Bury Society for Blind and Partially Sighted People

Chief Officer’s Message

As we approach the festive season all around the Centre there is a hum of activity – groups arranging Christmas celebrations, prizes being sought for our Christmas Raffle, letters being prepared inviting you to the Christmas meal at Bury College, volunteer appeal for our forthcoming wrapping! But it’s also a time to look back on our achievements over the year. At our AGM we reflected on the whether the Society had met its aims and objectives for 2015-6. I feel proud that with your support together with the efforts of all our wonderful volunteers and small, dedicated staff team we have maintained our current level of support and services. No mean achievement with the reductions in funding – so a big Thank you. However, just listening to comments through our User forum and face to face there is still so much more we could do. Experiencing sight loss is devastating and many report on the lack of information and support for themselves and family, until they meet us. We take on board your feedback and are constantly looking at ways we can improve your journey – please do keep letting us know your experiences so we can endeavour to address them.Along with plenty of news, views and information there is a brief resume of our AGM in this edition. If you would like a full copy of our Annual Review, available in various formats, please do contact us. In the meantime, happy reading and on behalf of us all here at Bury Blind Society, may I wish you all the best for the Festive Season and look forward to another year working with you all. Jill Logan – CEO.

OUT OF SIGHTIssue 49 – October 2016

Newsletter

Upcoming Social Events

Current Regular EventsAll regular events are at the Blind Society unless stated otherwise.

Evening Social – 7pm - Fourth Tuesday of every month

Walshaw Social – 2pm - Second Tuesday of every month at Walshaw Sports Club.

Tuesday Morning Breakfast Club – 10am-11.30am

Tuesday Walking – First Tuesday of the month at 10 am

Wednesday Coffee & Crafts – 10am-12pm

Thursday Afternoon Tea - 1.30pm -3.30pm

Friday Lunch Club – 11.30am-12.30pm

Music Group - Fridays 1-3pm OR Tuesdays 7-8.30pm For fun – no experience necessary! Bring your own instrument, use one of ours, or just sing! £2 per session inc. refreshments

Tuesday Afternoon Knit & Natter – First Tuesday of the month 1.30pm – 3.30pm, plus weekly drop in.

Pamper your feet: podiatrist – Every three weeks on a Wednesday. Appointments available between 1pm-4pm. Book via the office.

Stepping Stones – Fourth Wednesday of the month 1 – 3 pm

Table Top Sale - second Thursday of the month 1.30-3pm

Macular Degeneration Support Group - third Wednesday of the month 1.30pm-3pm.

RP Support Group – third Tuesday of the month. 2pm-3.30pm

For further information, please do not hesitate to contact the office. A warm welcome is extended to all service users and visitors to the Centre. Open to the public between 10 am and 4.00pm Monday to Friday.

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Special Events and Activities

Tuesday 1 November at Bury Blind Society– Bury CABChanges to benefits are always a hot topic. Just what are the consequences of the Welfare Reform Act 2016, does it impact on you? Come and find out on 1 November at 10.00am for 10.30am when Kat Pursall from Citizens Advice Bury District will be going through the main points. These include migration from Disability Living Allowance to Personal Independence Payments, changes to Employment & Support Allowance, update on Attendance Allowance consultation and much, much more! Come and meet the Members of our ‘Finance Support Team’ as well and find out what other areas of support are available. Judith Fowler (Managing Your Money), Pat Long, Paul Talbot & Barbara McIntyre (Benefit support and form completion) Barbara McIntyre (Confidential reading service), Andrew Taylor (Legacy and Investment Officer). Please book with the Office as places are limited.

Ramsbottom Craft FairOur Annual Craft Fair will take place at Ramsbottom Civic Hall on Sunday 20th November 10 am – 4 pm. There will be stalls including those selling cakes, jewellery, handmade cards, crafts, quilts, preserves, knits, decorations and gifts. There will also be delicious food and live entertainment available all day from our café. Admission is just 50p with children and pensioners free, so come along and do your Christmas shopping early!

Trouble Getting On Line?After the success of the two workshops we held in August 2016 with RNIB/Action for Blind, we have arranged for a further two workshops to take place on Monday 28 November 2016

These informal sessions are aimed at helping people with sensory loss, gain and develop skills that allow them to use technology and the internet with confidence. This can be using a tablet or e reader (e.g. Kindle or IPad), mobile phone, browsing websites, set up an e mail account or even how to chat to loved ones on Skype.

