DB Openhand Magazine_June2017

Summer 2017
The magazine of Deafblind UK – putting you in the picture
Inside:
• nHave a break!
• nAccessibility at Kenilworth Castle
• nCoping with Loneliness
p16
The Deafblind UK
Caravan in North Wales

What’s inside?
Hello members,
News
P4 News
P7 Meet the new Deafblind
UK Trustees
P8 What’s on?
P9 Member news
P10 Regional roundup: Essex
Information
P12 Digital update
P14 Deafblind Awareness
Week 2017
P16 Have a break!
P18 Kenilworth Castle
P20 PIP; what you need
to know
Member Spotlight
P22 Member spotlight:
Di Wade
Features
P24 Did you know about…
the Information and
Advice Line?
P26 All about volunteering
P28 Coping with loneliness
P30 Hate crime
P32 Bills Board
P34 London Marathon 2017
London Marathon 2017
Editor:
David Evans
Davidguidedog145@btinternet.com
Design:
Lovely Cuppa Design
Published by:
Deafblind UK
© Deafblind UK 2017
Pass it on
Please share this edition
of Open Hand with friends
and family and even your
local doctor or optician’s
waiting rooms when you
are finished with it.
Welcome to the summer edition of Open Hand with its fresh
new look and format. We have collected a lot of member
feedback over recent months and I’m confident that the
changes we have made will show that we are listening to
our readers. I would love to know what you think of the
changes so please keep your feedback coming in!
Once again, it has been a busy few months here at
Deafblind UK. I was delighted to have been invited to
attend the opening our new social group in Corrignham,
Essex in April, see the news pages for more information.
This issue includes a recap on the personal independence
payment (PIP). If anyone is affected by the recent changes
to the benefit system, I would like to reassure you that
our Information and Advice Line is here to help should you
need it.
On behalf of everyone at Deafblind UK I would like to
warmly welcome our new Trustees to the Board. We had
a fantastic response to the previous article in Open Hand
where we launched our search for new Trustees and we are
delighted to welcome Steve,
Ruth, Judie and John to the
team. Our new colleagues
bring with them a wealth of
experience and knowledge and
I am excited about what the
future holds for Deafblind UK.
David Evans
Chairman
David Evans
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News
A new look for Open Hand
Following feedback from members, we
have made a few changes to Open Hand.
We hope readers will enjoy the updated
look and fresh content but please do let
us know what you think!
A new caravan for
Deafblind UK members
The accessible caravan in
North Wales
Deafblind UK members can
now benefit from heavily
discounted holidays at our
newly acquired caravan
in North Wales! The fully
accessible caravan sleeps up
to six people and is located
on the Presthaven Beach
Resort park where there is
something for everyone to
enjoy. Turn to page 16 for
more information.
Inside:
The magazine of Deafblind UK – putting you in the picture
• Have a break!
• Accessibility at Kenilworth Castle
• Coping with Loneliness
Congratulations
to Dorreen and
Lesley!
Congratulations to our Admin
Assistant Dorreen who has
recently celebrated 25 years of
working for Deafblind UK and
also to Support Worker Lesley
who has been with us for 20
years - what an achievement!
Lesley with Rainbow Court
resident, Rudie.
p16
Summer 2017
The Deafblind UK
Caravan in North Wales
Deafblind UK staff at the
Queens Garden Party
Tea with
the Queen
Deafblind UK team members
Gina, Linda, Gill and Emma
were lucky enough to be
invited to the Queen’s Garden
Party at Buckingham Palace
last month in recognition of
their long standing service to
deafblind people.
Marathon Success!
A very big thank you to our
six runners who completed
the Virgin Money London
Marathon on 23rd April and
raised over £13,000 for
Deafblind UK! See page 34
for more information.
New social groups
in Corrignham
We were delighted to establish
a new Deafblind UK social
group in Corrignham, Essex in
April. The group, which will run
twice a month, was launched
with Chairman, David Evans
and representatives from
Thurrock Council. It will run
on the 1st and 3rd Tuesday of
each month.
Members of Thurrock Council
(in red) with Deafblind UK
Community Engagement Officer
Mark Hare and Deafblind UK
Chairman David Evans.
London marathon
runners filling The Mall
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Please offer me a seat
Transport for London (TFL) has
launched a new card and badge to
help travellers who are less able
to stand get a seat. Application
packs are currently available for
anyone in Greater London and
South East England.
Apply for yours today by visiting www.tfl.gov.uk/transportaccessibility/please-offer-me-a-seat
or call 0343 222 1234.
BBC Proms
Violin players at a concert
We were excited to learn
that the BBC Proms are this
year introducing a ‘relaxed
prom’ on 29th July; a concert
suitable for those with sight
and hearing loss. We have
managed to get our hands
on some tickets so if you
would like to go along,
please contact us.
