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THE NORFOLK AND NORWICHASSOCIATION FOR THE BLIND

206th ANNUAL REPORT 2011-2012


Pirates’Day

3 Sept 2011

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The Aims of the NNAB

The Aims of the NNABThe Norfolk and Norwich Association for the Blind (NNAB) was founded in 1805 and is the fifth oldest voluntary blind society in England.

The Charity’s aims are to provide:

• accommodation and care

• community visiting services

• educational and recreational facilities

for all blind and partially sighted people in Norfolk and Norwich.

The Norfolk and Norwich Association for the Blind offers various services including:

Thomas Tawell HouseA purpose-built residential home in Norwich, recognized by Social Services as a specialist provider, with en-suite accommodation for 37 blind and partially sighted residents.

Hammond CourtA complex of 20 sheltered/supported flats in Norwich, looked after by full-time wardens.

Equipment CentresProviding information, advice, support and help with a wide range of daily living aids available to see and purchase:

Norwich - open daily and Saturday mornings

King’s Lynn - open weekday mornings

Great Yarmouth - open weekday mornings

Cromer – open Tuesday mornings

Diss – open Friday mornings

Breckland – open second and fourth Monday mornings of each month in Watton

Mobile Equipment Centre – taking our service out to individuals and groups throughout the county.

Community WorkersAn eleven-strong team who visit, advise and support people where they live in Norfolk.

Hospital Eye Clinic Information ServiceTrained Volunteers and Staff in Norfolk hospitals who give information of a non-medical nature about services available to visually impaired people.

VolunteersOver 300 Volunteers providing essential support for all our activities.

Educational and Recreational FacilitiesAn extensive range of classes such as Braille, Moon, Extend, Craft, Computer, Painting and Art Appreciation, as well as Book Clubs, Discussion and Singing Groups, Heritage and Theatre visits and a Gardening Club.

Outdoor activities such as Sailing, Tandem Cycling, Walking, Swimming, Bowling, Golf, Horse Riding, 4x4 Driving, Archery and Fencing.

Charity Shops136 and 138/140 Magdalen Street, NorwichOpen Monday-Saturday 10am-4pm

Equipment display at Sandringham Flower Show


The NNAB – Patron and Presidents

Patron Her Most Gracious Majesty Queen Elizabeth II

President The Right Reverend The Lord Bishop of Norwich

Vice-Presidents

The Lord Lieutenant of Norfolk The Sheriff of Norwich The High Sheriff of Norfolk The Mayor of King’s Lynn & West Norfolk The Lord Mayor of Norwich The Mayor of Great Yarmouth The Venerable M Handley MA P Scarfe FCA

Trustee of Real Estate The Official Custodian for Charities Trustee of Investments Barratt & Cooke Trustees Limited Auditors M + A Partners Bankers Barclays Bank PLC Solicitors Greenland Houchen Pomeroy Hon Consultant Ophthalmologist N Puvanachandra MB BChir MA FRCOphth Hon Physician Dr S Pinto MB BS DCH DRCOG MRCGP

Board of Management

Chairman Mrs S Knights Vice-Chairman G G Mitchell DArch (Kingston) (until November 2011) C H Cator (wef November 2011) Treasurer A Orves ACCA ACA BSc (Hons)

Mrs S Adler Canon G Drake (2) Mrs A Bevan (joined May 2012) G W B Gowing MRICS (joined May 2012) M Blythe R E T Gurney DL JP (retired October 2011) P Bowerbank (1) R T Hanson (joined September 2011) Mrs J Brighton Mrs J Murphy (1) C Burland (retired March 2012) K W Oelrichs LLB A L Bushell PhD C Eng (retired May 2012) R Tubby (joined September 2011) R Cannell FRICS (retired May 2012) R West MBCS CITP Mrs P Crawford

P J S Child MBE BSc (retired end May 2012) S J M Marriner CBE QCVS (wef May 2012) Mrs J D Lythgoe

(1) Appointee of Norfolk County Council(2) Appointee of the Lord Bishop of Norwich

ChaplainExecutive StaffDirectorChief Executive OfficerDeputy Director/Senior

The Reverend H Wright

Executive Officer

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Chairman’sReport

May 2012 saw the departure of John Child, who had been the Director of the NNAB for twenty years. During this time his drive and enthusiasm has seen the Charity change beyond recognition, with increased services for the visually impaired and blind living throughout Norfolk. We wish John and Helen a well deserved, long and happy retirement.

Coming in behind John we have recruited Brigadier Max Marriner CBE as the new CEO. Max left the Army in August 2012, but actually took up his new role prior to that, in May this year – apparently the MOD didn’t mind! He comes to us after three years in Iraq, but with family experience of blindness and a broad professional background which includes developing the Army’s strategy for rehabilitating injured soldiers – which includes those with eye injuries. My trustees and I wish him every success.

In the CEO’s report, Max refers to the challenges facing the NNAB in this year and the next. We are not out of the 3rd Sector financial woods yet, but at least we are better prepared for these challenging circumstances than many. But there is no room for complacency; we have to be imaginative about how we raise funds and must cast the very widest possible net when seeking them out. Our profile must be improved – especially amongst the Norfolk visually impaired and care community where we continue to be confused with the RNIB – not a happy state of affairs! There remains, as ever, much to do and, I sense, a growing section of the Norfolk community will need our help in the future. Young or old, we have something for every visually impaired person living in the county – the clever trick is making sure that they know where we are and that we know who they are.

It cannot be said often enough or loud enough – the work of this Association relies to the greatest extent on the generosity and goodwill of our marvellous volunteers and the dedication and professionalism of our staff and I would like to extend my enormous thanks to them for all their hard work. I would also like to thank my fellow Trustees for their continuing support and encouragement. This year we say goodbye to Chris Burland, Tony Bushell, Richard Cannell and Richard Gurney. We welcome onto the Board: Amanda Bevan, Guy Gowing, Richard Hanson and Roger Tubby.

I bow out in November 2012 after four years as Chairman of the NNAB, handing over to Kit Cator. Kit has a first class pedigree for this post with a considerable professional and vocational skill set which I know will be a huge advantage to the charity. My thanks go out to all those who have helped me during my time in office – the NNAB retains my unqualified support now and into the future.

Sue Knights


CEO’s Report

As we go to print for this year’s (206th) Annual Report, I will have been the CEO for some five months. I find a charity which is in good health, forward looking with a truly impressive staff supported by marvellous volunteers and with a first class reputation amongst the county’s care professionals and the broader community.

Our outreach service to the widely spread visually impaired community across Norfolk brings some 5,500 people into our care, whilst the same group of people have access to a very impressive range of recreational activities and interest groups. In these times of financial hardship – at national, regional and the personal level – this is a signal achievement for the charity. Credit for this success is to be found at every level of our charity – this is a team effort and every person; full, part-time or volunteer, must take personal and collective credit for this. Bravo.

Of course, the financial environment is, at best, a challenge and we, like other Norfolk charities, have been feeling the effect of this in our fundraising. That said, we are perhaps better placed than most of our 3rd Sector colleagues and Jeremy Goss and Donna Minto – our fundraising team – are being creative and imaginative in order to buck the trend. Norfolk people, businesses and charitable trusts have been consistently generous and their continued goodwill means we can maintain a broad spectrum of income, rather than rely on legacies alone. There is no doubt though that, as Social Services and the NHS lose core funding, gaps in the provision of care may well appear and our work could therefore expand exponentially if we are not careful and directive with our resources and activities.

I am delighted to see the Bradbury Activity Centre being well used – but there is more capacity to be utilised. YoungEyes@NNAB is an initiative very close to my heart and Dorothy Bowen and I will seek to expand its profile, membership and activities during

the coming year. This will be underscored by a new NHS paediatric eye clinic run there four times a year and with extended work from both the Sensory Support Unit (now collocated on our site) and the Virtual School.

