The magazine of Open Sight, Hampshire’s principal

organisation for visually impaired people since 1922 Issue 29 CHARITY NO. 1055498 December 2014

Join us for the Open Sight Christmas Carol Service being

held on Wednesday 10th December in Andover.

Welcome in the festive season with traditional hymns,

carols and readings. Afterwards, mince pies, Christmas

cake and mulled wine will be served in the Church Hall.

The Service will be held at the church of St. Michael’s and

All Angels, Colebrook Way, (off Weyhill Road) Andover,

SP10 3BB beginning at 4.00pm. Ample car parking is

available. Christmas gifts and cards will be on sale too.

OPEN SIGHT

CAROL SERVICE

OPEN SIGHT CHRISTMAS CARDS.

There is still plenty of time to buy your Open Sight

Christmas cards.

For this year, we

have chosen a

very bright and

colourful design

reading ‘Merry

Christmas’ in red

and white on a fir

green backing.

The greeting

reads ‘With best

wishes for Christmas and the New Year.’ The high quality

cards, which measure 6 by 4 inches, cost just £2 for a pack

of 5 cards and envelopes. To order yours, please call 023

8064 6377. Cards are also available at Head Office and at

the Open Sight Carol Service in Andover on December 10th.

LOOKING AHEAD TO NEXT CHRISTMAS.

Open Sight’s holiday to Sidmouth in April has been a sell-

out, so another trip has been booked for later in the year.

Leaving on Friday November 27th, the 5-day Christmas

Shopping trip will include coach travel, excursions and

dinner, bed and breakfast accommodation at the superb

‘Kingswood & Devoran’ Hotel on Sidmouth’s seafront.

There will be plenty of opportunity to take advantage of

the town’s level access and variety of independent shops,

including ‘Field’s’ department store.

Full details of the holiday will be published in the April

edition of ‘Second Sight’; however, as we expect demand

to be high and to avoid disappointment, please book early.

Rooms will be allocated on a first come, first served basis.

Limited single room availability. Telephone 023 8064 6377.

The magazine of Open Sight, Hampshire’s principal

organisation for visually impaired people since 1922 Issue 29 CHARITY NO. 1055498 Dec 2014

Open Sight is delighted to be one of only six sight loss

organisations in the UK to be granted the loan of the

ground breaking, touch control 2-in-1 Prodigi from

specialist visual aid suppliers, HumanWare.

This innovative personal vision assistant combines a

traditional desk top CCTV and a 5” hand held digital

magnifier. Prodigi’s diamond edged technology allows

images or text to be magnified indefinitely without

compromise using full colour or enhanced contrast. Enjoy

effortless reading using Prodigi’s many reading modes,

including speech, on either the CCTV or portable magnifier,

which comes in the form of a tablet.

Open Sight staff are fully trained to demonstrate the

Prodigi to its full extent. Call the office in Bishopstoke to

arrange a personal appointment.

Open Sight

welcomes the

amazing new

Prodigi

ADVERTISEMENT

STEVE’S TECHNO CORNER.

Open Sight Independent Living Advisor, Steve Geary, says,

“Reflecting on the last year, there have been several

updates of existing technology; for example, the release of

Version 9 of Dolphin Guide, Version 14 of SuperNova, both

computer assistive solutions, as well as Version 4 of the

Synapptic software for mobile phones or tablets. Other

companies have brought out new versions of video

magnifiers and reading machines, including the ground

breaking Prodigi, one of which Open Sight now has for

demonstrations. Similarly, whilst the glasses I wrote

about in the last may only be at the prototype stage, it’s

clear that technology in the sight loss world is ever

evolving.

But technology is not just about computers or expensive

electronic equipment - technology can be as simple as a

magnifying glass or a daylight lamp, because used

correctly, a magnifying glass of the right strength, in good

light, can be very effective and easy to use.

Other simple pieces of technology include writing frames

and signature guides. Whilst they don’t help us see what

we’re writing, words are in a straight line and in the right

place.

Additionally, if a piece of equipment is well designed as an

everyday product, those with low vision can benefit without

having to purchase a specialist item, so shop around for

things with good colour contrast and size of buttons etc.”

Steve concludes, “I anticipate that technological

innovation, alongside medical advances, will mean a bright

future for us all. Perhaps for some restored sight and for

others, living with our sight loss will be much easier. I look

forward to reporting on the new technology over the

coming year.”

OPEN SIGHT EQUIPMENT & INFORMATION DAY.

TADLEY Thursday 26th March 2015 10.00 – 2.00

Tadley and District Community Association,

New Church Road,

Tadley,

RG26 4HN.

