galloway's eye winter 2014

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Central Lancashire Edition Autumn 2014 @gallowaysblind /galloways www.galloways.org.uk With Galloway’s it’s a life that’s less ordinary!

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Welcome to our latest magazine, with news, stories and information from the leading local sight loss charity in the North West

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Page 1: Galloway's Eye Winter 2014

Central Lancashire Edition

Autumn 2014

@gallowaysblind /galloways www.galloways.org.uk

With Galloway’s it’s a life that’sless ordinary!

Page 2: Galloway's Eye Winter 2014

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We currently help over 7000 people but we know there are over 37,000 people in Lancashire who are living with Sight Loss. We know that people with sight loss struggle getting out and about which can often mean getting to our centre can be difficult. We've been shortlisted for a Lloyds Community Fund Award which would enable us to fund a Mobile Sight Advice project. With £3000, we'd be able to buy all the equipment we need to go out into the community, people’s houses, community centres and residential homes to show people equipment that can make their life more comfortable and help them live more independently. But we need your votes to help make our aspiration a reality. You can do this in a number of ways: pop into any Preston Lloyds Bank branch, you can do it online http://lly-cf.com/PXZ, tweet #CommFundPXZ, or finally just Text 'VOTE PXZ' to 61119.

Christmas at St. George’sIt’s that time of year again when we’re asking for volunteers to help with our Christmas Fundraising in St George’s Shopping Centre in Preston. Last year, our festive activities raised over £10,000 for Galloway’s and we simply couldn’t have achieved this without the fantastic support from people like you. There are lots of different ways to get involved and things to help with throughout December. To register your interest for volunteering at St George’s this year or to find out more then please call Emma on 01772 744148 or email [email protected]

CHAMPION A CAUSE IN YOUR COMMUNITY

VOTE FORGALLOWAY’S!

Page 3: Galloway's Eye Winter 2014

The futureis looking bright!

Welcome to the Autumn edition of our Newsletter. Since our last edition there has been lots going on at Galloway’s; holidays, trips, a driving day, information days and other well received activities. It’s really great to hear positive feedback from many people who have attended our events and activities. Our fundraising team has been working hard in a really challenging environment by trying new ways of raising funds to support our work. This year Kevin handed our signature event the Morecambe Bay Walk to Emma Russ and we had yet another magnificent weekend, with hundreds of people joining us to support the work of Galloway’s.I am absolutely committed to involving people who use our services in the future development of what we deliver. We are developing Focus Groups to positively influence all aspects of our work including; our new building in Morecambe, how we can reach people as early as possible in their sight loss journey and planning our trips and holidays for next year. If you would like to get involved or if you have ideas about our future development then please get in touch.We have developed a new strategic plan for Galloway’s which aims to be succinct and provide a clear direction of travel for our organisation. We need your feedback and so please ask us for a copy and give us your thoughts.

StuartStuart Clayton | Chief Executive

03@gallowaysblindfollow us

Page 4: Galloway's Eye Winter 2014

Focus on FundraisingRaffle WinnersOur annual raffle, sponsored by Moore & Smalley, broke all records this year and you raised a staggering £8,000! The winning numbers were 66832, 72448, 77530 and 80294 and all prizes have been claimed. The raffle is just one way that you have supported us over the year and we are dependent on such support to raise the £1 million we need to reach the thousands of people living with sight loss in the area. Thank you.

Bay Walk SuccessJune seems a long time ago now but that was when 690 people from all around the UK walked across Morecambe Bay with Queen’s Guide to the Sands Cedric Robinson MBE to raise over £30,000 for our services. The money is being spent on vibrant new initiatives for local blind and partially sighted people such as our telephone befriending scheme and sight advice service. Thank you if you walked the walk or encouraged someone you know to take part. Special thanks to our fantastic sponsors Frank Whittle Partnership.

Be a Galloway’s Champion!Could you or someone you know help us to raise funds by being a Galloway’s Champion? Over the year we have a number of exciting opportunities such as Marathons, 10k runs, sponsored swims, bike rides and much more! If you would like to know more please contact our Senior Fundraiser, Emma Russ on 01772 744148 or drop her an email at [email protected]

04 /gallowayslike us

Page 5: Galloway's Eye Winter 2014

05@gallowaysblindfollow us

Diary Dates25THU

SEPT

Sight VillageTrip to LeedsBooking RequiredCall 01772 744148All day

Makeover Masterclassby Boots No.7 StaffHowick House 1.30-3pm

09THU

OCT

Lancaster CastleGuided TourBooking RequiredCall 01524 41484610.30am

16THU

OCT

Biking & Archery4 week courseBooking RequiredCall 01772 74414823

THU

OCT

FulwoodBarracks TripBooking RequiredCost £10Call 01772 744148

28TUE

OCT

SpecialChristmas WalkFestive walk startingat Howick HouseCall 01772 744148

15MON

DEC

Christmas MealAt the Bellflower nearGarstang. £25 for a 3 course meal with entertainment

16TUE

DEC

WALKING GROUPA regular all area walking group will be starting early September

Call Terry on 01772 744148

There’s a lot more going on! If you would like a full programme of weekly events held at your local office please call us on 01772 744148 or email [email protected] and we will post one out to you.

