Hello newsletter
Spring 2017 edition
We are a charity that helps people living with sight loss and a range of other disabilities to achieve their ambitions and go beyond expectations.
Heaton Complex, Trewhitt Road, Newcastle, NE6 5DY
Visit: henshaws.org.uk
Phone: 0191 275 9417 or 0191 265 3031
Contents
Page 3 Henshaws Stories
Page 4 Community Services News
Page 6 Fundraising Updates
Page 8 Groups’ Updates
Page 9 Henshaws North East Timetable
Page 17 Other News, Services and Useful Numbers
Hello and welcome to the spring 2017 edition of Henshaws ‘Hello’ Newsletter
We hope you’ve had a wonderful new year so far, and you’re enjoying the longer days as we start to move away from the dark winter months.
In this edition of our newsletter, you’ll hear from Joan, who shares her advice on talking to family members about sight loss following a recent experience of her own. You’ll find out what our busy Newcastle centre has been up to, including a day of teaching blind football at Sunderland College, and a nomination for Henshaws United at the NE Disability Sports Awards 2016 in the ‘Team of the Year’ category.
The fundraising team are busy planning for Henshaws 180th birthday and the Henshaws Awards, which will be coming to Manchester this June. You can find out how to take part in the celebrations by throwing your own 180th themed event.
We hope you enjoy this edition of ‘Hello’, and as always, if you would like more details about anything mentioned in this issue, please do not hesitate to get in touch with us on 0151 708 7055.
Robert Cooper, Director of Services, North West and North East
Henshaws Stories
“How much do you think I can see?” - Joan’s story
Sight levels often change over times, and those close to you may not be as aware of your vision level as you realise. Joan from Manchester has kindly shared with us her recent experience, and provided her advice;
“I have my trusty guide dog Chester, who I’ve had for four years now. When it’s just me and Chester, I always make sure I stay close to the wall as I don’t feel safe walking in the open. I’m registered severely sight impaired and I have no peripheral vision. Although I can see outlines, I’m unable to see features or tell someone’s gender.
When I recently went a trip round Halifax with my son, with my son guiding on my right and Chester on my left; I was being tugged on both sides. I felt like a wishbone!
When I got home, I asked my son “how much do you think I can see?” He said he hadn’t thought much about it before, and I was surprised to find that my son thought I was able to see much more than I was able to. I then explained to him my level of sight, and why it was that I stayed close to the wall. Since then I can already tell the difference. When we go places together now my son pulls less strongly on my arm, and leaves more of the guiding to Chester. I’ve also had a similar conversation with my daughter, who now knows to announce herself in conversation, which is really helpful for me.
My recommendation is to just initiate a conversation - ask your family what they think your sight is, and then explain your vision level and what your preferences are. It’ll really help you to all come to an understanding.”
Community Services News
Easter egg donations
A huge thank you to everyone who donated Easter Eggs for our collection! 80 eggs were donated in total, which were hand delivered to Northumbria Health Care for sick children.
New groups
Henshaws Walking Group is back! As the weather is improving, the walking group will be starting again from Thursday 30th March. The Walking Group pick a different route each week, normally including eating out for lunch, and will run every Thursday from now on, 12pm-4pm. If you fancy getting involved, contact the office on 0191 275 9417 and speak to Craig for further information.
‘Chatterbox Group’ is now running every Tuesday from 12.30pm–13.45pm. Contact the office on 0191 275 9417 for more details.
A new Digital Inclusion Group will also be starting at West Denton Library. Date to be confirmed but will be in the near future.
Focus Day
Henshaws are holding a Focus Day where you’ll have the opportunity to try some of the technology on offer to maintain your independence, and discuss your needs with our expert staff. You’ll also be able to chat about the other support Henshaws can offer you, like social groups, activities, exercise and much more.
The small RSVP only event will be on Thursday 25th May 2017, 10am to 3pm at Henshaws in Room 25, Heaton Complex, Trewhitt Road, Heaton, Newcastle NE6 5DY. To book your place, please RSVP on 0191 275 9417 or email us at .
Henshaws visits Sunderland College
Henshaws staff attended a Continuing Professional Development (CPD) day on equality and diversity at Sunderland College in February. Henshaws provided visually impaired training through a taster day of Blind Football, which the College staff all loved!
Photos and more information can be found on our website: henshaws.org.uk/news/henshaws-come-sunderland-college/
Henshaws Life Hacks
We return with another Hello Henshaws Life Hack, and this edition, we’re sharing a tip from Henshaws Rehab Officer Simon in Liverpool:
If you have talking tin lids, try keeping one next to your answering machine. When someone rings and leaves their phone number, you can record the phone number being said, and repeat it as many times as you need, in your own time. Very handy!
If you have a life hack that works well for you, get in touch at , so we can share your useful tip with others. If you’d like to see more of our Life Hacks, you can check out 52 other 'tricks, tips & tech' as well as our short videos at henshaws.org.uk/lifehacks.
