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August 2009 Issue No. 14

A newsletter for visually impaired people.A newsletter for visually impaired people.

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Editorial Team:

Editor: Vicky Kay

Layout/design: Tracy Hankinson

Photos provided by:

Philip Singleton, Glenis Lee, Arthur Curran, Addam Merali-Hosiene, Margaret Shorrock and Jean Price.

Note from the Editor

Hello all, Well it‟s been a busy time here at TBA‟s office; We‟ve currently got an electrician in re-wiring the place – generally having a lot of fun and making lots of noise and mess. It‟s also the holiday season, so the office has been down a few members of staff over the last few weeks. Our big news is that Glenis has just had her 60

th Birthday, so you may want to wish her many

happy returns when you next speak to her!

Now on with the Newsletter…

In this edition, we have: more news on the digital switchover; important advice concerning your health as well as your money; and news on some fundraising for TBA that went on earlier this season.

I hope you enjoy this issue of the newsletter. Feel free to let us know what you think, and any ideas you may have for the next issue! (As always, our contact details are on the back page).

Cheers,

Vicky.

Editor and Development Worker.

Keeping you informed

We will now be producing an events bulletin to keep you informed of the events, activities and clubs that are going on around Tameside and Manchester that may be of interest to you. Look out for it in your post throughout the year.

Cover: Brian McKenzie tells us about Audio

Description, see page 6.

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Digital Switchover is getting closer!

Just in case you haven‟t heard anything about this, the television signal will soon be changing from analogue (what you currently get through your aerial if you only get 5 or less channels) to only digital (what you get if you have more channels, either from a cable, satellite dish, box that is attached to your aerial, or a brand new television that has this built in). This change means that the analogue signal will be turned off for this area in November, meaning it would be a good idea to get yourself sorted with digital TV before then!

Fear not however, as not only are we here to help (see contact details on the back page), but so is the Digital Switchover Help Scheme. They will be offering: easy-to-use equipment, installation of this equipment (including a new aerial or dish if this is needed to make it work), a demonstration, and access to a helpline while you get used to it. You will be eligible for this if you are one of the following:

Aged 75 or over,

Have lived in a care home for 6 months or more,

Are registered blind or partially sighted,

You get (or could get) either: Disability Living Allowance, Attendance or Constant Attendance Allowance.

The cost of this service is £40 for the standard offer, however they have other deals to meet each persons needs (for instance satellite options for those people in a bad signal area or who would like more channel options). Also, if you get Pension Credit, Income Support or Income-Based Jobseeker‟s Allowance, you will be able to have this service for free!

If you need any help filling out the application form, please do get in contact with us. For more information on the Switchover Help Scheme, you can call them free on: 0800 40 85 900.

Look out for this logo in your mail

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Buyer – Beware Gas and electricity bills have risen dramatically in recent years and are still fluctuating wildly. Many people have been trying to reduce their bills by responding to “offer” adverts, direct sales phone calls and house-to-house promoters.

Sometimes the sales routine can put you under considerable pressure to sign up immediately to what sounds like a great deal. However it is very important that you fully understand the deal offered and all the terms and conditions. This can include the tie-in period, payment methods, and length of any fixed price period etc.

The switch from one company to another is not always straight forward. The two companies must agree a „changeover‟ date and it is important that you agree with BOTH of them what the meter readings are on that day to reduce risk of future billing problems. Make sure all relevant readings are taken. We have come across several cases where changeover has been a major headache due to inaccurate meter readings, night/day rate readings being reversed, and faulty meters etc, which have taken many months to resolve.

Although the companies may tell you that they will “do everything”, be aware that you may need to take readings, check bills, cancel Direct Debits, and start new Direct Debits etc. If you have signed up for something but change your mind there is usually a cooling off period. This is where you are entitled to „back out‟ and carry on as before. If you need to ring the companies ensure that you take the full name of the assistant, the time and date of the call and note down exactly what you agree with them.

So the message is: make sure you really want to change suppliers before you commit and then follow up everything during changeover. If you have problems – give us a call; our contact details are on the back page.

