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In this issue of the Forthwrite journal you can find...
We hope you all have enjoyed the Summer with the glorious sunshine and splendid weather. During the Summer we have organised several day trips, a series of taster classes and regular entertainment days which have been very well supported and proved to be a great success. These activities have assisted us in putting together a new, varied and exciting programme which will commence in September. The newsletter will give you more detailed information of available activities and courses, we hope you will find something of interest and will come and join us in the coming months.
We place great value on your continued support and look forward to welcoming you back in the coming weeks.
We are always looking for new ideas for events and activities so please don’t hesitate to contact a member of staff with your suggestions.
We place great value on your continued support and look forward to welcoming you back in the coming weeks.
We are always looking for new ideas for events and activities so please don’t hesitate to contact a member of staff with your suggestions.
For more information please
call us on
Tel: 01472 269666 Fax 01472 240699
Or contact us at
Foresight
44-48 Hainton Avenue, Grimsby North East Lincolnshire, DN32 9BT
‘Eye need a friend’ is the befriending project managed by Foresight which assists blind and visually impaired people over the age of 65 to retain their independence by enabling them to live at home longer through combating loneliness and isolation, and improving their quality of life. This is achieved by volunteers taking on the role of befriending the individual for up to four hours a week. The befriender will assist with a variety of tasks which could include shopping, socialising, accompanying them into the Foresight centre to access any activity of their choice, helping with daily living tasks i.e. reading the mail, papers, paying bills, organising paperwork or simply helping to choose birthday cards etc. This project has been running since February and to date we have helped 35 individuals who all appreciate the value of service and the positive effect on their lives. The help and support of volunteers is paramount, which is why this project has already proven to be a huge success and I would like to take this opportunity to say a big thank you to all the volunteers who play a part in this.
We are now delivering, on average 200 hours of befriending per month. However, we have the capacity to increase this figure and are looking for new people to use the service. If you are over 65 years old with a visual impairment and are in need of a little extra help and feel this service could benefit you, or someone you know, please do not hesitate to contact Bev Milson or Adrian Wilson on 01472 269666.
Here are some quotes from people who use the service, showing how effective it is:
“I feel I have known the
volunteer all my life - we never stop talking!”
“My volunteer makes me feel as though she always has time for me.”
“I have made a lot of new friends and expanded my social activities
through being befriended”
“Befriending is one of the simplest yet most important but neglected
of services. It meets people in whatever their situation– bereavement,
distress, illness, loneliness, vulnerability and maybe, perhaps more than
sophisticated services, is critical to their survival”
Starting in September we will once again be delivering a comprehensive programme of courses and activities at our community centre. We have retained popular courses from previous programmes and introduced new courses, following suggestions from our students in response to the evaluation forms distributed in our last newsletter.
Listed below is a brief summary of each course we will be delivering if enough interest is shown. If a course is over-subscribed it may be possible to run a second class. If any of the following courses interest you, please complete the attached ‘Community Centre Activities’ sheet and return it in the pre-paid envelope. Times and days for each course are also detailed on the enrolment form. If you require any further information on any course, please ring Sue Bell at Foresight Tel: 01472 269666
Local History
An introduction to the history of Grimsby and the surrounding area, through
the ages up to present day.
Card Designing
Personalise your greeting cards by designing and creating cards for all
occasions.
Introduction to Digital Photography
Take the opportunity to improve your photography skills, edit your photographs,
correct faults and create effects. This course may includefield
trips.
Pottery and Ceramics
Learn the basic techniques of creating a hand-made pot and progress to the
art of wheel thrown pottery.
Beginners’ Computing
A course for the absolute beginner: this course will guide you through the
basics of using a computer and will lead you on to more advanced courses.
Arts and Crafts
A creative course for people who prefer tactile learning. This course is
open to all students of mixed abilities and experience.
Beginners’ Yoga
An introduction to Yoga will guide you through the art of meditation, posture
and breath control.
Gentle Keep Fit
This Course is designed to exercise your whole body. Some of the exercises
can be done whilst sitting down.
Discover Watercolour Painting
Learn how to select the correct equipment and materials for painting and
create your first masterpiece.
European Computer Driving Licence (E.C.D.L)
This course will consist of looking at the different units needed for accreditation
e.g. Microsoft Word, Excel, spreadsheets and databases.
