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Newsletter November 2013Lisburn in Focus
Lisburn in FocusRawdon House45-47 Market SquareLisburnCo AntrimBT28 1AD
Tel: 028 9260 [email protected]/lisburninfocuswww.facebook.com/lisburninfocus
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Contents:
Circuit Training November - February.....................2One to One Mobility Support...................................3Swimming Lessons in Lisburn Leisureplex..............3Boccia Sessions......................................................4Access for All: Yes or No?......................................4Switch on to Technology is back!............................5Glass Fusing............................................................7Visit this website…..................................................9React.......................................................................9Outlook News........................................................10
Afternoon Tea.....................................................10Outlook Annual General Meeting........................11
Turner Prize Visual Description Tours...................11Are you missing out on Warm Homes?.................12Would you have time to Volunteer with us?..........13Walking Group.......................................................13Tandem Group News............................................14
Weekly Session..................................................14Audio Described Performances.............................14
Lyric Theatre.......................................................14Grand Opera House...........................................15
Run in the Dark for RNIB NI..................................15Difficulty accessing websites.................................16Personal Transcription Service - use it, it's yours!.16
How does the RNIB personal transcription service work?..................................................................17How can I access personal transcription?..........17
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Circuit Training November - FebruaryLisburn in Focus has organised a Circuit Training class in Studio 2 at the Lisburn Leisureplex starting at 10.30am on Thursday 14 November.
The class will be tailored to meet individual fitness levels and needs - so come along and have a go! On the first week we will meet at the Reception and it will be a "getting to know the Equipment" session.
There will be five sessions before Christmas and eight in the New Year - starting back on Thursday 9 January. To book a place ring 028 9260 0388 or email [email protected]
One to One Mobility SupportAre there places you would like to walk to that you can't because you feel unsure of the route? Lisburn in Focus can offer you one to one support via Guide Dogs Mobility Instructors. You do not need a Guide Dog! The mobility instructor will spend time with you reinforcing any routes that you already know a little bit but are not 100% sure of when on your own.
Ring us on 028 9260 0388 to request this service.
Swimming Lessons in Lisburn LeisureplexWould you like to learn to swim or become more confident in the water?
Lisburn in Focus has organised an 8 week beginner's swim class in Lisburn Leisureplex which started on Tuesday 22 October.
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Each hour long session with start at 9am sharp and two instructors will be there for 30 minutes. After 9.30am you can either leave the pool or remain for another 30 minutes with Lisburn in Focus volunteers.
Places are limited so if you are interested then ring us on 028 9260 0388 or email [email protected]
Boccia SessionsWhat is Boccia? Pronounced "botcha" it's a game similar to Bowls, played with soft leather balls. Boccia is a very social game and has a big emphasis on teamwork.
Lisburn in Focus has organised 6 weekly Boccia sessions beginning on Monday 11 November in First Lisburn Presbyterian Church Hall in Market Square, Lisburn. We will be meeting at 10.30am until noon each week. The sessions will start with some basic skills and work up to a game.
If you are interested in taking part please call the office on 028 9260 0388 to book your place.
Access for All: Yes or No?Public Meeting, 11 November,2013, at the Island Centre, Lisburn, from 5.30 pm.
What’s In Your Way?Many people, especially those with disabilities, encounter all sorts of barriers when trying to get about. Whether the challenge is walking, climbing
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steps, seeing or hearing fully, there are lots of difficulties that should not really be there. Laws banning discrimination, and better public awareness, have removed or reduced some of these barriers, but others still exist.
What’s Been Done?For over 30 years the Lisburn Access Group, a totally voluntary body, has been lobbying on behalf of local people with disabilities to improve access to buildings and public places across the city. We have influenced the design of major projects such as the Island Centre and the main Lisburn library. Lisburn City Council and the Roads Service have acknowledged the value of our lobbying work. We are proud of all that we have achieved and believe that the people of Lisburn have benefitted from it.
Are We Still Needed?Yes. We believe that, despite our numerous achievements, there is still work to be done. However, our active membership is no longer in a position to take this forward. If you wish to see the work continue, please come along to our public meeting at the Island Centre, Lisburn, on 11 November, 2013, starting at 5.30 pm. If you would like further information, please contact the Chair, Irené Orr, on 028 9267 3914, or the Vice-Chair, David Mann, on 028 9260 7894.
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Switch on to Technology is back!This year the popular technology tasters will take place on 12 November in Linenhall Street, Belfast and 13 November in Derry/Londonderry.
Session topicsEach day will cover three technology themes:• Making sense of mobile phones• Getting online with computers and tablets• Options for reading with eBooks and download
audio books
Each session will last 90 minutes, and attendees can come to one, two or all three sessions. The sessions are targeted towards beginners, and as such the content will be aimed at this level. All events will address common queries like what’s out there for me, where can I get hold of it and how do I use it?