Written by Philip Singleton, Project Manager, TBA.

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Riding High…………

The Hatters Chapter of the Harley Bikers Club have offered to take people on their bikes for a short trip on Saturday 12

th

September. Last year‟s similar event was very popular and enjoyed by all who joined in. If you are interested in experiencing the thrill of riding a Harley Bike, give us a call (see contact details on back page). There are a limited number of places available, so put your name down as soon as possible!

Opening of Ashton Primary Care Centre

In December last year Mary Gilbertson (who is visually impaired) and I were asked to attend a „way finding exercise‟ at the Ashton Primary Care Centre prior to its opening. We identified some issues with colour and signage but generally found the Centre to be „V.I. friendly‟. The project management team considered the comments made, particularly by Mary, and some have already been addressed; for example the green lettering on a green background! Others will hopefully be fed into future schemes.

Mary and I were kindly invited to the Official Opening of the Centre by the Rt. Hon. Alan Johnson M.P., then Secretary of State for Health. The Care Centre hopes to provide a suitable environment and service for visually impaired patients and visitors. Should anyone have any comments after visiting the Centre or would like to have more details of our „report‟, then do please contact me (contact details are on the back page).

Written by Glenis Lee, Development Worker at Tameside Blind Association.

Glenis Lee and Mary Gilbertson check out the new facilities for

visually impaired visitors to Ashton Primary Care Centre.

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Brian McKenzie and his experiences of

Audio Description

Brian McKenzie believes that the audio description (AD) facility on some digital equipment can significantly improve the enjoyment of television programmes for blind and visually impaired people.

Brian lives in Hattersley with his stepson, Matthew. He was born in Macclesfield in 1950 and brought up in Hulme before moving to Hattersley in 1964. He had the cruel misfortune to be diagnosed with a brain tumour in 1967 and the ensuing operation rendered him blind. Even though this operation cost him his sight, Brian is grateful that it saved his life and his mind. After 4 months recuperation in Torquay he returned to his job at the Walls Food factory in Godley where he stayed until 1993. He speaks very warmly of his employment there and the constant support he received from his colleagues and bosses.

Despite his enthusiasm for AD, Brian is not a reclusive TV addict and goes out on a regular basis assisted by his brother, Roy or stepson, Matthew. He runs the local community support group for blind and partially sighted people in the area, and their regular meetings of 10-15 members include activities such as arts and crafts and crosswords. They also have days out and are about to go to Southport, while every autumn they attend Blackpool illuminations. Brian is an aficionado of sixties music and in 1969, after a concert at the Apollo, he spent some time with blind pop legend Stevie Wonder! He also collects model car replicas of those featured in the James Bond Films and currently owns 65 and counting.

As well as enjoying films such as James Bond and classics like “The African Queen” and “Ice Cold in Alex”, Brian is an avid consumer of factual and fictional crime programmes such as the documentary “Police, Camera, Action” and cult „cops and robbers‟ series from the sixties and seventies including

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Apology.

Beryl Williams would like to apologise for a comment in an article in the last issue of News and Views. In the article „Meet the Committee‟ Beryl inferred that she organised TBA‟s 30

th

birthday celebration, when in fact she was a member of a team who organised the event. She would like to apologise if it offended anyone, and would like to point out that it was purely accidental.

“Z Cars”, “Softly Softly”, “The Sweeney” and “Champions”. He is also a Sci-Fi buff who enthuses about the original Star Trek and Dr Who series‟.

Audio Description has helped Brian keep-up with all his favourite programmes. It is available on particular non-live programmes and films screened by digital channels. It is essentially a form of sub-title provision for those with visual problems, in that a voice-over describes the action and background information for each scene. Brian gave me a demonstration during my visit and I was able to listen to it during an episode of “Coronation Street”.

Brian enthuses that having experienced AD, which he has had for 4 years, he finds it hard to enjoy TV without it. His one minor frustration is that a programme may be shown with AD on one channel but then without it on another. Overall, however he is very satisfied with the service and highly recommends it.