Aromatherapy
This is Part One of a three-part course in which you will discover the uses
of aromatic oils and massage techniques. Part Two will commence in January
‘07 and cover massage, and Part Three will commence in April ‘07
and cover ‘beauty on a budget’.
Tai Chi
This slow and relaxed Chinese form of exercise is suitable for people of
all ages. It will help develop a healthy body and an alert mind.
Desktop Publishing
A creative course which will enable you to create your own cards, leaflets,
posters and newsletters.
Digital Photography Level Two
This course is aimed at students who already have some knowledge of digital
photography and wish to learn more ‘in-depth’ photographic techniques.
Reminiscence
This course will give you a chance to build and retrieve memories and review
your life, history and identity.
Line Dancing
This course is not for the absolute beginner, but if you have any line dancing
skills then this is for you.
Drama
Meeting every Thursday morning at the centre, the drama group stages plays
and sketches for the local community. The group is always open to new members.
Games Morning
Every Tuesday we are running a games morning, this includes cards, dominoes,
scrabble etc. All the equipment is designed for visually impaired users
and tea, coffee and biscuits are provided. So please feel free to drop in
any Tuesday and bring a friend.
North East Lincolnshire Council’s Home Energy team are urging homeowners to act now to insulate their property and prepare for this Winter. Grants are still available under the government’s Warm Front scheme.
The Government Warm Front grant is open to homeowners or to tenants who rent from a private landlord, and who are in receipt of a means tested benefit, a disability benefit, or any of the tax credits. The grant of up to £2,700 gives people the opportunity to have energy saving measures such as loft and cavity insulation, or central heating systems, installed into their home.
Not only can this opportunity save money in energy and heating bills, it can also lead to improvements in the warmth and comfort of your home. This can in turn lead to a healthier lifestyle. Saving energy also reduces the impact of energy use on climate change and global warming.
If you would like the opportunity to be updated on the latest grants available, please indicate this on the enclosed form, and Foresight will arrange a presentation.
Foresight has linked in with three other organisations to provide home safety and security devices to the homes of older people and disadvantaged people. Grimsby Fire Brigade will fit smoke alarms, ensuring they are positioned correctly. All smoke alarms are fitted with a ten year battery for easy maintenance. Trading Standards supply door chains to front and back doors if required. Help the Aged also offer door chains, window locks, door viewers and mortise locks and bolts.
These services are all free of charge and give the individual peace of mind. For further information contact Foresight on(01472) 269666
Sentico have launched a talking intruder alarm which has been endorsed by the RNIB. Although there are hundreds of different house alarm systems on the market this is the only one that talks. The alarm is easy to use and can be armed and disarmed just from a key fob. The panel gives clear voice prompts with every button you press and there is the option of a Braille overlay as well as a Braille or large print manual. If an alarm is activated it dials through to a 24hr monitoring centre who can contact your key holders to respond. Additional features of the system include the ability to control your lights by time or sensor, making your house look occupied even when you’re not there!
The system is installed by Sentico’s engineers and takes no more than a day because the alarm is wireless. Once installed, the engineer will train you how to use the system.
If you are interested in viewing this equipment please indicate on the form provided and Foresight will arrange a demonstration. If you require more information please contact the Foresight on Tel: 01472 269666
We have received a large amount of requests for activities that will take place outside of our community centre. With this in mind we have decided to re-launch an external activities programme. The programme will include ‘tried and tested’ activities that are currently running, activities which have proved successful on trial days and will now be held on a more regular basis and some new activities that we will trial for suitability and up-take. To ensure the programme will run smoothly and offer continuous enjoyment to participants we have submitted a funding bid to employ an activities co-ordinator, who we hope to appoint in the near future. This will assist everybody taking part as they will have a focus for any issues or problems they face and also to put forward ideas for new activities.
To compliment our external activities we will have a minibus available which will overcome previous transport difficulties. Enclosed in the newsletter is a form to express an interest in participating in any activity. Where possible we will give times, days and frequency for the activity. Please tick the appropriate box and return your form to the centre in the pre-paid envelope provided.
