Vision Northumberland                                             Update: 26th April 2023


Chief Executive Vacancy

Due to the retirement of our current Chief Officer, Julie, we are seeking to appointment a new Chief Executive to manage and lead our organisation.


Further details and an application pack can be found on our Vacancies page or by emailing: paula.hately@visionnorthumberland.org.uk


For an informal chat about the role, please call 01670 514316 and speak to Julie.


 

New Sport and Activities

We are excitied to share some of our new activities with you all and hope you'll come join in the fun!!


Chess Club - every Monday, 12.30 - 2.00pm    at Reiver House (starts 15th May)


Football - fortnightly Thursdays, 12.30 - 2.00pm at Craik Park, Morpeth (next 27th April)


Photography Club - 2nd & 4th Tuesdays, 10.30 - 12.00 at Blyth Hub, Keel Row (starts 23rd May)


Golf - TBC but if you're interested in trying VI Golf, please get in touch


For more info, call Jo on 01670 514316



INTERESTED IN FOOTBALL?

Check out an interview with our VI team below



Don't forget to follow us on Facebook for more football updates 


MORPETH VIP FOOTBALL

Have an interest in football?
Would you like to become involved in VIP Football?
Our new team, Morpeth VIP meet fortnightly at Craic Park the home Morpeth Town FC. Whether you wish to play or support the team, we would love to hear from you
For more information, contact Jo Money on 01670 514316    Email:jo.money@visionnorthumberland.org.uk


Chatter Box Cafe


If you want to meet some friendly faces, keep warm and enjoy  FREE refreshments and delicious home cooked food, why not come and join us for a relaxed cuppa and a chat?


Our opening hours:

 Tuesdays 10am - 1pm

Thursdays 10am - 1pm 


 

Please come and join us, we’d love to see you at our Café!


OUR GARDEN NEEDS YOUR HELP

The Lions Club of Morpeth are currently fundraising to adapt our existing garden into a safe, tranquil and suitable space for those with a visual impairment. 


Support them by becoming a member today and selecting them as your chosen local cause.


Click on the image below to register


Could you use £500 towards home-use aids and technology?

I would argue that the reason why several major IT implementations fail is  due to the lack of understanding of both technology and business processes  – The Management Philosopher – Dr. Glenn Hole

RNIB are offering grants to people who are registered as blind or partially sighted, on a means-tested benefit and who have been unable to get statutory funding.


Click here for more information


Something very special to celebrate!!

At a wonderful award ceremony at Alnwick Castle, Her Grace The Duchess of Northumberland awarded us the Queens Award for Voluntary Service with Special Recognition for our work during Covid

This is a credit to ALL our volunteers, both before and during the pandemic. Thank you all!!!

Click on either photo to find out more about QAVS

Facebook
Andrea (Governor) and Julie (Chief Officer)

We are always looking for new volunteers to join us

Application Form | Tipco Punch Inc.


How to Switch Email Services Easily & Keep All Your Mails, Contacts -  SiliconANGLE

We have a wide range of volunteering opportunities including Driving, Administration, Social Clubs, Telephone Befriending, Mailing, Reception, Activities, Cafe, Fundraising, events ... and more!  


To download an application form or to email a query to our Volunteer Co-ordinator, Michael, please click on the relevant image here, or call 01670 514316 


Have you tried Tynedale Talking Newspaper?

Tynedale Talking Newspaper is a useful local audio news feature.


You can access the website by clicking on the image here:


Client Connect (Telephone befriending)

Our Client Connect service is one of our main ways we keep in touch with our clients.


The service relies on our volunteer phone befrienders, many of whom are visually impaired themselves. 


If you would like a caller, or are interested in joining our CC team, please all 01670 514316 or email claire.wood@visionnorthumberland.org.uk



Some useful apps to explore:


 Click on the image or text to find out more

Be My Eyes

Be My Eyes is a free app that can connect low sighted or blind with sighted volunteers! They offer visual assistance through a live video call, whenever they may need assistance.

Taptapsee

TapTapSee is an app that helps people with a VI. It uses your camera and voice over functions to take a picture or video of anything and identify it and read out loud.