His story and attitude is an inspiration to anyone who has been dealt a bad hand by life, and hopefully his positive experience of and enthusiasm for AD will encourage others with sight problems to enquire into its use and availability.

Written by Mark Brown, Volunteer at TBA.

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Infected flying pigs…?

You may have heard a lot about the „Swine Flu‟ that has spread from Mexico across the world, and is now officially said to be a pandemic. The World Health Organisation (WHO) class a pandemic as when a new virus emerges and it starts to spread easily and at a sustainable level. Because humans have not encountered it before, and therefore have no or little immunity against it, it is more serious than a more common relative of the virus such as the seasonal flu (the common flu that usually comes around in the wintertime).

Flu Pandemics are not a new thing; the first ever recorded was in 1580, and have since been noted to happen every 10 to 30 years. Some incidents in more recent history include: the “Spanish flu” of 1918-19, the “Asian flu” of 1957-58, and the “Hong Kong Flu” of 1968-69.

Swine Flu, or „influenza A/H1N1‟ as it is technically known, is similar to the seasonal flu, and is only really dangerous to people with other health complications, particularly those that make the immune system weaker.

Research into a vaccine is well underway, and the BBC Health service expect it to arrive in the Autumn, but in the mean time the normal flu vaccine may offer some defence, although this has not been confirmed scientifically yet.

Signs and symptoms.

Symptoms of swine flu are very similar to seasonal flu, and could include:

Headache.

Exhaustion or fatigue.

Cough.

Sore throat.

Runny nose.

Sneezing.

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Aching muscles.

High fever (usually above 38ºC).

Chills and shivers despite fever.

Possible loss of appetite.

Possible shortness of breath.

Possible diarrhoea or a stomach upset.

Because it is hard to tell which flu a person may have, most health officials are suggesting the same type of treatment: Stay indoors away from other people; wipe-down any handles, light switches etcetera that other people may touch with disinfectant; phone NHS Direct‟s swine flu information line - 0800 1 513 513, or your doctor to discuss the symptoms (including if you have been in contact with anyone suspected of having swine flu or if you have been abroad recently); and they will explain where a friend or relative can get anti-viral medication for you. They also suggest developing „flu friends‟ – someone that is willing to get you the medicine if you are unwell.

General precautions.

To keep yourself healthy from all types of infections it is a good idea to follow these hygiene precautions:

Avoid close contact with people who have a fever or a cough.

Always carry tissues with you.

Cover your mouth and nose when you sneeze or cough, with a tissue if you get chance.

Use tissues only once and dispose of them with care.

Wash your hands regularly with soap and hot water.

Clean hard surfaces regularly with an ordinary cleaning solution.

Or as the NHS leaflet says:

CATCH IT, BIN IT, KILL IT.

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A national organisation called „Vinvolved‟ has raised some money for Tameside Blind Association. It is a volunteering programme aimed at providing voluntary opportunities and support to 16 to 25 year olds. They encourage young people to reap the rewards of volunteering: giving something back to their community; having fun; and being able to add something valuable to their CV – a nationally recognised award. Tameside‟s Vinvolved Youth Action Team organised a sponsored shark dive at Blue Planet Aquarium in Chester for five of their volunteers and raised £300 for our own Tameside Blind Association! The five volunteers were Munim Mohsin, Claire Walklett, Lauren Anderson, Maydul Islam and Fiona Taylor, all aged between 17 and 19 years old.

A Shark’s tale…

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We now have a Blue Badge held at TBA‟s office. This is available for volunteers to use when parking somewhere with a disabled passenger. It means you are entitled to disabled parking spaces, and are able to park on double yellow lines (as long as you are not parked where you would cause congestion or be a hazard to other road users). We have a booklet for more information on its use, and a sign in and out scheme so we can keep track of where it is. If you would like to borrow it for a particular trip out with one of our service users please drop in or give us a ring.