Reaching out into the Norfolk community; our equipment and information centres around the county are buzzing with visitors, exhibitions and events which is a great credit to Dorothy Bowen and her team. We have also extended our work into health centres and GP surgeries which has been well received.

Volunteers remain at the heart of what we do and without them we would only be able to do a small percentage of the current activities. Diane Stewart has revitalised the group and this has already given an extra boost to the already excellent sports and leisure activities run by Louise Postle-Knowles and Mark Smith. Thomas Tawell House is now full in almost every reporting month. The home received an excellent CQC report in May and the staff continues to provide a first class environment in which our residents are able to engage in activities and feel that they are part of a very special family.

There may be no certainties in this life – but I am perfectly certain that what the NNAB does is absolutely first class, vital to Norfolk’s visually impaired community and hugely appreciated by both them and care professionals in this county. Very well done, everybody!

S J M Marriner

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Cost of Community Activities for the year ended 31 March 2012

Community Services, Eye Clinics and Volunteers 337,830

RNIB Talking Books Subscriptions (paid for by Norfolk County Council) 17,368

Norwich Equipment and Information Centre 94,489

West Norfolk Equipment and Information Centre 34,175

Great Yarmouth Equipment and Information Centre 18,292

North Norfolk Equipment and Information Centre 1,127

South Norfolk Equipment and Information Centre 1,315

Breckland Equipment and Information Centre 606

Mobile Equipment and Information Centre 21,960

Other Costs (inc Grants) 38,911 Bradbury Activity Centre 79,164

TOTAL £645,237

Treasurer’s Report

Our surplus for the year, excluding specific donations and before taking into account movements in the valuation of our investments, stands at £7,720, compared to a deficit of £120,000 in the previous year. This is an excellent performance considering the continued gloomy economic environment that we find ourselves in. One of the knock-on effects of the continued recession is that it becomes ever harder to raise the funds required to provide our services. For that reason this year’s result is even more outstanding.

Our income this year includes legacies totalling £568,281. Without these legacies we would not be able to provide the level of service to the visually impaired that we do, and we are as ever extremely grateful. We have also seen a big increase in our fundraising income during the year, and this is a very important source of income for us. We have had some movement in our investment portfolio during the year, and overall the value was £2,688,845 at the year end, compared to £2,768,526 in the previous year. This is as a result of some realisations in the

portfolio, but our dividend income was higher than last year. This is reassuring given the relatively volatile nature of the stock markets.

The occupancy of our residential home, Thomas Tawell House, has remained high throughout the year which is encouraging. The costs and efficiency of the home are closely monitored by the finance team, the CEO and the board of trustees.

Finally I would like to say that we would not be where we are without the hard work and dedication of all our staff and volunteers. They are a huge asset to the association and deserve our heartfelt thanks.

Andrew Orves


Accounts for 2011-2012

2012 (£) 2011 (£)

Income FromVoluntary Income : Donations, Legacies and similar Sources

Activities for Generating Funds : Fundraising & Trading

Investment Income

Charitable Activities

TOTAL INCOME

756,604

144,561

122,178

1,062,217

2,085,560

810,272

75,036

107,843

986,496

1,979,647

Resources ExpendedGenerating Voluntary Income

Fundraising & Trading Costs

Charitable Activities

Governance Costs

TOTAL EXPENDITURE

118,200

29,551

1,876,947

10,685

2,035,383

81,800

32,521

1,850,705

10,961

1,975,987

Net Resources before Investment Asset MovementsDisposal of Investment Assets

Revaluation of Investment Assets

50,177

16,546

(44,823)

3,660

8,045

114,029

NET MOVEMENT IN FUNDS FOR YEAR 21,900 125,734

Trustees’ Statement

The Annual Accounts, from which this summary has been extracted, were approved by the Board of Trustees on 18th July 2012, have been audited and will be submitted to the Charity Commissioners. These Summarised Accounts may not contain sufficient information to allow for a full understanding of the financial affairs of the charity. For further information the full accounts, the auditor’s report and the Trustees’ Annual Report should be consulted. Copies of these can be obtained from Magpie Road, Norwich, NR3 1JH.

Independent Auditor’s Statement to the Trustees of The Norfolk and Norwich Association for the BlindWe have examined the summary financial statement for the year ended 31 March 2012 set out on pages 7 and 8.

Respective responsibilities of the trustees and the auditor

The trustees are responsible for preparing the summary financial

statement in accordance with applicable United Kingdom Law. Our responsibility is to report to you our opinion on the consistency of the summary financial statement with the full annual financial statements.

We conducted our work in accordance with Bulletin 2008/3 issued by the Auditing Practices Board. Our report on the charity’s full financial statements describes the basis of our opinion on those financial statements.

Opinion

In our opinion the summary financial statement is consistent with the full annual financial statements of The Norfolk and Norwich Association for the Blind for the year ended 31 March 2012.

MA Partners LLP Chartered Accountants Statutory Auditor

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2012 (£) 2012 (£) 2011 (£) 2011 (£)

Fixed AssetsTangible Assets

Investments at Market Value

2,768,723

2,688,845

5,457,568

2,879,049

2,768,526

5,647,575

Current AssetsStocks

Debtors

Cash at Bank and in hand

Creditors falling due within 1 year

34,336

275,902

309,636

619,874

(192,920)

28,676

152,799

307,297

488,772

(273,644)

NET CURRENT ASSETS 426,954 215,128

Total Assets Less Current LiabilitiesCreditors falling due after 1 year

NET ASSETS

5,884,522

(51,920)

5,832,602

5,862,703

(52,001)

5,810,702

Charity FundsEndowment Funds

Restricted Funds

Unrestricted - General Funds

481,903

236,878

5,113,821

5,832,602

458,266

1,641,631

3,710,805

5,810,702

Charity Shops 1%Investment 6%

Fundraising 6%

Donations 9%

Holidays & Other 2%Equipment Centres 3%

Legacies 27% Equipment

Centres 12%

Governance 1% Fundraising 6%Charity Shops 1%

NNAB Income NNAB Expenditure

Accommodation & Care 46%

Community Activities 28%

Accommodation & Care 52%

The NNAB Ethical Statement Regarding InvestmentsThe Norfolk and Norwich Association for the Blind will not buy, invest or deal in any stocks or shares which are derived solely from, or attributed to, the production and sale of alcohol or tobacco nor those associated with gambling or arms sales.


Way Ahead Meeting

On the 29th February 2012 some 50 Trustees, staff, volunteers, those we help and guests gathered in the Bradbury Activity Centre to discuss all aspects of the services provided by the Association with a view to making positive changes for the future.

After a very productive and lively day, a number of themes clearly came through including:

• The need for better communications, including social media and a constantly up-dated website• The need to involve families and friends• The value of and need for more high grade volunteers• The possibility of a Day Centre - this would be taken on and developed in further discussions and deliberation

We were heartened to learn that the NNAB was providing a good service and that any future progress should be based on existing services. The way these services were provided and the way people were treated were desperately important and responsible for its success.

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Volunteer ServicesMy first six months in post have been both challenging and rewarding. My role incorporates recruiting the volunteers, placing them appropriately, training and supporting them to ensure efficient delivery of service to the people we help and creating an environment which gives the volunteers enjoyment and also allows for personal development.

Volunteering is becoming ever more popular, with people of all ages offering their time and help. We are fortunate to have younger people looking to gain experience or a career change, older people wanting to give back to the community and use their retirement to help others. We currently have more than 300 volunteers and growing.

