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KAB Eye Opener

29 February 2024 - Issue 51

Office hours: 10:00am - 4:00pm
Phone: 020 8605 0060
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

News for our Members

Macular Society Support Group in Kingston

We have been speaking with Ben Rendle, the new regional manger for the Macular Society, to reopen the local support group which has been closed since covid, We are now pleased to announce the reopening of the group in a couple of weeks time.

The meetings aim to offer information, encouragement and friendship to people who are affected by macular disease and other sight loss conditions. Family, friends and carers are also welcome.

When: First meeting on Tuesday 12 March and then the second Tuesday of every month
Time: From 10.30am until 12.30pm.
Where: Kingston Library, Fairfield Road, Kingston upon Thames, KT1 2PS.

Accessible Interior Design - Take part in the research

A student from Kingston University contacted us asking to talk with a group of our members to get their views and experience of accessible interior design.

She says: My name is Salsa, and I am an MA Interior Design student at Kingston University School of Art, currently working on a project that aims to develop inclusive design solutions through interior design from the perspective of the visually impaired.

As part of this project, I would like to gain insights from the perspective of the visually impaired to ensure that my design approach is inclusive and representative of diverse experiences.

When: Monday 4th March at 12.00
Where: KAB office at the Quaker centre.

Audio Book Club - Coming Soon!
Following our survey a lot of members said they wanted a book club. We have spoken to the Kingston library and they are a happy to host us!

We are now looking for a couple of volunteers to lead the group. Do ask around and help us find book club volunteers. We will be using the Audio books on USB sticks from the RNIB talking book collection. They have over 350,000 books. We are able to ask RNIB for the same book for everyone to take home and listen. If you don't have a device to listen to the USB stick we are able to lend you a boombox, free of charge.

If you are interested in taking part in the book club please call the office to register. The venue, dates and times are not confirmed as yet.

Queen Promenade Audio Walk - Coming Soon!

KAB has been working with VocalEyes for the past 2 years to create an audio described walk to guide our members along the Queens promenade river walk. We now have the final audio track and are working on the final preparations for the big launch. We will let everyone know as soon as we have the date and the program finalized.

Save the date!

KAB Annual General Meeting
Tuesday 11 June 2023 at the Kingston Quaker Centre.
More information to follow...

Sew and Repair

Members have been bringing their items of clothing for repair. Taghreed has sewn on buttons, turned trousers, sewn holes in pockets. If you have items which you would like repaired do bring these along to our social eyes lunches on alternative Tuesdays. If you require further information please call the office.

Fundraising

KAB has launched its spring appeal. We are sending letter to opticians, solicitors and local health centres.
If you know of a shop, a dentist, a pub or any other places in Kingston that you feel would be a good spot for us to have a collection box please let us know!

Easter Office Closure
The KAB office will be closed on Good Friday 29th March and Easter Monday 01st April. We will reopen on Tuesday 02nd April.

KAB Activities

March - May 2024

For more details and to book:
Phone 020 8605 0060
Email: kab@kingstonassociationforblind.org

Meet and greet by arrangement

We understand how difficult it can be to go to unfamiliar places, so KAB will be very happy to meet and greet at the closest bus stop or train station so that you can take part in any of our activities on offer. Please contact the office to prearrange any assistance.

Social Eyes Lunches

We offer lunch plus a chair-based exercise session for those who would like to participate; and don forget to bring items for the sew and repair service.

When: Alternate Tuesdays 1:00pm – 3:00pm
Venue: At the Kingston Quaker Centre, Fairfield East, Kingston, KT1 2PT.

2024 Dates:
05th ,19th March
02nd,16th, 30th April
14th ,28th May

Lunch Club and Quiz

A light lunch is offered, and members have the opportunity to socialise and try your hand at the quiz.

Last Thursday of each month 1:00pm – 3:00pm

2024 Dates:
28th March
25th April
30th May

Beginners and Improvers Swimming lessons

For beginners, or swimmers who would like to improve. The swimming sessions are on a one-to-one basis with Emily Hampton. The dates and times can vary, if you are interested, please contact the office to arrange a session and discuss any needs you may have.

Venue: New Malden Leisure Centre, Training Pool, New Malden, KT3 4TA.

Date and time by arrangement.

Swimming Session for independent Swimmers

In association with Spartans Swimming Club. All members new to the session are required to complete a form signed by their GP. Please phone or email the office to obtain a form, further details and please prebook.

During these sessions the pool is closed to the public and only open to disabled swimmers.

Cost: Sessions are £2.

Venue: At the New Malden Leisure Centre, Main Pool, New Malden, KT3 4TA with Emily Hampton.