Addam Merali-Hosiene, one of the Vinvolved staff responsible for organising the event said, “I was actually hoping one of them wouldn‟t be able to come so that I could have a go instead! But they all turned up and loved it”. The dive took place in a tank that contains 11 different shark species; including a 10-foot long Sand Tiger Shark, and is one of the UK‟s biggest marine attractions. Lauren and Fiona described all the training they had to go through before the dive, and said, “our emotions were a mixture of nerves and excitement” before hand. Munim Mohsin said “Seeing sharks skim inches over our heads as we played with tropical fish was a life changing experience… It was brilliant and opened our eyes to the environmental issues around the planet”. Maydul Islam thought “the shark dive was one of the best activities I have ever done in my life… I swam with fish I had never seen before. To see sharks and stingrays swimming past my head was just awe-inspiring”.

To say thank you to Vinvolved we organised a „vision impairment awareness and guide training‟ session for some of their volunteers, as well as an official „thank-you‟ ceremony at Tameside Blind Association a few weeks later. We would again like to say a Big Thank-You to all those involved in raising the £300 for Tameside Blind Association. The money will go towards helping run TBA‟s various clubs and groups for visually impaired people, as well as the grants that Tameside Blind Association have available to those in need.

Blue badge available to volunteers

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Dr Prem Agarwal: 20/05/33 – 04/06/09.

Dr Agarwal first came to our attention as a service user early last year as diabetes gradually affected his sight, but he quickly became one of our supporters instead!

Prem was born in Kanpur in India and came to Britain in 1957, attending medical schools in Glasgow and Manchester. He worked at Tameside Hospital and later as a G.P. at West End Medical

Centre from 1963 till 1993, when he retired through ill health. Prem was well known and liked amongst his many friends and former patients.

Prem used to raise money for different charities linked to health. He had meticulously planned a coffee morning in support of Tameside Blind Association (TBA) at his home, but sadly died a few days before the event. His family kindly decided to go ahead with the event as it was what he would have wanted. The event included music, a raffle and „bring and buy‟, and was a tribute to Prem‟s dedication to a cause. The Mayor, John Sullivan attended, and the magnificent total of £1400 was raised. TBA would like to thank Prem‟s family for their support and generosity at such a sad time.

Glenis Lee, Development Worker at Tameside Blind Association.

Updates

We have an updated version of Tameside Blind Association‟s information pack now available. If you or your organisation would like to have a copy or even a supply to hand out then please get in contact (Details on back page)

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Do you have a sight problem & live in Tameside?

Perhaps you feel bored or fed up, or maybe you don‟t know what to do with yourself?

Then why not join the Iris Gardening Club!

Come along to learn how to garden with a visual impairment as well as make new friends in relaxed surroundings.

We meet 10am -12 every Friday at Vision First Resource Centre, though you can attend as often as suits you.

You are welcome to come along and meet us, visit our garden and see if it is of interest.

To arrange a visit or for further details, please phone Vision First Resource Centre on:

0161 330 7028.

A Missive from Margaret Carter, Secretary for

Tameside Blind Association The Trustees have been meeting each month since the last AGM in November. Subjects under discussion have included Trustees proposing to visit the Clubs, and finance for securing the long term future of TBA.

We would like to welcome Muriel Stretton as co-opted member of the Trustees, with a view to looking at future fundraising. Muriel has vast experience working with the voluntary sector and is the manager of Hattersley and Mottram Community Media.

We have decided to bring the date of the Annual General Meeting earlier this year and it will take place on Saturday September 26

th at 2pm. We hope that you will be able to attend.

You will be invited to an open discussion where any issues can be put forward by members of TBA.

Once again we ask for you to consider being nominated to become a Trustee. We are a small group and would welcome new Trustees to help share the work we do for the visually impaired of Tameside.

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David Rawsterne: 1950 – 2009

David Rawsterne was born in Denton and went to school there until the age of 15. He was always mechanically minded and very fond of mending bicycles. Cycling was his main passion, and he owned a very special three-seater bicycle that was featured in the Manchester Evening News. He was also very keen on local history and in later life was a member of the Denton Historical Society.