Each session will answer the following questions:1. What is it and what can I do with it?2. Where can I buy it from?3. Which one should I get?4. How do I set it up?5. How do I use it?6. Where can I get more information and help?
There will be time for questions and answers within the sessions and our technology experts will also be available for some time outside of the sessions to answer additional questions.
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As part of attending an event, participants will be eligible to receive a free guide that will remind them of the key points of their technology taster sessions. There is a separate guide available to accompany each session. Guides can be ordered through the RNIB Helpline on 0303 123 9999. Those not able to attend a session are still able to order a guide through the Helpline.
11.00 – 12.30 Getting online12.30 – 1.15 Lunch1.15 – 2.45 eBooks3.00 – 4.15 Mobile phones
Lunch will be provided and there will also notes about the event afterwards. If you would like to attend then call Joanne on 028 9033 4113 to book a place.
Glass FusingWhen I read in the September issue of the Lisburn in Focus Newsletter that they were planning to hold a glass fusing workshop I had visions of roaring blowtorches, burnt and bloodied hands and general mayhem; and as for producing a pretty bowl as the final product my imagination just did not run that far. Of course, I signed up for the workshop and am so glad that I did, my imagination had really been very far off the mark.
When the day arrived six of us turned up at the Rowan Centre in Wallace Avenue where we were introduced to Kenny Devon who became interested
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in enabling blind and partially sighted people to have the satisfaction of producing beautiful fused glass objects, when a totally blind man in a wheelchair came to his “pod” in Bangor one day and asked what he was doing.
Kenny told us a bit about various types of glass and how they are produced and he explained how we would be able to handle the glass safely when we were working with it. We were given what looked like stainless steel pudding bowls with a ceramic lining and there were boxes of various colours of glass on the table. The glass looked a bit like corrugated paper but was smooth and shiny on both sides and could be easily broken between finger and thumb.
To make our bowls we placed a single layer of glass around the inside of the bowl using the various colours to make the pattern of our choice, it was a bit like making a jigsaw in the bowl. When we got near the top of the bowl we started at the bottom again with a second layer and brought that up almost as far as the first one. While we were working we tried not to have any large gaps between the glass or to have the glass on its edge instead of flat on the other layer.
These two layers completed the bowl but the problem then was to transport the bowl with two layers of loose glass to Bangor where it would be placed in a kiln at about 1700ºC (I think that was the temperature) for around 8 hours, however Kenny was well prepared, he carefully placed a plastic bag
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containing rice into each of the bowls and that moulded itself inside the glass thus holding it firmly in place.
A week later we collected our bowls and I think everyone was very pleased with the results. I think we all got through the workshop without any bleeding and given that we were breaking glass with bare hands and feeling the inside of the bowl for missed spaces or glass placed edge on rather than flat must prove that it is a fairly safe pastime even if we were unable to see what we were doing.
A big thank you to Lisburn in Focus for hosting this workshop, to The Rowan Centre for the use of the room and last, but by no means least, to Kenny Devon for his tuition, enthusiasm and encouragement enabling us to produce a totally unique piece of artwork.
If this workshop comes up again I would encourage all who can to sign up for it, the two hours it lasted were most enjoyable.
Anna McMonagle
Visit this website…A local lady, Magdalena Rutkowska has an interesting artwork website you might want to visit.www.ikestudio.co.uk
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ReactFobs for the React units are available FREE to any local blind or partially sighted people. React is an audible signpost system designed by RNIB for people who are blind or partially sighted. Each speaker acts like a signpost, letting the person who triggers it know where they are.
For anyone outside of Lisburn Council area they can be bought from RNIB for £25. They are also available to borrow for the day from the Lisburn Tourist Information Centre in Lisburn Square, Lisburn Bus Centre Reception and Lisburn Train Station Reception.
The Lisburn in Focus team are keen to arrange trials of the system if you would like to walk it with one of us. Please call the office on 028 9260 0388 or email [email protected]
Outlook News
Afternoon TeaOutlook will be having afternoon tea on Thursday 14 November from 2-4pm at the Zest café situated in South Eastern Regional College (SERC), Castle Street, Lisburn.
To access the café, enter through the main automatic doors to the SERC building on Castle Street and follow the glass panels on the left side until you reach a set of wooden double doors. This is the entrance to
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the café and staff have provided a table for the group to sit at. It would be great to see you there! All are welcome.
Outlook Annual General MeetingOutlook would like to warmly invite you to their Annual General Meeting on Thursday 21 November at 5pm in The Wallace Riverside Pub & Eatery (formerly The Point).
You will then be encouraged to walk over to the Lagan Valley Island for the Christmas Lights entertainment and Switch on.