Specialist exhibitors include: Optelec, Enhanced Vision,

Pamtrad, Sight and Sound, Professional Vision, Optima,

Tax Advice for Older People, Torch Trust, Associated

Optical, Dolphin and Humanware. Refreshments available.

OPEN SIGHT CLUB EQUIPMENT DEMONSTRATIONS.

Open Sight Equipment Demonstrators regularly visit our

Clubs across the County to sell and to take orders for daily

living aids, including pens, bump-ons and lighting. They

are usually accompanied by one of our Independent Living

Advisors to show the latest range of digital magnifiers and

make personal home appointments, if necessary. They will

be visiting the following Clubs:

Open Sight Eastleigh Mon. 19th Jan. 7.30pm – 9.30pm

MD Club Basingstoke Thur. 5th Feb. 10am - 12pm

Open Sight New Milton Wed. 25th Feb. 2pm - 4pm

Open Sight Portchester Thur. 5th March 2pm - 4pm

You don’t need to be a Club Member to attend.

ENHANCED VISION FLYER.

Included with this print version of ‘Second Sight’ is a flyer

for electronic magnifier supplier Enhanced Vision

advertising a number of their pieces of equipment.

Enhanced Vision has news of their Pebble HD, a hand held

digital magnifier, the DaVinci, which is a high performance

desk top video magnifier and the Smart Reader, a full page

text reader. Call them on 0800 1456 115 for details.

OPEN SIGHT EQUIPMENT CENTRE.

The well-stocked Equipment Centre at Head Office in

Bishopstoke is open Monday to Friday 9.00 – 3.00pm for

visitors to try an impressive selection of aids and

equipment, ranging from digital and hand-held magnifiers,

CCTVs and text readers. Also available for demonstration

are IT software choices, including Guide, Supernova and

Synapptic. In addition, there is a wide choice of everyday

living aids available to buy, including talking clocks, kitchen

equipment and lighting solutions.

The Open Sight Equipment Centre has a constantly

changing list of ex-demonstration and used stock, all at

considerably reduced prices compared to new. All electrical

goods have been PAT safety tested. Items currently for

sale include:

Maggie Digital magnifier £50

Colour mono mouse zoom £50

Penn Friend Labeller £40

Hand held magnifiers, various strengths £10

Braille watches, ladies & gents £10

Big Button telephones £5

2015 DIARIES & CALENDARS.

We have 2015 large print diaries and calendars available to

order from our Equipment Centre.

A3 Lined wall calendars £5.25

A4 Midi diaries week per page £6.75

A6 Pocket diary week per page £5.00

To arrange an appointment in the Equipment Centre,

to check on the latest ex-demonstration and used

stock, for details on the Equipment and Information

Day in Tadley or to order your 2015 Diary or

Calendar, call Pam Bateman on 023 8064 6380 or

email pam.bateman@opensight.org.uk

OPEN SIGHT MOBILE ADVICE SERVICE.

The Mobile Advice Service, which is a

collaboration between Open Sight and

deafPLUS, regularly visits areas of the

County to offer a drop-in facility for local

people with sight, hearing or both

impairments to speak to professionals

from both organisations. An appointment is not necessary.

The Service is also available for friends, relatives or carers

to gain information which may help them too.

The Mobile Advice Service will be calling at the following:

Second Wednesday of the month

Havant Public Services Plaza 9.30 – 12.00

Gosport High Street 2.00 – 4.00

Third Monday of the month

Andover Hospital 9.30 – 12.00

Fleet Gurkha Square 2.00 – 4.00

Third Wednesday of the month

Eastleigh Leigh Road 10.00 – 12.00

New Milton Library 2.00 – 4.00

Fourth Tuesday of the month

Alton Market 10.30 – 12.30

Basingstoke Willis Museum 2.00 – 4.00

To confirm that the Mobile Service will be in attendance at

each of these venues on the days listed throughout the

coming year, call the Open Sight office on 023 8064 1244

or visit our website www.opensight.org.uk

WITH MUTUAL APPRECIATION.

It’s always uplifting when the office receives messages of

thanks and appreciation for the help and support Open

Sight staff and volunteers have given. We would like to

take this opportunity of sharing some of them with you.

David, who lives in Andover, got in touch to say, “Thank

you most whole heartedly for all your help in negotiating

the sometimes tortuous pathway to my Attendance

Allowance. It would have been far more traumatic and

difficult without your help, knowledge and persuasive way

with the tribunal.”

Catherine from the Fareham area wrote, ‘In appreciation of

the excellent help I received when I was at my lowest ebb,

and above all for your kindness and efficiency in enabling

me to receive the benefit of Attendance Allowance. It is of

so much help to me, thank you very much.’

Eric from the Waterlooville area says, “Thank you for all of

the assistance you have given, and especially with the

Attendance Allowance application which proved so

successful. Already the aids have improved my quality of

life.”

