Viewpoint Issue 13. Spring 2021 - In this issue: * Beware of scams * Meet our trustees * Long serving staff review - Northamptonshire Association ...
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Viewpoint Issue 13. Spring 2021 In this issue: * Beware of scams * Meet our trustees * Long serving staff review
Introduction
Welcome to the latest edition introduction to
of Viewpoint. Sadly, this is the some trustees who
last edition written, in part, by work in the background
our long-standing editor, Jenny ensuring the financial
Richardson, who has retired. stability of NAB.
At the same time, we welcome
Please pass this copy of
new contributors with Rachel,
Viewpoint to members of your
Harriet, Elaine and members
family, friends or work
of our Community Team all
contributing to future issues in colleagues. Our aim is to reach
a new, vibrant lifestyle format. out to every member of our
We are keen to engage closely community affected by visual
with our readers, both long- impairment – we are always
standing and new readers. here for you.
I would be delighted to hear Stay safe.
from anyone with your Vic Sheret
feedback. Chief Executive Officer
This issue contains new, Email: Vic@nab.org.uk
regular features including an Mobile: 07395 793476
Ways to donate:
Go to: JustGiving.com/nab
Where you can fundraise, donate once or set up monthly
payments. Alternatively, any member of our team would be
delighted to process your donation via our main number below.
Contact us:
Helpline: Email: Website:
01604 719193 helpline@nab.org.uk www.nab.org.uk
@nabnorthants @nab_northants local_sight_loss
NAB, 37 Harborough Road, Northampton NN2 7BB
Viewpoint is published by the Northamptonshire Association
for the Blind, a registered charity: 201240
2 Viewpoint
Our Trustees
Trustees commit their time and skills to ensuring a
charity is fit for purpose. Starting in this issue, we’d
like you to meet the men and women at NAB’s helm.
Trevor George Sue Francis
Chairman
Sue became a
A former solicitor Trustee ten years
with Shoosmiths ago after retiring
Northampton, from teaching. But
Trevor joined for 30 years she
the Board four years ago, has been the voice behind
when change and hard NAB’s audio description
decisions were top of the service at Northampton’s
Association’s agenda. Royal and Derngate theatres.
Following the sale of While on the Darsdale Home
Wardington Court and Committee, Sue loved visiting
Darsdale Home, his legal and the residents. “It was a lovely
financial expertise was called home, and such a hard and
upon, to help consolidate the emotional time for everyone
charity’s position and plan when it had to close,” she
the future. recalls.
In 2018 he was elected Now a member of the
Chairman. “It has been a Association’s Human
very interesting time” he Resources (HR) Committee
says. “But visual impairment Sue says “Being a Trustee is
is a continuous learning quite a responsibility, but
curve. Whatever type or so enjoyable. Our wonderful
degree, it can be devastating. staff and volunteers have
I want to see a greater, been amazing over the
widespread awareness of past year.”
NAB’s services, so that we
can help more people at
this most difficult time in
their lives.”
Viewpoint 3
Willie’s
Challenge
Frank, Maura and Willie are just three of our inspiring blind
friends who’ve found creative and challenging things to do
during the lockdowns. Here are their stories…
A challenge to learn BRAILLE He lost his world-travelling job
has kept Willie Watson of and, he admits, almost lost his
Corby busy during the long sense of purpose. But with
days of lockdown. help from NAB Community
Support Workers Margaret
Known for his determination, and Kay and the Olympus Care
Willie got straight onto it and rehabilitation team, Willie’s
before long was using an indomitable spirit returned.
unusual method for learning
the tactile alphabet. “Along with my indoor multi-
gym and talking books, braille
“My wife Suzan bought a pack has helped keep me occupied,”
of BRAILLE playing cards and he said. Now, with weekly
challenged me to learn to read lessons, Willie has achieved
the dots,” he recalled. “So I another goal – reading the
looked on the internet and BRAILLE information on his
started off using a muffin tin medication packets!
and stones to represent a cell
of six dots. Then my nephew
made me a board with six
holes in it for marbles.