The morning session, 10am–12pm, is a basic introduction for the true ‘novice’ and the afternoon session, 1pm–3pm for clients who

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are confident using IT but would like to expand their knowledge and expertise. The tutor will be bringing equipment along to demonstrate and use but you can also bring your own with you. Following on from this we are looking to set up regular peer support groups to consolidate these sessions.

Interested? Please book through the office by Friday 11 November 2016. After that date, the tutor will contact you to ensure you are booked on the most appropriate workshop.

Meal at The China Rose, Tottington. Come and join us for a lovely Chinese Banquet on Wednesday 7 December, 7 for 7.30pm £6.00 for members and £12 for guests. Book at the office.

Cake DecoratingThe Craft Group are having a Christmas cake decorating event on the 7th December starting at 10.00am. The cost is £6. For this you get a plain white iced fruit cake, which you can decorate as you would like. All icing and tools to decorate your cake are provided as well as the box to carry it home. All you need to do is just bring yourself and your imagination.If you wish to join us please let us know by the end of November.Tea and biscuits will be available.

Christmas Meals at Bury CollegeThese have been booked in the daytime for Thursday 1st December, Tuesday 6th December and the evening on Wednesday 7th

December. The subsidised member cost will be £8.00, or guests £15.00 for the daytime and £16.00 for the evening meal. Letters with booking forms will be sent out at the end of October.

Luxury Gift Wrap and Card writing service. It’s that time of the year – love it or hate it. Let us take the stress out of wrapping your presents and writing cards, volunteers available at the Centre between 1stth – 22nd December and our wrapping service starts 14-24th December between 10am-4pm in the Millgate Centre where our expert wrappers will perform miracles on your gifts or write your cards. Minimum donation for wrapping - £1.50.

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Crockery for HireThinking about a Christmas Afternoon Tea for your friends or impressing your guests on Christmas Day with beautiful chinaware. Why not hire our ‘Downton Crockery for your special event? Bury Blind Society has a collection of stylish and elegant mix-and-match selection of hand-picked, pristine pieces of table-ware available for hire. Our collection includes cups, saucers, tea plates, sugar bowls, milk jugs, teapots and cake stands.

Please contact the Society on 0161 763 7014 to for a price list and to discuss how we can help you.

Christmas CardsOnce again we have packs of Christmas cards for sale ranging between £2-£3 and extra special hand-made individual cards made to order. Get ready for the New Year with our Large Print Diaries and Calendars. We also have our regular ‘Table Top’ sale in the Lounge area where there’s always a bargain to be hade. Why not call in?

Christmas RaffleOnce again we’re holding our Christmas Raffle. Books of tickets will be sent out with the Christmas meal invitation. Your help in promoting and selling these would be greatly appreciated but please don’t feel under any obligation to buy them. If however, you would like more books please give us a call and we’ll send them out to you.Thank you for your support.

Christmas Drop InDuring the month of December the Drop In will have a Christmassy feel! We’re offering mince pies and mulled wine as well as our usual tea and coffees of course – so come in out of the winter cold and join us!

Wheels for All at Clarence Park, BuryThe Society has been offered a free group taster session of cycling in Clarence Park, through our involvement with ‘Bridging the Gap’. Cycles and a coach will be provided to help and if you would like to put your name down for the taster session, please contact the society on 0161 763 7014.

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LOWRY THEATREAdvertised in ‘Vocal Eyes’ and showing at the Lowry on Saturday 3rd

December is Matthew Bourne’s ‘The Red Shoes’ as an audio-described performance. Tickets are at a special price of £15 (reduced from £41). For bookings please telephone 0131 529 6000.

Unless otherwise listed, for all events book by calling in, phoning or emailing the Blind Society (unless it says otherwise). Tel: 0161-763-7014 Email: jill.logan@buryblindsociety.org

Support for Independent LivingThe Disability User Forum was facilitated by The Bury Coalition for Independent Living. (BCIL–formerly known as BADDAC). This forum was the link for peoples’ views to be heard by the Council and other organisations. Unfortunately BCIL was disbanded earlier this year. It is our belief that there is still a need for a group representing the visually-impaired community to address the barriers confronting them both in the built environment and in meeting their other needs.