Our volunteers work within all areas of the Association, including: fundraising; sports and leisure activities; befriending, telefriend services; equipment and information centres; drivers, special events and our Magpie Parliament of volunteers fondly known as ‘The pyjama boys’ who collate the quarterly newsletter.

The ‘Introduction to Visual Awareness’ course gives volunteers an appreciation of the aims of the Association, an understanding of the implications of sight loss plus an opportunity to develop practical skills in communicating with and guiding visually impaired people. As well as to staff and volunteers we also offer the course to all Eye Clinic NHS staff in the county.

I have quickly learnt that volunteers can positively affect people’s lives and bring added value and happiness to the lives of those we help and the Association.

Diane Stewart

Sorting in the Charity Shop Putting the Magpie News together


Equipment and Information Centres‘Stations on a journey’

I often think that our Centres and Sight Information Points can be likened to stations, where people stop on their journey from the initial diagnosis of sight loss. They may just pop in for a little information or stay longer and, with help, plan the next stage of their journey. There are indeed times in all our lives when a small snippet of information and encouragement is all we need to continue on our way with greater confidence. We are very sure that our equipment and advisory services are needed as much as ever and last year we welcomed over 7,000 people to our seven centres throughout Norfolk. Included in this figure were nearly 3,000 people who are vision-impaired, 1,825 relatives/carers and 2,460 people interested in the services we offer.

The starting point for some may be a chance visit to one of the Sight Information Points that we are now arranging at libraries and health centres, or maybe attending one of our Advice Days that are being held in our centres all over the county. Working with the Rehabilitation Team from Social Services, we hope to reach people at an early stage on their journey. Recently we designed a new leaflet and display stand especially for those people seeking advice for the first time, either for themselves or for someone they know; these are being distributed as widely as possible.

We value very much our close working links with colleagues in other voluntary groups and also those in Education, Social Services and Health. By working together we feel that the support we can give is strengthened and more co-ordinated; the challenges presented by sight loss are difficult enough without finding the track strewn with obstacles to obtaining help.

Visit by Norman Lamb MP

Jeanette Brighton at Cromer residential/learning holiday

Equipment Exhibition

An important stop on the journey for some is our annual Cromer residential/learning holiday when our vision-impaired guests enjoy two days of learning and socialising together. This year a social evening with local entertainers is being planned and we also hope to welcome the Macular Disease Society to inform us of current and future provision and research into a condition which affects so many of our visitors to the centres.

The Exhibitions that we organise with our equipment suppliers are all part of being informed and they continue to attract vision-impaired visitors, their families and friends and colleagues in other services. In 2011, thirteen exhibitions were held and 525 visitors had a chance to view all the latest equipment and talk to the suppliers themselves. Just one example of an innovative product marketed this year is the PenFriend audio labeller. An easy to use versatile, pocket-sized device, it has opened up new ways of labelling food items, so no more surprise meals! Also music collections can be easily identified, shopping lists recorded and paperwork organised. It can also be used to leave audio messages and is proving to be a life changing tool.

An important part of our provision remains our Low Vision Advice service. Working within protocols and guidelines, we offer advice on magnification, lighting and reading strategies. We have set up a dedicated well-equipped room and the service we offer is well used and much appreciated. Staff have also received training enabling them to help people with central vision loss to develop different reading techniques using steady eye strategy.

As on any journey, planning makes the whole experience easier and even if the unexpected happens we then feel more in control, especially if we can obtain help and guidance from well-informed staff, showing empathy and patience.

Our superb team of staff and volunteers are the backbone of our service and our aim is always to provide a ‘first-class service’ to all our ‘travellers’.

Dorothy BowenEquipment and Information Centres Manager

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Equipment and Information Centres

Sight Information Point at Wroxham Library

Visit by Lord Mayor of Norwich Councillor Jenny Lay


Last year 939 visitors used our mobile centre during its campaign covering 23 venues. The service it provides is much valued by people who find it difficult to travel to one of our other centres. We are delighted that our suppliers willingly loan us equipment to show on the mobile and this year we have had the latest hand held video magnifiers. We have been delighted by the response we have had following our offer of awareness education to colleges, council services and the Health Service around our wonderful but large county.

This has been so successful that this year our Roving Eye Service has delivered sessions to around 200 Norwich City College students on Health and Social Care Courses and 100 employees of West Norfolk Council. In addition to this we have recently welcomed groups of third year University of East Anglia medical students for training and the Norfolk Lowland Search and Rescue Team. Working together with other local voluntary groups who serve the people of Norfolk is always a privilege.

Together with visits to schools, we see this outreach work as being an essential part of our education commitment. The training is very well received and often links are made which result in volunteers being recruited and funds raised. Visits to schools, brownies and cubs groups this year have resulted in 2,500 children having a chance to see equipment in use, ask questions and generally increase their knowledge of what it is like to be vision-impaired and how they can help. The sessions are fun and memorable for all involved!

We have great plans for 2012/13 and intend to take our Sight Awareness Points out via the Norfolk Library Service and contacts that we are making in the Health Service. It’s an exciting time!

Richard PolleyMobile Equipment Centre Driver/Advisor

The Mobile Equipment Centre and the Roving Eye Service

Mobile at Gorleston

Sighted Guided TrainingNorfolk Lowland Search & Rescue Team

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The Mobile Equipment Centre and the Roving Eye Service

YoungEyes@NNABYoungEyes was born SIX years ago and we now know 102 children and young people under 16 years old. We support families with advice on services that are available and to offer friendship and social events.

We are developing exciting links with Norfolk Education and their team of teachers of the visually impaired. We regularly share information and the NNAB is now represented on the Board of Governors of the new Virtual School Sensory Support. This summer we ran a series of evening sessions entitled ‘Parents as Partners’ which was very well received and which we plan to repeat.

The ‘Cool Club’NNAB now regularly hosts this club, organised by the Virtual School Sensory Support. Pupils come from schools around the county to take part in specialist activities e.g. Braille, IT, touch typing, mobility and life skills, goal ball.

Last December ten young ladies, NNAB staff and teachers met at the Bradbury Activity Centre to enjoy each other’s company, play games, dance to the Xbox, design Christmas decorations and share a lunch. We then walked to the Theatre Royal for a spectacular performance of “Grease” which included a touch tour of the stage, where we saw the Grease Lightning car and the opportunity to try on a Pink Ladies fleece and a T- Birds jacket! In July we also attended a performance of “Oliver” preceded by a touch tour.

The latest meeting of the Cool Club included cooking scones which were eaten as part of a traditional afternoon tea. There were talks from a Consultant Paediatric Ophthalmologist and a local Councillor, who is herself blind and a guide dog owner. These days are a joy for us to host, being together is very powerful for the children and after the last day one teenage girl wrote “It was great being with others who have the same difficulties as me”. What more can be said?

Pirate Day and Christmas Party In the summer the Bradbury Activity Centre became a pirate ship for a day, full of activities and fun. In December, Santa swapped his sleigh for a red Harley Davidson motorbike to arrive at our Christmas party. Ten super bikes from the Norwich Eaton Hog Bikers Club escorted Santa and his Elf. Providing a brilliant wall of sound when they arrived, they created our very own Route 66!

The Lord Mayor of Norwich, Councillor Jenny Lay, joined over 100 guests for an afternoon of music and games. It was a great opportunity for the children and their families to let their hair down and get into the Christmas spirit.

Rainbow TotsOur new group for ‘little people’ under 5 years old, ‘The Rainbow Tots’, started this year. We hope this exciting venture will be both fun and supportive to families with very young children who are vision-impaired.

All our events would not be possible without the generous support of local firms and our wonderful volunteer helpers. Thank you to them all.

