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Free Energy saving Information

Woodlands community garden have produced a free audio guide – entitled “A draught ceased is a pound increased – A guide to saving energy in the home”.  You can listen online http://soundcloud.com/woodlands-garden/sets/a-draft-ceased-is-a-pound  or alternatively call 0141 332 4632 for a copy.

Visual Impairment Information and Equipment Road Shows 2012

Someone to talk to…

Visibility Mentors are a group of visually impaired people who have been trained to provide emotional support.  They have all experienced sight loss at different times of their lives, gradually come to terms with it and are now in a position to help other people.

One of our new Mentors, Bob, states “I feel that the mentoring service is vitally important. …. I am in a good position to give advice on coping strategies and encouragement to those experiencing recent sight loss. I am a good listener and can draw on my personal experience.”

To link with a Visibility Mentor phone 0141 332 4632 and speak to Anne Garry or Rae MacDonald.

Positive Steps Course

Do you live in Dumfries and Galloway ?

Would you like some practical, helpful advice about living with sight loss?

Visibility’s free, informal and informative four week course includes information on:

The sessions last for two hours and are offered at various locations across Dumfries and Galloway .  Contact Lindsay McDowall for more details or to book 0345 521 8382 (local rate number).

Go Active Events

Gardening Opportunity - have you got ‘Green Fingers?’

The Go project has been allocated a raised plot at Woodlands Community Garden , near Visibility premises. Come along to share and learn new skills; growing, composting, recycling and saving energy. Volunteer support will be provided as required.

Forestry Commission group activity

This is an eight week programme of sessions facilitating outdoor learning held at Chatelherault Country Park, Hamilton. There will eight sessions on a Wednesday at 10.30 – 1.30pm, between May to June and July to October 2012.

Paths for All - Health Walks

Go has teamed up with PFA and will provide support for up to four participants for an eight week period. The aim is for participants to build up the confidence to attend independently. The group meet every Friday at 11.00am at the Heart of Scotstoun Community Centre, Balmoral Street.

If you are interested and want to find out more or book a space on any of these activities please call us as soon as possible, as spaces are limited.

BMobile Projectrank foundation logo

photo of toddler group leaflet

Visibility’s BMobile Project, launched in October 2011, has been generously funded by the Rank Foundation for a period of three years.  This new service has two distinct strands – mobility training for young people and the provision of toddler groups to provide interaction for young children as well as a support network for parents and carers.

The mobility aspect of the project is available to young people who have previously received mobility training from their local authority and would now like to build up their confidence, explore new places or get more practice. 

Visibility's Little Explorer groups are for visually impaired children under 4 years old and their parents or carers.  The sessions contain a variety of structured physical activities, to help encourage exploration, curiosity and independence, geared towards developing confidence. In addition to these activities there will also be some sensory activities, music, singing and dancing which parents and carers can join in. The sessions also provide an opportunity for meeting other families and sharing stories.

If you are interested in any aspect of BMobile please email bmobile@visibility.org.uk or call us on 0141 332 4632.

Children and Families Events

Thanks to generous funding from the North Face Explore fund, Visibility will be running a series of activity events throughout 2012.  The activities usually run between 10.30 and 12.30 and children are invited to bring along a sibling or friend.  While the children are busy, parents get the opportunity to chat over a tea or coffee or take part if they wish.   Places are limited so please call 0141 332 4632 soon to book. 

photo of child climbing
northface logo

Research study at Durham University is seeking participants

Scientists at Durham University are seeking people who are interested in participating in a study that investigates how various aspects of daily life of blind people are related to habits and experience in terms of mobility means.

The motivation behind the research is to get better knowledge about the role that mobility means play for the independence and self-reliance of people with vision loss. For example, the scientists would like to know which means of mobility blind people use on a regular basis (e.g. symbol cane, long cane, echolocation, human guide, etc.), and how and when they learned to use them. They can then investigate how these things are related to variables such as age, moving in familiar or unfamiliar surroundings, hobbies, education, how much people value vision, etc. Recently there has been an increased discussion about mobility means that blind people use, in particular echolocation and the use of the long cane for very young children. The scientists hope that the results that would come out of this research would help to advance the discussion.

Participants in the study are invited to complete a questionnaire that has 45 questions. The questionnaire is available at http://www.dur.ac.uk/lore.thaler/survey.htm

For any questions please contact Lore Thaler, Lecturer, Department of Psychology, Durham University, Durham DH1 3LE, phone 01913343290, E-mail lore.thaler@durham.ac.uk

Deaf Action - Positive Steps Course

A short course for people with a sight loss. Positive Steps focuses on enabling people to continue to live a fulfilling life after a diagnosis of visual impairment.

These courses are 2 hours a week for 4 weeks. – each session runs 1.30-3.30pm

For more information please call 0141 332 4632

Peer Support Sessions 

Visibility's regular Peer Support sessions are held every two to three months and group members attending share ideas, support each other and have the opportunity to enjoy a variety of information which is provided by guest speakers. If you would like to attend one of the sessions, please contact Anne Garry or Rae MacDonald on 0141 332 4632.

Park Centre, 45 Kerr Street, Kirkintilloch

Milngavie Community Centre, Allander Road , Milngavie

Ayesha wins twin bear competition.

photo of Ayesha receiving bears

Visibility was in Glasgow’s St Enoch’s shopping centre on Saturday 28th January giving shoppers the opportunity to try out simulation glasses and providing information about sight loss.