By the same token, all at Open Sight would also like to say

a huge thank you to the many people who support us,

either by the generosity of financial support or by the gift

of time through volunteering.

In recent months, due to cut-backs many charities have

been forced to close with the loss of valuable services.

Fortunately, with the help of donations from our

beneficiaries in appreciation of the assistance they’ve

received, Open Sight continues to run. Included with this

print edition of ‘Second Sight’ is our Christmas Appeal

which asks you to consider a small monthly donation -

Thank you, in anticipation, for your help.

VI DRIVERS GET IN TO TOP GEAR.

A group of visually impaired ‘Second Sight’ readers and

listeners, some of whom had never driven before, got

behind the wheel for unforgettable sessions of full-on

driving.

The driving sessions, in

collaboration with tuition

school UCanDriveB4UTurn17,

were designed to give blind

and partially sighted people,

of any age, the opportunity

to drive again or to try

driving as a new experience.

One participant, Ian Edney of Basingstoke, said, “My sight

loss condition has never allowed me to drive so this was

something I was really keen to do. After my hour long

session, I was able to drive competently and could do 3-

point turns. I intend to take the sessions up as a hobby.”

At one point, Guide Dog user Peter Sheath of Totton was

racing along at speeds exceeding 60mph. He said,” I

couldn’t believe it – neither could my wife and family who

came along to watch! I had a brilliant time.”

For those ex-drivers whose sight loss has stopped them

from getting behind the wheel, the sessions acted as

reminders of lost skills and years of driving enjoyment. As

the vast layout of the course, with roads, lanes,

roundabouts etc. replicates public highways so accurately,

drivers are able to feel

they are driving in very

life-like situations.

In addition, drivers test

their skills through a

chicane and are also

required to negotiate other traffic and road users.

Richard Caffrey of Eastleigh reported that the chicane

course bought the biggest smile to his face for years!

Due to demand, Open Sight has negotiated further driving

experience sessions for next year. The hour-long sessions

are booked for Sunday 22nd February at the course in

Barton Stacey, near Andover. Sessions cost £48 each and

can be reserved by calling Terry at Head Office. At all

times, a qualified instructor ensures safety and control

throughout.

Driver Noel De Vulder of Whitehill summarised, “The sense

of pleasure and achievement afterwards will be with me for

a long time – hugely enjoyable.”

NEVER TOO LATE TO DATE.

Whilst many single people find great comfort in the

company of a group of others, perhaps as a Member of a

Club or society, lots of people are still keen to find

companionship on a one-to-one basis but feel they may be

a little too old or never get an opportunity to meet

someone.

Brendoncare Club Hampshire, in association with Age

Concern Hampshire, is launching ‘Never too late to Date’

for people in their late 50s and older to socialise with

others with a view to finding companionship.

The initial ‘get together’ is on the evening of Saturday 17th

January at the Brendoncare Club Hampshire Centre in

Gosport. There will be live music and a hot buffet provided

as well as plenty of opportunity to meet new people.

Tickets are £5 each. Other dates and venues across the

County are planned for later in the year.

For further details and to buy tickets, call Karen Seale at

Brendoncare Club Hampshire on 07467 955865.

NATIONAL MUSIC FOR THE BLIND SERVICE.

‘Music4Blind’ is a national charity providing a

free service for the visually impaired. A bi-

monthly programme, including nostalgic

oldies, plays and documentaries on a USB

memory stick, is sent free of charge to visually

impaired listeners. The memory stick can be

kept for 14 days and then returned free of

charge. As your local sight loss charity, Open

Sight is able to refer you to this service. Call Jackie at the

office to find out more.

THE VALUE OF OPEN SIGHT SOCIAL CLUBS.

A recent survey has revealed the true value and benefits of

belonging to a social club.

The research, commissioned by One Community, examined

the physical and mental advantages attributed to being

part of a group. It discusses how social interaction helps

prevent loneliness and isolation, increases a sense of worth

and belonging and maintains a level of independence.

The Open Sight network of social clubs across the County

provide all of the benefits noted by the research.

Additionally, each Club offers door to door transport, a

wide variety of entertainment and opportunities for

Members to avail themselves of the latest in information

linked to their sight loss.

Open Sight has clubs in Aldershot, Alton, Andover,

Basingstoke, Eastleigh, Fareham, Farnborough, Fleet,

Gosport, Hayling Island, Havant, Locks Heath, Netley

Abbey, New Milton, Petersfield, Portchester, Romsey,

Stubbington, Waterlooville and Wickham.

To join your local Club, call Head Office in Bishopstoke

OPEN SIGHT GARDEN MAKEOVER.

Open Sight was delighted to be

chosen to benefit from both time

and masses of enthusiasm given

by a number of Year 11 pupils

from The Mountbatten School in

Romsey.

