Somerset Insight 01823 333818 - Somerset Sight
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Somerset
01823 333818
Insight Registered Charity No: 1154472
Issue 70
May 2021
The Queen’s Award
for Voluntary Service
Open throughout and now face to face
No appointment needed – please pop in for all your needs
Smartphones and tablets From for people with sight loss £299! Communicate with friends, keep entertained and remain independent with a Synapptic phone or tablet www.synapptic.com 0191 909 7 909
CEO Report
The resilience, good humour and
determination shown by Somerset
Sight service users, volunteers and
staff over the past twelve months
has been outstanding. Referrals
for assistance more than doubled.
People have called in and written,
very thankful for all the services
provided and have really appreciated
being visited, called and supported
throughout.
Liam have arranged, together with
There are nevertheless some
activities for children and families.
stalwarts in our midst who are
unwavering – a 95 year old, with The MAS has just been refurbished to
limited sight, living alone, saying – great acclaim; feedback from service
“goodness me – help now? – no thank users confirms the essential role it fills,
you – I haven’t got to that stage yet!” and how much the service is needed.
which illustrates the spirit of a certain The MAS costs about £200 a day.
age. This unfaltering determination Our volunteer visiting service has
is mirrored by our volunteers, who virtually doubled in 18 months
have been consistently wonderful and – We now have more than 250
courageous. Our staff are exemplary matches across the county – this is
and have worked throughout in trying a pioneering service which enables
circumstances, supporting our visually people to remain independent in
impaired community and it has brought their own homes. Each new match
us all closer together. Nobody has costs £300 in year one and we are
been furloughed, each member of expanding at an astonishing rate: 100
staff has been deployed to assist our people have recently sought emotional
service users. I would like to thank our support : 90 people have requested
Chair, Bella Flood, Vice Chair Brian technology support : 110 new people
Perowne and our Treasurer, Ian Pinder, are receiving telephone support.
without whom we could not manage. These services ensure people with
What of the future? We will offer sight loss can adapt and remain
support face to face and remotely. independent – Somerset Sight offers
Face to face is preferred but remote life – long help and there is no wait
has its place on occasions. Read on time. These services are essential and
for the new activities that Heidi and cost considerable money to provide.
Working with people who lack sight, not vision 3
Pull Out Donation Form
I would like to make a donation to Somerset Sight.
Full Name Tel:
Address
Postcode Email:
Single donation: I enclose a donation of £…….... for Somerset Sight
Please return form and send a cheque made payable to Somerset Sight Ltd or return
form and pay via BACS (reference: Mag Donation)
Somerset Sight Ltd; Account Number: 57387068 Sort Code: 77-50-01
Standing Order
Bank (e.g Lloyds)
Bank Address
Postcode
Please pay Somerset Sight Ltd; Account Number: 57387068 Sort Code: 77-50-01
I would like to make a standing order of £10 £20 Other:
With the first payment on the ……… (Date) of ……… (Month) 20.... (Year)
Every Month Quarter Half Year Year
Account Name
Account Number
Sort Code
Signature Date
Thank-you
Gift Aid – Boost your donation by 25p of Gift Aid for every £1 you donate.
Gift Aid can be reclaimed by Somerset Sight from the tax you pay for the current year.
Your address and postcode is needed to identify you as a current taxpayer. You must
tick the box below.
I want to Gift Aid my donation to Somerset Sight and any donations I
make in the future or have made in the past 4 years.
I am a UK taxpayer and understand that if I pay less Income Tax and/or Capital Gains Tax
than the amount of Gift Aid claimed on all my donations in that tax year it is my responsibility
to pay any difference. Date ………………………………….
Please return to: Holly Sutton, Somerset Sight, Northfield House, 51 Staplegrove Road,
Taunton, TA1 1DG Charity Registration Number 1154472
CEO Report (cont.)
Many people reading this will have please set up a standing order or
received and enjoyed support from give a donation. Please use the form
Somerset Sight over the past months. overleaf or download the new app.
Please kindly consider setting up If you would like to leave us a gift in
a regular standing order or giving your Will, please mention Somerset
a donation. Sight to your solicitor and quote our
Your regular support confirms that charity number 1154472.
the services we provide are needed, I am looking forward to meeting many
well used and appreciated locally. of you very soon as we resume face to
Your support now, will also enable us face activities, celebrate the opening
to leverage additional funding from of the Bradbury Wing and enjoy the
elsewhere to ensure the continuation annual volunteers’ party and other
and expansion of services. To ensure activities over the months to come.
the future of Somerset Sight Services With very best wishes
Children’s Activities
We were delighted to hold our first activities and they include: Exmouth
Children’s Activity since lockdown boat trip, Alpaca walking, West
at Mendip Activity Centre during Somerset Railway, Activity days
the Easter Holiday. We had a great and more.
day doing axe throwing, archery If you don’t currently receive
and tobogganing. Children’s activity emails, please
We are currently planning this year’s contact us on 01823 333818
Working with people who lack sight, not vision 5
Bella Flood – Chair of Trustees
Somerset Sight has improved and
increased our services and activities.