 Passing shoppers also had the chance to guess the date of birth of two beautiful Hamley’s twin bears   The bears now have a lovely new home with young Ayesha, pictured, receiving her prize from our fundraiser and trainer Audrey Ward.

Many thanks to all who took part in the competition which raised over £70.

New Challenge Events for 2012

graphic of scotland with challenges markedOur friends at global adventures have come up with four cracking fundraising challenges, all within fairly easy reach of the west of Scotland.  Minimum sponsorship starts at just £520 per person, so if you love cycling or walking and want to raise funds to help people living with sight loss, these events are for you! For more information please call Susan on 0141 332 4632 .

Hadrians Wall  13-15 April , 13-15 July , 7-9 September 2012

Challenge yourself to trek for charity along 25 miles of Hadrian’s Wall– one wall, one epic charity challenge in just one weekend!

This most ancient of treks takes us from Chollerford to Gisland, encompassing some fascinating ruins. It is the most remarkable Roman monument in the country, cuts through the beauty of Northumberlands’ National Park and attracts trekkers from all over the UK.

Ben Nevis    15- 17 June , 5-7 October 2012

Join us as we trek for charity to the top of Britain , on this exciting weekend challenge conquering Ben Nevis! Our challenge takes us into the heart of the breathtaking Western Highlands, in order to conquer the highest peak in Britain set at 1,343m (4,409ft) above sea level.

The trail to the summit is technically easy, but stamina and determination are a must! The stunning views of the highlands will be with us all the way and provide a fantastic backdrop!

UK Coast to Coast Cycle   9-12 August 2012, 23-28 April 2013

The aim of this charity challenge is as simple as its name suggests – to conquer the breadth of Britain by bike!

Starting  in Whitehaven, our challenge encompasses some of the best scenery Britain has to offer! From the stunning mountainous region of the Lake District to the beautiful open moors of the Northern Pennines – our UK Coast to Coast cycle will leave you wanting more!

Thistle and Clover Challenge  - 17-20 May, 13-16 Sept 2012

The Thistle and Clover Cycle Challenge takes in some of the most breathtaking scenery in Scotland and Ireland , including the two capital cities.  The challenge starts off in Edinburgh and ends in Dublin with an evening celebration and overnight stay.  Covering over 200 miles in 3 days, you will never forget the great sense of achievement as you reach the electric atmosphere of Dublin . 

Women’s 10K 2012

Team Visibility are looking for runners to raise awareness and raise funds for Visibility in this years Womans 10K which will be held on the 13th May 2012 around Bellahouston Park. 

As always we are not asking you to raise a minimum sponsorship amount, just what you can!

If you wish to join our team of runners, then please contact Susan on 0141 332 4632 or complete the on line registration. We hope you can join us on this fun day out .

Mentors Use Their Own Experience of Sight Loss to Help Others

Visibility’s visually impaired mentors actively demonstrate that visual impairment does not mean the end of a career, the end of family life or the end of much loved hobbies and sports. The mentors provide practical information; support and advice which can help people feel more confident and reduce the anguish and distress sometimes experienced with sight loss.

“Although I am still coming to terms with my sight loss, I certainly feel much more positive about my situation and am a lot better at coping with things.  Thank you.”

New Mentor Tony Byrne remembers his own experience: 

“For the first year of my own visual impairment, I went through the full gamut of emotions: fear, isolation, frustration, humiliation, insecurity etc. Then I found Visibility, an organisation that understood completely and showed me how to cope.  The mentoring service can make those first few months a less arduous and frightening time. It is my hope that I can lessen the anguish for someone the way Visibility lessened mine.”

All of the mentors have experienced sight loss and have re-gained life skills and confidence.  Ian Stevenson works full time, has a busy family life and still finds the time to volunteer for Visibility.  He said: 

“I thought this would be a great way to give something back, as it was thanks to Visibility that I was able to get the help and support I needed, when I needed it most.  I look forward to helping people regain their confidence and helping them realise with time that life can carry on.”

Visibility now has 12 volunteer VI Mentors who are trained to provide support to other people with visual impairments.  The service is mainly telephone based and is usually offered for a period of around three months.  To access the mentoring service or if you would like information on becoming a mentor please contact Anne Garry on 0141 332 4632 or email info@visibility.org.uk

Dumfries and Galloway Goes Visible

Dumfries and Galloway Goes Visible, a visual impairment awareness event for health, local authority and voluntary sector professionals was held in Dumfries on the 25th October.

Staff and volunteers from Visibility’s Glasgow office travelled down to join with our Dumfries based staff for the event, which included information stands and interactive workshops.  The feedback from professionals working in the area was excellent and the team received many interesting ideas and comments:

“A really informative day.  Thank you for inviting me”

“Looking forward to Visibility doing more in Dumfries and Galloway ”

Dumfries and Galloway based staff also had the opportunity to meet many new visually impaired people when they joined the Action for Blind People mobile information bus which visited three of the main towns in Dumfries and Galloway .   In the near future we hope to establish peer support networks across the region to offer support and provide opportunities for visually impaired people to get together in their local communities. 

Visual Impairment Awareness Training