Sight Support West of England What’s On E-Newsletter July 2024
Sight Support West of England News
Eye Can Bristol
We are busy organising and planning our next exhibition after the success of Eye Can Gloucestershire which was held at the beginning of June.
Eye Can Bristol will be held on 9th October from 10am at BAWA, 589 Southmead Rd, Bristol, BS34 7RG.
The event is free to attend and is a one stop shop for all things sight loss related. There will be a wide range of suppliers demonstrating equipment and assistive technology designed to make life easier for anyone living with sight loss. It’s a great chance to try them out and find what works best for you. You will also find local and national organisations offering helpful services. In addition, there will be a range of interesting talks held throughout the day. Pre-booking will be open soon but call us if you would like more information.
This event is sponsored by: Optelec – lowvisionshop.co.uk/ and Humanware – humanware.com/en-united_kingdom/home
Sight Support Tech Courses
We have a selection of tech courses and sessions taking place this summer:
Improvers Smart phone & Tablet Training –July.
Specifically for people living with sight loss, a series of themed sessions designed for those who are already using a smartphone or tablet and want to build awareness, confidence, and skills. You can choose to book for specific sessions or all 4.
Sessions will take place in July:
- Mondays in Henleaze
- Wednesdays in Broadmead
- Thursdays in Kingswood
Discover Tech ‘Have a go session’ – August.
Curious about what technology is available to help you keep reading and stay connected to friends, family, and your community? Come and try a smart speaker, tablet and electronic reading aids.
Sessions will take place in August at Broadmead Baptist Church in Bristol and at many of our sight loss advice hubs – Fishponds, Henleaze, Whitchurch, Kingswood, Thornbury, Yate, Keynsham, Bath and Midsommer Norton.
Beginners Smart Phone and Tablet Training –September.
We will introduce you to the core skills of using a touch screen device. Learn how to navigate around a device and the features which can make it more accessible to you. Be part of the digital world emailing, messaging, using a digital assistant, and helpful Apps. Our 4-week training will take place:
- Mondays In Henleaze
- Tuesdays in Bath
- Wednesdays in Broadmead
- Thursdays in Kingswood
Contact to book for the Tech Courses
For any of the tech courses or sessions listed above, contact Sam Edwards for more information or to book your place on 0117 322 4885 or sam.edwards@sightsupportwest.org.uk
Sight Support Hubs and Social Groups
Our sight loss advice hubs offer consultations with local advisors, providing guidance on equipment, technology, and tech support. Many hubs also host social groups where you can meet others, share tips, and enjoy a chat.
For full details of our sight loss advice hubs and social groups, see our website which has the latest information, or you can call our office on 0117 3224885. Click here for our website hub and social group listings. You can put your postcode in the search bar to find your nearest hub.
Changes To Note for Upcoming Hubs:
- The Bradley Stoke Community Hub is cancelled for July but will be running on August 15th
- The Thornbury Resource Centre will not be open on 15th and 22nd of July.
- From September, the Henleaze hub will take place the 1st Tuesday of each month rather than the 1st Monday.
Notices from Other Organisations
Cancer Improvement Collaborative Project
The BNSSG Cancer Improvement Collaborative seeks visually impaired participants who have received cancer care in the BNSSG area for focus groups. Participants can share their experiences to help improve the cancer care pathway. Contact shamim.kholwadia@nbt.nhs.uk or call 07766 220104 if you or a loved one had this experience.
Schedule of events at The Bristol Braille Innovation Centre
Inviting Braille users interested in 2D electronic Braille on the Canute Console. Events: July 20 (Music, Gaming), Aug 17 (Programmers), Sep 14 (Maps), Oct 5 (Requests, E-Braille). Travel expenses may be covered by Bristol Braille Technology. Contact stephanie@visionthroughsound.co.uk or bbtenquiries@bristolbraille.org. G11, 37 Philip St, Bristol, BS3 4EA, UK.