Page 6: Galloway's Eye Winter 2014

TechnologyNews & UpdateAwareness! The Headphone App Using headphones to listen to music as a blind or partially sighted person can really cut you off from the outside world. While this might be exactly the effect you were hoping for on occasion, it's also likely there are times when you'd still like to be aware of what's going on around you. This is where Awareness! comes in. The app runs in the background and uses your iPhone microphone to feed ambient noise through your headphones, integrating it with any music you're listening to.You can adjust the sensitivity of the app to determine how much or how little background noise gets integrated into the sound playing. The App can be downloaded for £4.99 from the iTunes Store.

Reading at Your FingertipsScientists have developed a device designed to be worn on a finger which can read words aloud when pointed towards a block of text. The FingerReader can read any sentence out loud when it is held over words on a printed page or a digital screen. The gadget was created by researchers at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology in the US who are trying to get a prototype ready to go on sale.

Talking Watch Battery ServiceA reminder that we can replace batteries on most types of talking watches and other items such as liquid level indicators. Just contact your local office.

06 /gallowayslike us

Page 7: Galloway's Eye Winter 2014

Galloway’s gave 50 thrill-seeking blind and partially sighted people from all around the area the chance to take to the wheel and drive around a race track when we took over the Three Sisters Race Circuit in Wigan for a day of high speed fun!Those who attended had the chance to experience the thrill of driving in dual controlled cars, riding shotgun on high speed racing bikes, or even a trip in a juggernaut! Zubeda Adams, who uses our services from Morecambe jumped at the chance to drive around the race track. Zubeda said, “I never thought I’d be able to drive a car again after my sight deteriorated. It’s like a dream come true driving again today and I’ve had a fantastic time”. Zubeda also took the chance to ride pillion on a performance motorbike being driven by volunteer, Phil McEntee (pictured). Social Activities Co-ordinator for Galloway’s, Terry Myles said, “It’s great to give people with sight loss the opportunity to get behind the wheel of a car – something many of us take for granted. We have been running this day for a number of years and many people come back year after year because it is something they cannot experience anywhere else”. A big thanks to The Three Sisters Track and all the drivers who gave their time, their precious cars and motorbikes for free to help people with no or little sight experience the thrill of speed.

07@gallowaysblindfollow us

Driving Miss Zubeda!

Page 8: Galloway's Eye Winter 2014

At Galloway’s we could not achieve all that we do without the help of our team of amazing volunteers. Galloway’s staff member Angie Turner caught up with one of them, Denise Robinson, to ask just what volunteering means to her.

Angie: Denise, how long have you been volunteering for Galloway’s?

Denise: I have been volunteering for Galloway’s for about 7 years. I have helped out in many ways. I have helped with the card craft group, the plant potting group and more recently I do the mailshots. There are four large mailings of 6000 that go out four times a year.

I really enjoy doing the mailings, as it gives me a chance to catch up with people I have not seen for a while. We always have a laugh, and eat plenty of cake and biscuits!

Angie: Why did you choose Galloway’s to volunteer for?

Denise: I have a long time connection with Galloway’s. My grandmother was visually impaired, and I used to go with her on the holidays and social events. I wanted to give something back to Galloway’s.

Volunteering for Galloway’s has helped me to regain lost confidence since being made redundant. I would recommend volunteering to anyone. Come and join in the fun!!

Would you like to volunteer for Galloway’s? There are lots of volunteer opportunities in all our four centres. Call us on 01772 744148

Meet ouramazing volunteers

08 /gallowayslike us

Page 9: Galloway's Eye Winter 2014

We have been touched recently to hear about several gifts in wills left to Galloway’s. We would like to remember the following people for their generosity in leaving a lasting legacy for other blind and partially sighted people recently:Beryl Burrows from Southport, Mary Parker from Morecambe, Denis Lee from Chorley, Geoffrey King from Hutton and Alan Ramsden from North Yorkshire.If you would like to discuss leaving Galloway’s a gift in your will to ensure we can be here for others in the future please contact Peter Taylor either via any of our offices or directly on 07570 992816.

