Hello newsletter Autumn 2017 edition

We are a charity that helps people living with sight loss and a range of other disabilities achieve their

ambitions and go beyond their expectations.

Henshaws, Atherton House, 88-92 Talbot Road, Old Trafford, Manchester M16 0GS

Phone: 0161 872 1234 Visit: henshaws.org.uk

ContentsPage 3 Henshaws StoriesPage 4 Community Services NewsPage 11 Fundraising UpdatesPage 12 Group UpdatesPage 15 TimetablePage 18 Arts and CulturePage 20 General Knowledge QuizPage 21 RecipePage 22 Other News, Services and Useful Numbers

Hello and welcome to the autumn 2017 edi-tion of Henshaws ‘Hello’ Newsletter.As the summer season winds down, we round up our busy schedule of summer activities and events, including the wonderful time we had celebrating our service users' achievements at the Henshaws Awards 2017. We’ll tell you about the events from the afternoon, as well as our deserving winners.We also hear from Rashid on his journey to becoming a personal trainer and how he has made exercise and sport accessible to him. We’ll also discover the activities and events our different Friendship Matters groups and Children & Families Service have been running over the past few months, including celebrations for our 180th birthday in June, and a touch-tour of the ‘Room on the Broom’ set at the Lowry!Over the past year, Henshaws has grown across Greater Manchester as we reach people in their local communities. We hope you enjoy hearing our latest updates from Bolton and Oldham, and discovering the

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groups and courses we have running near you in our latest timetable (on page 15 onwards).Robert Cooper, Director of Community Services

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Henshaws StoriesAt Henshaws we love hearing stories of people going beyond their expectations and in this edition we’re sharing Rashid Khan’s story from Manchester. Exercise can often be difficult when you have a visual impairment, especially as equipment and classes are not easily accessible, but Rashid has overcome the obstacles he faced and is now a professional Personal Trainer. He tells us his story:

“I first attended Henshaws in 2010 because I was keen to improve my IT skills, and they informed me of the different types of IT software available for visually impaired people. I have Retinitis Pigmentosa, but still have some vision.

I've always enjoyed sports and have been going to the gym for some years. Being visually impaired can make everyday tasks challenging, but my determination to keep fit and healthy enables me to tackle many of those challenges head on. I've been playing cricket for the Lancashire Lions Visually Impaired Cricket Club since 2011, I play Goalball, and have also recently started boxing training. The sports I take part in all have an audible element, so they can be played using sound.

I go to the gym regularly for my physical and mental wellbeing, where I use tactile stickers on gym equipment and machinery, and bright coloured fitness equipment, which helps me distinguish between the different

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sections. In the past, when I couldn't use certain equipment safely and effectively, I’ve trained with a fully sighted friend who can support me.Recently, I've completed my Level 2 Fitness Instruction and Self Development course and have also achieved my level 3 Personal Training qualification. My goal is to be a Personal Trainer who can help and inspire others to overcome their own challenges, whether from low self-esteem, lack of confidence, or having a disability like me.”

If you would like any help, support, training or even nutritional advice, Rashid can be contacted on 07565 669 723 or by emailing rashidk@hotmail.co.uk. Henshaws also offer exercise classes across Greater Manchester (see page 14), so ring us on 0161 872 1234 to find out more.

Community Services NewsHenshaws AwardsOn Thursday 15th June, we held our second Henshaws Awards at the Midland Hotel in Manchester, where we celebrated just some of the fantastic achievements of our service users and volunteers from the past 12 months.Tom Walker from the BBC's In Touch programme kindly hosted the event once again, and our Guitar Jamming Group performed a number of classics including ‘Johnny B. Goode’ by Chuck Berry. We were also pleased to be joined by Anne Hornsby from Mind’s Eye, who audio described our new, 180th Anniversary Video which was launched that afternoon.The full video can be watched on our YouTube channel at www.youtube.com/Henshaws1837.