The students planned a

makeover of the office front

garden to create a sensory

haven for visitors and passers-

by to enjoy.

During their summer holiday

break, the team of pupils

cleared the garden of overgrown bushes, weeds and

undergrowth before laying a weed suppressing membrane.

Afterwards, carefully chosen varieties of flowers and foliage

were planted, each one with unique scents, including mint,

lavender and stocks, or textures to their leaves or blooms.

A seat was also installed for

visitors to sit and soak up the

ambience.

Our grateful thanks to all of

the students for their

thoughtfulness in choosing

Open Sight, for raising the

funds to buy the materials

and plants etc. and for their

hard work to produce such a

lovely feature at our office.

In the springtime, please come along to enjoy the garden –

we’d love to see you.

‘PHONING FRIENDS’.

Friendship can seem scarce

as we get older, especially

for people living alone.

‘Phoning Friends’ is a free

befriending service for

people aged over 60 who

live alone and have little

contact from family or friends. ‘Phoning Friends’ helps

prevent feelings of loneliness and isolation by providing a

regular phone call from a friendly volunteer.

Each client is matched to a volunteer with similar interests

and is contacted at least once a fortnight. Just like a true

friend, their volunteer will take time to listen and share

life’s ups and downs, chatting about current affairs,

personal news or just discussing the weather. In a recent

survey 93% of clients felt they had made a friend.

You may also be interested in becoming a volunteer for

‘Phoning Friends’. You could learn new skills and get a

huge sense of satisfaction by knowing that you are making

a real difference to the life of an older person.

To find out more call ‘Phoning Friends’ on 020 7730 8263.

ACTIVITY BUDDY SCHEMES.

Have you ever wanted to take part in a sporting activity

but have been prevented because of a lack of support?

Did you know that many Leisure Centres across the County

provide an Activity Buddy Scheme which matches you to a

qualified ‘buddy’ who can help you to make the most of the

Centre’s facilities? Usually, the only cost would be the

normal activity fee with some Centres offering discount

schemes in certain circumstances.

Call your local Centre to check availability.

HOLIDAY TO HISTORIC

KENT WITH FAAB.

Readers and listeners of

‘Second Sight’ magazine are

welcome to join Fareham

Area Active Blind (FAAB) on

their exciting trip to historic

Kent in May.

Travelling with coach holiday

company ‘Creative Travel’,

the 6-day holiday features visits to Canterbury, Leeds

Castle (pictured) and Chatham’s Naval Dockyard.

6 DAY ITINERARY

Sunday May 31st. Outward journey with comfort stops,

arriving in plenty of time to settle in before dinner.

Monday June 1st. A visit to Canterbury. This ancient

cathedral city is steeped in history and retains much of the

atmosphere known to the medieval pilgrims.

Tuesday June 2nd. Visit Chatham Historic Naval Dockyard

to explore its 400-year history of the through its museum

galleries and historic warships.

Wednesday June 3rd. A day at leisure.

Thursday June 4th. A trip to Leeds Castle, often described

as the loveliest in the world, to wonder at the interior’s

splendid works of art, statues, carvings and tapestries.

Friday June 5th. After breakfast, head for home.

Price from £475pp includes, coach travel, services of

Resort Manager, entrance fees and admissions, dinner, bed

& breakfast accommodation at the family run Best Western

Manor Hotel Gravesend and holiday cover. For details or to

book, call FAAB’s Linda Phear on 01329 286445.

CHALLENGES UPDATE.

Readers and listeners will recall that several gruelling

challenges, in aid of Open Sight, were undertaken during

the summer. One was a 128 mile cycle endurance by a

team from the Co-Op’s Southern Foods IT Department and

another by visually impaired Theresa Osborne-Bell, being

an equivalent climb of London’s ‘The ‘Gherkin’.

To date, the support received from Southern Foods, which

includes other fundraising ventures, totals an incredible

£1724, with Theresa’s mammoth effort raising £634.

With our grateful thanks to everyone involved.

AND FINALLY……….

Open Sight is here to help YOU. If you have any queries or

concerns, no matter how insignificant they may seem,

please get in touch. One of our friendly and highly

experienced staff can usually come up with an answer.

HOW TO CONTACT OPEN SIGHT.

By phone 023 8064 1244

By email info@opensight.org.uk

By post 25, Church Road,

Bishopstoke,

Eastleigh, SO50 6BL.

Website www.opensight.org.uk

Follow us on Facebook & Twitter

‘Second Sight’ is compiled and edited by Terry Smith

The next edition will be published on April 10th

SECOND SIGHT is published by Open Sight Charity No 1055498

Registered Company No 3178631 Registered in England and Wales