I would like to draw your attention to
some of these and I hope that you feel
as excited about them as we do!
To start with, the Mobile Advisory
Service has had a facelift – Donna has
designed the refit to ensure that the
upgrade is welcoming and comfortable.
The MAS will be out daily from 7th April
Masterchef in 2020, as well as making
and is ready for you to drop in when it
travel programmes for TV.
arrives in your part of Somerset.
That brings me nicely onto Holiday
Heidi has expanded our popular
Breaks. We have recently asked you
telephone service over the last year and
if you would like to join the Somerset
more than 65 VIPs are involved. Some
Sight trip to Teignmouth; the response
take part in individual chats and others
has been positively encouraging, and it
in groups. Kate sets up the telephone
seems that many of you are longing to
calls quickly and easily on the new
telephone system. If you are interested, get away and enjoy our well organised
please do get in touch because it has and fun holiday breaks.
proved to be invaluable to many who Throughout the last year, your Charity
have felt isolated and to those who has been very actively supporting
enjoy socialising and now want to meet service users and we have been
up with their telephone group members. funded by Somerset County Council,
Cookery Sessions on Zoom are Somerset Community Foundation
one of the popular activities we the Lottery Community Fund, other
have expanded. There are various Trusts and Foundations and generous
sight impaired celebrities who donors, including several very generous
have publicised the benefits of being Gifts in Wills. We have been unable to
able to cook when you want and what fundraise in our communities in 2020,
you want so that you do not rely on and will continue to set modest charges
packaged foods or others to cook for for activities where appropriate. We
you. Why not join in our sessions, and carry on fully supporting our members
if you are keen to learn even more, and friends and this Magazine,
Simon Mahoney (a blind ex-Marine) once again, demonstrates what our
has written “First Catch Your Rabbit” wonderful staff are planning for the
which is a kitchen survival guide, full easing of restrictions.
of useful tips and humour. You may With best wishes to you all
remember that Amir Latif won Celebrity Bella
6 Somerset Sight 01823 333818
Adult Activities
Garden Lunch around in one of Fenix’s magnificent
Monday 24th May carriages and find a local picnic spot
12.30pm – 3pm for lunch. £10.00 per person, 12
After almost spending a whole year tickets max. Transport not included.
apart, come and enjoy our garden
Day Trip to Teignmouth
and a lunch with us here at Northfield
Thursday 1st July
House where we can chat and enjoy
Join us for a day trip to Teignmouth
some nice food. £8.00 per person.
to enjoy the delights of the seaside.
Drayton Wood Experience £15.00 per person.
Wednesday 23rd June
11am – 2pm Exmouth Boat Trip
Monday 2nd August
In this activity we will get to spend
3.30pm – 5.30pm
some time walking through the
beautiful woods with a knowledgeable We are thrilled to be able to invite you
guide who will teach us all about on a privately charted 2-hour boat
the amazing animals and trees that trip departing from Exmouth. We are
surround us. Whilst walking we will hoping to organise transport if the
be foraging for ingredients so we can demand is there. (At an extra cost)
make wild garlic and nettle soup. We We would hope that this would arrive
will then try our hands at a bit of wood in Exmouth for around lunchtime to
whittling to make our own cooking allow some time exploring beforehand.
sticks to cook our bread on the open Adults are £15 and Childrens are £5.
camp fire. £20.00 per person. The price includes a cream tea.
Carriage Driving Experience Chocolate Tasting
with Picnic Monday 11th October
Tuesday 8th June 2pm – 3.30pm
Explore the beautiful rural lanes of Craft House chocolate, Somerton –
the Blackdown Hills by horse and Find out about how chocolates are
traditional carriage, courtesy of Fenix made and try some of the offerings.
Carriages. We will enjoy traveling £15 per person.
CARE HOMES
We are pleased to offer a telephone befriending service for those
living in care homes. Please call Heidi on 01823 333818
Working with people who lack sight, not vision 7
Zoom Cooking Changes Lives
When lockdown began in 2020 we organised zoom cooking sessions to
introduce attendees to some new recipes and encourage them to cook for
themselves. They were so successful and achieved so much more, that we
decided to continue running them. The most recent was a 4 week course,
led by cook Catherine with the most delicious recipes, and the difference in
attendees confidence has been astounding.
This fantastic group of
people had a wide range
of experience with cooking.
Some were cooking daily
whereas others hadn’t
cooked for a very long time.
Catherine chose Tuna
Fishcakes as a nice easy
recipe to start with and
a great way to see the
groups abilities and check
it all worked on zoom.
Catherine was so impressed with “I have built a lot more
how quickly they followed instructions
confidence in the kitchen, I
and the way they all handled this new
recipe, she decided to do some more was just heating meals up in
challenging recipes. the microwave before”
Liam says “I was lucky enough to work The confidence they have built in the
with this group for three of the four kitchen and fun they have had with
weeks, they were bright and bubbly Catherine learning new recipes, has
group and loved helping each other.” meant they don’t want the course
to end.
We are now continuing these as part of
our regular activity program.