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Along with the shortlisted nominees, their friends and families, the ceremony was attended by the new Mayor of Manchester, Andy Burnham and Warren Smith, Lord Lieutenant of Greater Manchester, as well as representatives from Cargill and UK Fast.

Well-earned congratulations to everyone who was nominated and shortlisted for our awards, and to our very deserving winners (pictured above), who were:Jean Patterson, Friendship Matters AwardMary Gifford, Volunteer of the Year AwardJackson Edwardes, Young Person of the year award – Under 12Tess Ptonka, Sport England - VI Friendly Business AwardPaul Foster, Technology AwardJamie Foster, Young Person of the Year 12-25Bryony Fielding, Gillian Lawrence Award6

Henshaws in OldhamThe following is an update from Kate Nattrass, our Community Enablement Officer in the Oldham area:

“Henshaws in Oldham is running well, with lots of different, regular groups and activities to get involved in (see page 16). One of our groups, the Pennine Vale Friendship Matters group, has been growing every month, and alongside a very warm welcome, there is always homemade cake and marmalade, brought in by a kind volunteer, which is then sold to go towards the group funds (and it’s delicious!). The group has regular speakers who come to share their knowledge on the local community, eye health and everyday life, and these talks have been so successful we’re hoping to bring them to the Chadderton Vale FM group very soon.

In our August Tech Talk, we were joined by Sophie Wheldon from British Wireless for the Blind Fund (pictured above, with two members of the Tech Talk group), a free Service that provides easy to use radio

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devices for visually impaired people. Sophie brought in their latest product, Bumblebee (see page 22 for more information) for the group to learn about and get a hands-on demo with the new product.

Two upcoming groups being set up in Oldham are a User Voice Group, which will give local service users the opportunity to meet and discuss how things are going in Oldham and what people would like to happen, and another Friendship Matters Group in central Oldham. If you are interested in joining either of these groups, please ring 0161 770 1824.

There will also be a ‘Living with Sight Loss’ course from Monday 11th September to Monday 16th October between 1 and 3.30pm at the Link Centre in Oldham. This course gives you the opportunity to meet other visually impaired people and professionals, and to chat to others going through similar situations. To book onto the course or to find out more ring 0161 770 1824.

Finally, Henshaws are also involved with Oldham Council’s ‘Who put that there?’ campaign. This campaign explores different ways to improve the environment for visually impaired people, and looks at things that cause mobility issues on a daily basis such as parking on pavements, street furniture, overhanging trees, etc. Oldham Council is keen to set up a forum to help work collectively on this and therefore requires volunteers to support them, so if you're interested in getting involved, get in touch on 0161 770 1824.”

Successful first year at Altrincham Eye Hospital!It’s been a busy first year for Henshaws Patient Support Officer Gail at Altrincham hospital alongside her guide dog Wanda. Thanks to generous funding from the Altrin-

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cham Community panel, Gail has been supporting pa-tients and their families in the eye clinic two days a week since April 2016.

Gail supports people right from the point of diagnosis: ac-companying patients to appointments, information on their eye condition and benefits of registration and the different services available. At Henshaws, we often hear how having someone to offer this support right from the moment of diagnosis is hugely important, and our one year survey found that since we started this service in Al-trincham:

78% of people had increased knowledge of local ser-vices which can support them

67% of people felt less socially isolated 78% of patients have increased knowledge of their eye

condition.

Our wonderful volunteers Charles and Ian have also es-tablished a weekly informa-tion desk in the clinic waiting room and have provided help and information to over 300 people, often families and friends of patients who also need support in dealing with the impact of sight loss.

We offer our Patient Support Service at Manchester Royal Eye Hospital every day and at Altrincham hospital on Mondays and Tuesdays. If you’d like any support, pop-in to see our Patient Support Officers Gail or Zoe, or they can be contacted by ringing

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0161 276 5515 or by emailing MREH.patientsup-port@henshaws.org.uk.