Envision AI

Envision AI offers a range of visual aid for the blind and partially sighted users. It helps read out loud many items such as handwritten notes, a cereal box or a book you’ve always wanted to read. It also comes with 60 languages!



Have you tried these Northumberland Libraries services?

Borrow Box gives access to audio books, E-books, journals, large print, etc.. 

PressReader logo

Pressreader gives access to more than 7000 top journals and newspapers as soon as they are available online. 

If you are already a member of a local library and know your PIN: Click on the relevant image above to join.

If you are already a member, but don't know your PIN, telephone any Northumberland library, or email: mylibrary@northumberland.gov.uk

If you are not already a member, you can join online and get access straight away using a temporary membership number and PIN at:

http://mylibrary.co.uk   


Northumberland Communities Together: 01670 620015


NCT are here to help keep you safe and well, if you or anyone you know need a bit of extra support...


Perhaps your financial circumstances have changed with reduced hours, redundancy or benefit


Worried about winter bills or financial pressures? We work with Citizens Advice Northumberland to connect and support families


Feeling lonely, overwhelmed or struggling with mental health


If you do need food or medicine, please order it online or by phone or ask friends and family to drop it off at your home.


Worried about someone experiencing domestic abuse or concerned about a neighbour.



RNIB Connect Radio: Online and Freeview Channel 730

Radio Stock Photos And Images - 123RF

This is a fantastic radio station aimed at people with a visual impairment.

You can listen to it by tuning in to Freeview Channel 730 or online at: 


 (https://www.rnibconnectradio.org.uk/#)



TV Licence Concession

Many clients have asked how they can get their registration number to apply for their discount. Please be aware that we do not have copies of your CVI or BD8 certificate. Your registration number will be issued by Northumberland County Council and you should have been issued with a card. Information about your CVI is usually held on your GP records, so you could request a copy of this.

Turn off the TV, Mom and Dad! - ChildrensMD


An appeal for used low-vision equipment! 

Do you have any equipment which is no longer needed? This includes devices which assist people with low-vision, such as talking scales, big button phones and clocks, etc.. We can find a home for all these, and are particularly in need of magnifiers. Please contact Helen on 01670 514316. Thank you!  

Magnifying glass Royalty Free Vector Image - VectorStock



And some more photos from the QAVS presentation...

Facebook

We were limited to a handful of volunteers and Board members to represent us on the evening, but, when we are organising a special celebration event for all our wonderful volunteers.Watch this space!


Join our NCBA 100 Club!

for a chance every month to win:

£25 First Prize

£15 Second Prize

£10 Third Prize

Call Ruth on 01670 514316 to enter a draw to win one of these prizes* every month whilst supporting us?

*Shares can be purchased for an annual fee of £12.  Total share money received by January 31st 2023 will be split 50/50 between prize money and support for the services run by NCBA - prize money is therefore subject to total funds raised. Click below to download an application form, or call Ruth at Vision Northumberland.

https://vision-northumberland.org/site/assets/uploads/1.100 Club Application Form.docx


Some useful contacts are shown below:


  1. For emergency support, telephone the Local Authority One Call service on 01670 536400

  2. For help with things like transport to your GP, essential shopping, etc., please call the Northumberland Community Response team on 01670 620015

  3. If you are blind or partially sighted and are struggling with your mental wellbeing (or you know someone who is) and would benefit from a one-off session of support to deal with difficult feelings generated, or worsened, by the current situation then please call RNIB on 0303 123 9999. For tips, advice and resources to support maintaining good mental health. Click here to visit RNIB's website 


Too much scrolling? Please read on...

All our clients have a Sight Impairment (SI) and while this can affect ability to access information on screen, many of our clients use technology to access electronic media.

We have found that it can be better for our home page to be a series of short items to scroll through, rather than have things to click on scattered around the screen. We understand that there is not a 'one-size fits all', and welcome your views.

Latest News More News

The Joiners Arms in Morpeth have named NCBA as their Charity of the Year for 2020.

Our thanks go to Grant and all his staff and customers.