Catherine sends out all of the
ingredients each week with an
equipment list which makes it so easy
for everyone to take part.
The feedback from the whole group has
been fantastic. Here is what they had
to say:
8 Somerset Sight 01823 333818
Kitchen Gadgets
In the Resource Centre we have many
items to help you independently do the
things you enjoy. If Cooking is one of
those things then there are a range of
kitchen aids to help. My favourite, is the
talking kitchen scales.
“I love the social aspect of it and being
together in a group”.
“The tips we have learned are so useful.
I really struggled with things like a
grater before, but have now found a flat
grater over a bowl is so much easier
and using cups to measure has been a The slimline scale weighs up to
game changer”. 5kg/11b and the measuring jug
Catherine, the Leader of the course holds up to 1,300ml/ 2.25 pints.
says “As always working with Somerset A tare function allows you to zero
Sight has been great, the cooking measurements before adding more
course has gone really well, I was a bit ingredients. The scale has clear tactile
nervous initially about running a whole buttons and a large LCD display, while
course online but the group have been
the jug has bold markings on the
outside, showing millilitres, pints and
fantastic and are really supportive of
UK fluid ounces.
each other and I look forward to the
sessions every week.” The jug has a foam easy-grip handle
and a spout with locating recess to
If you would like to take part in a
help steady the jug when pouring
future Zoom or face to face cookery
into another container. It requires x2
course please contact Liam or Heidi.
AAA batteries.
Costing £60, this is a great way to
keep cooking.
Other helpful products include:
• Oven guards
• Coloured chopping boards for contrast
• Talking Thermometer
• Palm Peeler for vegetables
• Talking timer
Working with people who lack sight, not vision 9
The Blind Blonde Baker – Karenza Mason
I’m not the best at decorating cakes
but getting better with each one.
However, my kitchen has icing sugar
everywhere! It’s a messy hobby but
so fulfilling.
I have been donated some talking
scales and jug which has made baking
so much easier for me and I now have
guards on the oven racks which stops
me burning my hands getting things in
and out of the oven.
I mostly enjoy baking cakes and
cupcakes and love experimenting with
I’m born and raised in Chard, different flavour combinations. You
Somerset and I’ve recently turned can’t beat a traditional Victoria sponge
50. I was a hairdresser and ran my and I absolutely love buttercream.
own successful hair salon until 2015 My next challenge is to start filming
when I started developing excruciating videos of me baking for my Instagram
headaches. After a long time, I page when I’m brave enough so watch
was diagnosed with IIH (Idiopathic this space!
Intracranial Hypertension) which
caused pressure and fluid around my
brain. The constant pressure crushed
the optic nerves in the back of my
eyes (Papilloedema) causing me to
lose my peripheral sight and I’m now
left with only narrow tunnel vision
which is slowly decreasing.
Lockdown has been tough on my
own but in my boredom, I wanted to
try something new and have started
baking for the first time in my life.
Creating an Instagram page @
blindblondebaker to help show others
in my position that it is possible
to do and how important it is to
have hobbies.
10 Somerset Sight 01823 333818The Flour Pot Vegan Bakery – Helen Roberts
After diagnosis and years of
treatments I have been left severely
sight impaired.
As a single independent parent of
2 wonderful girls, that was a bit of a
blow. To not be able to drive was very
difficult, but after giving myself a good
talking to, I decided I had to carry on
with life and my baking. One day we
will have a team of volunteers all with
varying disabilities to help us bring our
dream to fruition. Watch this space…..
I currently bake for family and My eyes are often tired but I will never
friends, but my dream is for my give up. “Use it, or Lose it”, the words
daughter Emily and I to open a from my consultant, always ringing in
community Café, providing a space my ears!
for the local food hub and giving
free food to anyone who needs it. I In the meantime, I continue to bake. I
am a keen vegan baker and love to would love to show you what I do and
veganise recipes. teach you all how to make bread. The
most rewarding thing you can do. I
I started The Flour Pot Vegan Bakery
in Chard 3 years ago to help people hope to hold a bread making class at
on a low budget see how easy it is Somerset Sight one day very soon.
to eat healthy, tasty and delicious
vegan food.
I was diagnosed with Retinopathy
approximately 10 years ago and
although laser treatment kept it at
bay, 5 years ago I had a Vitreous
Haemorrhage in both eyes. The next
few years I went through a lot of
treatment. I underwent 9 procedures
and have been left with no peripheral
vision and the central vision in my right
eye is failing quickly. Thankfully the left
is staying very stable.
Working with people who lack sight, not vision 11The Mobile Advisory Service has a makeover During this last lockdown the MAS has been away for a dramatic refit under the care of Jeff Burbidge and his son at Caratech Leisure Vehicles. The MAS certainly needed attention and is now warmer, lighter and has improved seating and storage space. Jeff is involved with the cricket pitch at Bishops Lydeard which is home to our VI cricket team. We cannot thank him enough for his excellent work. Please visit Donna on the MAS when it is next in your area – dates are in a pull-out section in the middle of the magazine or on the website. (Hearing aid batteries available). 12 Somerset Sight 01823 333818
Working with people who lack sight, not vision 13
Easy Exercises to do Outdoors
Now the weather is starting to improve, why not get outside, get
some fresh air and do some exercises. Find a bench to sit on or a
chair in the garden and have a go at the following gentle exercises.