What are Henshaws offering in Bolton?Earlier this year, Henshaws merged with Bolton Society for Blind People, and our new enablement officer for Bolton, Suzie Bunn, has been working at our hub at The Sensory Centre at Thicketford over the past couple of months. She told us a bit about herself, and what support you can receive in Bolton:

“I live in Tonge Moor, and I love the community spirit that is alive and well here. My background is in education and leisure, and I volunteered for 9 months with Tonge Action Group. I really enjoyed working with young people and the elderly community, which inspired me to apply for a job working in Henshaws Community Services.

What is your role?My role is working with the volunteers and adult services across the Bolton area to provide groups, social opportunities and training to people with a visual impairment and other disabilities.

What services do Henshaws offer in Bolton?We continue to offer the different services that were run by Bolton Society for Blind People, including the Befriending Service and Advocacy appointments, as well as the Braille Group, Lunch Club and Tea and Coffee Afternoon (see timetable on page 17).

We now also offer a monthly Tech Talk Group and Digital Assessments and Training from our digital enablement officer Chris. Later this year, we will start providing Living with Sight Loss courses, and gentle exercise classes.

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To get involved, you can get in touch with me on 01204 337896 and I’ll create a personal plan with you which will support your journey with Henshaws. I can offer information, advice and guidance on a range of issues, and also refer you to other professionals who can offer their expertise – just get in touch! I can be contacted on 01204 337896, or you can email me at suzie.bunn@henshaws.org.uk.”

Henshaws are also working with Bolton News Talk, who are a charity that provides a free weekly digest of The Bolton News, which is delivered free of charge to visually impaired listeners around Bolton. Every Sunday, a group of volunteers record the previous week’s articles from the Bolton News and send them to over 200 people a week in Bolton and the surrounding areas. If you are interested in receiving a weekly audio copy of The Bolton News, you can get in touch with them on 07547914637 or by emailing newstalk@icloud.com.

Visit Henshaws at Sight VillageOn Wednesday 27th September 2017, Henshaws will be at the Marriott Renaissance Hotel, Sight Village in Manchester as part of their Roadshow.

Exhibitors from throughout the world will be taking part, including people who are blind or partially sighted, family members, professionals and businesses. The event is free to enter, and we’ll be there all day from 9.30am until 3.30pm. Make sure you pop in and say hello!

Henshaws Life HacksWe return with another Henshaws Life Hack, and this time we’re sharing a hack that’s been one of our most popular tricks from our Life Hacks eBook:11

When chopping an onion, you can keep it steady and avoid cutting your fingers by using a metal afro hair comb. Simply insert the comb into the onion, and slide the blade between the teeth of the comb. Make sure to use a stainless steel afro comb – they can be purchased for around £1 from a variety of stores, and this method can be used for lots of different fruit and vegetables, including cucumbers and tomatoes.

Mark has created a short video demonstrating the afro comb; visit henshaws.org.uk/lifehacks to see it in action, as well as other tips and tricks from our Life Hack videos and eBook. If you have a life hack that works well for you, get in touch at stories@henshaws.org.uk, so we can share your useful tip with others.

Fundraising Updates

Henshaws Christmas carol concert ‘Carols by Candlelight’ is returning to Manchester Cathedral on Saturday 2nd December. Doors open at 7pm for a 7:30pm start, and tickets can be bought from the fundraising team by ringing 0161 786 3656.

We’ll be running a Christmas raffle again this year with the top prize of £1,500. Tickets go on sale in early October, so get in touch with Faye in the fundraising team on 0161 786 3656 if you’d like to buy some or sell some to your friends. All the tickets you sell will go towards making sure we’re able to help people when they’re first diagnosed with sight loss.

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Don’t forget to drop into Manchester Central Library, St Peter’s Square, and see our 180th anniversary exhibition which looks at the different ways that sight loss has changed in the last 180 years and how Henshaws have helped people. The exhibition will open on Thursday 7th September until the end of October, and is available to visit for free from 9am-8pm Mon-Thursday and 9am-5pm on Friday and Saturday.

