Archived Newsletter - Spring 2007

Hello everyone and welcome to the Spring edition of the Newsletter. The snowdrops and the daffodils are out and there is a feeling of spring in the air and let's just hope that we've seen the last of the snow for this winter!

I must start this edition with a big thank you to all of you who took the trouble to send us Christmas cards here at the office, they really brightened the place up, and also thank you to those of you who sent in donations, these are much appreciated. A big thank you to those of you who continue to support us with the standing order scheme, knowing we are getting a set amount in per month really helps us to budget. If you would like to join this scheme, just give us a ring and we will send you a form. I should just take this opportunity to remind you that we are NOT the RNIB, NOT Social Services and NOT the County Council. We get no statutory funding whatsoever and rely on investment income, donations and legacies to survive. We are YOUR LOCAL ASSOCIATION for visually impaired people in Devon and have been a charity since 1925. Therefore, we rely on your donations and legacies in order to be able to continue our work. We have exciting changes ahead so look out for more details in forthcoming newsletters.

I am very pleased to be able to report that Pat is now back to work and much better following her time off with meningitis. Things were very hectic before Christmas with just Jane (our temporary shop advisor) and myself trying to cope with the shop and everything else so we have now employed two new ladies to help us out with the shop and high tech equipment. They are Linda Slade and Valerie Jackson, both are visually impaired and are working during shop opening hours. They have been trained on the high tech equipment and also in using our new computer. We were very grateful to receive a grant to purchase a new demonstration computer for our resource room which has super nova software on for screen magnification and speech so if you are interested in looking at this, please give us a ring and make an appointment, similarly, if you would like to look at any of our CCTVs or reading machines, give us a ring and make an appointment. Linda or Val would be very pleased to help you. We are not able, at the moment, to offer computer lessons but can give a basic demonstration if you are thinking of getting a computer, or the software. The equipment is there for you to make use of so please do. Linda and Val were rather "thrown in at the deep end" when they started in January but now that Pat is back we are all able to start to catch up with all our work! Our thanks go to Jane for helping us out during a very difficult period and we wish her luck for the future. We have also employed Peter Wareham (recently retired from Social Services) as a Strategic Consultant and Louise Clunies-Ross (from Tiverton Club) as Club Facilitator. These are both part time temporary posts and are as a result of our recent review by Dr. Graham Lomas. Hopefully more about this in future editions.

I am sorry to have to say that it has been necessary to cancel our group holiday this year due to lack of numbers. We only actually had 10 visually impaired people on the list so we can't possibly run a holiday with so few numbers. The decision had to be taken quickly, as the holiday was due to be in May, but I can assure you it most definitely was not taken lightly. The Trustees have formed a sub committee to look into what can be done instead and if you have any ideas, please let us know. We would still like to help people go on holiday but it is just a question of how we do it at the moment. Watch this space for more information!

My thanks to Barrie Goodfellow who has recently given us one of his paintings on loan to display in our resource room, this has brightened up the place considerably, it is a harbour scene in Scotland so please have a look at it if you are in the shop. Barrie put an article about painting for visually impaired people in the last newsletter but if you missed it, or had forgotten about it, here it is again ... "Painting is a very enjoyable pastime and should be developed slowly to obtain maximum enjoyment. Select a bright part of your home preferably a quiet corner away from the main living area. You will need a dust sheet or similar to protect the furniture etc. from elements of paint that may go astray. It is advisable to have a good table lamp with a daylight bulb that will help you with close up work. You will need a good magnifier at arms length. It is also a good idea to have the magnifying glass on a string for easy location. Contrasts are very important at all times, therefore I would recommend you use old coloured plastic plates as mixing pallets. This is because most pallets sold in art shops are white and as your main mixing colour will probably be white, there will not be a strong enough contrast. It is recommended that a shallow jar is used as your water pot as this is not so difficult to knock over. All your accessories should be set out in clockwise order, i.e. paints at 12 o'clock etc. Also have an old saucer or similar at arms length which can be used as a transit point as strict discipline on how things are laid down is important. Return everything to its original place after use. There are several types of paint available, being watercolour, acrylic, gouache and oil. For the sake of simplicity I would recommend any beginner to start by using watercolour as it is easier to get used to the colours and the general application throughout. You will need a box of block watercolours or a box of 24 tubes. 3 brushes, I suggest a No. 1, a No. 3 and a half inch flathead wash brush. Pad - 24 gummed watercolour paper 12" x 9". Small scrap pad - to be used to test colours before application. 2 different coloured plastic plates, medium charcoal pencil. Practice on the scrap pad first. Select a few colours and play about with them stretching them as far as you can in a circle. This will give you some idea of how they can be applied on a main painting. When selecting your main painting, keep it simple; seascapes, landscapes are nice to start with and use bright colours. You will find it helpful in the first instance if you cover your entire canvas with a thin coat of yellow or blue mixed with water; this will enable you to have a better contrast throughout. Do not worry if your first few paintings are not a success, it is only for relaxation and enjoyment. Now enjoy your painting, you will improve with practice and you will learn from your mistakes." Barrie is anxious to get in touch with other visually impaired artists in the area so if you are an artist, or used to be, or would like to start why not give Barrie a ring on 01392 219024 or e mail him barrie@greenbank235.fslife.co.uk. I am told it is a very relaxing hobby and I know that Barrie thoroughly enjoys it.