1. Lift your leg up off the seat, keeping side of your neck. Release, and
your knee bent. Return to starting repeat on the other side.
position and repeat. 5. Sit on the edge of your seat with
2. Pull your toes up, tighten your thigh your feet flat on the floor. Hold
muscle and straighten your knee. your arms in front of you, with your
Hold for about 5 seconds, if you thumbs pointed toward the ceiling
can, and then slowly relax your leg. and your elbows slightly bent. Draw
Repeat for both legs. your elbows back, squeezing your
3. Stand next to your chair, using it for shoulder blades together, until your
support. With your legs hip-distance upper arms are in line with your
apart, slowly lift one foot off the body. Extend your arms again, and
ground while keeping your standing repeat eight to ten times
leg slightly bent. Hold the pose for 6. Sit up straight with your feet flat on
up to 30 seconds. Repeat with the the ground. Bend your toes toward
other leg. the ceiling and back to the floor.
4. Sit up straight, and slowly tilt your To increase the difficulty of this
head toward your right shoulder exercise, sit on the edge of your
until you feel a stretch. Hold this seat with your legs straight. Keep
position while gradually extending your heels on the ground as you
your left arm down and to the side. bend your toes upward and then
You should feel a stretch on the left back down.
RESOURCE CENTRE
OPE
WE’R
We are delighted that The Resource E
N
Centre at Northfield House, Taunton is
OPEN 5 DAYS A WEEK
Please visit for technology advice, gadgets and
aids and information. Monday – Friday 9.30am – 4.30pm.
14 Somerset Sight 01823 333818Mobile Advisory Service Dates
May 2021 – Sept 2021 SUBJECT TO
COVID-19
Mendip RESTRICTIONS
Area Date Location Time
Tues 25th May ASDA 10.30am – 3.30pm
Mon 28th June ASDA 10.30am – 3.30pm
Frome
Mon 26th July ASDA 10.30am – 3.30pm
Tues 31st Aug ASDA 10.30am – 3.30pm
Thurs 3rd June Morrisons 10.30am – 3.30pm
Glastonbury Tues 20th July Morrisons 10.30am – 3.30pm
Tues 17th August Morrisons 10.30am – 3.30pm
Mon 14th June Tesco 10:30am – 3:30pm
Shepton Mallet
Mon 16th August Tesco 10.30am – 3.30pm
Thurs 27th May Tesco 10.30am – 3.30pm
Tues 29th June Tesco 10.30am – 3.30pm
Wells
Tues 27th July Tesco 10.30am – 3.30pm
Mon 23rd August Tesco 10.30am – 3.30pm
Sedgemoor
Area Date Location Time
Wed 2nd June Sainsbury’s 10.30am – 3.30pm
Cheddar Wed 28th July Sainsbury’s 10.30am – 3.30pm
Wed 25th August Sainsbury’s 10.30am – 3.30pm
Fri 7th May Hospital 10.30am – 1.30pm
Fri 21st May Hospital 10.30am – 1.30pm
Fri 4th June Hospital 10.30am – 1.30pm
Tues 15th June Morrisons 10.30am – 3.30pm
Fri 18th June Hospital 10.30am – 1.30pm
Bridgwater
Fri 2nd July Hospital 10.30am – 1.30pm
Thurs 8th July Morrisons 10.30am – 1.30pm
Fri 20th August Hospital 10.30am – 1.30pm
Tues 24th August Morrisons 10.30am – 3.30pm
PULL Fri 3rd September Hospital 10.30am – 1.30pm
OUT AND
KEEP!