Two national awareness events are happening this autumn: 18th-24th September is National Eye Health Week and 12th October is World Sight Day. If you would like to use these opportunities to fundraise or run an event for Henshaws, we’d love to hear from you, so ring Kevin on 0161 786 3656.

What would you like to leave to your local area? This September we’ll be joining forces with other charities across the country to encourage people to think about what gifts they might leave in their will for their local communities. If you’d like to tell us what you might leave, or to find out more about leaving a gift to Henshaws, call our Legacies Manager, Stewart Graham, on 0161 786 3640.

Group Updates

Children & FamiliesOur Children & Families team have had yet another busy summer holding lots of different fun and sensory events, including kayaking, a trip to the Martin Mere Wetland 13

Centre to see and hear the different wildlife, and an audio-described trip to see ‘Room on the Broom’ at the Lowry, with a touch-tour behind the scenes (pictured).We're also excited to announce that our very own Amy is the star of CBeebies new radio show 'iSpy Sound Detective'! Amy has been using Henshaws' Children & Families services for a number of years and last year, after being put forward for an audition with the BBC, was given the lead role as the visually impaired young detective who uses sound to help solve mysteries. Amy is doing a brilliant job, and you can listen for yourself at www.bbc.co.uk/cbeebies/radio/ispy-rainforest.

What have our Friendship Matters groups been up to?The Friendship Matters groups have been helping to celebrate Henshaws’ 180th anniversary over the summer. The Arts & Crafts Group made the fabulous card (pictured below; a large light pink card, with gold large ‘180’ lettering and an array of white, pink and gold flowers), and the Wednesday Group had a double celebration as one of their long standing members turned 90 years old! The group celebrated with a party and beetroot birthday cake baked by Group Leader, Rob Lawley, who has had a very busy summer - in July, he completed the San Francisco Marathon, raising money for Henshaws.

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The Tuesday and Wednesday groups enjoyed a trip down memory lane with reminiscence boxes loaned from Salford Museum, and the Arts & Crafts Group took a trip on a barge following a lovely lunch at the Barn Owl Pub in Lymm.A summer highlight for the Galleries & Museums Group was the 'LS Lowry at Home' exhibition in Salford. The striking photographs were brought vividly to life by Anne and Mary’s audio description and Anthony McCarthy’s lively anecdotes about the artist. Members of the group said:“As always, I found the event very interesting. It is such a pleasure to hear the excellent audio-described details of the exhibitions we visit and yesterday’s event was no exception. I learnt so much about Lowry’s life and there were many vivid reminders of the sixties too.”“Lowry has such a kind Grandad face. I haven’t been able to see him before and it was a pleasure to go up to those big photos and use my peripheral vision. It was a marvellous, amazing exhibition.”Group featureHenshaws Braille Group meet every Friday at Atherton House in Trafford, to learn and read braille in a social environment.

We asked why they enjoyed reading braille…Roy said: “Learning braille means being able to read tangible books for yourself.”

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Irene said: “A lot of us find audio books hard to get into - you miss curling up in a chair and reading an actual book.”

We then asked what they do at the group, and what their plans are for the future…Yvonne said: “At the moment, we’re reading Fingerprint books and teaching ourselves different grades of braille, and Irene and I can help people learn basic braille. We’d love someone to come in with a more advanced skill level to help us progress even further.”Irene said: “We can help people who come to the group through the basics of braille, but we’d also like an instructor who can help people read at higher and more complex levels.Roy said: “Our books and volunteers are great as a starting off point but it’d be even better to have someone who’s a more avid reader, so we can have the option of reading novels.”

If you would like to join the weekly braille group, or volunteer your braille expertise, we’d love to hear from you. Get in touch with Kay on 0161 872 1234 or email manchester@henshaws.org.uk.