If you are visually-impaired and interested in taking part in such a group, please contact the office for more information. It is envisaged the group could meet on a regular basis to determine how to consult with, and perhaps put pressure on those, responsible for the barriers that face them.

RP SUPPORT GROUPSeveral months have quickly passed by since we started our RP Support Group.  We now have six members who meet on the third Tuesday of every month.

Apart from having a very convivial couple of hours together, we have great discussions on all sorts of topics surrounding problems which members bring for which they need help and advice.

If you have RP and feel that the group is for you, then please contact the Office on 0161 763 7014, leaving your details so that we can let you have details of the next meeting.

Tracey Marno and Sid Pritchard

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Podiatrist Appointments: Due to popular demand, Karen is now visiting the Centre every three weeks. The dates for forthcoming appointments are: Wednesday 26 October, Wednesday 16 November, Wednesday 7 December and Wednesday 4 January. Times between 12.30pm-4.30pm. Appointments can be made via the office

Mobile phone alertsFollowing a successful bid to GM Police Commissioning, we now have the facility to send text alerts to our members. We have already trialled one such alert regarding Bogus Callers supposedly acting on behalf of the Water Board. Remember to always ask for ID and if in doubt – don’t let them in. We will always pre-fix the alert with our name so you can recognise where the message has come from.

Eye Chat WeeklyA group of members and volunteers have been putting together an informal ‘news views and information’ sheet every week in the Centre. This has proved very popular and we have received requests to provide a braille copy in the Centre and also e mail. If you would like to receive a copy of this via e mail, please let us know and we can send it to you every week. We are also looking at expanding this to include Volunteer Hints & Training Tips as well as detailing training sessions for volunteers. Watch this space!

Wendy Chambers – Wendy was with the Society as an Assessment Officer and we often get asked how she is getting on these days, as she’s not been very well. Below is a message from Wendy:‘It’s very kind of everyone at the Blind Society to be asking after me. Thankfully I am feeling quite well at the moment – long may it last. Once again thanks for all your good wishes’. Regards, Wendy

OPPORTUNITIES

Decorating If decorating is your passion, then we have an opportunity for you. We’re looking at giving the Centre a much needed freshen up over a weekend/evening. We’ll provide the paint and the bacon butties – we just need helpers! Interested? Contact the office and leave your details for Jill.

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Do you like Organising??We’re looking for a couple of enthusiast volunteers who would like to arrange small, local trips for groups at the Society. Full training and support including Risk Assessments would be given as part of this role. Please contact Jill or Gill if you would like to know more.

Hospital Support WorkerThere is currently a vacancy for a Sessional Hospital Support Worker to work in the Eye Clinic based at Fairfield Hospital for 3 hours per Clinic.If you are interested in the post and would like to see the job specification, please contact Gill Currie at the Society.

Volunteers Needed!!Yes it’s that time of the year again!! Are you available for any of the following upcoming events?

Ramsbottom Craft Show – 20 NovemberWe require home-made cakes biscuits etc. Are you a baker? Can you help stock our Cake Stall?

Volunteers needed for a number of roles on the day e.g. on our stalls, setting up/clearing up on the day, transport for helpers.

Christmas Wrapping 14-24th DecemberCalling all wrappers! We’re back again at The Millgate Shopping Centre and we need you! If you are new and would like some guidance, come along on Monday 28 November between 10.30am and 11.30am, or between 5.30pm and 6.30pm when we’d be happy to demonstrate the ‘tricks of the trade’! Please let a member of staff know what sessions you would like to do. Thanks.

Christmas Santa Sleigh collection – Radcliffe RotaryRadcliffe Rotary is looking for fit, healthy volunteers to join them during their Santa collections. If you are interested, please contact Jill for further information.

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Annual General Meeting ReportWe were delighted to welcome Mayor Mike Connelly to our recent AGM on 21 September. It was also a pleasure to see so many people attending the Meeting. The AGM is open to all and everyone is very welcome to come along.