Having fun in The Rainbow Room

Dancing to the X Box

Dorothy BowenEquipment and Information Centres Manager


Annual General MeetingThe 205th Annual General Meeting of The Norfolk and Norwich Association for the Blind (NNAB) was held on Tuesday 11th October in the Bradbury Activity Centre. The meeting was chaired by Mr Richard Jewson, the Lord Lieutenant, and amongst the distinguished guests were the Lord Mayor and Sheriff of Norwich, the High Sheriff of Norfolk and the Mayor of King’s Lynn and West Norfolk. About 100 people attended.

Mrs Sue Knights, Chairman, reviewed the progress of the Association over the last year and thanked the retiring Director, John Child, for his 19 years service.

Long Service Certificates were presented to Mrs Julie Lythgoe (35 years), Miss Rachel Aldus (20 years) and Mrs Linda Rawlinson (15 years). Fundraising Certificates were also presented.

After the formal proceedings, Mr Hugh Tusting gave a lively and humorous talk on “My Norfolk” which at times reduced the audience to tears of laughter.

Commemorative Service for Thomas Tawell

Our annual Commemorative Service took place in Norwich Cathedral on October 14th when Trustees, staff, volunteers and friends gathered around the memorial tablet to Thomas Tawell who founded the Association in 1805. The Service was taken by The Reverend Heather Wright who is the Association’s Chaplain.

In 1805 Thomas Tawell purchased a mansion on Magdalen Street with three and a half acres and set up a Hospital and School for the Indigent Blind. The NNAB is still on much of the site today though the entrances are now from Magpie Road and Edward Street.

He died in 1820 aged 57. His generosity and foresight in setting up the Hospital and School was the forerunner to the present NNAB which now helps some 5,500 people in Norfolk with poor sight.

AGM 2011

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Braille 2011-2012The Braille/Moon classes have continued successfully this year.

Two students are learning to read Braille copies of the new Roman Catholic Mass and a third gave a reading from a Braille copy at the Carol Service in her local church last December and also read a lesson at the Easter Sunday Service.

One student wished to resume his interest in poetry reading. Thanks to the RNIB National Library and a Braille edition of Palgrave’s ‘Golden Treasury’, he has made a start.

Vision impaired children in mainstream education are learning and using Braille if it is appropriate for them. It is important to give their parents the opportunity of learning Braille too. In the West Norfolk area a number of visually impaired children are using Braille and it is hoped that their parents will meet regularly in the West Norfolk Centre to learn this themselves.

Even a limited knowledge of Braille is of incalculable value to a blind person. Braille on medication boxes has made all the difference in the world to me!

Chris Maule-OatwayEquipment Centre Adviser

An example of Braille which reads - NNAB Braille

Achievements for IT Classes at the NNAB 2011-2012

We are delighted to once again teach beginner OCR (Oxford, Cambridge and RSA Examination Board) Entry Level 3 awards in the IT classes. This qualification, consisting of Microsoft Word, use of the Internet and e-mail, is ideal for all our beginners who achieved a 100% success rate during the past year.

At the end of 2011 one of the morning IT classes was visited by an OFSTED Inspector. In his results he stated that “Excellent partnerships are with organisations such as The Norfolk and Norwich Association for the blind, the care, guidance and support for learners is outstanding”.

We teach four classes in the Bradbury Activity Centre in Norwich and two in the Great Yarmouth Equipment Centre. With three students per class we can give individual learning, which we feel is very important.

Our taster sessions held in February and July in the Bradbury Activity Centre to encourage new students to register for the September term proved to be a great success.

Diane Stewart & Lizet MullenderAdult Education IT Tutors

Myrtle Cross who completed a useful interactive poster for her church


Thomas Tawell HouseThomas Tawell House continues to play a key role in the provision of specialised care for the elderly, visually impaired people in our community.

We are justifiably proud of the high standards of care we deliver, as well as the expertise of our staff in the daily living of our sensory impaired residents.

Our continuing co-operation and rapport with Social Services enables those potential residents who are registered blind to be accepted into the home at mutually agreed rates with no ‘top-up’ from a third party.

The need to enlighten society as to the services we offer to the elderly visually impaired is paramount, the famous adage ‘if you don’t use it, you lose it’ could sadly apply. The new enhanced website featuring Thomas Tawell House will go a long way to providing the general public with information on the residential services we have to offer. We also have to thank our amazing fundraisers for their gargantuan efforts in raising the profile of the Association.

How one wishes we could show Thomas Tawell how his vision has been developed over the last 200 years. I believe and know the home is just as relevant and needed now as much as it was then.

May it never be said that those who came after him failed to appreciate and emulate the example he set.

RedevelopmentThe first phase of redevelopment for the front of TTH started in June this year, with a predicted completion by October. We have consulted widely – particularly amongst our residents in the home – and are very confident that the new sitting area in the front of reception plus the new offices and facilities will add to the quality of life for the TTH family.

Our CEO has gained approval from the Board of Management to recover the tower, rebuild the covered walkway and refurbish the flat for respite care, visitors to Hammond Court and TTH residents, and for holidays for the visually impaired wishing to visit Norwich. To the general agreement of, I think, just about everyone, it has been decided that this will be the last big building project to be undertaken on site for the foreseeable future – good news all round!

Sharon GaulHead of Home

Progress – August 2012Proposed Development

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Hammond CourtTwo flats, which were up-graded last year, are now homes to two very satisfied tenants. This year has seen two more tenants move into our residential home, Thomas Tawell House. This has given Gary, our Maintenance Manager, the opportunity to complete two more conversions which are now ready for occupation and are a credit to him and his team.

The tenants continue to form friendships with two of them loving playing pool. We have therefore turned an area of our community room into a games area, with a pool table (kindly donated by a member of staff), darts and other games for tenants to enjoy in the evenings. Social activities continue and most recently the tenants enjoyed brunch cooked by my fair hand on the BBQ in the rain and helped by the Wardens who remained in the dry!

The Wardens continue to support the tenants so that they can remain in their homes for as long as possible. Fortunately, if they have to move and there is a vacancy, they can move just 50 yards into Thomas Tawell House. Often they continue to join in with the activities in Hammond Court.

Hammond Court is very special and so are the staff.

Eye Clinics“There is nothing more that I can do for you, I am afraid.” ”No, sorry you will have to inform the DVLA that you are unable to drive now, the address is on the back of the registration form.”

These are all too familiar sentences heard throughout our Eye Clinics.

Despair, loss of hope, loss of confidence and to crown it all “how shall we be able to go shopping/see our grandchildren or drive to that lovely village in Cumbria we love so much?”

Some three years ago I met a gentleman at our Equipment Centre who had recently been given bad news about his sight at the Eye Clinic and had been advised to contact us. This big, morose, angry, unaccepting gentleman came reluctantly through our doors. He was brought to the NNAB at Magpie Road by his daughter who almost had to drag him in complaining he did not want to go to “that Blind Place”. We had a cup of tea and the usual biscuits, and from that moment, the scene was set for this man to reclaim his life again.

When I recently saw him again he was laughing and telling jokes with his mates, playing short mat bowls in the Activity Centre in Magpie Road and looking forward to a long walk with a pub lunch at the end of it to say nothing of the use he has made of his CCTV loaned by the Equipment Centre. He took my hand and planted a big kiss on my cheek.

Not unusual you might think; part of everyday life in The Bradbury Centre.

Our Eye Clinic Team of volunteers remains dedicated, enthusiastic and work to a high standard. They give their time, expertise and knowledge to a wide variety of patients, supporting them and staff in many ways. They are a credit to themselves and to the NNAB.