Greater Manchester Groups Timetable

We run groups and activities across Greater Manchester, so you’ll never have to travel too far to find us. Find out from the table below what’s happening in your local area, or ring 0161 872 1234 to find out more about our activities and groups:

Trafford

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Guitar Jamming Group (weekly) 10am-2pmMonday

IT Zoomers (weekly) 10am-12noonMonday

Tech Talk (monthly) 10.30am-12.30pmMonday Film Group (monthly) 1-3pm MondayYoga (weekly) 11.45am-1.15pm

TuesdayTuesday Group (weekly) 1.30-3.30pm

TuesdayExercise (weekly) 10.30am-12noon

WednesdayWednesday Group (weekly) 12.30-2.30pm

WednesdayHenshaws Hikers (monthly) 10.30am-4pm ThursdayArt Galleries & Museums 10.30am-1pm

Thursday(monthly, times and location change)Braille (weekly) 10am-2pm FridayIT & touch typing (weekly) 10am-2pm FridayArts & Crafts (fortnightly) 1-3pm FridayCounselling All day Friday

SalfordInformation, advice & guidance 9.30-11.30am Monday(drop-in, weekly)Exercise (weekly) 1.30-3pm

MondayCounselling (weekly) All day

TuesdayBroadwalk Group (monthly) 10.30am-12.30 TuesdayI Spy Group (fortnightly) 2-4pm

TuesdayEye Eye Group (weekly) 12.30-2.30pm

Wednesday

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OldhamExercise (weekly) 10.30am-12noon

MondayBraille Group (weekly) 9am-12noon

TuesdayRoyshaw Group (weekly) 10.15am-12.15pmTuesdayChadderton Group (monthly) 10am-12noon

WednesdayTech Talk (monthly) 10.30am-12.30pmWednesdayPennine Vale Group (monthly) 10.30am-12.30pmFridayWythenshawe (South Manchester)Exercise (weekly) 2.30-4pm

WednesdayInformation, advice & guidance 9.30am-1.30pm

Wednesday(drop-in, weekly)Counselling (weekly) All day

WednesdayCoffee morning (monthly) 10.30am-12.30pmThursday

Harpurhey (North Manchester)Exercise (weekly) 1.30-3pm

MondayInformation, advice & guidance 9.30-11.30am Monday(drop-in, weekly)Counselling (weekly) All day

MondayCoffee afternoon (monthly) 1.30-3.30pm

Tuesday

Wigan and Leigh18

Exercise (Wigan, weekly) 10-11.30amMonday

Coffee morning (Wigan, monthly) 10am-12noonTuesday

Information, advice & guidance 10am-12noonWednesday

(drop-in, Wigan, weekly)Coffee morning (Leigh, monthly) 10am-12noon

Thursday

On Wednesday 1st November, from 9.30am-12noon, Claire is starting a new 6-week course of Living with Sight Loss in Wigan. Ring Claire on 07973 948654 to book your place.

BoltonBraille group (weekly) 1-3pm

TuesdayLunch Club (weekly) 10.30am-2.30 WednesdayTech Talk 10.30am-12.30

ThursdayCoffee afternoon (fortnightly) 1-2.30pm

Thursday

The Art Galleries & Museums Group meet on Thursdays, once a month, at a variety of Museums & Galleries across Manchester.Group leader Mary Gifford takes an escorted group to a museum or gallery event, many of which include audio description and sometimes a touch and handling element, and are an ideal way for blind and visually impaired people to appreciate the arts. The events finish with refreshments and time for a chat; where possible, transport is provided for the participants.

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For more information about the group, ring 0161 872 1234.

Future visits:September - No group event due to illness

Thursday 12 October 11am–1pm. Gallery Oldham to visit “River of Tea: From Bengal to Britain” – photograhs by Tim Smith, who has worked with Bangladeshi communities in Oldham and other British towns to explore the story of tea. Tour and talk by curator Sean Baggeley, with description by Anne Hornsby. This will be followed by an optional session to inform the Access Consultant for the new Heritage and Arts Centre, with sandwich lunch.