Please note, there may be a cost for some activities and these activities will only take place subject to sufficient interest and commitment. Listed below is a brief description of all the proposed activities:
Golf
This activity is held at Swingtime Leisure on Cromwell Road in Grimsby,
next to Grimsby Leisure Centre. Initially, this will involve two hours on
a driving range, developing the skills needed to strike the ball properly.
Several Blind and Visually Impaired people have already tried this, and
have thoroughly enjoyed it. There are volunteers available to assist with
the activity and hopefully once people are confident enough, they will move
onto the nine-hole golf course.
This activity will take place on a Tuesday afternoon from 12.30-2.30 pm. The cost for a session is £1 for a bucket of 50 balls.
Ten Pin Bowling
This will be held at Cleethorpes Bowling alley on Monday afternoons 2-4pm
once a fortnight. If you so wish, you can become a team member and compete
in the national blind ten-pin bowling league. However, this is not essential,
you can just go along and enjoy the day. You can purchase drinks and food
at this activity. Volunteers are on-hand to help, and the cost is £3.20
and this includes 2 full games and shoe hire.
Swimming
Held at the Grimsby Leisure Centre on Tuesday afternoons between 2.45 and
3.45pm. This is a fun and enjoyable session and you do not have to be a
strong swimmer to attend. A lifeguard is present at all times. The activity
cost is £1.10 per person but a helper/carer can swim for free. The
use of the pool is exclusive to Foresight as there is no public access at
this time.
Archery
This activity takes place on Manby airfield with Louth and District Disability
Archery Club. The activity will be outside in the Summer and indoors during
the Winter. The activity will run 10am-2pm once a fortnight on Fridays.
Fully qualified instructors and volunteers will be on-hand throughout to
assist with this activity. Transport will be available and the cost will
be £3 per person to cover the transport and activity.
Tandem Bike Riding
We have 6 Tandem bikes available, and this activity will be based in Bradley
village and all rides will be on secluded tracks away from heavy traffic.
Transport will be available at the cost of £1 per person to transport
you to the venue. Volunteers will be available to assist you with this activity.
We have no fixed day or time for this activity, but if you are interested,
please indicate your preferred day and time and we will go with the majority.
Carriage Driving
This will take place at the Kenwick Louth Riding for the Disabled Association,
based at Kenwick Park. The participant will have the opportunity to do both
carriage driving and horse riding, and the activity will take approximately
2 hours. Transport will be available, and the cost of this activity is £3.
Trained instructors will be on-hand throughout. We have no fixed day or
time for this activity, so if you are interested please indicate your preferred
day and time. Please note there are only four places available at any one
time, so it may be necessary to rotate this activity to ensure everyone
has accessibility.
Gliding
This is held at Strubby airfield in conjunction with Lincolnshire Gliding
Club. Individuals will be flying with fully trained instructors. This activity
will take place on Wednesday from 10am-2pm and transport will be provided,
and will leave Foresight at 9am. This will be an all day event so you will
need to bring a packed lunch and drinks.
Participants can either try this as a one-off experience, or attend on a regular basis. Foresight have paid an annual subscription, so the cost of each flight will be approximately £6, although it will be possible to fly twice in one day if you so desire. A cost of £1 will be required as a contribution to transport costs.
Rifle Shooting
This activity is held at Keelby Rifle Club. Once you have been trained to
use the rifle correctly, you will have the opportunity to shoot in the national
league, which could eventually lead to shooting in the Disabled Olympics.
The shooting is done through sound and light so people with visual impairment
will not be at a disadvantage. There is highly qualified and fully trained
instructors to assist at all times.
This activity costs £1 to cover the use of the targets and shells. The venue is open on Thursday between 10am-3pm. The time taken to shoot is approximately one hour.
Walking
This will be a gentle walk lasting around one hour, and routes will be at
different locations in North East Lincolnshire and surrounding areas. All
routes will be checked for trip hazards and safety. We are open to suggestions
for walking locations, and would be grateful to receive these through your
reply sheet.
Where possible, we will try to start and finish the walks at a pub so that individuals can purchase food and drink if required. Our walks will be organised to meet demand, and this will determine the frequency and the days on which they take place. If transport is needed there will be a contribution of £1.
Sailing
Sailing takes place at Covenham Reservoir with the local sailing club. Sailing
will take place with fully qualified instructors that are used to instructing
disabled and sensory impaired people. If there is sufficient interest in
this activity we will organise sailing days to meet demand. There may be
a small cost to cover transport and membership.