Sensing Nature – volunteer guides wanted
Volunteer guides at Westonbirt National Arboretum help visitors explore the tree collection, offering multi-sensory “Sensing Nature” walks on Fridays from April to September. Westonbirt welcomes volunteers with varied sensory perceptions, especially those with visual impairments. Volunteers, committing to two 3-hour shifts per month, receive training, mentorship, and support. Enthusiasm for nature and people is essential. Contact the volunteer office at volunteer.westonbirt@forestryengland.uk or 0300 067 4847 for more details and to apply.
Bristol City Council Accessible Communications Policy
Bristol City Council is creating an Accessible Communications Policy to ensure public information is clear and easy to understand. To share your views, contact Chris Duncan at chris.duncan@bristol.gov.uk by Friday, July 26th, answering these questions: your experiences with unclear council information, consequences, suggestions for improvement, and potential positive impacts.
Historic Textiles Research Project
The University of the West of England, Bristol, is leading an AHRC-funded project on digitising historic textiles, focusing on stumpwork embroideries from The Holburne Museum. Aiming to enhance documentation, conservation, and engagement for visually impaired audiences through tactile reproductions, Dr. Xavier Aure Calvet and the Centre for Print Research will conduct two focus groups at the University. The first group meets in October, and the second early next year. Contact Dr. Calvet at xavi.aurecalvet@uwe.ac.uk.
Local Sport and Leisure Events
For a list of regular sport and leisure groups offered by other organisations, please see our website at https://www.sightsupportwest.org.uk/sport-and-leisure-groups
Westonbirt the National Arboretum at Tetbury
Join visually impaired guides for Sensing Nature and Wellbeing Walks at Westonbirt Arboretum, held every Friday at 11:30 am from April to September. Enjoy an immersive sensory experience, exploring trees through non-visual senses. Walks last 1.5 hours and are free after admission. Meet at the Welcome Building. Wear suitable outdoor clothing; some paths are off-road. Assistance dogs only. Contact 0300 067 4890 or email customerrelations@forestryengland.uk for more information.
New Emersons Green and Surrounding area audio tour
The Emerson’s Green Audio Tour, launching July 1st, offers a free 3.7-mile walk with audio narration on local history, including mining and royal connections. Starting at Emersons Green Library, the 90-minute tour covers 14 points of interest. Available until September 31, 2024. Visit www.emersonsgreenaudiotour.com for details.
England & Wales Blind Gold Association Have a GoDay
Join the England & Wales Blind Golf Association Have a Go Day on Sunday, August 4, 2024, from 2-4pm at Meon Valley Hotel, Southampton. Try three golf challenges with support provided. Free event with refreshments. Email enquiries@ewblindgolf.co.uk or visit Eventbrite for more details
VIP Reading Group – Bristol Central Library
Join the reading group for visually impaired people on the last Thursday of every month, 10:30 AM – 12:00 PM. New members welcome. Books are chosen from RNIB’s talking book service. Upcoming books:
- 25 July: Of Mice and Men by John Steinbeck
- 29 August: A Month in the Country by J. L. Carr
- 26 September: Brooklyn by Colm Toibin
- 31 October: The Outsider by Albert Camus
Email vibookgroup.bristol@gmail.com or call Katharine Seymour at 07880 069877 for more info.
Support Groups and Courses
For a list of regular support groups offered by other organisations that take place locally and online, see our website at https://www.sightsupportwest.org.uk/support-groups-and-services
RNIB Living with Sight Loss Course
Covers tips for everyday living, eye health, magnification, lighting, technology, wellbeing, and more.
