Kingston Upon Thames Association for the Blind

KAB Eye Opener Issue 39


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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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Eye Opener Archive


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KAB Eye Opener

Issue 38
10th 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 KAB yoga session, held in a large room with wooden floors and lots of natural sunlight. There are four participants, three of which are seated with arms outstretched in a yoga pose. One is sitting on her red yoga mat.
Image shows a woman in a relaxing cross legged seated yoga pose on her re mat. Her head is turned to the right for a gentle stretch. There is a large window, to the floor, behind her showing a grass lawn.
Images show a recent KAB yoga session within a relaxing Quaker Centre room. Members are either seated on a chair or bring their own mat for the session.

KAB Activities
May 10th - May 23rd

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

 

Swimming session for accomplished swimmers
Please phone the office to book and discuss any needs you have. New Malden Leisure Centre, Main Pool, New Malden, KT3 4TA.
Thursdays 7:00pm – 8:00pm
May 11th, 18th, 25th

Yoga for the visually impaired
Sessions are chair-based or on a mat, you can choose. Please bring your own mat if required. Sessions are free and must be pre-booked. To book: 
ourparks.org.uk/borough/kingston-quaker-meeting. If the website is inaccessible please phone or email our office. Kingston Quaker Centre, Fairfield East, Kingston, KT1 2PT.
Fridays 12:00 noon – 1:00pm
May 12th, 19th (Final session, we hope to announce more dates soon)

Football Club
Two sessions run for children and adults. To book visit:
 tinyurl.com/2p8u796u. If the website is inaccessible, please call or email our office. Fulham FC Training Ground, Motspur Park, KT3 6PT.
Saturdays, term time 10:30am – 11:30am
May 13th, 20th, 27th (Spring term ends)

Absolute Beginners swimming lessons

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.
Saturdays 6:00pm – 6:30pm, we hope to restart in early May.

Digital Drop In session

Zoom, Magnification and Voiceover for iPad and iPhone, with Ina and Monique
The session will begin with a short introduction discussing the tools available on your Apple device. You will then have the opportunity to ask any questions and we can demonstrate how to use Zoom, Magnification and Voiceover on your own device. Kingston Quaker Centre, Fairfield East, Kingston, KT1 2PT.

Every third Monday of the month 10:00am - 12 noon
May 15th


Ten-pin Bowling
Hollywood Bowl, Charrington Bowl, Kingston Rd, Surbiton KT5 9PB.
Currently once a month on Mondays 11:00am - 1:00pm.
May 15th

Tandem Cycling
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.
Mondays 2:00pm – 2:45pm
May 15th, 22nd


Social Eyes
We offer lunch plus a chair-based exercise session* for those who would like to participate.
Kingston Quaker Centre, Fairfield East, Kingston, KT1 2PT.
Alternate Tuesdays 1:00pm – 3:00pm
May 16th, 30th

* Note: more chair-based exercise coming soon

 

Lunch Club
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.
Every last Thursday of each month 12:30am – 3:00pm
May 25th

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
 

 
A group of three ladies smiling and laughing together outside in the sunshine.
Sight Loss and your Mental Well Being
 
Mental Health issues of all kinds are prevalent amongst people with sight loss. As next week (May 15th - 21st) is Mental Health Awareness Week, this Eye Opener has a special section on managing your mental well being.

 
Boost your Mental Well Being with KAB activities 

Exercise (even gentle exercise) boosts mental health. Exercise makes the body release Endorphins, a hormone that helps decrease stress.
 
At KAB we have different activities such as tandem cycling, ten-pin bowling, football, yoga, swimming and many more (see activities section for dates).  
 
We invite our members to give them a go - after all, it is never too late to take up a new healthy hobby!
 
These activities include:
 
• Swimming for absolute beginners
These beginner lessons are very gentle and participants are not forced to go beyond their limits. The aim of the sessions is to become confident in water.
 
Swimming lessons run every Saturday evening at (time). If you would like to join please call the office on 0208 605 0060 and we will be happy to tell you more information about it.


• Swimming for accomplished swimmers
If you can already swim, we also run sessions for experienced swimmers who have their own lane and can swim at their own pace. Sessions are every Thursday evening at 7.00pm-8.00pm.



Image shows a sunlit room with four yoga participants standing in a yoga pose. In the background there is a large window showing trees and a bright green lawn.  



















Yoga, a life changing experience 
Yoga is also a very gentle form of exercise that consists of breathing, stretching and all you must do is go with the flow.
 
Our members have expressed that it is a new way of life that allows you to slow down, and it is amazing how relaxing it can be but at the same time, how energising it is. Taking part in yoga really proves that moving is medicine for the body.
 
We invite you to join on Fridays May 12th and 19th, 12:00pm to 1:00pm, at the Kingston Quaker Centre. We hope to provide further sessions subject to finding further funding.
 
 
Lunchtime Get Togethers at KAB

If even Yoga is too much to contemplate, why not boost your wellbeing by meeting  like-minded people over lunch at KAB?
 
We have two lunchtime regular sessions:

Social Eyes
Social Eyes is a wonderful place to make friends and have a lovely time to enjoy various entertaining activities: from a gentle chair-based exercise programme, quizzes, craft and the occasional outing. Alternate Tuesdays 1:00pm – 3:00pm. Upcoming dates for your diary: May 16th, 30th, June 13th, June 27th. Please phone the office on 0208 605 0060 to confirm your attendance. 
 