I was away.”
Willie (47) became
blind three years ago
through diabetes.
Willie is helped by
granddaughter Kia.
4 Viewpoint
Frank’s been
busy “pottering”
With a talking book often
playing in the background,
he has produced bird
houses, fruit bowls and
t-light holders, even a
tortoise. Over Christmas
he made ceramic fir tree
coasters and raised over
£200 for charity.
Guide dog owner Frank
is a member of NAB’s Long
Buckby lunch club, and with
wife Chris is highly active
in the village community.
A fellow local choir member
introduced him to the
ukulele. Now, he’s
strumming and singing
along at classes
Frank Berry has never been on Zoom.
one for just sitting around.
“It’s no good getting
With no bowling, choir or fed up at times like
regular get-togethers with these,” he says.
friends to attend, he turned “I needed something
to pottery and the ukulele to do indoors during
instead. the winter and I’ve
Frank acquired his clay- really enjoyed the
working skills at the Blind music and the
Veterans centre in Llandudno, pottering! You’ve just
and he’s been putting them got to get on with things
to good use. and stay positive!”
Viewpoint 5
Art works for Maura It was an art class at NAB’s “If I’m doing a landscape for Kettering Sight Centre that example I start at the top, with inspired Maura Walsh of the sky, and work downwards,” Desborough to take up she explains. “I memorise what painting again during I want to portray, marking the the pandemic. edge of the paper where I A keen gardener, Maura has want to put things. It takes passed many hours of the organisation and concentration winter months indoors by but I do enjoy it.” creating pictures of flowers and landscapes from her mind’s eye. Maura has very little remaining sight – only light and dark and a little colour vision. So with useful painting tips gleaned online and from YouTube she has developed her own drawing and painting technique. 6 Viewpoint
Makeover for our
Mobile Sight Centre
NAB’s Mobile Sight Centre has a brand new image, thanks to
a working partnership with leading regional law firm Tollers.
Tollers Partner Tonina Ashby
said “We are delighted to be
able to develop our
relationship with NAB.
Tollers’ origins are here in
Northamptonshire and so we
The distinctive white and are always keen to support
blue vehicle, which takes local charitable organisations
information and useful and help where we can.”
products around the county, The newly-branded Mobile
needed an update – and a Sight Centre will help
ramp to make it accessible promote the Free Will scheme
for all. around the county. Under the
Tollers agreed to sponsor the scheme Tollers will provide a
work, in addition to an offer simple will (and mirror wills)
of a FREE WILL-MAKING free of charge. Free home
SERVICE, open to anyone, to visits can be arranged
help raise awareness of our if required.
charity. “Having a will is important
regardless of age,” added
Tonina. “It can save
unnecessary stress for
loved ones at an already
difficult time.”
Look out for the
Mobile Sight Centre
and Malcolm as it
resumes its travels.
Viewpoint 7
I’ve joined
the NAB
team!
Hello, from your new volunteer
coordinator. My name is The team at NAB are delighted
Rachel. I have lived most to welcome Harriet Smith to
of my life around the team here at the Sight
Northamptonshire – with a Centre. Harriet is a dedicated
3-year stay in Plymouth to volunteer, famous for her
complete an English and Foodie Friday Facebook recipes
Creative Writing degree. I am and regular wonderful recipes
rarely seen without my trusty written just for Viewpoint
guide dog sidekick Jax. I am readers. Now Harriet will be
hoping to use my personal working to produce blogs for
experience of sight loss, to the NAB website as well as
make an insightful contribution helping deliver cookery
to the work of NAB. We want experiences to primary school
to reach out to more people children together with other
with even more volunteering team members.
opportunities. My own
voluntary work has given me a
NOW is a great time to
sense of belonging and once-
think about volunteering.
in-a-lifetime opportunities, like
We need new volunteers
carrying the 2012 Olympic
to help extend our services
flame. I can’t wait to bring my
in areas such as social
enthusiasm to NAB and look
activities, events,
forward to working with you
befriending, running
very soon.
groups, school talks,
fundraising, talking
newspaper, office back-up
and so much more.
