Winter Edition 2004 , Summer Edition 2004 , February Edition 2004 ,
Download a Journal , Summer Edition 2006 , Spring Edition 2007
by Paul Silvester (Project Development Manager)
Hello, may I take this opportunity to welcome everyone to our new and exciting website. I do hope you enjoy using it. I also hope you continue to enjoy the activities organised by Foresight, and you find our new ventures as enjoyable and appealing.
As we move into 2004 the project
has outgrown the downstairs premises, and we have recently acquired the
first floor of our building. The Second Sight project is moving upstairs
with our own small IT training room, and we have secured funding to build
a small recording studio providing us with the facility to improve the taping
standard of the Journal, and also provide copies on compact disc if required.
Downstairs we are now operating a telephone help line/support service, and if anybody would like to volunteer their services to assist with this project, I will be extremely grateful. Alternatively if you or anyone you know would like a phone call, daily or weekly, to have a chat, arrange appointments or, as a security measure do not hesitate to contact the office on 269666 to arrange this. With this in mind we have a Freephone telephone number 0800 0280812 where a message can be relayed 24 hours a day, and we will give this our prompt attention at the earliest opportunity.
We now have three teams competing in the National Blind Ten Pin Bowling League, and this activity is becoming increasingly popular. Should anyone wish to play please contact the office and we can arrange for you to enrol with one of our teams. If there is sufficient extra interest we will enter additional teams when the new season commences.
During the past few months our members have experienced a wide variety of new activities including Line Dancing, Tai Chi, Carriage Driving, Rambling, Archery and Arts and Crafts, which has encompassed Tea Bag Folding, Aromatherapy and Creative Card Making. If any of these activities appeal to you please contact the office to register your interest. One other activity, which has generated a remarkable amount of interest, is target/rifle shooting, which uses laser guided sights, and sound, to locate the target. We are currently working in conjunction with British Blind Sport and Keelby Rifle Club to find funding for the necessary laser activated equipment supplied by Bisley, the national centre for the sport. Once this is successful, a taster day will be arranged with a view to this becoming a regular activity.
During the coming months there is a wide range of new activities planned subject to the receipt of funding. We eagerly anticipate the result of Arts Council funding for Drama lessons, Lifestyle funding to form our own Tandem Bike Riding Club, Humberside Learning Consortium funding to visit local tourist attractions, and prepare a guide for visually impaired and blind people, and also funding to provide a home visiting service.
From listening to or reading this report you will realise our dependence on successful funding bids. For this reason I would like to thank you for your patience as nothing happens instantly. Please bear with us as I can assure you we are doing our utmost at all times.
During November there was a very successful visit to the theatre where many of our members experienced an audio descriptive performance for the first time. With this in mind we are canvassing members regarding a follow up trip to witness an audio descriptive performance of Carousel. This will be at Sheffield in early May, and anybody wishing for further information should contact the office.
I also know there are many prospective gardeners amongst our numbers and I am currently negotiating for the opportunity to develop land in Wellington Street, which our members will be able to transform into a Sensory Garden. We are receiving valuable assistance from local environmental agencies and a funding bid will shortly be forwarded to People’s Places for the necessary finance. Hopefully this will come to fruition this summer providing a peaceful and fragrant harbour for members of our community to while away the hours.
Foresight Project is also offering members the opportunity to visit Llandudno in July for a weeks holiday, and if any one is interested there are still limited places available. For further details and cost please contact the office.
Our ever popular lunch/quiz afternoons
are continuing with a change of venue. We are currently visiting the Punchbowl
on Cleethorpes seafront and I can personally recommend this activity as
the meals are excellent value for money and the quiz is enjoyable and challenging
entertainment.
Foresight Project is investigating funding streams for personal attack alarms
and also home alarms linked to a central control. We would like observations
on this project and any input will be gratefully received at the office.
It is planned to visit schools and other community groups, both adult and junior to raise awareness of blindness and visual impairment. This project is being organised by John Cremen who would very much like to hear from any person who feels they would like to talk about this subject or make a valuable contribution to this project, for further information please contact the office, and John will be in touch. We feel this project is very worthwhile and the long term benefits to the community will be significant.
Other items of interest are a planned exhibition at Cleethorpes Memorial Hall on the 29th /30th April where all agencies working for the blind and visually impaired will be represented. Funded by Community Champions our contact for this project is Janice Lewis who is working tirelessly to ensure an informative and successful two days is guaranteed.
Once again I reiterate the invitation to visit our office for a cup of tea and a chat, where we can discuss any new ideas you may have. Everybody is welcome and fresh input is greatly appreciated, your ideas are always at the forefront of our planning even though not all activities are successful, we will always do our best to give it a go. Please drop in as it is rewarding for new faces to be involved, nothing is compulsory, most activities generate only a small charge and in return we offer hours of enjoyment, the opportunity to meet new friends and experience of activities and personal satisfaction not previously available.