David sadly lost his sight in 1993 after a 7½ hour operation to remove brain tumours left him completely blind. He became a member of Denton Blind Club and the Wednesday Club, making many long-term friends, and remained a member of the Denton club until 2007, when he no longer lived in Denton.

Being mechanically minded and always wanting to try something new, when somebody suggested using Meccano at the Wednesday club, David took up the idea and became very excited about the project. This was when we met, as he needed a volunteer to work with him.

Our first major model was David‟s idea of a Victorian truck. Considering we were both ex lorry drivers this seemed a great idea, and after many arduous weeks of trial and error, the model was completed, including a clockwork drive enabling us to drive it along the desk. David‟s model was one of the centrepieces for an exhibition for the Association‟s 30

th Anniversary celebrations,

and was presented to the Mayor of Tameside at the time, Councillor Jackie Lane. In between doing the Meccano, David and I had many interesting conversations, about being out on the road as a truck driver, about his experiences as a drummer in a pop group in the 70‟s and 80‟s, and his knowledge of the old Belle Vue area of Manchester, where I now live. He had a really vivid imagination and I used to say I would write down all his tales and write a book about them – unfortunately I never did.

The next project was to be even more intricate – a fairground model including a huge Ferris wheel!

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This was eventually completed in late 2007 and it was a great achievement for both of us. This was driven by a small electric motor and it gave many members enjoyment watching the wheel turning round with little dolls in it!

Unfortunately, and very sadly, just after this project was completed, early in 2008 the brain tumours became active again. David suffered some strokes and was hospitalised at Tameside General, but never recovered completely.

He always remained cheerful and never bemoaned his lot, but sadly on March 18

th 2009, five days before his 59

th birthday,

David passed away. I for one will miss David greatly as he had become a great friend, and he inspired me to keep going many times because of his lack of complaint about his condition and his illness. He leaves behind his parents Betty and Harry, and his brother Alan and his family.

R.I.P. DAVID.

Written by Arthur Curran, Tameside Blind Association Volunteer.

Arthur Curran and David Rawsterne showing Councillor Jackie

Lane their Meccano Truck at TBA’s 30th Anniversary celebrations.

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Looking At Things In A Different Way

People with a central vision loss have difficulty doing things such as reading and recognising faces. We can help them see better using a technique called „Eccentric Viewing‟.

Tameside Council‟s Visual Impairment Team based at Vision First is working in partnership with Frances, a qualified volunteer from the Macular Disease Society (MDS) to provide this Eccentric Viewing training to our Service Users. It is proving to be successful for some. The technique identifies a particular part of their peripheral vision and teaches them

how to use it. This helps them see better by giving back more useful vision to be used for many tasks.

Dorothy is a Service User who has recently benefited. Before her vision loss, Dorothy used to enjoy doing paintings but had to give up this hobby when her vision deteriorated. After three training sessions, she is now able to paint again. Frances said “Dorothy was an 'A' student, she practiced the technique frequently by doing something she loved – painting”.

If you feel that you may benefit from Eccentric Viewing training please contact the Visual Impairment Team on 0161 330 7028.

Written by Margaret Shorrock, Assistant Team Manager, Visual Impairment Team, Vision First Resource Centre.

The original picture…

…The artist’s impression of the original picture

(shown above).

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RIP Norma

In September 1997 I became the proud owner of a 2-year-old white Retriever/Labrador called Norma (naughty Norma to the people at Guide Dogs for the Blind). She was an affectionate and beautiful dog and everyone loved her. On the 4

th May this

year she unfortunately passed away and it has left a huge void in the lives of my wife Jean and I.

She was a joy to work with but she was also a very strong willed dog. Norma went everywhere with us – for meals, to the theatre, and on every mode of transport, even on planes! She came to Jersey with us every year, and the first thing she did when we went out was head to the Rose Garden Café in the park, where she was certain to get an ice cream. I always hoped no one from Guide Dogs was around!

When she retired 3 ½ years ago Vanya, a beautiful black Labrador, came into our lives as my new guide dog. Norma accepted her and they got on great together; running together on the field and sharing toys.