There are several items for sale in this edition, starting with a TV magnifying screen, which is just 6 months old, and is being sold by Sue Maddick from Ilfracombe for the very good price of £30. If you are interested, give her a call direct on 01272 867089. Next, Phil Jenkins of Teignmouth has 5 computers for sale which are all surplus to requirements, they all have JAWS and "Premier" access software including scanning software and speech friendly CD burning software. The first one has a 15" flat screen monitor with integral speakers plus MS Windows XP home edition and MS Office and is offered for £300. The second has a 17" LCD screen, Windows XP Home and Office XP and is offered for £275. The third has a 17" CRT monitor, MS Office and flatbed scanner printer for £275. The fourth has a 14" CRT monitor with Windows 98 and is offered for £100. The last one is a Toshiba notebook about 7 years old with colour screen, it has JAWS and Vocal-eyes so it works in DOS, this is £100. If you are interested in any of these computer systems you can obtain more information direct from Phil on 01626 779877.

Also for sale is an Aladdin Rainbow CCTV, about 4 years old and hardly used, like new. This is in the Bishopsteignton area and more details can be obtained by ringing Mrs. Grimshaw on 01626 775581, she will accept any reasonable offer.

For sale in the Exmouth area is a VideoSpec Reader Writer which was purchased in 2004 for £240, it plugs into the back of an existing TV and is offered for sale for just £50 or offers. Please contact Mr. Patrick Stedham on 01395 264523.
Michael Widdows of Budleigh Salterton has a Force 10 Video Telescope model WT300 for sale, it was first purchased in November 2002 but has been very little used and is in perfect condition. It has a 40 times zoom range with auto focus and colour and contrast enhancement. It can also be used as a CCTV and is offered for just £250. Contact Michael direct on 01395 442766.

Lastly, Mr. A. Stephens from the East Devon area has an Aladdin Apex Magnifier for sale, it is 2 years old. For more information contact Mr. Stephens on 01395 272091.

All these items are sold independently of this Association and we cannot be held responsible for them should they go wrong and any negotiations are strictly between the seller and purchaser.

Talking of selling things leads me on to remind you that we have lots of items on display in our shop here at Station House and also a display at Optima in Totnes during the low vision clinic days. We have very good daylight lamps, the BT Big Button Telephone and cordless phone, several talking clocks and watches, easy to see clocks and watches, all kinds of gadgets for the kitchen, writing aids and a few childrens toys. All these can be seen at Station House Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday from 10am until 1pm. We can also send items out to you mail order. Carole is on duty at Totnes on a Tuesday and a Wednesday all day so do come along and see what we have to offer. We also run, from Station House, a very good low vision service so if you need a good magnifier to help you to read or perhaps even paint, why not give us a ring and make an appointment. The assessment takes about an hour and is completely free of charge, all you would need to do would be to pay for any magnifier you choose to have. Give us a ring if you would like an appointment on 01392 876666.

I don't appear to have any club news this time, I think they are all hibernating following their Christmas lunches! I have had the pleasure of visiting Seaton, Ivybridge, Tiverton, Sidmouth and Kingsbridge since the last newsletter plus the MD Groups in both Torquay and Barnstaple. My thanks to all these groups for their hospitality, it was a pleasure meeting friends old and new. If you live in the Ivybridge area, you should know that there is a new club formed for visually impaired people, they are meeting fortnightly on the first and third Thursday of each month at Waterside House, Keaton Road from 2pm until 4pm. Transport can be arranged locally and if you are interested in joining this new group please give Angela Brimblecombe a ring on 01752 895364. This is the first new club to start for a long while and I wish them all well for the future. They are planning to have speakers and entertainment so please support them if you are in the area.

