.org

Office Hours: 10am - 4pm
KAB Office Telephone Number: 0208 605 0060
Image shows a large group of members sitting in the Quaker Centre hall around large rectangular tables. They are eating lunch and chatting together.
Image shows a large group of people sitting around big tables chatting and eating their lunch. In the background is a large window area that shows the lawn and buildings outside.
Our Social Eyes session is very popular! Join us for our next one on Tuesday May 30th

KAB Activities
May 25th - June 30th

For more details and to book call 0208 605 0060
or email
kab@kingstonassociationforblind.org

 

Lunch Club
May 25th, Thursday 12:30am – 3:00pm
A light lunch is offered and members have the opportunity to socialise with one another. Phone the office to book your space. At the Kingston Quaker Centre, Fairfield East, KT1 2PT.
 
Swimming session for accomplished swimmers
May 25th, June 1st, Thursday 7:00pm – 8:00pm
Please phone the office to book and discuss any needs you have. New Malden Leisure Centre, Main Pool, New Malden, KT3 4TA.
 
Football Club
May 27th, Saturday 10:30am – 11:30am (End of term)
Two sessions run for children and adults. To book visit:
tinyurl.com/Football-VI. If the website is inaccessible, please call or email our office. Fulham FC Training Ground, Motspur Park, KT3 6PT.
 
Social Eyes
May 30th, Tuesday 1:00pm – 3:00pm
We offer lunch plus a chair-based exercise session for those who would like to participate.
Kingston Quaker Centre, Fairfield East, Kingston, KT1 2PT.
 
Tandem Cycling
June 5th, Monday 2:00pm – 2:45pm
Please phone the office to pre-book. Sessions are weather dependent.In partnership with Wheels for all Kingston. Weir Archer Athletics Centre, Jack Goodchild Way, 422a Kingston Road, KT1 3PB.
 
Ten-pin Bowling 
June 19th, Monday 11:00am - 1:00pm. Currently once a month.
Hollywood Bowl, Charrington Bowl, Kingston Rd, Surbiton KT5 9PB.
 
Digital Drop In session
June 19th, Monday 10:00am - 12 noon. Every third Monday of the month.
Kingston Quaker Centre, Fairfield East, Kingston, KT1 2PT.
 
Taster Choir session 
June
30th, Friday 12:00 - 1:00pm
A free Choir session for VI people, and their friends, family and carers. Run by Voices of Hope www.voh.org.uk, who are based in Kingston and run several community-based choirs and other creative activities for health and well-being. In the Meeting Room, Kingston Quaker Centre, Fairfield East, KT1 2PT. If you would like to know more information about Voices of Hope and can't access their website, call the office 0208 605 0060. 
 
Absolute Beginners swimming lessons
Saturdays 6:00pm – 6:30pm, we hope to restart soon.
For beginners, or swimmers who have lost their confidence. Places are limited, so please phone the office to pre-book and discuss any needs you may have. New Malden Leisure Centre, Training Pool, New Malden, KT3 4TA.
 
Bowls
We will announce future dates as soon as we can
.

 
KAB Concession Policy
In recognition of the high cost-of-living currently experienced by many members of the Kingston Association for the Blind, 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 details phone 0208 605 0060 or email 
kab@kingstonassociationforblind.org
 

News for our Members
 

 
Website technical problems
 
Dear Members, we would like to inform you that we are unfortunately having technical difficulties with our website, www.kingstonassociationforblind.org and are working hard to resolve the issue. This means that not all pages have up to date content, we apologise for any inconvenience.
 
For activities our ‘Latest News’ page is now up to date:
kingstonassociationforblind.org/latest-news, plus you can also refer to your Eye Opener for details. Thank you very much for your understanding.

 
Image shows Roy Smith, MBE, Chair of KAB. Roy has short grey hair and is wearing a navy checked shirt.
Our KAB Chair, Roy Smith, MBE

We need your support at the KAB AGM
Tuesday 6th of June 2023, Kingston Quaker Centre.
Ring now to book your place.

 
Notice is hereby given, that the Association is holding its Annual General Meeting at the Kingston Quaker Centre, Fairfield East, Kingston upon Thames, KT1 2PT on Tuesday 6th June 2023 from 11.00am. Lunch will be provided.
 
Business will include:
  • To adopt the minutes of the last AGM
  • To receive the Annual Report of the Committee
  • To receive and adopt the Accounts for the year
  • To elect Officers and Committee Members for the year
  • To appoint an Independent Examiner of Accounts
  • Applications, nominations and resolutions should be sent to the KAB office at least 14 days before the AGM.
We are looking for your support: email rfsmith88@virginmedia.com or call 0208 255 7788 with your details and what role / skills you can bring to our charity. 
 
Warmest regards  - I look forward to seeing you all on 06.06.23. 
  