Working with people who lack sight, not vision 15Mobile Advisory Service Dates
Sedgemoor
Area Date Location Time
Weds 26th May B&M 10.30am – 3.30pm
Burnham-on- Weds 30th June B&M 10.30am – 3.30pm
Sea Thurs 22nd July B&M 10.30am – 3.30pm
Fri 27th August B&M 10.30am – 1.30pm
Wed 19th May By the brook 10.30am –12.30pm
Cannington
Mon 19th July By the brook 10.30am –12.30pm
Highbridge Wed 14th July ASDA 10.30am – 3.30pm
Wed 19th May St Mary’s Church 1.30pm – 3.30pm
Nether Stowey
Mon 19th July St Mary’s Church 1.30pm – 3.30pm
N. Petherton Fri 23rd July Car Park 10.30am – 1.30pm
South Somerset
Area Date Location Time
Bruton Thurs 20th May Budgen’s 10.30am –12.30pm
Castle Cary Thurs 20th May Mill Brooke Car Park 1.30pm – 3.30pm
Fri 11th June Hospital 10.30am – 1.30pm
Fri 9th July Hospital 10.30am – 1.30pm
Chard
Thur 26th August Sainsbury’s 10.30am – 3.30pm
Fri 10th Sept Hospital 10.30am – 1.30pm
Crewkerne Tues 8th June Henhayes Centre 10.30am – 3.30pm
Wed 5th May Tesco 10.30am – 3.30pm
Ilminster
Tues 13th July Tesco 10.30am – 3.30pm
Langport Thur 15th July Tesco 10.30am – 3.30pm
16 Somerset Sight 01823 333818May 2021 – Sept 2021
South Somerset
Area Date Location Time
Fri 28th May Moorlands Car Park 10.30am –1.30pm
Martock
Fri 16th July Moorlands Car Park 10.30am –1.30pm
Wed 9th June Cox’s Yard 10.30am – 3.30pm
Somerton
Wed 4th August Cox’s Yard 10.30am – 3.30pm
S. Petherton Wed 12th May Hospital 10.30am –12.30pm
Stoke sub
Wed 12th May Car Park 1.30pm – 3.30pm
Hamden
Thurs 10th June Morrisons 10.30am – 3.30pm
Wincanton
Thurs 5th August Morrisons 10.30am – 3.30pm
Tues 4th May Hospital 10.30am – 3.30pm
Tues 18th May Hospital 10.30am – 3.30pm
Tues 1st June Hospital 10.30am – 3.30pm
Wed 16th June Hospital 10.30am – 3.30pm
Yeovil
Tues 6th July Hospital 10.30am – 3.30pm
Wed 21st July Hospital 10.30am – 3.30pm
Wed 18th August Hospital 10.30am – 3.30pm
Tues 7th Sept Hospital 10.30am – 3.30pm
Taunton Deane
Area Date Location Time
Thurs 17th June ASDA 10.30am – 3.30pm
Wellington
Thurs 19th August ASDA 10.30am – 3.30pm
Tues 11th May Top Car Park 1.30pm – 3.30pm
Wiveliscombe Thurs 29th July Top Car Park 1.30pm – 3.30pm
Thurs 2nd Sept Top Car Park 1.30pm – 3.30pm
Working with people who lack sight, not vision 17Mobile Advisory Service Dates
West Somerset
Area Date Location Time
Thur 13th May Morrisons 10.30am – 3.30pm
Mon 24th May Morrisons 10.30am – 3.30pm
Mon 7th June Morrisons 10.30am – 3.30pm
Minehead
Mon 5th July Morrisons 10.30am – 3.30pm
Tues 3rd August Morrisons 10.30am – 3.30pm
Mon 6th Sept Morrisons 10.30am – 3.30pm
Tues 11th May Car Park 10.30am –12.30pm
Dulverton Thurs 29th July Car Park 10.30am –12.30pm
Thurs 2nd Sep Car Park 10.30am –12.30pm
Mon 17th May Car Park 1.30pm – 3.30pm
Williton Mon 12th July Car Park 1.30pm – 3.30pm
Thur 9th Sept Car Park 1.30pm – 3.30pm
Mon 17th May One Stop 10.30am –12.30pm
Porlock Mon 12th July One Stop 10.30am –12.30pm
Thur 9th Sept One Stop 10.30am –12.30pm
Wed 7th July Coach Park 10.30am – 3.30pm
Watchet
Wed 8th Sept Coach Park 10.30am – 3.30pm
Dates may be subject to change.
If you are making a special journey,
please call our office
prior to your visit on 01823 333818.
18 Somerset Sight 01823 333818Bath Half Marathon
Mr Ed Herbert Consultant
Ophthalmic Surgeon at MPH,
Kate Sopwith and friend Lily,
ran the virtual bath half for
Somerset Sight in March.
It was a wet and miserable
weekend but they put those
running shoes on, dressed
up the dogs and went for it.
Our thanks go out to them for
choosing to run for Somerset
Sight and to all our supporters
“On Saturday 13th March I completed
who generously donated to my first ever half marathon with my
the fundraising pages. dear friend Kate. It was the weekend
Together £1500 was raised for of the Bath virtual half marathon,
Somerset Sight. so we decided we would join in and
run the half marathon around our
beautiful home that is the Blackdown
Hills. I still can’t believe we achieved
such a challenge, without any
training, but when it is in aid of such
a wonderful charity something that
seems unachievable is no longer. We
were so very lucky with the weather,
dodging two hailstorms before and
after our run. It was a grey start but
the sun came out to cheer us along,
allowing us to appreciate the beautiful
countryside that has kept us sane
for the past year during lockdown. It
was not easy at all, but the sense of
achievement and happiness when we
had finished made it all worthwhile
and I will certainly be doing one again.”
Lily Collier
Working with people who lack sight, not vision 19The Unlikely Lads
Volunteer visitor John Yeo tells his story
a chat, was given an information pack
and promptly signed up to help.
I was told there was a gentleman who
lived in a village a few miles away who
might benefit from a visit every now
and again. Apart from difficulty with
his sight, he also had other challenges
which meant his ability to get out and
about was severely restricted.
How and why did I become
a volunteer visitor for
Somerset Sight?