Hammond Court 2012

Julie LythgoeDeputy Director

Angela Howard and Helen Dady The caring Eye Clinic duo

I joined NNAB last October as the new Norwich Community Worker and coming from a corporate, financial background it has been so interesting learning about a whole other world and way of working. It’s very refreshing to now work for somewhere where bureaucratic red tape is practically non-existent – if you think something is the right thing to do, the trust and the flexibility is there to let you do it. A very welcome change for me!

In my role I visit clients in the central Norwich area and the first big surprise for me was learning just how widespread sight problems are. Rather than confined to the exceptional few, it really is quite common. With macular degeneration, glaucoma and cataracts (to name but three eye conditions) it seems the case that almost anyone could have serious sight problems at some point in their life . . . and that our care and health services are just not geared up to deal with this.

I now find myself noticing things like signage and wondering why it has to be so fussy at times, why bins are placed in the middle of pavements, why clocks can be so abstract in their design - the list goes on! I have learnt about the concept of society disabling people and can really appreciate this now. We are not all designed the same and wouldn’t it be great if all future town planning could be much more considerate and accommodating to those with sight loss, hearing loss and mobility issues – to take a few practical steps that could so easily lead to a much more inclusive society which would truly benefit everyone.

The second big surprise to me was just how amazing people are at overcoming adversity - at how determined so many of the people that I visit in Norwich are to not let disability get in the way of living life the way they want to, the way in which people keep adapting, keep trying and keep learning new skills. This has been genuinely very humbling and made me rethink a lot about my own life.

So, have I drawn any conclusions after my initial six months as a Community Worker? Yes! I now believe that everyone should have a spell of working at somewhere like the NNAB – it should be the new National Service!

Gemma BaldwinCommunity Worker - Norwich

Back in June of last year, there couldn’t have been a happier person in Norfolk . . . I had got the job! I was now the NNAB Community Worker for the South Breckland area and couldn’t wait to start.

After an excellent induction period I was let loose! As I leafed through my (extensive) print-out of clients, I set to work. Quickly I learned that although they were all connected by the common thread of sight loss of some


. . . and Country Cousin

City Girl . . .

Norwich CathedralPicture courtesy of Norfolk Tourism/VisitNorwich Ltd

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sort, every client’s needs and experiences differed. The changes sight impairment can bring are infinite, yet the issues of isolation, inability to continue to enjoy hobbies and manage household tasks are common to many.

What I hadn’t bargained for before I began was the equally infinite ways in which the NNAB can help. From the demonstration and provision of equipment, to offering socialisation at the NNAB clubs and leisure activities, to helping with reading and completion of paperwork, educating families on sight loss related issues and, of course, lending a listening ear during those difficult times.

I have already experienced numerous successes, not least the tear jerking moment when light filtering glasses allowed a lady to take in the beauty of her garden for the first time in years, and also obtaining a financial award from a benevolent fund to help a client fund an expensive weekly taxi to her place of worship.

I have had the opportunity to work alongside some fantastic local professionals, notably those from the Sensory Support Unit, and am learning my craft with their support.

So, my first year in this role has been a fusion of learning, fun and hope, and is everything and more than I hadanticipated. Long may it continue!

Sarah PawseyCommunity Worker – South Breckland

Community Workers

Thetford Forest sunrise Picture courtesy of Norfolk Tourism


Developing the Leisure and Culture at NNABThe last 12 months have again seen a busy time for the leisure activities, with the range and frequency making a massive difference to the quality of visually impaired people’s lives in Norfolk. I am delighted with the response we are now receiving to the activities and it’s very exciting to be involved with co-ordinating them all, if a little challenging at times!

I would like to thank all colleagues and volunteers for their invaluable help and support which has enabled the 23 groups to continue growing.

The services are continually being taken out more into the county, reflecting the geographical spread; with the heritage group visiting such places as Oxburgh Hall, a National Trust 14th Century Hall, and True’s Yard, an old fishing Museum in King’s Lynn.

A newly formed photography group is busy snapping away in the Activity Hall once a fortnight, having been established in response to a request from a partially sighted lady in Costessey.

Our arts and craft groups have steadily become more popular and now run three days a week with paid and volunteer qualified, experienced instructors. A huge variety of activities take place in our arts studio from the traditional basketry cane work to painting, textiles and a full ceramics workshop. We have also been donated a loom and our arts studio is now full of artistic works and is really well used.

Our partnership working with several organisations is proving very successful with the continued financial support from the Library Services for our seven audio book clubs, plus additional funding for a further two in 2012/13. There are now over 60 regular members attending monthly meetings across Norfolk, listening to an amazing 84 Calibre audio books between them every year.

The Museums Service continues to provide a lot of help and this year saw seven handling sessions at The Shirehall, starting with costumes and textiles from the early Edwardian period to the 1970s. Anthea Lund, aged 99, who attended a 1950s handling session was able to reminisce fondly and kept several of us entertained.

A very successful Tea Dance was held at the end of April, making use of the lovely space and sprung floor in the Activity Hall.

All the leisure groups are now offering visually impaired people in Norfolk a huge opportunity to enjoy an ever increasing variety of activities, with something on offer for everyone, no matter what age, ability or interest.

Plans are currently afoot to hold an Arts Exhibition in our Activity Hall during the Autumn of 2012 providing an opportunity for several leisure groups to display their talents.

Mark SmithLeisure & Befriending Volunteer Co-ordinator

Tea Dance

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Pleasure and Leisure

at the NNAB

Craft/basket weaving class

Basket weaving project at the Sainsbury Centre

Heritage visit to Oxburgh Hall

Handling collection of costumes at Shirehall Study Centre

Craft/basket weaving class

Crochet work in Arts@Bradbury


Sports Activities

There has been an action packed programme of sports activities over the past year. Yet again both the variety of activities and levels of participation have increased. Some key factors have contributed to this. The Community Workers have tirelessly spread the word about the sports activities on offer and have persuaded people to give our activities a try, often accompanying them on their first event when there can understandably be some apprehension.

The volunteers really are the key to activities being able to take place and the fact that this fantastic team has grown over the past year has meant that we are able to support the more varied schedule and larger groups. A great example of this was the walking holiday that took place in The Peak District in September. Four volunteers gave a week of their time to enable the group to experience the many challenges that walking in such a different terrain to Norfolk provides.

Strong links have been forged with Active Norfolk, one of the county sports partnerships, which has enabled us to access new activities and receive some much appreciated help with funding. Through Active Norfolk we were also able to have an afternoon of fencing in the Activity Centre. John Croxon, former Commonwealth fencer, took the session which was enjoyed by all who attended.

Walk at Barton Broad - the sun doesn’t always shine but we don’t care!

Kurling

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Active Norfolk hosted a multi sports activity day for us at Easton College where archery, golf and new age indoor kurling were the sports on offer. The day itself encompassed everything that we try to achieve with the sports activities here at the NNAB; people of all ages coming together from around the county and not only trying out new activities, but also meeting new people, making new friendships and enjoying some good spirited competition and exercise. As a result of the multi sports activity day, archery has been taking place in the Activity Centre.

Archery

Fencing

Walk at Southrepps

The range of sports activities has grown from walking, sailing, swimming, tandem cycling and tenpin bowling to include short mat bowls, golf, horse riding, 4x4 off road driving, indoor climbing wall, canoeing, archery, fencing and indoor kurling. In the coming year we hope to discover yet more activities and look forward to welcoming both old and new faces to give them a try.

Louise Postle-KnowlesSports Co-ordinator


Holidays 2012

We ended last year’s holidays with an early Christmas inspired break, where plenty of Carols were sung and sitting on Father Christmas’s knee was well received!

This year we have planned holidays to Torquay, Llandudno, Wales and our regular breaks at Great Yarmouth.