The AGM confirms the appointment or re-election of Trustees and Directors. The current make- up of the Board is as follows:Iqbal Mohammed – ChairDiane Webb & Tracey Marno – Joint Deputy ChairsSusan Nuttall – Company SecretaryOther elected Directors are: David Chambers, Michael Moor, Keith Rothwell, Roy Smithies and Yvonne Wright.

The accounts for the financial year 2015-16 were presented.

The Directors recognised the need for careful financial management this year after the reduction of funding from the Local Authority and the Big Lottery Fund resulting in a loss of £9000 last year. Tight financial restraints, reduction in staffing and the support of users contributing to services provided, have resulted in a small surplus of £111.00 this year. This has given a good platform to ensure we maintain our current services and look at opportunities to work with others to address areas of concern for our clients.

Full copies of the Accounts and Annual Review are available if required. Please contact Jill Logan via the office or e mail jill.logan@buryblindsocieyt.org

User ForumAt the last User Forum meeting on Wednesday 4th October, Linda Prescott, Business Manager from Adult Care Services came along in response to concerns you had raised regarding the rehabilitation support. It was heartening to hear that Linda agreed the situation has been unacceptable and apologised. The Local Authority is taking advice from RNIB and the experiences of other Local Authorities to address the issues and ensure a timely service is provided for the people of Bury.

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In addition to the Rehabilitation Support, the Centre ‘Code of Conduct’ was highlighted and is being printed for display in the Centre. The designated area for walkers etc. has now been approved. It was also agreed that, thanks to Margaret and her team for the monies raised via Table Top and Car Boot sales, the refurbishment of the ‘Storage Area’ could go ahead enabling safe storage of donated items. Copies of the notes from the User Forum are displayed in The Centre. If you would like a copy please contact the office.

The next meeting is on Wednesday 11th January 2017 at 11 am. All groups are asked to send a representative along and individuals are welcome to attend. If you are unable to come then please submit any comments or questions you may have via the office. Thank you.

Sight News

OCT SCAN by Sue Morris (Purple Sue) – Volunteer

In a previous Newsletter, I read about an eye scan called an OCT Scan (Optical Coherence Tomography) which is the most up to date eye screening available at an opticians. It is being offered by Yates and Suddell in Bury at a cost of £35; they are currently the only opticians in Bury offering this service.The scan is non-intrusive, painless and works by taking tens of thousands of high definition photographs which make up a detailed 3D model of your eye. The resulting image allows your optometrist to view the condition of your eyes beneath the surface.Many opticians have special cameras which photograph the back of the eye (the retina) but they only show the very top layer of the retina. Many eye diseases start in one of the numerous microscopic layers under the surface of the retina.I was seen at my exact appointment time and the staff were friendly and courteous; the scan only took a few minutes then I went in to see the optometrist. She was brilliant and explained the scan in detail; something did show up on my scan that I was unaware of and I found it fascinating and very informative.

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If you decide to book an OCT scan, you don’t have to book an eye test at the same time but please make sure if you just book the OCT scan, that you also book an appointment with the optometrist afterwards to explain the scan in detail.I myself have had eye problems since the age of 5 and been told by various opticians over the years that I had different things wrong with my eyes. This scan is brilliant and I thought it was worth every penny.

Red Cross Emergency Card Service The British Red Cross and Bury Council have reached a mutual decision for the Emergency Card Service for carers to end on 9th

January 2017 - please cut up your card and discard after this date. Because of under use, there are no plans to replace the service at this time and to ensure you still have access to support when you need it so we have listed some information below that you may find useful:

The Connect and Direct Hub is the first point of contact for carers who need advice, signposting, an initial assessment or response from Communities and Wellbeing at Bury Council (previously known as Adult Care Services). For more information please telephone: 0161 253 5151, email: AdultCareServices@bury.gov.uk or visit: Textile Hall, Manchester Road, Bury, BL9 0DG.  Please visit the website for opening times: www.bury.gov.uk

If you need to speak with a Social Worker in an emergency outside of normal office hours, please contact the Bury Council Out of Hours Service on 0161 253 6606.

If you would like more information about other services available for carers, please visit the Bury Directory website: www.theburydirectory.co.uk

The emergency number for the Red Cross will change from the 16th of September to 07710 733 062.