It was largely down to my grandmother
who had extremely poor vision all her
life. She was a busy, active person but
as a child I watched as she struggled
with the simplest of tasks whilst my
grandfather, very much ‘old school’,
did little to help. This left a lasting
And so I was introduced to
impression on me – particularly when
Jason Winsley…
she got into a complete stranger’s car
whilst it was standing in traffic, thinking I think we were both a little
it was my grandfather’s. Well, it was apprehensive at first. Our life stories
the same colour. couldn’t be any more different and yet
Fast forward forty years and I we seemed to get on just fine. It soon
was parking my car in Tesco’s car became apparent that we shared a
park, Shepton Mallet. There was similar sense of humour and in my
a Somerset Sight van with a lady book, that’s important. As my visits
explaining the role of the charity. I had continued, it was interesting to realise
20 Somerset Sight 01823 333818just how much we actually did have in thoroughly enjoyable time (although
common. We’re both ‘born and bred Jason would probably suggest the
Somerset’. We both attended schools occasion he was harangued by an
in Frome – me as a teacher, Jason as amorous wasp in the garden of
a pupil. Cooking is a shared passion, The Talbot in Mells, was not such a
as is art. Also, perhaps strangely, the pleasant experience). We’ve been to
love of being busy in its many forms. a Trad Jazz concert (where Jason was
Jason is always doing something the youngest person present) and a
and getting involved in one project or folk gig in Glastonbury.
another – in spite of the difficulties We also go further afield. We had a
he faces on a day-to-day basis. great day out on the Swanage Railway
He’s learning to play the guitar and and enjoyed the best fish and chips
keyboard. He paints (and is extremely ever, on the seafront. Other plans post-
talented in that department – paint pandemic are a trip to Longleat (Stay
brush in one hand, magnifying glass in the car, Jason!) and a Bristol City
in the other). He makes models. Most home match, where I am a season
important of all, he is perennially ticket holder.
cheerful, up-beat and positive. I think our relationship has moved
Over the past few months during the on from merely volunteer visitor and
lock-down visits have obviously been service user. We get along well and
a little problematic but I have been enjoy each other’s company. To me,
able to help in a small way by fetching Jason is genuinely an inspiration. It is
shopping and just ringing up for a chat. a privilege to be able to help.
Jason knows that I am always at the
end of the phone if he needs any help.
We don’t agree on everything. He likes
Formula 1 and I like football but one
important area we do share common
ground is our love of a pint, a chat and
a laugh.
Prior to the current pandemic, we
would regularly visit near-by pubs and
he has become quite the star in my
local, The George Inn at Croscombe.
Once this lock-down situation eases,
we shall re-acquaint ourselves with
the local hostelries. It’s always a
Working with people who lack sight, not vision 21My Journey to Somerset Sight – Tracey Nicholls My journey begins back in November 2019 with my husband, our two boys and myself settling into and enjoying expat life in Malaysia where my husband worked as a teacher. My vision has always been limited (driving in Malaysia requires due to being very short sighted nerves of steel) where I saw a and I became very accustomed number of different specialists as a child to the not very flattering who confirmed that indeed my NHS specs with the big thick retina was coming away and lens. One Sunday afternoon while needed treatment the following enjoying the Malaysian weather day. Everything all happened at a swimming pool party I very quickly after that and I noticed a lot of new floaters in my faced regular trips to the capital vision. Thinking it to be nothing to under-go several rounds more serious than a possible of surgery, laser treatments infection I booked myself into the and consultations in unfamiliar local eye clinic only to be faced surroundings and a language with the frightening diagnosis of a barrier that prevented me from rapidly detaching retina for which asking the questions I needed I would require urgent surgery. answers to. This news completely shook our Fast forward 10 months and after world as we were in a different eight very painful operations we country and without family and are now back in the UK following the safety net of the NHS, being Covid-19 and I am being told told that this detachment could by doctors here that my retina cost me my sight. Still being is unfortunately so damaged relatively new to the country, that it is beyond repair, so I’m we embarked upon a nerve- now registered as severely sight racking car journey to the nearest impaired and facing a completely eye hospital in Kuala Lumpur different life to the one I was living 22 Somerset Sight 01823 333818
a year ago. As a strong-minded
and independent woman, I was
determined that this was not
going to stop me but I admit that
at times, I found the whole thing
very hard to come to terms with.
That is when Daria at the Bristol
Eye Hospital put me in touch with
Somerset Sight and they changed
my whole mindset on the
situation. They gave me a reason
to talk about my experience and
meet other people with sight loss.
I got put in touch with Graham
felt very proud hanging on our
who phoned me each week and
front door.
totally got how frustrating some
days can be and listened when Lastly Somerset Sight put me in
things were bad. He did not judge touch with a local volunteer who
if it was a bad day and it was very contacts me once a week and
comforting speaking to a person listens if it has been a bad day
that got it. but also is there to share funny
stories and I am looking forward
I’ve also recently completed the
to meeting up with her once covid
‘seeing life differently’ course
restrictions have been lifted.
by Zoom and it was not only
informative listening to all the Becoming severely sight impaired
guest speakers but also meeting has affected my life dramatically
all the other people on the but Somerset Sight have been
course who also have sight loss there with support and guidance
at varying degrees. I have also which makes it so much easier
attended a local wreath making and I have made some lovely
course which I really enjoyed and new friends.