8 Viewpoint COME AND JOIN US!
Awarded
for keeping OF
ROSE ONSHIRE
us fit NO RT H AMPT
Fitness trainer Owen Jones put
visually impaired people through
their paces during lockdown – and
won an award for it too.
As part of our SocialEyes activities initiative Owen ran
a weekly Covid-safe outdoor exercise group, moving to online
Zoom classes when regulations tightened.
He had no idea that NAB Services Manager Julie Martin had
nominated him for a County Council “Rose of Northamptonshire”
Award until, out of the blue, came word of his success.
The Award commends him for
his dedication to the safety of
the community throughout Dance classes also took
the coronavirus pandemic. place outdoors then online
through lockdown. They
A project manager by day and have now resumed,
boot camp leader in his spare outdoors in groups of 6,
time, Owen is a trained in locations around
“guide” runner but hadn’t the county.
actually worked with visually
impaired people before. To find out more about
“This award was totally them, and upcoming
unexpected. Everyone has SocialEyes activities, ring
got so much from the us on 01604 719193, or
training and the camaraderie, check out our website and
especially me!” social media.
Viewpoint 9
A work out for your
We all know the benefits of exercise for our
physical and mental wellbeing – but what
about exercises for the eyes?
There is little scientific with convergence (focusing)
evidence to suggest that problems, some visual field
eye exercises can improve a deficiencies and stereoscopic
person’s vision. However, they ability following brain injury.
can be helpful in relieving eye A 2013 study also suggested
strain and the effects of some they may enhance cognitive
specific conditions. performance in tasks involving
So if you suffer for any reason attention and memory.
with tired eyes, particularly Keeping our eyes strong is not
if you spend hours each day a remedy for poor eyesight but
looking at screens, it might
toned eye muscles, together
be something to consider.
with prescription lenses where
Studies into potential appropriate, can help you
benefits of eye exercises have achieve the sharpest sight
suggested they may be helpful possible for you.
10 Viewpointeyes
Here are three common exercises:
20-20-20 rule
For digital eye strain And rest!
If you are working at a Don’t forget that, like our
computer screen for long bodies, the eyes need rest
hours, try looking at and recuperation.
something 20 feet away, for Darkness is a wonderful
20 seconds every 20 minutes. antidote to the stresses of
light, so take time out
Figure 8 now and again, cover your
To improve the flexibility eyes with your palms or
eye mask and relax. Get a
of eye muscles good 8 hours’ sleep too.
Focus on an area of the floor
about 8 feet away. Move your
eyes in the shape of a figure
8 for 30 seconds then in the
reverse direction.
Pencil push-ups
To help with
convergence (focus)
Hold pencil at arms’ length,
between the eyes. Watch
the pencil and try to keep a
single image as you slowly
move it towards your nose.
Stop when it is no longer a single
image. Repeat several times.
Viewpoint 11Macular Degeneration FOCUS ON Macular Disease ...and the push for a cure For 15 years NAB’s Community Team ran highly successful MD Information and Support Groups in four of the main county towns. Nowadays our Community Support Workers provide essential information and assistance for people (in their own homes) who suffer sight loss as the result of macular disease. Macular disease is the biggest cause of sight loss in the UK, with around 300 people diagnosed every day. It can affect people of any age — even children. Age-related Macular little is known about what Degeneration (AMD) is the causes macular disease, much most common type of macular is untreatable and there is still disease generally affecting no cure. people over the age of 55. Those living with the condition Researchers in the UK and often struggle to read, drive, worldwide dedicated to Beating watch TV or recognise the Macular Disease, are working faces of their loved ones. rapidly to find a treatment that But, despite the devastating will stop it in its tracks, and impact it has on people’s lives, eradicate it forever. 12 Viewpoint
Normal vision Vision with AMD
Treatment options are Stem cells are found
available for some forms of naturally in the body.
the condition, such as They have the special ability
injections for wet Age-related of being able to form many
Macular Degeneration (AMD). different cell types. They may
But new techniques such as be able to replace lost or
gene and stem cell therapy damaged cells in the eye that
will hopefully lead to are responsible for macular
effective treatments. vision loss.