Age Concern Information about Attendance AllowancesThere are plans to pass responsibility for Attendance Allowance to local councils. Attendance Allowance is a weekly payment that helps older disabled people meet some of the extra costs they face.

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It is currently managed nationally by the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP), but the Government is proposing passing responsibility for Attendance Allowance to councils, which would create a postcode lottery of support for older disabled people and put the future of the benefit under threat.Age Concern are worried that council budgets won’t be able to keep pace with the needs of their ageing populations, which could mean many older people who become disabled in future could be left to struggle by with less help or even no support at all.There is still time to change the Government’s mind, but Age Concern needs your help. Their national partner, Age UK has written an open letter to the ministers who will make the final decision on the proposal, and they need as many people to sign the letter as well to show support. You can access the letter via the following link:https://campaigns.ageuk.org.uk/ea-action/action?ea.client.id=31&ea.campaign.id=55006&ea.tracking.id=Signourletter

Urgent Care ServicesBury Clinical Commissioning Group want your help to shape what urgent care services look like in Bury in the future. There are proposals to close the Walk In Centres at Bury and Prestwich, a possibility of a single point of entry by telephone for patients. Do you agree or disagree? What would make the services accessible for you? Views have to be submitted by 31 October so hurry! You can do this on line www.buryccg.nhs.uk, paper copy by calling 0161 762 3166.

GP Repeat PrescriptionsA word of warning!! Please check that your repeat prescription does not have any ‘old’ items on it that are no longer required.

We’ve had a recent family experience when an item that hadn’t been dispensed for at least 2 years was prescribed by the hospital without the knowledge of the patient or close relatives.

If you don’t take a current prescription into hospital with you, the hospital will access GP records to obtain the information. It is essential that GP records reflect ONLY current medication – please

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check yours and, if necessary, contact the GP surgery to make any necessary changes.LUMO Consumer Unit BoardsHave you ever struggled to find and get into your fuse box when the electricity has gone off? It seems many people do, and a local company called Rowe-Hankins has developed a fuse box which has a lid, when lifted is illuminated with LED lights. Details and leaflets are available from the office.

Support For The Society

Fundraising events The August Car Boot Sale raised £509.00. The Thursday Afternoon Tea Group Auction raised £135. The Open Mike evening at the Dungeon in Tottington raised £216. Paul Talbot Paul Forrester and Bob Goodwin to part in the

inaugural Bury 10k on 18th September and raised a fabulous £1272.00 for the Society.

Vicky Herdson has been making beautiful cards to order and has donated in excess of £200 from the sale in the past quarter.

The Wednesday Craft group have carried out a number of outside demonstrations in aid of the Society which have gone done really well. If you would like them to come along to your group, let the office know.

Thank you to all the above and all the members and volunteers who have contributed to the Society’s funding in any way– through your help we’re still here and able to provide our services! It is greatly appreciated.

Funding NewsDonationsThank you to all the members who have been kind enough to remember to Society through a donation. All monies donated help us to continue providing valuable support for people living with a visual Impairment throughout Bury and surrounding area.

In Memory

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This quarter we have received a total of £115.00 in memory donations. Thank you to all for remembering The Society.

The winners for the

September draw were: October draw were:C Allen £53.10 C Allen £54.30 J Lloyd £26.55 K Rothwell £27.15 J Powner £8.85 R Forrester £9.05

Each entry is just £1.00. Thank you to all of those who have already signed up. If you join our 100 Club you will be helping us raise money to support our services for local blind and partially sighted people. The more people who join us, the better the prizes!

Further information or an application forms are available from the Centre or, • phone 0161 763 7014 • Or email jill.logan@buryblindsociety.org

LEGAL COLUMN

DIY WILLS – WHAT CAN GO WRONG?

Whilst a DIY Will can seem to be attractive because of the cheap price, it can also prove to be a costly approach because if errors are made or the strict witnessing rules are n t adhered to the document maybe invalid. If the Will is found to be invalid it is as if it never existed, possibly bringing in to play undesirable intestacy rules and costly legal action further down the line.

Everyone’s situation is different and their Will needs to be tailored to that specific situation. As well as consideration being given to the nature and extent of their assets, there can be inheritance tax

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considerations and complexities of multiple children and second of third marriages.