Working with people who lack sight, not vision 23Sudoku
1 9 3
3 7 6
2 4 7
2 1 4 5
8 1
4
3 5 7
8 7 1 5
8
Dawn Coles
Dawn Coles, sent us this lovely
photo of her Cross stitch she has
completed during lockdown.
Dawn says “I enjoy doing arts and
crafts, but at the moment I find it
quite difficult with my Cataracts. As
the cross-stitch squares were bigger,
I managed to do the 3 robins. It was
quite hard to work out and a challenge
as the pattern was on the back, but I brain working. It keeps me happy but
persevered and completed it.” most of all I am looking forward to
“I live on my own, so, I try to find things getting out and about and starting to
to do to help me relax and keep my meet people again.”
24 Somerset Sight 01823 333818Word Search
F G Z T T R G K Z G S T R F W F G
A N K O U T B N N C R X I G G E A
I I N U P B A I I A H S A N V S J
R F T R Q B W N V N H T T I X T L
S L Z I G O C E N I E V Y K D I L
U O N N M I L I N I P D C I R V A
W G J G P L S G V G N U R H B A B
F A P X I O N F S O N G E A M L E
S A T N K I T E F L Y I N G G S S
J O G E M G N I P M A C L I L D A
H S C M R U B O A T I N G I K F B
E W I C S I I P A R A D E S A I M
N W U P E A N L L A B T O O F S B
S I V U L R N G H G N I G G O J T
BASEBALL FOOTBALL PICNICS
BBQING GARDENING SAILING
BIKING GOLFING SOCCER
BOATING HIKING SWIMMING
CAMPING JOGGING TANNING
FAIRS KITEFLYING TOURING
FESTIVALS MOWING TRAVELLING
FISHING PARADES WATERING
All puzzle answers p28
Working with people who lack sight, not vision 25Diana’s Story
Diana, is 89 years old and
is registered Severely Sight
Impaired. She was first referred
Somerset Sight in 2015.
As a young woman, Diana went to
University in London, did a degree in
English literature and went on to work
for Proctor and Gamble as a publisher.
She later did a post grad in social work
and went into teaching, becoming Chair
of School Governors. She married and
had 2 children.
Diana told me when we were chatting,
that she well remembered the day
when her consultant told her that to cook safely in her own home and
they could do no more for her sight. shared many a laugh with the others on
She took about 2 hours to get home her course. Meeting people in a similar
from the hospital and just as she was situation to yourself is a great comfort
walking through the door her phone and friendships build.
was ringing. It was Somerset Sight,
Diana said she always remembers
asking how she was and what we could meeting Kate who asked her if she has
do to help. She said the situation could ever gone into town and then realised
have been very traumatic but Somerset she was wearing odd shoes? She said
Sight, with their experienced and caring she is much more careful at keeping
staff, made it so much easier. them in pairs now!
In 2017 Diana decided she would like Diana always loved reading and started
to take up the offer of a volunteer visitor. to receive regular talking books through
Claire, Volunteer Visitor Co-ordinator, the audio book service. Her first
got in contact with her and arranged an Volunteer was a great help and visited
assessment and put into place a visitor. Diana for company, help with post
In 2018 Diana attended the Seeing Life and correspondence and trips out. In
Differently course, held at Northfield October 2019, Diana’s initial volunteer
House in Taunton, where the interior stepped down for personal reasons.
has been designed especially for those Claire was able to make a match with
with visual impairment. She learned a new volunteer, Mary who has been
more about the support available to her, with Diana ever since. Although unable
both from Somerset Sight services and to visit during lockdown Mary, has
other organisations. She learnt how been telephoning and kindly doing
26 Somerset Sight 01823 333818Charles Bonnet
Diana’s food shopping (as an exception Syndrome
during the lockdown), dropping it off at
her door. Two new support groups
In the summer of 2020 Diana started run by Graham Glover…
to have sleepless nights about her
unopened post and bank statements Charles Bonnet syndrome causes a
and was worrying. She phoned person whose vision has started to
Somerset Sight for help and Claire deteriorate to see things that aren’t
agreed she would make a masked real (hallucinations).
up, socially distanced visit and spend Somerset Sight will be hosting a
some time sorting things out with Charles Bonnet syndrome support
Diana. Diana phoned the following day group, led by Graham Glover our
and said she had slept better that night emotional support worker. This
than she had since the beginning of group will provide a safe place for
lockdown. people to talk to others and share the
In July, Diana’s Co-ordinator introduced experiences and challenges of living
a 2nd volunteer Hilary, as Diana with Charles Bonnet syndrome.
needed further support. Hilary started The hallucinations may be simple
visits for company and help with post patterns, or detailed images of events,
and reading and phone calls, whilst people or places. They’re only visual
the first volunteer Mary continued and don’t involve hearing things or
with weekly shopping. any other sensations (NHS). It can
During the Winter lockdown, the 2nd develop at any age.
volunteer was unable to visit – she There’s currently no cure for Charles
phoned regularly to check in with Diana Bonnet syndrome. Simply
and help if she could; she ordered understanding that the hallucinations
things for Diana over the phone and are a normal consequence of vision
made some calls for her despite not loss, rather than a mental health
being able to visit. problem, can be very reassuring.