We haven’t visited Llandudno for many years and, when we did, made the long journey on our very first NNAB minibus with only 15 holidaymakers! But

with a luxury coach this time around, I am sure the journey and the holiday itself will be more luxurious.

My big thank you goes to all the ‘holiday helpers’ – Jean & Gordon Benson, Steven Snelling, June Hacon - and to all my regular volunteer drivers, who all help to make the holidays so successful.

Donna Hewitt

Norfolk Broads

Golf Short Mat Bowls

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Around&

About

Mark Harper carrying the Olympic Torch

Visit by the Mayor of King’s Lynn and West Norfolk, Councillor Colin Sampson, to the West Norfolk Centre volunteers’ party

Bucket collection at Norwich City FC

Following the Buckingham PalaceGarden Party 2012

Outing to Lowestoft

After a trip on the tandem!

Using the Trekker Breeze GPS


A year on from the first piece I wrote for the Annual Report and I really feel I’m getting my feet under the table and beginning to understand the breadth and depth of the NNAB’s work in the community and at its centres.From a PR perspective that means being in contact with more people, with more stories to tell and hopefully more positive exposure for our charity.It’s worth repeating that PR for the NNAB is only a means to an end. Getting the name of the charity out there is all about raising its profile so that people are aware of us and the fantastic work done by the staff and volunteers. That in turn raises people’s “warmth” towards us and makes it more likely they’ll put their hand in their pocket or purse when we ask them.

We’ve had a number of “big wins”. Not least taking on the might of Norfolk County Council and persuading them to reverse their decision to withdraw 24/7 bus passes for blind people under the age of 65. Led by John Child and Chris Maule-Oatway it was quiet, measured diplomacy, but they knew we meant business and agreed in February to reinstate the concession.

Just as importantly, there have been some great awareness raising features in print and on radio on the work of the NNAB, where I hope my experience has helped make the message more newsworthy. Hence, we’ve had some excellent publicity on the work of the Community Workers and the art classes run at the Bradbury Activity Centre.These have come about by recognising the quirky, newsworthy angles that we can exploit to turn the heads of news and features editors. Rather than a press release saying our Community Workers “do a good job”, we pegged it to asking people to think about the timely, but simple issue of the difficulty of changing their clocks if they are blind and how our regular visitors could do it for them. It worked.

Publicity

Chris Maule-Oatway with his bus pass Picture courtesy of the EDP/Archant

Community worker Janette Dundridge with Muriel Bird Picture courtesy of the EDP/Archant

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Event Fundraising

I am delighted that we have made such an impressive impact on the local community and continue to make steady progress whilst achieving so many positive results. It really has been a brilliant year with the Back to Bayern cycle challenge being the outstanding event which promoted the NNAB so well around Norfolk and beyond and at the same time raised an astonishing £28,000!

We continue to build on the excellent foundations that have been put in place. Events that took place at the end of last year such as Back to Bayern, the Fashion Show in association with Jarrolds and the Blindfolded Half Marathon were excellent examples of how we achieved our goals and through the good work of our PR Manager, Paul Durrant, created maximum exposure of the NNAB via the local media.

Georgina Holloway, High Sheriff of Norfolk thanking Jeremy’s supporters

Similarly, when the NNAB took on a new art tutor, we majored on her, let’s say, Bohemian background. Suddenly, instead of a routine appeal for art materials, ex-punk Jyl became a newsworthy star!But these one-offs are not particularly what it’s all about. Regular, routine publicity reinforces the message that the NNAB is innovative, there for you, and a cause worth supporting.So yes, I believe that 12 months on, PR has worked well. But we cannot afford to be complacent and we need to remember that it’s hard out there, both to compete with other good causes and persuade people to part with their hard earned money.

Arts/crafts tutor – Jyl BaileyPaul Durrant


The start of 2012 has also been very productive with the organisation of the Blind Ten Pin Bowling Night, an Evening with Elvis at the Hotel Wroxham, a Gala Dinner at the Kings Head in Coltishall and the Snowdrop Walk at Lexham Hall. These events have also created exceptional awareness for the charity as well as generating nearly £11,500.

We have had tremendous support from Norfolk businesses including Jark Recruitment who raised an astonishing £8,000 for the NNAB by staging a very successful 5-a-side football competition at Carrow Road and Mills & Reeve who nominated the NNAB as their chosen charity of 2011. Through enjoyable internal fundraising amongst their staff they raised an amazing £5,300; we extend our heartfelt thanks and appreciation to them both.

Norwich Inns, a consortium of more than 60 independently owned pubs, hotels and other licensed premises in the county, have announced that their chosen charity for 2012 will be the NNAB. As their adopted charity, all 60 plus pubs, golf courses and leisure complexes run by Norwich Inns members will have our collection boxes on their counters, as well as organising fundraising events. This really is brilliant news for the NNAB and will heighten the profile of the charity throughout Norfolk.

and finally –Arnolds, Surveyors and Property Consultants, one of the longest established property firms in the county,

have also nominated the NNAB as their charity of the year and will be organising many fundraising events. This is excellent news and will bring many benefits to the charity during 2012.

Book Event Tickets On-Line – www.nnab.org.uk It’s now possible to book event tickets on the Fundraising Events & Activities page of our website – www.nnab.org.uk as well as make a donation to the charity via a JustTextGiving service. Simply send your text To: 70070 with the Message: NNAB11 £amount. This is a positive indication of how the charity is moving forward with the promotion of its fundraising events and donation options.

Each year brings a new challenge, however we are confident in our approach and positive in our minds that we will continue to raise both the profile and money for the charity and in turn make a difference to other people’s lives as well as maintain the excellent reputation of the Association.

Thank you for your great support.

Jeremy GossEvents Fundraiser

Event Fundraising . . . continued

William Norwich Inns linking with the NNAB Picture courtesy of the EDP/Archant

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It’s been a very busy year for me but a very rewarding one. I have met some of the kindest and most generous people and I feel very lucky to have such a wonderful team of volunteers who have helped me.

Every week, four dedicated volunteers come in to do numerous essential jobs within the fundraising department; thank you to Diana Bates, Shirley Hunt, Susan Marshall and Sylvia Ayers for your help.

Throughout 2011 we attended numerous shows, craft fairs, exhibitions and flag days; this was not just to raise money but to help raise awareness of the NNAB. We had some fantastic successes, such as the first weekend in July when the New Egham Singers came to Norfolk to support us. On the Saturday morning they performed at Bure Valley Railway Station in Aylsham and in the evening they gave a concert in Aylsham Church. On Sunday they sang to the public outside the Odeon Cinema at Riverside, Norwich, where they were joined by the Lord Mayor and the Sheriff of Norwich. This weekend raised over £1,000 and was such good fun.

Another memorable event was ‘Wolterton Hall Costume & Textiles Fair’ which was held in September. Lady Walpole kindly chose the NNAB to receive the proceeds from the fair. It was a fantastic weekend for awareness and we managed to raise another £1,000 by selling crafts made by our registered members, Christmas cards and a donation from Wolterton Hall.

Christmas is one of our busiest times, with the cards, our usual annual draw, Christmas tree festivals, craft fairs and, of course, our very important flag days. Local Newsreader Stewart White attended the annual draw to present our winners with their prizes. George Waters who will be 80 this year, once again did his annual swim in the sea at Lowestoft in aid of the NNAB and Blind Veterans UK. It is estimated he will bring in over £1,000 again for each charity. Thank you George and to everyone else who has taken part in fundraising events this year to raise money for the NNAB.

As a fundraiser, it very important for me to build friendships and bonds with the businesses and people that support us by having our boxes in their shops, homes or with those who do fundraising events for the NNAB. It is also crucial that I am there to support our wonderful volunteers who stand in doorways and collect for us. Without their support, my job would be very difficult and, because of the dedication and generosity, I can honestly say that I love my job and I do feel very privileged to be part of this wonderful charity and the good work that it does.