Gene therapy involves This information has been
adding, removing or kindly provided by the
editing genes in your Macular Society, which among
cells. Almost every cell of its various services funds
your body contains your DNA medical research into finding
and this consists of hundreds a cure.
of thousands of genes which
make you unique. Macular degeneration
features in NAB’s
Gene therapies for macular brand new Guide to
dystrophies and AMD are still Common Eye
in the early stages of Conditions.
research, and we do not yet
know when they will be See P15 for more
widely available. details and how
to get your copy.
Viewpoint 1314 Viewpoint
Our new Guide to
Common Eye Conditions
Understanding your eye beginning of a new marketing
condition (or that of a and publicity strategy to
revitalise awareness of NAB’s
loved one or person you
services as we emerge
care for) is an important from the doldrums of
first step in coming to the pandemic.
terms and learning to
It is the first of a number of
live with sight loss. new promotional materials,
So to answer some of the and will be available at
many basic questions, we Northampton Sight Centre,
have put together our own hospital eye departments,
health centres and GP
NAB Guide to Common
practices, opticians and many
Eye Conditions, which other public places around
we hope will be helpful. the county.
It brings together information
about 10 of the most common
conditions affecting people’s
sight, including Cataract,
Glaucoma, Retinal Detachment,
Nystagmus and Macular
Degeneration, by far the
biggest cause of sight loss
in the UK.
The brochure also explains
how vision works, how
to look after your eyes and
details the ways in which NAB
supports visually impaired
people through its range of
services.
The launch and distribution
of the brochure marks the
Viewpoint 15My AI
“helpers”
and me
For blind and partially sighted people a digital
voice assistant can be a life-changing integral
part of daily life. They help structure the day
and maintain a useful routine.
NAB’s Hugh Spence, who is blind and in his
mid-twenties, shares a typical day with his
AI (artificial intelligence) assistants.
It’s 6.30am and I wake to Alexa Alarms, reminders and
switching on my favourite radio timers are easy to set on
station and the familiar voice of your voice-activated assistants.
Chris Moyles. Soon “she”
It’s like instructing a friend
reminds me to take my meds
who you can count on not
and tells me what I have
to let you down!
planned for the day ahead.
Then it’s off on the short walk
At breakfast, Alexa’s timer
to work, with my IPhone and
facility comes in handy,
Siri in my pocket.
especially on a Sunday when
I always make a bacon Programmed with my route,
sandwich. After all, nobody Siri gives me verbal directions
likes burnt bacon! to keep me on track!
16 ViewpointMy working day Back home and it’s over to
can be very varied. Alexa again to help me cook
Although I have a my evening meal and play
real-life P.A. Siri background music while I
still has a big part to play in eat it.
helping me do my job. Then it’s “Alexa, put on the
She continues to remind me football” and I settle down to
of appointments and calls listen to the radio
I need to make (and the commentary on the latest
Leeds United match – “my”
carton of milk to pick up on
team. Alexa even puts up
my way home)! She answers
with my rowdy outbursts and
my queries and helps me out
switches off the radio if I’m
with my spelling! annoyed with the score!
Outdoors, I can ask Siri to After a few phone calls (“Siri,
make a phone call for me. It call Mum”) I’m off to bed. But
saves me having to juggle my not before Alexa has told me
phone and my long cane. a joke. She’s got a great
When travelling by bus or repartee, and when I’ve
train, Siri tells me where I am finished laughing I set my
in my journey and when I will alarm and reminders ready
reach my destination. for another day.
Viewpoint 17Keep on cooking
In the last issue of Viewpoint keen cook and “foodie”
blogger HARRIET SMITH shared some useful tips to
help blind and partially sighted people carry on cooking.