The Disabled Entrepreneurs Project is an 18 month programme specifically designed to support pre-start disabled entrepreneurs. If that is you, then read on!
The project is funded by Devon Renaissance, North Devon Leader and the district councils of North Devon, West Devon, Torridge and South Hams. The key objectives will be to provide a bespoke business service, with relevant and accessible information and advice, which will encourage disabled entrepreneurs to realise their own personal and business potential. This will include the following:- How to set up, launch and promote your business successfully. Assistance with business planning. Guidance from experienced advisors. Training and on going support. If you are disabled and live in North or West Devon, Torridge or South Hams and you are thinking of setting up a business, then call the project team for more information on 08456 447 558, or check out their website at www.enterprisesouthdevon.co.uk.

I am sorry to harp on about digital television but it is a fact of life that between 2008 and 2012 TV services will go digital, TV region by TV region, and the old analogue signal will be switched off. Any TV set or video recorder that has not been converted to digital when the switchover takes place will no longer be able to receive TV programmes. A help scheme will be available to assist people over 75, those with a significant disability and households where there is at least one registered blind or partially sighted person. Ricability (Research Institute for Consumer Affairs), the independent research charity, recently launched a website http://ww.ricability-digitaltv.org.uk/index.htm with information about digital TV products. At the website, the results of independent performance tests of Digital TV products are freely available to help people choose the best value kit. All the online information on Digital TV, including the test reports, is available in audio format. Please see http://www.ricability-digitaltv.org.uk/. If you do not have access to the website then you can ring them on 020 7427 2460 and request four audio tapes or cds on 1. Getting started: what to do about digital TV, 2. Indoor TV aerials: consumer test report. 3. Digital TV recorders and set top boxes: consumer test report. 4. Widescreen iDTVs: consumer test report. The changeover is actually happening in the South West in 2009 but we really shouldn't leave it until then to get sorted and it is only 2 years away after all. I must confess I shall be leaving it until the last minute as, when we moved into our house, we were told we would need a new aerial before we could get freeview so that all sounds rather expensive to me! We are stuck with just the 4 channels for the time being!

If you are likely to be out and about in the next few months you may be interested to know that the Tate at St. Ives have a series of events planned for the forthcoming months including Art Now Cornwall which opened on 2nd February. If you are interested, you can book your ticket in advance on 020 7887 8888 or ring 01736 796226 for more information.

If, by any chance, you find yourself in Southampton you can visit the City Art Gallery for a touch tour between 16th March and 22nd June between 10.30am and 12.30pm, this is free. These gallery based sessions include handling the art, drawing, making new work in different media, discussion, and insights into the history of art. These friendly and informal sessions aim to create a relaxed atmosphere and lively discussion. This should be booked in advance by visiting the Gallery Shop in person or by ringing 023 8083 2705.

There has been a lot of talk recently of identity fraud so please be careful when throwing out bills, bank statements and anything with your name and address on it. Ideally these documents should be shredded or burnt but at least make sure you tear off the part with your name and address on it as well as any bank account numbers. All a thief needs to take over an identity is your name, address, date of birth and bank account number. Don't think that it wont happen to you and just take these simple precautions to prevent it happening. Also, deceased identity fraud is no longer a work of fiction (remember Frederick Forsyth's novel Day of the Jackal?) it is the fastest growing identity theft crime affecting up to one in seven of all people who die. Around 80,000 incidences occurred last year causing immeasurable distress to the bereaved families. If you, or someone you know, have recently had a bereavement in the family then you can contact The Deceased Preference Service, the organisation that will stop unwelcome mail addressed to a deceased person. You can check out their website on www.deceasedpreferenceservice.co.uk or ring them to register on 0800 068 44 33.

Just a reminder now that Help the Aged produce some very good leaflets, which are also available on audio cassette tape, they have them on Bereavement: about the emotional and practical aspects of dealing with bereavement. Better Sight - gives advice on eye care in later life, including aspects of visual impairment. Care Homes - gives advice on how to go about finding a care home, including what to look for in a home. It also contains advice on paying for care in a home, whether you're funding yourself or asking the local authority to pay for your care. Staying Steady - gives advice on some of the simple things older people can do to stay independent for longer and reduce the risk of falling. As well as looking at practical aspects, Staying Steady also looks at the emotional impact of falling. Your Pension and Benefits - runs through the main benefits available to older people and how to claim them. Any of these can be obtained by ringing Help the Aged on 020 7239 1845.
Running out of space now so it just remains for me to say, don't forget if you need anything, just give us a ring on 01392 876666 or call into the shop on a Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday or Friday from 10am - 1pm and we will be happy to try and help.

Best wishes for the forthcoming Spring from Sue, Pat, Carole, Linda and Valerie.


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