Donna MintoFundraiser

Community Fundraising

New Egham Singers at Bure Valley Railway, Aylsham

Volunteers Jane, Silvi & Enid at Wolterton Hall costume & textile fair

312011-2012

Administration, like maintenance, is never ending; sometimes it feels like you take two steps forward and one step back. No two days are the same and you never know what each day will bring.

The NNAB is an extremely busy charity but a happy place to work. I truly believe that to enjoy your work brings out the best in people. If one ever gets to the stage of waking up in the morning and not bothering about your work then maybe the time has come for a change. I can honestly say, hand on heart, that in the 36 years I have been here I have never woken up with that thought, only that of a lie-in at the weekend!

A successful business does well because of the way it treats its customers. They know that if they look after them well and provide a good service those customers will, hopefully, return in the future. The NNAB is no different. We are here to provide a service if only to listen or say a few kind words and give advice. We want those people to keep coming back to us as we have so much to offer.

The administration team is the cog that keeps the wheel turning and we are here to support all areas of

the Association which in turn helps other staff provide a service that, in my opinion, is the best.

We are blessed with loyal and committed staff who will go that extra mile to help anyone. It’s not always easy and people are not always nice, but well done to everyone whatever your job is. You are most important to the NNAB.

May I take this opportunity to pay tribute to John Child who retired at the end of May. Not only has he been loyal and committed to the NNAB, he has also been there for anyone that has needed a listening ear or advice.

To me, he has been not only someone I have learned from and looked up to but a good friend. He will be greatly missed but somehow I think we will continue to see him from time to time!

Staff

Since my last report, Nikki has left to move nearer to her family and Jo has decided not to return; we wish them all the best. However, I am delighted to report that Mandy Hall, who was our receptionist and who has retail experience, is taking over permanently as Manager.

Since November when Mandy took the task on, she has proved that with sheer hard work and commitment, there is money to be made out of other people’s unwanted goods. It’s not an easy task and Mandy soon learned that those high heels she wore in the office were not so good for shop work!

Takings are up, not only because of the hard work from the staff and volunteers, but because of the generosity of the public. Quite often I find it hard to believe that someone would give away brand new furniture rather than sell it themselves – but we’re not complaining!

The recession is still here but I now believe that it is doing us, and other Charity Shops, a favour. People like a bargain and there is always one to be had in a Charity Shop.

Charity ShopJulie Lythgoe Rachel Aldus

Julie Lythgoe Deputy Director

32www.nnab.org.uk

Awards Galore

What a fantastic October for the NNAB!

Eve Chandler

Aged 92, Eve was awarded the “Volunteer of the Year” at the Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital at their Awards Ceremony on 7th October.Eve has been one of the Association’s Eye Clinic volunteers for the last 14 years.An extract from the citation said it all “As an Eye Clinic patient herself, Eve is very sensitive to the needs of people with visual impairment and understands their anxieties only too well . . . she is an essential member of the team and the Clinic would be lost without her.”

Ray Alvis

Was crowned the “National Volunteer of the Year” at the Visionary Meeting held in York on 5th October 2011. Visionary is the national umbrella organisation for all the local blind and partially sighted charities in the UK.Ray, aged 82, was recognised for his inspirational work in helping provide sporting opportunities for blind and partially sighted people in Norfolk.

Jeremy Goss

His 1,300 mile “Back to Bayern” cycle ride in August was also recognised at the Visionary Awards Ceremony in York when he won the “Innovation in Fundraising” category. Jeremy raised £28,000 on the ride.

Dorothy Bowen

Her work with children was also recognised in York with the “Innovation in Service Delivery” where she came runner up.

David Marris

The architect of the Bradbury Activity Centre was recognised by the Norwich Society with a Community Commendation in the 2011 Design Awards at a Ceremony held at The Assembly House on 4th October.

David Rowland

Our gardener won the Friends of Norwich in Bloom Summer Competition Super Award presented on 14th October.

and (although not in October) . . .Our Quiz Team of Rebecca Shubrook, John Morland, Chris Maule-Oatway and Richard Polley won the Mills & Reeve Quiz Night on the 24th November.


““

“

Thank You Letters

“

2011-2012

“

THOMAS TAWELL HOUSE“A big thank you to all the staff who lovingly cared for Mum during her stay at Thomas Tawell House. Your kindness to our family was very much appreciated and will never be forgotten.”

“In recognition of the wonderful and compassionate care Sharon and her staff gave my mother in the closing days of her life, I would like you to accept a donation. I cannot emphasise enough how much I and my family appreciated the support and kindness from all those we met at Magpie Road.”

HAMMOND COURT“We would like to thank you all for the kindness and consideration shown to . . . during her time at Hammond Court. It was much appreciated by the family.”

EQUIPMENT CENTRES“With my most sincere thanks for continued loan of CCTV – in use every day and I could not see anything written or printed without it.”

“Thank you so much for the clock and the watch – they are terrific! In fact, they told the postman the time all the way here!”

“Thank you for your help and prompt attention.”

Presentation to Norwich Theatre Royal in appreciation of their support Picture courtesy of the EDP/Archant

www.nnab.org.uk

34

““““““

COMMUNITY WORKERS“Thank you for all the work you have done on my behalf – the new player is a good one and something I can manage. “

“Thank you very much indeed for all that you have done to help my mother – you are excellent!”

“You are a kind and good lady.”

GENERAL“I would like to thank all those involved from NNAB who have helped Mum, for all their help and support over the years (and my Father before her).”

“Thank you very much for all your valued help.”

“Absolutely delighted with the service I receive – you always do what you say you are going to do and quickly.”

“Thank you and your wonderful staff and volunteers for your dedication and hard work over the last 12 months, which ensured that I had a most enjoyable and fulfilled year.”

“I cannot speak too highly of the wonderful work you and your staff do.”

CONCESSIONARY BUS PASSES“I understand that it was the NNAB which persuaded Norfolk County Council to reinstate these perks and I want to thank the NNAB for their efforts.”

Volunteers’ Jubilee Party – July 2012


DonationsExamples of some of the donations received during the year

Mrs S May

Knitting Group £112.00

Rackheath Playing Field Bowls Club £350.00

Royal George Chapter No. 52 £500.00

Mr & Mrs R Crome

Ruby Wedding Anniversary £140.00

The Strollers 60s Band

Charity Evening £750.00

Mr M Dolling

Sponsored Bike Ride £36.00

Mrs F Stone

90th Birthday Celebrations £227.00

Bunwell Primary School Pupils Dressing up Day

as Story Book Characters £60.00

Mr J Pullen

Party in memory of late brother £1,530.00

Bittern Dxers £520.00

Great Yarmouth Power Station £1,000.00

Gresham Ladies Club £157.00

Sylvia & Peter Frost Bingo Evening £250.00

Mrs A Rivett-Carnac and colleagues In lieu of sending Christmas Cards £92.00

Mr L Pummell Boxing Match £80.00

Roundwood Indoor Bowls Centre

2nd Annual Bowls Tournament for B2 Visually Impaired Bowlers £240.00

Waitrose

Community Matters Scheme £284.00

Mr K Williams & Mr R Howes

Opening of Royal Mail car park on match day + matching by Royal Mail £320.00

Inner Wheel Club of Watton £100.00

Tuesday Fellowship Club £100.00Watton Methodist Church

Harvest Produce received from Easton Good Companions St Andrew’s Church, Wood Dalling

Waitrose Community Matters Scheme

Bunwell Primary School

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Talking NewspapersWe work co-operatively with the 11 independent Talking Newspapers covering the County, these are:

The Beacon - West Norfolk Contact: Mr J Cole – 01485 542412

Chatterbox - Norwich Contact: 01603 765365

Grapevine - Gt Yarmouth Contact: Mrs D Clarke - 01493 721133

Link-up - Thetford Contact: Mrs E Kitson - 01953 498609

The Mardler - North Norfolk Contact: Mr P J (Jack) Chapman - 01263 732863

Talking Times - Fakenham Contact: Mr M Boucher – 01328 856906

Three Rivers - Bungay and Beccles Contact: Mrs C East – 07931 543325

Vision Link - King’s Lynn Contact: Mr D Gifford - 01553 631579

Waveney Words - South Norfolk Contact: Mr T Freeborn - 01379 608774

Wisbech & District Talking Newspaper Contact: Mrs B Terry - 01945 773808

Wymondham & Attleborough Talking Newspaper Contact: Mr T Vale - 01953 605434

For National Newspapers and Magazines - Contact: Talking Newspaper Association of the UK (TNAUK) 68a High Street, Heathfield, East Sussex 01435 866102

ClubsWe work co-operatively with the various independent Clubs for Visually Impaired people in Norfolk –

Acle Club for the Blind - Contact : Mrs Mary Seward - 01603 715818

Attleborough Club for the Blind - Contact : Mrs Ruth Blewitt – 01953 602878

Aylsham Club for the Blind - Contact : Mrs Elizabeth Stimpson - 01603 279471

Broadland Social Club for the Blind - Contact : Mrs Joan Barber - 01603 754831

Costessey Visual Impairment Club - Contact : Mrs Gaynor Collier - 01603 629558

Dereham Club for the Blind - Contact : Mrs Janette Hall - 01362 637595

Diss Social Club for the Blind - Contact : Mrs Barbara Sherman - 01953 452829

Downham Market Red Cross Club - Contact : Mrs Joyce Bentley – 01606 872679

Eaton VIP Club – Closed December 2011

Fakenham Social Centre for the Blind - Contact : Ms Lynette Sutton - 01328 820560

Gt Yarmouth Social Centre for the Visually Handicapped -

Contact : Ms Carole Rodgers - 01493 445391

Hemsby & District Vision Club - Contact : Mrs V Gowing - 01692 670951

Holt VIP Group - Contact : Mrs Rosemary Whitmore - 01263 713427

Hunstanton Monday Club for the Visually Handicapped -

Contact : Mr Stuart Grant – 01485 570040

King’s Lynn Social Club – Closed November 2010

Norfolk & Norwich Rainbow Club - Contact : Mrs Pat Groombridge – 07979 037617

Norwich Bowling Club - Contact : Mr B Hall - 01603 426319

Norwich Social Centre for the Blind - Contact : Mrs Lesley Diprose - 01603 405325

Norwich Limelight Club - Contact : Mr Peter Coe - 01603 401430

North Norfolk Social Centre for the Blind - Contact : Mrs J Stockdale - 01692 402562

Sight - Stalham - Contact : Mrs Mary Savage - 01692 580713

Swaffham Club for the Blind - Contact : Mr Arthur Ealy – 01760 337654

Thetford Social Club for the Blind - Contact : Mr S Snelling - 07900 631844

U & Eye @ Snettisham – Contact – Mrs Dianne Snelgrove – 01485 540753

New members and volunteers are always needed.

37Give as you Earn - Our number is GYE0104509

Legacies and Gift Aid Donations‘Friends’ and ‘Members’ schemes

LegaciesThe following have been gratefully received : £Mary Michel 4,076 Sydney Glossop 12 Edna Blackburn 831 Heather Black 3,000 Edward John Murray Jackson 500 Albert Medler 58,000 Felicite Fenn 2,998 Patricia Alma Moore 450,000 Alfred Jordan 2 George Frederick Kirby 4,000 Barbara Coman 440 Sheila Ann Bird 215 Vera Baxter 42,950 Income Tax reclaimed 1,257

TOTAL 568,281

Legacies received since y/e 2011/12Douglas Bartlett 1,000Hilda Arnold 500John Harcourt 5,000Eileen Ranyell 4,122Brenda Burton 6,660Rosemary Williams 1,000Gladys Farmborough 2,000Marcelle Hill 1,000Dorothy Parker 6Pauline Goleby 200

TOTAL 21,488

Restricted legaciesQuitta Youatt - For Thomas Towell House 8,000

TOTAL 8,000

Restricted legacies received since y/e 2011/12Rhona Brown 25,584

TOTAL 25,584

This is a separate scheme from our Annual Membership, which is laid down in our Constitution, whereby people pay a minimum of £5 a year to join and can vote at the Annual General Meeting.

If you would like further details on either Scheme please contact us on 01603 629558.

Gift Aid DeclarationThe NNAB is able to recover some tax from HM Revenue & Customs (currently 25p for every £1 you give) in respect of this gift if you have any tax deducted at source, or payable to you, on bank interest or dividends or salary or any other income.

In order to enable us to make this tax reclaim, we need you to sign a Gift Aid Declaration form (we can supply a form) and return it to us. It would make a considerable difference to the amount we can raise if you complete this form for us.

If you are a higher rate taxpayer you can also claim higher rate relief for this payment in your own tax return.

I would like the Association to treat as Gift Aid Donations:

• The enclosed donation of £

• The donation of £ which I made on

• All donations I make from the date of this declaration until I notify you otherwise.

I confirm that I am a UK taxpayer and that the amount of tax I pay does exceed the amount I would like the Association to claim.

Name ...............................................................

Address ............................................................... ............................................................... ...............................................................Postcode ...............................................................

Signature ............................... Date ......................

Note: Please notify the Treasurer at NNAB if you change your name and address while the declaration is in force, or if the statement regarding your tax circumstances is no longer valid.

Please return the completed form to : The Norfolk and Norwich Association for the Blind Magpie Road, Norwich, NR3 1JH Tel: 01603 629558 Fax: 01603 766682

Registered Charity 207060

NNAB ‘Friends’ and ‘Members’ SchemesWe are sure you understand that our work often needs financial help as we put over £645,000 of charitable money into the community last year and receive no state support.

The Trustees therefore re-introduced the “Friends of the NNAB” Scheme, which dates back to 1805, the aim being to simply raise regular sums of money to fund the work of the Association. The main benefit of becoming a “Friend” will be the knowledge that you are supporting a really excellent charity for visually impaired people and in addition you will receive an Annual Report and Newsletter.

38www.nnab.org.uk

SandringhamFlower Show25th July, 2012

It does not seem like five years ago that we visited the Beacon Society for the Blind to pick their brains about a “Buy a Brick” scheme to raise money for the Bradbury Activity Centre.

John Child and I often said wouldn’t it be nice if we could raise £20,000 this way, never thinking that it would be at all possible. Well, believe it or not, we are almost there with £18,500 raised and bricks are still being bought.

There is still plenty of space on the wall!

“BUY A BRICK” SCHEME

Elizabeth McIntyre

The Norfolk and Norwich Association for the Blind

Magpie Road, Norwich, Norfolk NR3 1JH Tel: 01603 629558 Fax: 01603 766682

www.nnab.org.uk

Email: [email protected] | Registered Charity No. 207060Front cover: Sailing on Barton Broad

Back cover: Walking Holiday 2011 – at Curbar Edge

Design and Production Creative Beat 01263 738899

West Norfolk Equipment Centre

3 North Lynn Business Village, Bergen Way, King’s Lynn,

Norfolk PE30 2JG Tel: 01553 660808

Great Yarmouth Equipment Centre

12 Hall Quay Great Yarmouth

Norfolk NR30 1HP Tel: 01493 745973

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