Please let us know - for catering purposes - if you hope to attend the AGM. Ring Lisburn in Focus on 028 9260 0388 by Friday 15 November.
Turner Prize Visual Description ToursThe Turner Prize Learning Team invites blind and partially sighted visitors to join them for free Description Tours of the Turner Prize exhibition.Below are the details of forthcoming Visual Description Tours. Friday 8 November at 4pm Saturday 7 December at 12noon
Where: Meet at Reception, The Turner Prize exhibition, Ebrington Square, Derry/Londonderry.
How to book: phone 028 7134 9608 extension 203 or Email [email protected]
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Are you missing out on Warm Homes?Many people in Northern Ireland could be missing out with free help with insulation and heating through the Warm Homes Scheme. This is a grant which is funded by the Department for Social Development to make your home warmer healthier and more energy efficient.
The scheme provides free loft insulation, cavity wall insulation and hot water tank jacket. Loft topups are also available for houses that have not been insulated in the past ten years.
A new oil or gas central heating system may also be available for those in receipt of one of the warm homes plus benefits and who have Economy 7, LPG, Solid Fuel or No heating system at all.
To qualify for this scheme you must own or privately rent your home and be in receipt of one of the following benefits: Disability Living Allowance, Attendance Allowance, *Income Support, *Housing Benefit, *Pension Credits, *Working Tax Credits, Child Tax Credits with income below £15,910, *Income related employment support allowance or *Income based jobseeker allowance.
This is a fully funded scheme therefore there is no cost to homeowners, tenants or landlords. To find out if you qualify for the scheme call 0800 988 0559 or visit www.warm-homes.com
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Would you have time to Volunteer with us?You may be aware that Lisburn in Focus has begun providing a befriending service for people with sight loss.
The befriending service offers a supportive, reliable relationship to people who feel socially isolated. The service ensures people remain independent as much as possible and to help them with the small tasks that they find they cannot do.
A volunteer befriender will meet with someone on a regular basis for a chat, to help with small tasks and give advice on other services available locally.
If you or someone you know might be willing to volunteer with this service or you would like to request a volunteer befriender to be paired up with you, please contact Richard on 028 9260 0388 or email [email protected]
Walking GroupThe weekly walking group has now stopped over the autumn and winter period and will re-commence again in early 2014. Thank you for your attendance throughout the course of the year and making the walking group an enjoyable social activity for local people with sight loss.
Tandem Group NewsWeekly SessionThe weekly Thursday evening group has stopped meeting over the Autumn and Winter. Instead we will
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meet on alternate Saturday afternoons in November from 10.30am-12noon.
The two dates are;2 November16 November
As it is not guaranteed that there will be enough pilots for every stoker, you may not get out on a bike for the full 90 minutes.
Anyone interested in taking part will be made most welcome and all fitness levels are catered for. New cyclists will be given a helmet. Wear comfortable clothes and have some way of tucking loose trouser bottoms into socks or cycle clips. If you want any more information please ring Lisburn in Focus on 028 9260 0388.
Audio Described PerformancesLyric Theatre 028 9038 1081 or www.lyrictheatre.co.uk
Brendan at the Chelsea, 7 November 2013
Forget Turkey 2, 9 January 2014
Philadelphia Here I come, 6 March 2014
Grand Opera House 028 9024 1919
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Cats, 13 November, 2013. There will be a touch tour at 6.30pm - prior to the performance. Book a place on this when booking your ticket.
Sleeping Beauty (panto), 7 January 2014
Fiddler on the Roof, 15 February, 2014
Dreamboats and Petticoats, 15 March 2014
Singing in the Rain, 14 May 2014
Dirty Dancing, 7 August 2014
For more information about Audio described performances visit www.nisightlines.co.uk
Difficulty accessing websitesDo you have difficulty fully accessing any local websites? We can work with organisations and businesses giving them tailored advice as to how they can make their website fully accessible for those of you who use Zoom technology or speech software like JAWS.
Please let us know if you find any websites challenging and we will try our best to work with the web designer to make them fully accessible. Ring 028 9260 0388 or email [email protected] Personal Transcription Service - use it, it's yours!RNIB believes in accessible information for all.
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The personal transcription service helps blind and partially sighted people translate everyday printed material into audio, Braille, large print or text.
The skilled team can transcribe information that wouldn't otherwise be available, providing independent access to the written word.
How does the RNIB personal transcription service work?If you're an RNIB Member you can request free transcription equivalent to 300 straightforward print pages every year. Further transcription can be purchased at a subsidised cost, depending on the complexity and format of the original information and the type of transcription required. Prices start from just 4p a page. Non-members can request transcription at the same subsidised cost.
How can I access personal transcription?Accessing personal transcription is quick and easy.Simply call your regional centre in Belfast on 028 9050 1888 or the RNIB Helpline on 0303 123 9999
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