Now a member of the NAB staff, Harriet is ready to tempt
you further, with the first of her tried and tested recipes:
Chicken Scrumptious
Ingredients Method:
For 4 servings Preheat oven to
1. 4 chicken breasts 210 degrees Celsius.
2. 2 tbsp dry breadcrumbs 1. Combine mayonnaise with
3. 4 level tbsp mayonnaise cheese in a bowl. I find it
easier to buy ready grated
4. 60g Parmesan cheese cheese. But if you are able
(just as tasty with cheddar!) to grate cheese (and not
5. A tbsp of chopped or dry your fingers) a block of
herbs if available, such as cheese is cheaper.
parsley, thyme or oregano 2. Arrange the chicken
breasts on a baking tray
or ovenproof dish.
3. Evenly top each chicken
breast with the cheesy
mayonnaise.
4. Sprinkle on the
breadcrumbs and herbs.
5. Bake for at least 20 minutes
“This is an in the preheated oven.
incredibly easy (and of course If they are particularly large
scrumptious!) chicken dish, chicken breasts I would
passed on to me by a dear play safe and cook for
friend. It was one of her 30 minutes.
family’s favourites and is now a
6. Serve with a green salad
firm favourite with mine too.”
or vegetables and perhaps
some delicious garlic bread.
18 Viewpoint Harriet’s cookery blog can be found atThe Best Chocolate
Self-Saucing Mug Cake Ever.
For measuring I use measuring spoons
for dry ingredients and measuring cups
for liquid. If you are able to use a
measuring jug, talking or otherwise,
then that is ideal for liquids.
Ingredients Method
Serves 1 generously. 1. In a large mug or small
1. 3 tbsp self-raising flour bowl add the flour, sugar,
2. 3 tbsp sugar the first measure of cocoa
powder and stir well.
3. 1 and a half tbsp
cocoa powder 2. Add the milk, oil and
vanilla essence and mix
4. 45ML milk until fully combined.
5. 45ML vegetable oil 3. Sprinkle over the brown
6. 2ML vanilla essence sugar and second measure
(approximately half a tsp) of cocoa powder.
4. Carefully pour the hot
Ingredients for the sauce water over the top.
7. 1 and a half tbsp 5. Cook in the microwave
brown sugar uncovered for 1 and
a half minutes.
8. 1 tsp cocoa powder
6. Serve warm with ice
9. 45ML hot water
cream, cream or custard.
There should be, like
Top tip! magic, a warm chocolate
A talking meat thermometer is a sauce underneath the
good option if you cook meat often sponge.
and don’t have a sighted person
to check that the meat juices
are running clear (particularly
important for chicken).
nd at harrietsblindkitchen.home.blog. Viewpoint 19Long service awards Three members of the NAB team have recently received long-service awards. Community Support Workers Laura Desborough and Kay Jaffrey have worked for the Association for 20 years and 10 years respectively. Volunteering Team Leader Elaine Allen has also completed 10 years’ service. Elaine is NAB’s newly-appointed YEARS Volunteering Team Leader. She joined the Association, along with Kay, to manage the Kettering Sight Centre, moving on to become a Community Support Worker and Volunteer Co-ordinator. “It has been a privilege to share in people’s lives as they face the challenges of sight loss,” she says. “I remember one lady telling me the support and encouragement she had received lightened what had become a dark world visually and emotionally and gave her the courage to regain her life as a wife and mother. The strength people find is amazing!” NAB’s Chief Executive Officer Vic Sheret said: “Congratulations and warmest thanks to all three on reaching these milestones. Their long service shows that NAB is a friendly local charity which values its staff and the great work they carry out on behalf of blind and partially sighted people in this county.” 20 Viewpoint
Kay has been a Community Support
Worker from the start and currently visits
YEARS people at home across the Kettering,
Desborough and Rothwell area.
“I like to resolve situations that my clients
can find challenging,” she says.
“For example, when someone can no longer
enjoy reading, I may try them with large
print, appropriate magnification or even
Alexa! There’s usually a solution.”
In her spare time Kay helps out at the
Northampton Night Shelter. She loves
visiting art galleries, travelling and the
gym – all of which she has been missing
in lockdown.