Lunch Club
Our KAB Lunch Club offers a warm space for people to have a light lunch and socialise with one another. After lunch, there is usually a fun quiz in which members form teams and a sighted volunteer writes the answers down on their behalf. Lunch Club is very popular among our members, they say it's very welcoming. Every last Thursday of each month 12:30am – 3:00pm. Upcoming dates for your diary: May 25th and June 29th. Please phone the office on 0208 605 0060 to confirm your attendance. 
 

Mental Health and Well Being Support
 

Mental Health Foundation
The Mental Health Foundation provides guidance on how to support someone who is suffering from any mental health issue and build awareness in the community of mental health conditions in all their variety. 
 
Based on the evidence and lived experiences of real people, their aim is help you look after your mental health and help prevent mental ill health from developing further.
 
Next week (May 15th to May 21st) is Mental Health Awareness Week. This year's theme is Anxiety.
 
Anxiety is a natural response to uncertainty. For example, in the current cost-of-living crisis, more than a third of adults feel anxious about their financial situation. It's important to recognise and respond appropriately when we feel anxious, so that our anxiety doesn’t become overwhelming.
 
The Mental Health Foundation has chosen Anxiety as the theme for We’ve chosen anxiety as the Mental Health Awareness Week theme this year to kickstart a nationwide conversation, encouraging people to share their own experiences and any helpful ideas on how to manage
anxiety. They invite, therefore, for everyone to see their website and learn how to prevent anxiety before it happens.
 
If you would like to access this amazing organization visit 
 tinyurl.com/3xdynp46.
 

Mind in Kingston
Mind is another national organisation providing support for people struggling with mental health issues.
 
The services they provide are: 
 

• Café evenings
Get togethers where members can chat and get to know each other. There are often activities such as art therapy, and they offer meals for members with low incomes. Café meetings are free, but attendees are expected to buy their own drink unless they have a low income.

• Buddy Scheme
An online and phone scheme providing weekly company for people who feel lonely.

• Housing help
Support for people with mental health issues to obtain housing benefits and their application process.

• Counselling
 This is a free online and phone service where you can talk to a qualified counsellor.
 
To access these services, call 0208 255 3939.


NHS urgent mental health access point:
Use if you have a crisis, feel very low or have extreme anxiety. You can call the Crisis Point on 0800 328 4444.

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 8605 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 exervise 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 8605 0060 or visit the KAB website

Exercise your member's rights!

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/3bk3vbbd
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

Inspirational KAB Members:
Sheila Austin

 
Sheila Austin was fully sighted until the age of 50 when she suffered a stroke that damaged her optic nerve that resulted in her losing her left field of vision in both eyes and tunnel vision to her right. At first, she found it hard to become partially sighted, especially because she could not be as independent as she used to be. 
 
Sheila used to work as a personal assistant; however, she could not do this any longer because at the time, screen readers were not very well known. Fortunately, one day she got in touch with the Kingston Association for the Blind and attended its Eye Contact Club, a meeting. The club was where the visually impaired could meet, have a cup of coffee, and discuss new ideas to be more independent in their daily lives, such as putting an elastic band around a bottle to distinguish it from another.
 
As a person with a visual impairment, Sheila has achieved remarkable things such as winning several competitions about creating slogans for different brands and even fundraising £2000 for the RNIB by bravely abseiling down the 150ft tower of Kingston University. 
 
These days, Sheila enjoys tandem riding, quiz nights and socialising with other members of KAB. “When you are partially sighted, people tend to judge you if you can’t be as independent as sighted people expect,” she says. “The good thing about KAB is that nobody judges you because everyone has their own sight condition, so everybody understands what you are going through,” she explains.
 
Sheila has had a difficult journey being blind, but her secret to happiness is pushing through more and more and not letting her sight loss limit what she can do. Her story is very inspiring and, undoubtedly, there is much to learn from her.
 
 

 

KAB vacancies

Be our new secretary
We are looking to recruit a secretary and other new volunteer trustees to help KAB remain sustainable, relevant and effective in a rapidly changing landscape of economic, societal and technological change, so that KAB can continue to serve, and be the voice of, local people with sight loss.

Our new secretary will be someone methodical and able to ensure the smooth running of our trustee meetings, including producing agendas, minute taking, and ensuring that trustee meetings and decisions comply with the constitution and relevant legal frameworks.

We have six 3-hour trustee meetings per year. In addition we anticipate that that trustees will contribute another 4-8 days in preparation, guidance and advice. Trustee indemnity insurance is in place.

This is a unique role in which you will gain valuable experience in a charity adapting for change to support vulnerable people.

If you are interested in becoming our new Secretary then please email your CV to ceo@kingstonassociationforblind.org.

If you have friends or family who could step up to the role, tell them about this exciting opportunity.

For an initial discussion about the role please contact Roy Smith MBE on 07803 288083 or email rfsmith88@virginmedia.com.

We welcome applications from people of all backgrounds to ensure that our trustee board reflects the diversity of our community.

For further details see our website: kingstonassociationforblind.org/current-vacancies 
Closing date: Monday May 22nd


 

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
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Follow us on social media for the very latest news and events from KAB:
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 facebook.com/people/Kingston-Association-for-the-Blind/
Twitter: twitter.com/kingston_blind
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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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