Tuesday 14th January

The Strollers will be meeting for a stroll in Newport. They will meet for coffee at The Quay Arts Centre at approximately 10.45am. After the stroll, lunch will be at The Hare and Hounds at 12.15 pm. Please contact Laura on 522205 or email members@iwsb.org.uk if you would like to join the Strollers Group.

The Swimming Group are swimming at the Waterside Pool in Ryde from 8.00pm till 8.45pm. The pool is closed to the public whilst the group swims. There are male and female volunteers to help you get in and out of the pool as well as Lifeguards to ensure your safety. To join the Swimming Group, please call Sight for Wight first to notify us of your swimming ability. You need to register with the office at Millbrooke House first to be able to swim with the group.

Wednesday 15th January

The weekly coffee morning will be held at Millbrooke House from 10.00am till 11.30am.
There will also be our Low Vision drop in between 10.00 am and 12 noon. This is a weekly event to allow you to view and try the Low Vision equipment we have at Sight for Wight without the need for an appointment.

We will be swimming at the Special Care Session held at West Wight Sports Centre in Freshwater. The session runs from 12 noon till 1.00pm. The cost to swim is £4.20. Minibus transport may be available depending on location for as suggested donation of £2.00. If you are interested in joining the group then please contact the charity as we will need to ask some questions about your swimming ability, general health, and mobility and next of kin details.

Thursday 16th January

The Thursday Social Group are meeting at Millbrooke House. The group meets from 10.30am till 2.00pm. With the help of volunteers, the group enjoy a number of activities, crosswords, catching up on news and trivia, knitting and crochet. They are currently making pompoms for the rug. This very friendly, mixed group also love to chat and enjoy lunch together. Later in the afternoon volunteers come in and read to the group on different topics. If you would like to join the group then please contact the Charity on 522205.

Any Other News
RNIB Living with Sight Loss Course- Have you or a family member been diagnosed with sight loss? Share experiences with others in similar situations and find out about services available to you. These free informal, community –based courses provide information, advice, support and practical solutions for people with sight loss and those close to them, helping them to adjust to a sight loss condition, increase independence and boost confidence.
This course will be running on Thursday 13th February and Thursday 20th February, 10am -3pm at Falcon Cross Hall, Shanklin. PO37 7LA
To book your place please call the RNIB on 0300 123 3933 or email at lwslenquiries@rnib.org.uk
More information can be found at www.rnib.org.uk/livingwithsightloss

Do you care for a vulnerable adult, have you heard about the Herbert Protocol-Safe and Sound?
The Herbert Protocol is a form that carers, family or friends of a vulnerable person can fill in. It contains a list of information to help the police if the person goes missing, including: medication required; mobile numbers; places previously located; a recent photograph. Recording this information ahead of time and keeping it regularly updated will greatly reduce stress associated with trying to recall detailed information in an emergency situation. This form can be downloaded at www.met.police.uk/herbertprotocol

We will be visiting the Isle of Wight Pearl on Monday 10th February. On this visit we will join the Pearl Masterclass; a free informative talk about pearls. The talk lasts about 30 minutes and there will also be an opportunity to look around the centre, or have refreshments in the café. There is no charge for the talk, but minibus may be available depending on location for a donation of £2.00. Closing date for applications is Monday 20th January. For further information or to book your place please contact the charity on 522205 or email members@iwsb.org.uk Please note that all activities are subject to demand and availability of volunteers for driving and supporting as a sighted escort guides.

This weeks In Touch:
Funding Research Into Blindness; Blind Physios
Leading eye experts in the UK have signed an open letter in The Guardian calling for more funds for medical research. We’ll hear from Professor Chris Hammond who is one of the signatories of that letter… And Fight For Sight’s Dr Rubina Ahmed.
And we meet Mike Tetley, the blind physiotherapist who’s still working after more than 60 years.