2024 Dates:
Every Thursday evening from 7:00pm to 8:00pm.

Football Club

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.

The sessions take place in a huge indoor bubble protecting the players and spectators from the British weather!

To book: visit: tinyurl.com/Football-VI. If the website is inaccessible, please call or email our office.

Venue: Fulham FC Training Ground, Motspur Park, KT3 6PT.

2024 Dates:
Saturdays, 10:45am to 11:45am.
March to July during term time

Tandem and Adapted Cycling Club

Please phone the office to pre-book. Sessions are weather dependent. In partnership with Wheels for all Kingston.
Venue: Weir Archer Athletics Centre, Jack Goodchild Way, 422a Kingston Road, KT1 3PB.

2024 Dates:
Mondays except Bank holidays from 1:00pm – 1:45pm

Ten-pin Bowling

Venue: Hollywood Bowl, Charrington Bowl, Kingston Rd,
Surbiton KT5 9PB.
When: Alternate Mondays from 11:00am to 1:00pm.

2024 Dates:
04th,18th March
22nd April
13th May

Phone or email the office to register your attendance.

Bowls
Food and Drink available to purchase at the Club after the session.

Venue: King George Field Indoor Bowls Club, Jubilee Way, Chessington, KT9 1TR.

Alternate Thursdays from 10:00am to 12:00pm

2024 Dates:
07th, 21st March
04th, 18th April
02nd,16th May

Tech Sessions

We have started monthly sessions at the Kingston Library, supported by the RNIB Tech for Life team.

They can support you with:

Using and setting up your smartphone, tablet, laptop or eReader.
Discovering accessible technology and devices
Making the most of the internet
Your questions about using accessible technology

Places are limited and registration is essential. Phone the KAB office to book your place and let us know if there is anything in particular you would like to learn or get help with.

Venue: Kingston Library, Fairfield Rd, Kingston upon Thames KT1 2PS
When: First Thursday of each month from 11:00am - 1:00pm.

2024 Dates:
07th March
02nd May
06th June

We would like more members to join us at some of these activities, so go on, give them a try!.

South London Working Age Forum

When: 12th March organised by Merton Vision
Time: 6.30pm - 9pm followed by Pizza
Venue: The Guardian Centre, 67, Clarendon Road, Colliers Wood SW19 2DX

Guest speaker is Blind in Business.
Call the KAB office to register by Friday 08th March for catering purposes.

Volunteer for us

Our activities and services depend on the support of our volunteers, we are always on the look out to recruit and grow our team!
We are looking for the following volunteers:

·Trustees
·Eye Buddy volunteers
·Drivers
·Book Club volunteers
·Help at sports sessions
·Information Technology Volunteer

Forthcoming dates for visual awareness training for our volunteers:

Wednesday 03rd April from 10:00 - 12:00pm
Thursday 04th April from 2:00 - 4:00 pm

Please call the KAB office for the volunteers to book their place

We value feedback, help us shape and improve our services:

Your feedback is invaluable to us, and we are currently conducting a member survey 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 have participated and volunteers who are helping us reach out to members. 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 020 8605 0060.

End of Newsletter

Find Out More

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 50 / 26 January 2024

News for our Members

Kingston After Dark Public Survey

KAB will be gathering feedback from members, which we will use to report back to the community safety team.

As part of developing the Borough's Night time Economy strategy, The Community Safety team would like to gather insights, preferences, and concerns about the borough after 6pm. This will cover people's experiences of studying, working, visiting and commuting after 6pm covering areas such as safety at night, accessibility of public transport etc.

The Inclusive Kingston Borough Alliance will be bringing all the results together at the start of March 2024. KAB would like to give them the point of view of blind and partially sighted residents, so do send any comments you would like us to bring to their attention by the end of February.

To give us your feedback either call us :020 8605 0060 or email us at: kab@kingstonassociationforblind.org

Sew and Repair

New Trustees

KAB are looking for new trustees and volunteers. We ask you to look around amongst your family, friends, and people you know who might be interested to contact our office and we can send them our role description, the skills and experience we need and what they would be expected to do.

Fundraising

2024 will continue to see KAB double its efforts with its fundraising campaign.

If you know of a shop, a dentist, a pub or any place in Kingston that you feel would be a good spot for us to have a collection box please let us know!

Save the date

KAB Annual General Meeting
Tuesday 11 June 2023 at the Kingston Quaker Centre.
More information to follow.

KAB Activities

February to March 2024

For more details and to book:
Phone 020 8605 0060
Email: kab@kingstonassociationforblind.org

Meet and greet by arrangement