Thursday 16 November 10.30am –12.30pm. Manchester Art Gallery – a visit to the new South Asian Design Gallery which explores how South Asian traditional crafts are inspiring exciting contemporary art, design and fashion. Tour and talk by curator Janet Boston with description by Anne Hornsby.

Thursday 7 December 10.30am –12.30pm. People’s History Museum to visit the exhibition “Savage Ink: The Cartoon and the Caricature”. Tour and talk with Mark Wilson with description by Anne Hornsby.

Arts and CultureFriday 17 November 7.15pm Opera North - Audio-Described Performance at The Lowry, Salford Quays, preceded by a Touch Tour at 6pm

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A double-bill – “Trouble in Tahiti” by Leonard Bernstein, and “Trial by Jury” by Gilbert & Sullivan

In “Trouble in Tahiti” by Leonard Bernstein, Sam and Dinah appear to have the perfect life in their little white house in 1950s suburbia, but their growing detachment exposes the feeling that they are trapped in a life that has turned into a lie. Sam escapes to the world of work and the gym, while Dinah loses herself in the cinema, where the hit picture of the day is the ominously-titled “Trouble in Tahiti”. Bernstein’s score for his deeply touching first opera is influenced by jazz and the sounds of Hollywood and Broadway. This short opera/musical lasts 45 minutes and is sung in English.

Gilbert and Sullivan’s operetta, “Trial by Jury”, tells the comic tale of the court case the glamorous Angelina brings against her intended husband Edwin, who jilts her when he realises she bores him. Unfortunately for Edwin, all of the members of the jury and even the judge have fallen for Angelina themselves. The operetta lasts approximately 45 minutes and is sung in English, and the approximate finish time for the whole evening is 9.15pm.

Tickets cost £15 and to book ring 0161 876 2183 and tell them you would like to book for the audio-description, whether you would like to attend the touch tour and any other requirements; also let them know whether you would like your audio introduction (which is sent out in advance) on CD, or via email.

Audio Described Events – September 2017 to January 2018The following list has been compiled from information provided by Anne Hornsby of Minds Eye Professional Description Service, The Lowry and Vocaleyes.

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Most theatre performances include a touch-tour about an hour before the performance and you can check with the Box Office or Mind’s Eye for details. You can also check ticket prices, including concessions, and book your seats and headsets in advance through the Box Office. NB: most theatres offer special prices for blind and visually impaired people, so please enquire. The telephone numbers are at the end of the listings.

September19 19.30 Rita, Sue and Bob Too Bolton Octagon21 19.30 Oh What a Lovely War Oldham Coliseum30 14.30 Our Town Royal Exchange

October7 14.00 People, Places and Things HOME12 19.30 Up’n’Under Oldham Coliseum28 14.30 Parliament Square Royal Exchange

November1 19.30 The Threepenny Opera Bolton Octagon2 19.30 Sunset Boulevard Palace Theatre4 14.00 Hedda Gabler The Lowry11 14.00 Uncle Vanya HOME17 19.15 Opera North double bill The Lowry17 19.30 Jubilee Royal Exchange

December1 19.00 A Christmas Carol Bolton Octagon6 20.00 The Scouse Nativity Liverpool Royal Court9 14.00 Elf the Musical The Lowry12 14.30 Around the World in 80 Days The Lowry

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13 19.00 Dick Whittington Opera House13 19.30 Dick Whittington Oldham Coliseum16 14.30 Guys and Dolls Royal Exchange

Useful telephone numbers:Mind's Eye 01204 522481 or 07889 232438Bolton Octagon Theatre 01204 520661HOME 0161 200 1500Liverpool Empire Theatre 0800 912 6971Liverpool Everyman and Playhouse 0151 709 4776Liverpool Royal Court Theatre 0151 709 4321Oldham Coliseum Theatre 0161 624 1731Palace Theatre & Opera House, Manchester 0161 245 6605Royal Exchange Theatre, Manchester 0845 450 4808The Lowry 0843 208 6000The Lowry Galleries 0161 876 2057The Whitworth 0161 275 7450VocalEyes 020 7375 1043