Galloway’s Society for the Blind aims to enable blind and partially sighted people gain greater independence and increased confidence. We do this by offering a range of services, advice and activities. We have centres in Preston, Chorley, Southport and Morecambe as well as support groups in local towns and villages. Galloway’s relies on community support for the majority of its income. This year it will cost £1,000,000 to run our services. If you would like to learn more about what we do or make a donation then please contact us. Tel: 01772 744148 Email: [email protected]

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Remembering thosewho have left a legacy

About Galloway’s

@gallowaysblindfollow us

Page 10: Galloway's Eye Winter 2014

Advertisement

&

Making the most of your Vision days

Tuesday 25th Nov10.00am to 3.00pm Galloway's PenworthamHowick Park AvenuePenwortham, Preston PR1 0LSCall 01772 744148

Friday 28th Nov10.00am to 3.00pm Galloway's Southport22 Wright StreetSouthport PR9 0TLCall 01704 534555

Monday 24th Nov10.00am to 3.00pm Galloway's Morecambe 91 Balmoral RoadMorecambe LA3 1SSCall 01524 414846

Wednesday 26th Nov10.00am to 3.00pm Galloway's Chorley1a Farrington StreetChorley PR7 1DYCall 01257 275160

Galloway’s would like to invite you to our special “Making the most of your Vision” events. These special events are being supported by some of the leading suppliers of specialist equipment and technology for those with a visual imapirment. After attending one of these events earlier this year Ken from Leyland said “I always enjoy and look forward to these days – there’s always something new to find out about or learn to help me keep some of my independence”. Please see above for details of events nearest to you.

Page 11: Galloway's Eye Winter 2014

11@gallowaysblindfollow us

Central Lancs NewsHave a ball down at Galloway’s Hall!Our Galloway Hall group is going from strength to strength. We meet every Friday, in Fulwood, from 10.30am until 3.30pm.There are lots of things going on, with a hot meal offered at a small cost, and on the last Friday of the month we have fish and chips or go to a local pub for a meal. There is always a variety of fun activities from card making and crafts, to dominos and prize bingo. We also have afternoon talks from a local historian and regular trips out, with the destinations being decided by the group itself!Before we know it Christmas will be here and we have lots of exciting things planned for the Christmas period so please get in touch with Angie Turner on the number below for full details. Transport to and from Galloway Hall may be available for a small charge, again please call for details. So If you live in the Fulwood, Ashton or Broughton area, and would like to make new friends and join this exciting group, then please call Angie on 01772 744148

Autumn Courses at ChorleyLets talk about it: 8 Week Course (Thur) Tutor: Sue Edwards 18th September to 11th November 10am-12pm. ICT Tablet course: 5 Week Course (Wed) Tutor: Gill Irvine 17th September to 15th October 1.15-3.15pm. Let’s get cooking: 8 Week Course (Tue) Tutor: Bill Wynne 16th September to 4th November 10.30am-12pm.Let’s get into Arts & Crafts: 8 Week Course (Thur) Tutor: Viv Booth 18th September to 13th November 1pm-3pm.

Page 12: Galloway's Eye Winter 2014

Galloway’s gave 50 thrill-seeking blind and partially sighted people from all around the area the chance to take to the wheel and drive around a race track when we took over the Three Sisters Race Circuit in Wigan for a day of high speed fun!Those who attended had the chance to experience the thrill of driving in dual controlled cars, riding shotgun on high speed racing bikes, or even a trip in a juggernaut! Zubeda Adams, who uses our services from Morecambe jumped at the chance to drive around the race track. Zubeda said, “I never thought I’d be able to drive a car again after my sight deteriorated. It’s like a dream come true driving again today and I’ve had a fantastic time”. Zubeda also took the chance to ride pillion on a performance motorbike being driven by volunteer, Phil McEntee (pictured). Social Activities Co-ordinator for Galloway’s, Terry Myles said, “It’s great to give people with sight loss the opportunity to get behind the wheel of a car – something many of us take for granted. We have been running this day for a number of years and many people come back year after year because it is something they cannot experience anywhere else”. A big thanks to The Three Sisters Track and all the drivers who gave their time, their precious cars and motorbikes for free to help people with no or little sight experience the thrill of speed.

01772 744148or email us at: [email protected]

@gallowaysblind /galloways www.galloways.org.uk

Alternative FormatsThis newsletter is available in audio format, by email or braille.Please remember that Galloway’s can also offer advice and transcribeinformation into all formats including braille.

Let’s Get Social!

PenworthamHowick House, Howick Park Avenue, Penwortham, Preston PR1 0LS01772 744148

Morecambe91 Balmoral Road, Morecambe LA3 1SS01524 414846

Chorley1a Farrington Street, Chorley PR7 1DY01257 275160

SouthportPaton House22 Wright StreetSouthport PR9 0TL01704 534555

How to find us

Keep up to date with all our newsand events by following us onFacebook and Twitter. Log on tofacebook.com/galloways ortwitter@gallowaysblind.

Registered Charity Number 526088