Fishing
If anybody is interested, it will be possible for Foresight to organise
for them to go fishing. There will be a maximum of four people at any one
time, and it will take place at Laceby pond. Two experienced handlers who
are trained to work with people with disabilities will be on-hand to assist.
Days and times will be arranged to suit individuals.
Crown Green Bowling
If there is sufficient interest Foresight will organise Crown Green Bowling.
We will work with a local bowling club to bowl outside in the Summer, and
will move to an indoor venue in the Winter. Please indicate which day and
time you prefer and we will go with the majority.
Would you like the opportunity to drive a car? Foresight have had discussions with Manby Motorplex with regard to organising a driving session on Manby airfield in a dual control car with qualified advanced driver training instructors. This activity is totally safe and will be a great opportunity for people to undertake an experience which they never thought would be possible. We will need a minimum of three people for this activity to take place but we can cater for 15 , however, unfortunately, it is quite expensive. The cost of the activity is £30 per hour but this can be split into 20 minute blocks bringing the cost down to £10. If this is successful there will be other driving opportunities at a later date e.g. off road driving and skid car. If you are interested in this activity please indicate this on the form provided stating your preferred day and we will go with the majority. For further information on this activity please contact Foresight Tel: 01472 269666
We are please to announce that our popular pub lunch / quiz will recommence at the end of September. We will be holding these on a regular basis throughout the winter months. We will be contacting everybody with dates and a menu nearer the time. We look forward to meeting our regulars and seeing new faces at the first event.
Foresight would like to congratulate Dave Bell for taking a zip slide off the Humber Bridge. Dave raised £400 towards the cost of a regional ten pin bowling tournament organised by Foresight and to be held at Cleethorpes Bowling Alley in October.
Denise Woollard and her fundraising team continue to hold events to meet the costs of this tournament. If you feel you could be of any assistance please contact Denise at the Foresight centre or call her on 01472 269666.
Have you a few hours to spare? Would you like to be a volunteer with Foresight? The success of our organisation is in large part due to the contribution of our volunteers. We rely heavily on them to ensure our daily events and activities run smoothly and participants achieve satisfaction and enjoyment. All our volunteers are well supported, offered wide ranging opportunities to learn new skills, develop as an individual and all out of pocket expenses are reimbursed. The majority of our volunteers find the experience enjoyable and rewarding and the staff and trustees place great value on the work they undertake. Should you wish to volunteer with Foresight we have a wide ranging choice of projects in which you could become involved. If you feel that you do not have the knowledge and skills required do not worry as Foresight offer extensive training for all our volunteers. The time you give is at your discretion and every little helps. Listed below are the projects and roles available as a volunteer.
Befriending
Help assisting blind and visually impaired people over 65 years of age with
independent living tasks. This could include shopping, reading mail, accompanying
them to the centre. Two to three hours per week required. This opportunity
has been very popular and given volunteers enormous satisfaction in helping
others.
Hospital Information
Desk
Assistance with staffing an information desk based at the eye clinic at
Grimsby Hospital. Offering advice and information to patients accessing
the eye clinic with regard to availabilities of services offered to blind
and visually impaired people. This service is operated Monday to Thursday
10 - 12p.m. and 2p.m. - 4p.m. and Friday 10 - 12p.m.. We ask volunteers
to commit to a 2 hour session where you will work in partnership with another
volunteer.
Community Centre Activities
Assisting within the community centre to ensure smooth day to day running
of all our activities, the role of the volunteer in the centre can be quite
diverse. There are opportunities to do basic administration, staff the reception
desk and work on the in-house public address/radio station. Above all else
we require volunteers to help with learning support for our users. This
ensures they achieve a quality learning experience which offers both enjoyment
and satisfaction. Alternatively if you would like something less taxing
you can just assist in the coffee lounge just making cups of tea and coffee
and washing up.
Outdoor Activities
Assisting with a wide range of activities outside of the community centre.
Volunteers can choose from any of the activities previously detailed in
the newsletter. In most cases transport will be provided. The main role
will be to ensure full participation and an enjoyable experience. All volunteers
will be able to join in and participate in the activities if they wish.