General Knowledge Quiz (answers on page #23)

(1) From which fruit is the cordial grenadine primarily made?(2) What type of musical instrument is a goombay?(3) What is the US state capital of Vermont?23

(4) Blepharitis is the medical term for the inflammation of which part of the body?(5) The 2003 film Lost in Translation is set in which city?(6) Who discovered the Victoria Falls in 1855?(7) Ailurophobia is a fear of what?(8) Who wrote the novel The Cider House Rules?(9) In golf what is the name of a score of one stroke over par for a hole?(10) What does DVD commonly now stand for? (formerly Digital Video Disc)RecipeJoan from Manchester has kindly submitted another delicious recipe, this time for banana bread; it’s an ideal cake to make for any sight level, and is certain to be welcomed at any coffee morning.

Banana Bread

IngredientsGrated zest and juice of half a lemon500g ripe bananas (approximate 3)200g self-raising flourHalf teaspoon bicarbonate of soda150g soft brown sugar75g butter2 medium eggs, beaten75g pecan nuts, roughly chopped

Method1. Pre-heat the oven to 160C (fan) or 180C or Gas 4

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2. Grease and line the base of a 1kg loaf tin with baking parchment3. Sift the flour and bicarbonate of soda into one bowl4. Use an electric mixer to cream the sugar and butter until light and fluffy5. Gradually add eggs to the creamed sugar and butter with a little flour each time, until all the eggs are added6. In a separate bowl, mash the bananas and beat with the lemon until smooth7. Add the bananas and nuts to the egg mixture and mix well8. Gently fold the remainder of the flour into the mixture until all the ingredients are combined9. Pour the mixture into the tin and bake for 45 minutes until the banana bread is firm and golden brown. Enjoy!

Other News, Services and Useful NumbersIntroducing… Bumblebee!British Wireless for the Blind introduce their new product - Bumblebee - an easy to use app specially designed to give visually impaired listeners simple, portable access to a huge range of internet audio content including podcasts, talking newspapers and audiobooks (pictured – the app has a yellow and black block design, with large print writing).

It is issued on a locked tablet which can be loaned to anyone previously eligible for one of the BWBF radios (registered sight impaired and on means tested benefits).

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If you are eligible and interested in the loan of one of the tablets, please let us know by getting in touch on 0161 872 1234 or by emailing manchester@henshaws.org.uk. Please be aware that you would need to have a Wi-Fi connection at home.

Greater Manchester VI BeesAre you interested in socialising with other local people with a visual impairment, or getting involved with blind sport? Liam from Manchester has set up a Facebook group called the ‘VI Bees’ which can be found by searching on Facebook for ‘Greater Manchester VI Bees’.

The group is free to join, and is a great opportunity to meet new people and socialise with people living near you. Liam is also heavily involved with a number of sports including blind football, rifle shooting, and archery, which you can find out more about by getting in touch on the Facebook group.

Answers for quiz on page 211. Pomegranates, 2. Drum, 3. Montpelier, 4. Eyelid, 5. Tokyo,6. David Livingstone, 7. Cats, 8. John Irving, 9. Bogey, 10. Digital Versatile Disc

Dance partner wanted!One of our Manchester services users is seeking a dance partner who has a reasonable knowledge of ballroom and modern sequence dance. Janet has been dancing at Stockport Town Hall but there are other local dance venues. As Janet is blind and partially deaf, a dance partner with at least some sight is needed to take the lead, so if you or someone you know would be interested, ring 0161 872 1234 and leave a message for Janet.

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For saleA portable Rehan i-Reader in new condition and only used a few times, for £1000 (£1350 new). The reader is an electronic portable magnifier with a 5 inch touch screen. If you are interested in purchasing, ring 0161 872 1234 and leave a message for Gloria.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, GP, church or library to see if you could leave it there for others to enjoy.

We also have leaflets explaining who we are and what we do – maybe you could ask about leaving some of these; you can get a supply 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.

DisclaimerAlthough 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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