Fundraising Updates
Challenge events
We have free charity places for the Great Manchester Run 10k - the biggest and best 10k in Europe! In return one of our free places, we ask for a pledge to raise a minimum of £150 and we will be here to support you every step of the way with your fundraising. To find out more and to sign-up, call Rachael on 0161 786 3656 or email
180 Challenge!
As 2017 marks 180 years of Henshaws, we want to challenge all of our supporters to help us celebrate. Whether that is holding a cake sale or even doing a 180th themed challenge, the sky is the limit when it comes to ideas. To get involved or to find out more, call our fundraising team on 0161 786 3656 or email us at .
Groups’ Updates
Henshaws United
Congratulations to Henshaws United for being awarded runners up in the ‘Team of the Year’ category at the North East Disability Sports Awards! Craig Riach and Rob Cooper were there to accept the certificate on 23rd March at the Slaley Hall, with guests including MP Ian Lavery. It was a particular competitive year following Team GB’s Paralympic success in Rio 2016, with Paralympian winners including Matt Wylie, Stephen Miller and Jade Jones, so the team did especially well to stand out.
Head Coach Craig says: “Just getting selected by the panel and reaching the presentation night is a massive honour. Everybody involved in the awards has overcome massive physical and social barriers, and has achieved something great. I’m so proud of the Henshaws team for all they have achieved.”
Recently, Henshaws United played in the North East Disability College League on Wednesday 1st March, winning 5 out of 6 games! Congratulations to the brilliant team.
Monday group
Great work by our Monday group (pictured above) for completing their NOCN Entry Level Award in Skills for Employment, Training & Personal Development! If you’re interested in doing a course on IT or employability skills, contact us on 0191 275 9417 or email us at .
User Voice Group
What is the User Voice Group?
Henshaws User Voice Group is a consultative group, where the members come together four times a year to discuss issues that affect them. The group get involved with new proposals to help shape the direction or express concerns, and it’s an opportunity to speak face-to-face with Henshaws management.
Who can I speak to if I’d like to have something brought up by User Voice Group?
You can speak to any member of the group as they represent your voice, and Henshaws will have posters coming soon round the centres with the different members’ names. You can also bring up any issues to Alan, the chair of the group.
What things can I talk about?
The group act as advocates for anyone who uses Henshaws’ services, so it could be a new group you would be interested in having started, an issue you want resolved, or even just to ask a simple question. The User Voice Group are also keen to get new members, so if you’d like to get involved, get in touch with Alan or call 0191 275 9417.
Henshaws North East Timetable
Monday
IT Class 1030-1230 Heaton Complex
Football for Fitness 1300-1400 Walker Activity Dome
Step class/spinning 1400-1430 Walker Activity Dome
Tuesday
iPad Drop-in 1030-1230 Heaton Complex
Fitness 1300-1400 Walker Activity Dome
Archery 1400-1530 Walker Activity Dome
Wednesday
iPad class 1300-1500 Mea House
Junior football 1700-1830 Walker Activity Dome
Thursday
Numeracy & Literacy 0930-1230 Heaton Complex
Football Coaching 1300-1400 Walker Activity Dome
Friday
IT Class 1000-1230 Heaton Complex
Walking Group 1200-1600 Various
To find out more about any of the groups and courses we have running at our Newcastle centre, contact our Newcastle office or visit henshaws.org.uk/newcastle.
Other News, Services and Useful Numbers
Become a member of the Blind Veterans UK
If you’re blind or visually impaired and have been a member of the armed forces, you could become a member of Blind Veterans UK. Blind Veterans UK offer free support services for veterans, including training and rehabilitation, equipment, emotional support and social activities. If you’d like to speak to someone who uses their services and find out more about them, contact 0161 872 1234 and ask to leave a message for Marion.
Legacies – why do they matter?
Writing a Will can be a daunting and complicated process, but it is one of the most important legal documents you will ever make, and helps to ensure that your wishes are carried out upon your death. Writing a Will is an easy thing to put off. In fact, around that two thirds of people in the UK die without making one, meaning that their wishes may not have been carried, such as the people that they wanted to inherit their estate not being able to.
Slater Heelis Solicitors from Manchester have shared why legacies are so important and their top advice for making a Will, which is available on our website at: henshaws.org.uk/importance-making-will.
If you would like a copy in an alternative format, or would like to hear more about Legacy Giving, please contact Stewart on 0161 786 3640.
Get involved
If you think your family or friends would be interested in hearing about our services, volunteering at Henshaws, or taking part in fundraising – please get in touch! Our First Step team is here on 0161 872 1234 to offer any advice, support or information about our services.
You can get involved by supporting our services by letting others know about Henshaws, coming along to one of our events, or becoming a volunteers or ambassadors. Please contact our fundraising team on 0161 876 3656, or email .
and of course, please help us spread the word!
Once you have read or listened to our newsletter, please pass it on to a friend or family member, or you could enquire at your local community centre, doctor’s surgery, church or library to see if you could leave it there for others to read or listen to. We also have leaflets and posters, explaining who we are and what we do – maybe you could ask about leaving some of these as well as the newsletter; you can get a supply of these by calling us on 0161 872 1234.
Remember, the more people know about us and support us, the more support we can offer visually impaired people, so please do all you can to help us get the word out.
Disclaimer
Although every attempt is made to ensure that the information contained within this newsletter is timely and accurate,
Henshaws cannot be held responsible for any information herein. This newsletter is provided for information purposes only and is not intended to be either legally binding or contractual in nature.
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