Upcoming Courses:
- Living Well with Sight Loss Phone Group: 2, 4, 9, 11 July, 11am
- Money Matters Focus Group: 11, 13, 18, 20 June, 11am
- Focus on Technology: 3, 5 July, 11am
Contact: George.Hinton@rnib.org.uk (07711 188292), Bernice.Cocking@rnib.org.uk (07761 328571), Tricia.Sail@rnib.org.uk (07843 979975)
Retina UK Bristol, Bath & Wilts Peer Support Group Meeting
oin the online meeting with Geoff Spink, Ambassador for Aerobility, on Wednesday, 3rd July, 7:00pm – 8:00pm. Register here. Call 0300 111 4000 or email Mark.Baxter@retinauk.org.uk for more info
Digital Glaucoma Support Group (Online)
Join us on July 22nd, 2024, at 7 PM for a discussion on new eye drops, side effects, and medication impact with Professor Anthony Khawaja. Register here or call 01233 648170. Contact Robyn Asprey at r.asprey@glaucoma.uk.
Local Audio Described Arts Events
Bristol Hippodrome
31 July – Disney’s Aladdin
21 August – Come from way – the musical that tells the true story of the 7000 air passengers from all over the world who were grounded in Canada during the wake of 9/11
- 27 September – Rambert Dance Company in: Peaky Blinders the Redemption of Thomas Shelby
Touch tours should be booked separately. To find out more about the Access for All service – email bristoladmin@theambassadors.com or call the access booking line 0333 009 5399 for tickets.
Bristol Old Vic
1 August – King Arthur – A comic retelling of the legend
26 October – Reverberation – A powerful play about loneliness and longing. Originally set in Connecticut and now restaged in London – this is its European premiere
16 November – Never let me Go based on the novel by Kazuo Ishiguro
For more details and to book – ring the Box office – 0117 987 7877
Bath – Theatre Royal
16 August – Sister Act For tickets, call the box office at 01225 448844 and subscribe to the Theatre’s Access List.
Radio Play Project – Bath Theatre Royal is running a Radio Play project at The Egg in August and September. Led by Paul Dodgson, participants will explore radio drama techniques and write their own audio plays. Writers and performers can join. For more details, visit the Theatre Royal website or call Katherine Lazare at 01225 823433
Arnolfini Gallery
On 27th July and 3rd August from 10 – 11am, there will be described tours of Adébayo Bolaji’s solo exhibition “In Praise of Beauty.” Sighted guides will be available, and complimentary tea and coffee will be served in the café bar for post-tour discussions. Free event, but please email community@arnolfini.org.uk to book a space.
Bristol Museum and Art Gallery
Audio Described Tour and Art Workshop for Families 5 August, 10:15am – 12:30pm Interactive tour and workshop exploring Constable’s artwork for visually impaired children, parents, and carers. Includes audio descriptions, sound effects, scene recreations, and art creation. For ages 5-12 (siblings welcome). Family Tickets
Audio Described Tour for Adults 28 August, 6:00pm – 8:45pm Exclusive tour of the Constable exhibition featuring “The Hay Wain,” with opportunities to handle related items. Adult Tickets Email steven.bradley@bristol.gov.uk or call 0117 922 3571 to book.
Royal West of England Academy
The next described tour is on 10 August from 10.30am – 12.30pm, exploring three summer exhibitions: Rasheed Araeen – Conscious Forms, Windrush – Portraits of a Pioneering Generation, and Valda Jackson – Miss Polly 2024. Includes handling some artworks. To book, email Ellen Pye at ellen.pye@rwa.org.uk or call 0117 973 5129
Victoria Art Gallery, Bath, Art on Mondays,
Meet once a month for coffee, biscuits, and a talk from curatorial staff or visiting speakers on current exhibitions and permanent collections. Sessions run from 10am to 11am.
- 8 July 2024: Jim Riseley, “Entertainment and Hedonism in 19th Century France”
- 9 September 2024: Meliha Hussain, “Bathing Beauties – A Close Look at Objects Found at the Roman Baths” (held at the Roman Baths)
- 21 October 2024: Dr. Michael Rowe, “Antique Moulded China of the 18th & 19th Centuries”
To book, call 01225 477232.