Driving
Foresight have recently purchased a minibus as our research has shown that
transport is a real barrier to participation. We are seeking volunteers
to drive the minibus. All volunteers must have a full driving license and
be over 21 years of age.
Escorted Shopping
Volunteers are required for a couple of hours per week to assist people
with a shopping trip to the supermarket. Volunteers will be required to
assist within the supermarket helping people to choose their weekly shopping
and pack away at the checkout. Transport will be provided to and from the
supermarket.
If you are interested in any of the above opportunities or require further information, in the first instance please contact Bev Milson or Adrian Wilson at Foresight Tel:01472 269666 or alternatively call into the centre for a cup of tea and a chat.
Do you have trouble with your weekly grocery shop? Do you have trouble getting to the Supermarket? Then Foresight are here to help you. If you would like to be picked up, taken to a Supermarket , have assistance around the store and dropped back off home, then we can do this for you. We will operate this service on a weekly basis and there will be a small charge to cover the transport.
This service will be accessible for wheelchair users, and if required we can offer one-to-one support to assist with your shopping. For further information on this service please contact the centre Tel: 01472 269666 or return the enclosed form.
Are you an avid film buff and would you like the opportunity to go to the cinema? If there is enough interest Foresight will organise ‘Film Days’ with transport provided. The cost for entering the cinema is £5.00 and £3.80 to senior citizens. If you would like to take a friend as a carer they will get free admission.
We will attend the 1pm performance but please indicate which day you prefer, and we will go with the majority. Please note we will be attending the audio descript performances. For further information please contact Foresight on (01472) 269666 or indicate your interest on the form provided.
Many thanks to all of you who attended our Tuesday afternoon entertainment days throughout the summer break. The days were well supported with live music from Tommo and Badger. For those of you who enjoyed the music you will be pleased to hear that the duo will be entertaining us at our annual Christmas Party. Foresight would like to say a big thank you to Tommo and Badger for their support.
At long last we can bring you some positive news regarding our website. Our organisation has been successful in receiving funding from Business Link to deliver training to two staff members and two volunteers to re-develop the website. This training has now taken place and work has commenced on up-dating the website. We hope to re-launch the website during October and this will be updated regularly to enable people to access the latest information at Foresight, so get online and click on www.foresightproject.org.uk
Are you an avid reader or is it a passion that has now escaped you? Would you like to access all the latest best-sellers and then discuss the merits of the novel and the enjoyment and satisfaction achieved through your reading? Then Foresight in partnership with North East Lincolnshire library services has the answer.
If you would like to enrol in the Foresight book club which is on the last Wednesday of every month you will receive an audio copy of a chosen novel to listen to for your pleasure during the coming month. You will then return and discuss the novel you have just read in a friendly and welcoming environment.
If you would like further information please contact Foresight on (01472) 269666
Do you have problems watching and enjoying television?
Then Foresight can help. Working in partnership with the R.N.I.B. we have arranged for a representative to give a talk and offer information on Audio Description for your television. If you are interested in attending please indicate your preferred day on the form provided and we will go with the majority.
Carelink is a local Grimsby charity
that has been in existence for over ten years. Our purpose is to provide
support and reassurance to the vulnerable within the community and we achieve
this by
installing and monitoring ‘Lifeline’ alarm units.
The alarms that we use are small and unobtrusive and operate via your telephone line so there are not lots of wires running through your home. Once installed the unit connects to our response centre, which is located in Second Avenue, Grimsby and is staffed 24 hours a day, every day of the year by local people.
Any person requiring assistance for whatever reason can contact the response centre by activating the pendant that comes with the alarm unit. Our staff will respond in a polite and friendly manner and take whatever action is appropriate from offering words of advice through to contacting a relative, friend or neighbour or even one of the emergency services on the unfortunate occasions when they are needed.
We currently monitor approximately 4,500 alarm units in the North East Lincolnshire area and are regularly told by customers how much they appreciate the service we provide because of the peace of mind and reassurance it offers to them and their family members.
As we are a charity and do not make any profit from our service, our prices are extremely competitive. The most that any person would be required to pay after the initial installation fee is £12 per month and, dependant upon the various package options we have available, costs can be considerably less than this and on occasions even free of charge.
If you are interested in the service offered by Carelink and would like some further information, please contact them on (01472) 312312
In the Sept. Edition 2006 of Forthwrite,