If you need any help in sourcing an expert draftsman or just an informal chat to cut through some the perceived mystique of will making, please do not hesitate in getting in touch with me via Jill Logan

Andrew Taylor - Legacy and Investment Officer

Just for Fun

Quiz TimeYou just work out the following clues and then take the first letter of each answer and rearrange them to spell a word. This time the clue is: THIS CAN OFTEN BE SEEN ON THE FRONT OF A CHRISTMAS CARD

What warm, spicy wine is often drank at this time of year? The Christmas tree in Trafalgar square is from which country? What nut is used in the making of marzipan? An item of clothing worn around the neck. The colour of pumpkins The French word for Christmas. What word can come before biscuit, mark, fall and bottle?

So to win the prize of simply phone in on 0161 763 7014 after 7pm and leave your answer along with your name and phone number on our answer machine

The closing date is 30 November 2016

The answer to the last quiz was OLYMPICS.

Christmas Closure:Please note the Centre will close on Thursday 22 December 2016 and re-open on Tuesday 3rd January 2017. Merry Christmas & best wishes for a Happy, healthy New Year.

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Services We Offer

Eye Talk Support Sessions

Referral Service for Home Assessment

Benefit Information

Comprehensive Resource Centre

Regular Social Activities

Hospital Information Service

Befriending Services

Visual Impaired Awareness Training

Symbol Cane Training

Skills for Seeing (“Eccentric Viewing”)

Specialist Equipment Demonstrations

Support Clinic

Drop In Centre

For more information contact the office on 0161 763 7014Wolstenholme House

4, Tenterden Street, Bury, BL9 0EG

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Upcoming Events at Bury Blind SocietyNovember 2016- January 2017

For weekly events see the main Newsletter

November

Tuesday 1st Welfare Reform Talk – CAB 10.30am-12pmTuesday 1st Walking Group 10am meetTuesday 1st Monthly Knit & Natter demo. 1.30pmTuesday 7th Walshaw Social 2pmThursday 9th Table Top Sale BBS 1.30pmTuesday 15th RP Support Group 2-3.30pmWednesday 16th Podiatrist 12.30pmWednesday 16th Macular Support Group 1.30-3pmSunday 20th Craft Fair Ramsbottom 10am-3.30pmTuesday 22nd Evening Social 7pmWednesday 23rd Stepping Stones Group 1-3pmMonday 28th On Line Workshops 10am-3pm

December

Thursday 1st-22ndChristmas Gift wrapping & Card writing service at BBS 10am-4pm

Thursday 1stChristmas Lunch at Bury College

11.30am for 12pm

Tuesday Monthly Knit & Natter demo. 1.30pm

Tuesday 6thChristmas Lunch at Bury College

11.30am for 12pm

Wednesday 7thCraft Group – Christmas cake demonstration 10am

Wednesday 7thChinese Banquet – China Rose Tottington - £6/£12 7 for 7.30pm

Wednesday 7thChristmas Meal at Bury College

5.30pm for 6.00pm

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Wednesday 7th Podiatrist 12.30pmThursday 9th Table Top Sale 1.30pm

Wednesday 14th -24thChristmas Gift Wrapping at the Millgate 10am-4pm

Wednesday 14thStepping Stones early Christmas meeting 1-3pm

Thursday 15thAfternoon Tea Christmas Party (pre-book) 1.30pm

Friday 16th

Lunch Club Christmas ‘Bring your own’ buffet (pre-book) 11.30am

Tuesday 20thRP Support Group Christmas meeting 2-3.30pm

Wednesday 21st Macular Support Christmas meeting 1.30pm - 3pm

Thursday 22nd Centre Closes for Christmas 4pm

January

Tuesday 3rd Centre Re-Opens 10amTuesday 3rd Monthly Knit & Natter demo 1.30pmWednesday 4th Podiatrist 12.30pmTuesday 10th Walshaw Social 2pmWednesday 11th User Forum Meeting 11amThursday 12th Table Top Sale BBS 1.30pmTuesday 17th RP Support Group 2-3.30pmWednesday 18th Macular Support Group 1.30pm-3pmTuesday 24th Evening Social 7pmWednesday 25th Stepping Stones Group 1-3pm

Friday 27thSocial Night – with Scottish theme! TBC

For more information contact the office on 0161 763 7014

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