I think, over the years Norma became a sort of mascot for the Wednesday and Thursday Clubs; going on trips with them, and she always got a treat from one or other of the members.

When we go to Jersey next year we will take Norma‟s ashes with us and scatter them on the beach where she went in the sea the first year we got her. She will always be with me when I‟m out with Vanya because I think she passed on one or two tips to her like: „let John walk in the puddles, Vanya, you go round them!‟ By John Price, Chair of Tameside Blind Association.

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Did You Know…

Free Directory Enquiry

If you struggle to read a phone book then you can apply for BT‟s free directory enquiry service 195. Registering with this service means you can ask the operator to look up a number for you, much like the 118 enquiry numbers do, however this service is free. They can either read the number you are looking for to you or connect you, all free of charge. Being registered as a 195 number user means you can also use the 1471 service (which lets you ring back the last person who rang you) free of charge, by dialling 14713. If you think you would qualify for this service and would be interested in receiving it, please ring 195, Monday to Friday and ask for their registration team.

… Manchester Eye Hospital is moving location to an adjacent building with a more modern environment. The move takes place on the 8

th August. If you have an imminent appointment, please

watch out for changed instructions on where to go etc. If you don‟t already know, we here at Tameside Blind Association provide volunteers to guide and transport visually impaired service users to medical appointments, so if you have an appointment coming up (for any hospital not just Manchester Eye Hospital), and you feel you would benefit from having someone with you, please feel free to ring us (see contact details on the back page), and we will try to organise a volunteer to accommodate. Please remember however that we are only four members of staff, all working part time, and that the guiders are volunteers taking time out from their busy lives to help us. Therefore we appreciate being given as much notice as possible before a particular appointment to make sure we can provide you with a guide and transport.

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What a load of RUBBISH!

Tameside Council have introduced new refuse collection and recycling services across Tameside in 2009. Many areas have already received additional bins enabling recycling of a range of waste materials. You will have received printed information about the scheme and collection dates for your area in advance of the scheme starting. If you have any problems ring the

RECYCLING HELPLINE on 0161-342-8355 for:

An audio version of the recycling guide,

Requesting an audio format calendar for collection dates in your area,

Requesting the „Pull Out and Return‟ service if you have difficulty moving your bins to the edge of your property,

Requesting help identifying which bin is which.

All That Jazz

Morag Taylor, a Library Assistant at Dukinfield Library tells us about a new audio book that has been delivered to the library, called ‘All That Jazz’, written by Dee Williams…

“…It is 1921. Daisy and her younger sister Mary are all alone in the world after their mother dies of influenza. Daisy works long hours to survive.

Mary is thrilled when the moving pictures come to Rotherhithe. Daisy loves watching the glamorous dancing girls. When Daisy is given a chance to try out the routines she is a natural and is soon offered a place at dancing school. Her teacher thinks she could make the big time, and Daisy hopes she can make a better life for her sister. But then Mary disappears…”

If you are interested in this or any other audio or large print books you can ring the „Centre for the Visually Impaired‟ at Dukinfield library on 0161 330 3257.

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Published by:

3/4 Wellington Parade, Dukinfield, Cheshire. SK16 4LE

Tel: 0161 343 4090/6903

email:csp@tamesideblind.org.uk www.tamesideblind.org.uk Printed by P.D. Print,

Hyde.

Registered Charity No. 504063

AMESIDE

LIND

SSOCIATION

Please remember Tameside Blind Association when you make your will.

This local charity works for all visually impaired people in Tameside - serving the Community for 30 years.

3/4 Wellington Parade, Dukinfield SK16 4LE

0161 330 7778

Charity No: 504063

Equipment, Gadget and Technology Roadshow. The RNIB will soon be coming to the TBA office in Dukinfield with their roadshow of equipment and computer programs aimed at visually impaired people. We are hoping that this will happen on Friday 13

th November with a general exhibition and specific

appointments for one to one discussions at different times of the day. Watch out for further details!