Roy Smith MBE,
KAB Chair


Downloads available:
AGM agenda
KAB Annual Review
AGM Proxy form
The black and white shows Liam O'Carroll, who is smiling, with very short hair and wearing a suit and tie.
Our AGM Guest Speaker, Liam O'Carroll

AGM Guest Speaker
 
We are pleased to announce that the guest speaker at our forthcoming Annual General Meeting will be Liam O’Carroll. Liam has been (quite literally) a man of many parts: he is an actor (playing roles in Father Ted, Doctor Who Mastermind, Casualty, 24 Seven and many more). But he is also a stand-up comic, radio presenter, screenwriter and trainer.

Currently Liam is a Project Coordinator with London Vision, which is now part of the Pocklington Trust.

He was diagnosed as partially sighted in 1976 and was registered as blind in 1981 – which has not deterred him from having a creative, exciting and varied life.
 
We look forward to what will undoubtedly be a fascinating speech after the formal business of our AGM.
Can't attend the AGM? Don't forget to vote!
 
Our Annual General Meeting is on Tuesday June 6th from 11:00 am to 2:30pm.
 
Even if you can't make it please do exercise your member's rights by voting on the AGM resolutions by proxy - when someone else votes on your behalf.
 
You could:
  • Give your voting preferences directly over the phone to our staff (call 0208 605 0060).
  • Email your voting preferences to our office (kab@kingstonassociationforblind.org)
  • Nominate someone to attend on your behalf, with you either instructing the proxy how to vote or leaving it to their judgement.
  • Nominate the Chair to vote on your behalf following your instructions or allowing him to exercise his judgement.
 
All members will have received the proxy voting form showing this year's AGM resolutions. If you need another copy of the form, please call our office on 0208 605 0060.
 
Exercise your member's rights!
Carers Week
5th -11th June 2023

Carers Week is an annual campaign to raise awareness of caring, highlight the challenges unpaid carers face and recognise the contribution they make to families and communities throughout the UK.
 
It also helps people who don't think of themselves as having caring responsibilities to identify as carers and access much-needed support.
 
Carers are vital when it comes to our well-being, always ensuring that our lives are as good as they can be, and sometimes even being our confidants and friends. On behalf of our visually impaired community, we would like to say thank you! 
 
Special Event for Carers
Kingston Carers and Kingston Council an event at Guildhall on Thursday 8th June 12:45pm – 3:00pm
 
The event is free for unpaid Carers, to show recognition for the work that they give to society, share reflections, and take a pause.
 
Sir Ed Davey, MP for Kingston and Surbiton, will be a guest at the event to share his story as a Carer for his mother and children. There will be refreshments and an optional craft activity for those that wish to participate.
 
All unpaid carers are welcome – and you are welcome to bring the people you care for too.
 
For more information please visit: 
tinyurl.com/carer-event or phone 0203 031 2757.
 
Kingston Council and Kingston Carers look forward to seeing you there.

Descriptive Zooms from Royal Collection Trust

These Zoom talks are audio described for blind and partially-sighted people. Talks take place on the first Tuesday of the month, from 2pm. Hear about different works in the Royal Collection, the Royal Residencies and the history of the Monarchy.
 
Talks are free and informal, and you can participate with your camera on or off, however you prefer.
 

tinyurl.com/Zoom-Royal-Collection
Meeting ID: 904 476 9010
Passcode: 624813
Join by phone by calling: 0208 080 6591
 
The dates and subjects of each talk are:
 
Tuesday 6 June  The Coronation of King Charles III
Tuesday 4 July  Object focus - Coronations
Tuesday 1 August  The Coronation portrait of Queen Victoria
Tuesday 5 September  Fashion trends in Victorian England
Tuesday 3 October   James VI & witchcraft
Tuesday 7 November   Object focus – clocks in the Royal Collection
Tuesday 5 December   Hans Holbein
For more information email access@rct.uk
Image shows Stevie Wonder singing on stage using a microphone and playing a portable electric organ, which is hanging on a strap around his neck. Stevie is wearing black sunglasses and has long braided hair that is pulled back. He is wearing a white and blue striped tunic.
Stevie Wonder in concert. Image: Flickr/Whittlz
 

Inspirational Stories:
Stevie Wonder, an example of gratitude

 
Stevie Wonder was born Stevland Hardaway Judkins in Saginaw, Michigan, on May 13, 1950.
 
As a result of being born six weeks premature and exposure to an oxygen-rich incubator, Wonder became blind through contracting retinopathy of prematurity, a condition in which the eyes cease to grow and the retinas detach.
When Wonder was four his family moved to Detroit, Michigan, where he started his singing career in a choir at the local Baptist Church and later he began playing instruments, including piano, harmonica, and drums. He formed a singing partnership with a friend; calling themselves Stevie and John, they played on street corners and occasionally at parties and dances.
 