Diana loves both her volunteers and Somerset Sight has recently started
they all get on really well. Diana says an emotional support group which
that she and Hilary never stop laughing meets on Monday lunchtime. Group
together. Diana says that the support sessions provide a safe place for
has been invaluable and she couldn’t people to talk to others and share their
have managed without it. Her closing experiences and challenges.
comments to me were “Somerset Sight
treat us as though we are normal, they If you would be interested in
see beyond any disability and are just joining please contact Heidi on
so fabulous” 01823 333818.
Working with people who lack sight, not vision 27Puzzle Answers
Sudoku & Wordsearch
1 6 8 5 4 9 2 7 3
5 3 7 2 8 1 6 4 9
9 2 4 3 6 7 8 5 1
2 7 1 4 9 3 5 6 8
8 4 9 1 5 6 3 2 7
3 5 6 7 2 8 9 1 4
4 8 3 6 1 5 7 9 2
6 9 2 8 7 4 1 3 5
7 1 5 9 3 2 4 8 6
28 Somerset Sight 01823 333818w
Nancy’s 90th Max and Roger
Roger Bateman, one of our
Volunteer Visitors has been
dabbling with painting during
lockdown.
The Service User that he visits, Max,
has recently moved into a new flat
and asked him to do some artwork.
Knowing he is a lover of Ford
Mustangs, Roger did a large piece
Nancy recently celebrated her with plenty of contrast and Max
special 90th Birthday. proudly has it hung up on the wall
Phylida, her Volunteer Visitor has as a reminder of the great friendship
been Making patchwork quilts. So, they have built.
she decided to make Nancy one for
her Birthday. It is a mix of patchwork
and applique. Phylida said it was fun
to make. She dropped it round with a
lovely homemade birthday cake and
they spent time together celebrating.
Through the Volunteer Visiting Service
they have become wonderful friends,
which has made such a difference to
both of their lives.
Would you be interested in having
a Volunteer Visitor, who can provide
company and friendship? Please call us
to discuss and for more information.
Working with people who lack sight, not vision 29w
In memory of Do you have
Hilary Bolitho MBE an iPhone, iPad,
16th Nov 1927 – 16th Feb 2021
smart phone or
Hilary enjoyed an idyllic childhood
living in the country, riding ponies and
tablet?
roaming free. She was educated at Do you know some of the
Cheltenham Ladies College and went fantastic ways they can
on to work at the Ministry of Agriculture help a visually
where she had many roles including impaired
running the National Milk Records with person?
the Milk Marketing Board.
You can
In 1970 she moved to Broadway and enable
soon became a Churchwarden. She Siri on
was incredibly kind and generous with iPhone and
her time and looked after the needs Google on
of many in the local community, whilst
Android to:
being very frugal herself. In 2015 she
received the MBE from Her Majesty at • Read and send
Windsor Castle and shortly afterwards your text messages
received Maundy Money. Hilary had a • Send and listen to your emails
great interest in sports cars and speed, • Make calls and open apps
she also loved horse racing (omitting These are just some of the ways
the gambling element) they can help you.
Hilary ran the Chard Blind Club for You don’t always need to buy
Somerset Sight, for more than 30 expensive CCTV’s or video
years. She arranged the 10 meetings
magnifiers. You can save
per year ( there was traditionally
thousands of pounds by making
a summer lull) and ensured that
better use of something you may
everyone had transport, and was well
fed, watered and entertained. She already have.
arranged interesting speakers to talk Please don’t forget to ask about
at the monthly meetings which were Be My Eyes and Seeing AI apps
very well attended and much loved. which can help so much with
Hilary was a very pragmatic lady and everyday life.
valued independence and her works
in the local community ensured that For more information and
others could be independent too. Hilary advice please contact Liam on
had a full and long life and her recent 01823 333818 or email liam@
loss has touched many – she will be somersetsight.org.uk or visit
sadly missed. Donna on the MAS.
30 Somerset Sight 01823 333818Working with people who lack sight, not vision 31
Low Vision Product Clinic
By Appointment only, call – 0800 145 6115
30th June 2021
We are excited to now be in a position, to offer you the chance of
seeing our latest products. Each dedicated 45 minute session will
be personal and you will get plenty of time to be hands on with
the equipment, knowing our experts are available to help or
question.
Receive advice and hands on experience with low vision aids.
Talk with the local Charity about the support they can offer you.
Times available between 9am and 4pm
Northfield House, 51 Staplegrove Road
Taunton, TA1 1DG
Come along and explore the latest products and
technologies for blind and partially sighted people.
If you are unable to attend this
date we do provide FREE home
demonstrations on most
products.
NEW
Further information can be found at
www.enhancedvision.co.uk/events Compact 10” HD SpeechYou can also read