“It’s been a strange year, but my work
for NAB, together with Joe Wicks and
art history classes on-line, has kept
me focused!”
Laura spent her first 10 years at
YEARS Wardington Court Activity Centre.
From Admin Assistant she became Transport Manager,
responsible for the fleet of minibuses and the training
and support of the volunteer drivers. Then as Assistant
Manager, Laura organised activities and events – always
joining in the fun!
When the Centre closed, Laura joined the new team
of Community Support Workers. For a time she also
helped her blind colleague Hugh Spence arrange
children and family outings.
“I have loved meeting so many different people
and making a difference to their lives. Even if it is
just a chat, the affect can be amazing.”
Viewpoint 21SCAM Legitimate organisations
RT!
NEVER ask for sensitive
ALE information or payments
out of the blue. If you get
an unexpected call, email
or text saying you are in
some sort of trouble, owe
The past year has money (or won some!), or
been a bumper time claiming some error,
DON’T click on links or
for fraudsters. reply. DON’T respond in
They have taken full advantage panic to threats or
of the world-wide crisis to persuasion.
bombard us with scam phone Instead, take time to
calls, texts and emails, many of think; tell someone you
them Covid-specific – and got trust. There is technology
away with millions! to stop a lot of unwanted
Scams come in all kinds of calls. Some phones even
guises, often claiming to be offer “call labelling” which
from organisations we deal alerts you to likely
with regularly, such as banks, incoming scams via your
internet providers and display screen.
government departments.
New scams spring up almost
daily. Various test and trace
and vaccine scams were among
the latest. But whatever their
form, all scams press for your
personal information and
bank details.
You can check up on the latest scams through
your internet search engine and “Which” has
a scam-alert service you can subscribe to.
22 ViewpointLittle button
that helps you across
Do you know about the roads for example, beeps
“secret” button at could be misleading and cause
confusion. So here the
pedestrian crossings?
spinning cone is a useful and
Underneath the control box important tactile signal –
with its press buttons you will particularly for those who are
feel a little protruding cone. deaf as well as blind.
When it starts to spin, it tells
A word of caution though.
blind and partially sighted
Don’t take the spinning
people that the green man
button totally for granted.
has lit up.
It doesn’t tell you that it’s
Crossings have audible signals absolutely SAFE to cross – just
of course – but not every that the green man has lit up.
crossing. For example, where So you need to listen out for
crossings are close together, the traffic in front of you
at the junction of several before you step out.
Viewpoint 23HERE TO HELP YOU
WITH ALL CARE & MOBILITY NEEDS
SHOWROOM IS OPEN HEALTHCARE & MOBILITY
WITH SOCIAL DISTANCING & EXTRA
HYGIENE MEASURES IN PLACE
STAIRLIFTS BEDS
IN PARTNERSHIP WITH
CHAIRS
DAILY LIVING
CALL US
TO REQUEST
A FREE
STAIRLIFT
For all your care and mobility needs
QUOTE SPECIALIST CHAIRS & BEDS, SCOOTERS,
WHEELCHAIRS, STAIRLIFTS, WET ROOM INSTALLATION,
DAILY LIVING AIDS, FOOTWEAR & MORE...
FREE HOME DELIVERY ON ALL ORDERS
EASY
Please mention NAB2021 when you get in touch!
ACCESS
CAR
OUR LARGE
PARK
SHOWROOM:
HEALTHCARE & MOBILITY
(CAR PARK AT REAR)
Grafton Stree
t Oakley House
Monkspond St
d
Spencer Northampton
s Roa
Bridge SUPER
SAUSAGE
Monks Pond St.
NN1 2LF
rew
Spring Ln. SHOWROOM IS OPEN Open 8am to 5pm
n d
WITH COVID-19 PRECAUTIONS IN PLACE
Monday to Friday
St A
RAILWAY TO PROTECT OUR CUSTOMERS & STAFF
STATION
www.oakleyhealthcare.com Tel: 01604 602000You can also read