By age 8, he was already a skilled musician and made his recording debut at age 12. The soulful quality of his high-pitched singing and the frantic harmonica playing that characterised his early recordings were evident in his first hit single, “Fingertips", that was produced during a show at Chicago’s Regal Theatre in 1963.
 
He is grateful to God about his life and likes helping others as much as he can. He is a committed advocate for people with disabilities and a kind philanthropist, focusing mostly on helping disadvantaged children.
 
"I'm always optimistic, but the world isn't. People need to make a jump to a place of positivity, but they put it all on one person to make it happen," he says.
 
When he talks about forming part of a minority group due to his visual disability and his black ethnicity, he states that he has never thought of being blind or black as a disadvantage. One of his famous quotes is: "I am what I am. I love me! And I don’t mean that egotistically – I love that God has allowed me to take whatever it was that I had and to make something out of it.”
 
Wonder is an extraordinary person from whom one can be so inspired.
 
 

 

KAB vacancies
 

Welfare Benefits Advisor

Contract: 2-year contract, part time
Hours: 20 per week
Location: Greater London
Salary: £15,390 plus 5% pension.
Closing Date: Monday 29th May 10am
Expected Date of Interviews June 7-9th
 
About the role
Do you want to use your extensive experience to help local people with sight loss realise their welfare rights and entitlements?
 
Kingston Association for the Blind (KAB) provides a number of services which foster the health and wellbeing of and empower people with visual impairments (VI). This particular project is funded by Trust for London.
 
Purpose:
The Welfare Benefits Advisor will work with the KAB team to deliver a comprehensive, quality and accessible welfare benefits advice service. The post holder will provide the service through a variety of channels at our office, the person’s home, and/or other venues across the Borough.
 
This post is subject to a Disclosure and Barring check.
 
For further details see our website: kingstonassociationforblind.org/current-vacancies 
 
Closing date Monday 29th May 10am
 
 

Could you - or someone you know be our new Trustee? 

Are you passionate about volunteering and want to make a difference in someone's life? Then this opportunity may be perfect for you. KAB is looking to recruit new trustees to ensure our Association remains sustainable, relevant and effective in a rapidly changing landscape in the economic, societal and technological aspects, so that we can continue to serve and be the voice of the visually impaired.
 
For the trustee roles we are particularly keen to hear from people whose specialisms are Equality, Diversity and inclusion, Finance, Legal, IT, Digital Communications and HR. We’re also interested in reaching out to younger people who could bring new ideas into the organization by being trustees.
 
If you are interested please email ceo@kingstonassociationforblind.org attaching your CV and a completed equal opportunities form which you can find on our website www.kingstonassociationforblind.org. We will assess and interview prospective candidate on a rolling basis.
 
If you would like to have an informal chat about the role of a Trustee, then contact the CEO Antony Bewick-Smith on 07985 283079 or email ceo@kingstonassociationforblind.org. We look forward to hearing from you.
 
For more information, or to request an application form, please call the office at 0208 605 0060 or email: ceo@kingstonassociationforblind.org.
 
 
IT Volunteering

We are looking for  more volunteers who can support us in the technological aspect. If you are an expert on technology or know someone who can help please contact us by email at ceo@kingstonassociationforblind.org.
 
 
Could you be an Eye Buddy? 

Sometimes visual impairment makes people feel lonely and trapped, especially if they also have limited mobility. People might know certain routes to get where they want to, but not to access other places they are interested in visiting or shopping. The fear of going out can also leave people with sight-loss feeling isolated and depressed.
 
That is why we have the Eye Buddy scheme. Eye Buddies are sighted volunteers who simply chat to people with sight loss in their own home, help with paperwork, take people out, for example going shopping together, describing objects at a museum, or simply having a drink together at a coffee shop. 
 
If you are sighted and keen on helping the visually impaired, please contact us and we will introduce you to someone who needs a buddy to join them in their adventures.
 
 
Could you help people with sight-loss play Bowls? 
 
KAB supports a group of visually impaired people to play indoor and outdoor bowls in Tolworth and Chessington. We need sighted volunteers to help run our sessions. 
 
Familiar with bowls or not - why not give it a try?
 
For more information email ceo@kingstonassociationforblind.org or call 07985 283079

 
 

 

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 0208 605 0060 or email ceo@kingstonassociationforblind.org.

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 0800 0234 708, 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 you can now support KAB as your 'good cause', by visiting the following link: 
tinyurl.com/58fp3jvp.

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 0208 605 0060. Tickets cost just £1 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!
Find Out More
Facebook
Twitter
Instagram
Website
Follow us on social media for the very latest news and events from KAB:
FaceBook:
 facebook.com/people/Kingston-Association-for-the-Blind/
Twitter: twitter.com/kingston_blind
Instagram: instagram.com/kingstonassociationforblind
Website: www.kingstonassociationforblind.org
Copyright © 2023 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 38
10th May 2023