A blue ‘please offer
me a seat’ badge
Money matters
We are pleased to see
the new £1 coin is more
recognisable due to it’s
unique 12 sided shape.
Remember that we only have
until October to either spend
our old £1 coins or to take
them in to a bank in exchange
for the new ones. Also don’t
forget that the old £5 notes
are now no longer accepted
in shops, but don’t worry if
you haven’t got through your
stash yet as banks will still
exchange them for new ones.
The new £1 coin
Meet our New Trustees
We are delighted to welcome some fresh new faces to our
Board of Trustees. They are:
Steve Wilson
Steve lives locally to our
headquarters and joins us
from the housing and asset
management sector. Currently
working as a Consultant, Steve
has previously held senior
posts in the voluntary sector.
Ruth Bridgeman
Based in Market Harborough,
Management Consultant Ruth
joins us with extensive strategic
leadership experience gained
from within both
healthcare and
higher education
sectors.
Ruth Bridgeman
We are looking forward
to welcoming more
Trustees with sight
and hearing loss to the
Board later this year.
Judie Jones
Based just outside of
Peterborough, Judie has
a background in finance,
leadership, governance and
compliance. Currently Judie
is Director and
Company Secretary
of Oundle School
Services Company
Limited.
Judie Jones
John Churcher
John lives in Birmingham and
is a Deafblind UK member.
Having previously worked for
the MoD, John has volunteered
with Guide Dogs, Equity
Steering Group, the British
Mountaineering Council and is
a Deafblind UK Digital Support
Ambassador.
John is also in
his fifth year of
being in the GB
Paraclimbing Team!
John Churcher
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What’s On
Here’s your roundup of the best places to be over the next few
months. If you know of an event that you think we should list
here, please let us know!
The Princess Court
Ukulele Band
23rd June
Ukulele Concert, The Trinity
Centre, Llandudno
Enjoy music from the Princess
Court Ukulele Band and browse
stalls selling homemade
goodies to raise money for
local Deafblind UK groups.
26th June
Sight and Hearing Loss
Information Day, Deafplus,
Trinity Centre, London
Meet representatives from
other sensory loss charities
and sensory teams operating
within the Tower Hamlets area
of London.
4th July
Technology Day,
Bristol Eye Hospital
Discover how to do more
with your handheld tablet
and mobile phone. Book your
session now by emailing
Laura.Kirby@UHBristol.nhs.uk
or call Laura on 0117 342 9097.
29th July
Relaxed Proms, Royal Albert
Hall, London
Part of the BBC Proms,
this concert is suitable for
those with sensory and
communication impairments
and learning disabilities. A
limited number of tickets are
available from Deafblind UK at
just £6 each.
Violin players at
a concert
Member News
Photography from Keith
Keith Lloyd has Usher
Syndrome which has left him
with no sight. But this doesn’t
stop him in his quest to become
a budding photographer and
has sent us some amazing
photos of Swansea.
Photo of Swansea marina
taken by Keith Lloyd
Congratulations John!
We were delighted to hear that
John Nicolls from Northern
Ireland recently came 2nd at
the British Blind Indoor Archery
Championships! Watch out
for his next competition at
the British Visually Impaired
Outdoor Archery
Championships
in September.
Johnboy at
the recent
British Blind
Indoor Archery
Championships
Exploring
vision
Marcus Innis from London
has arranged a fascinating
exhibition to explore how
eye conditions such as Usher
Syndrome impact people’s
lives. Marcus is keen to create
an educational medium to
challenge stereotypes and
break down the stigma
around disabilities.
He says: “Often, people
comment on how I don’t look
visually impaired and many
have never heard of Usher
Syndrome.”
The exhibition is at
Moorfields Eye Hospital
until mid-August as part of
the Open Senses festival.
A photo taken by Marcus
showing how Usher Syndrome
affects his vision.
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Regional Roundup: Essex
New! Drop in coffee shops
In each edition of Open Hand we will bring you a roundup of the
services and activities on offer for members in certain areas.
This month, it’s Essex!
Summer outings
Throughout the summer, we
will be arranging outings that
will be open to all Deafblind UK
members in Essex, regardless
of whether you have joined
a social group or not. We will
be asking members to tell us
where they would like to go
and will let all members know
the itinerary well in advance so
you can choose which trips you
would like to go on.
Digital support
We have recently launched
our digital support group
in Colchester to introduce
members to the opportunities
that digital technology can
bring. As part of this service,
we are delighted to be able
to loan equipment, such as
tablets, to our members.
If you would like to come
along to a digital support
group, please contact us.
Deafblind UK Members
enjoying a summer outing
Over the next few months
we will be launching ‘drop in
coffee shops’ in seven locations
across Essex. These will be
social events that members
from across Essex can come
along to as and when they
wish, just drop in for a coffee
and a chat and stay as long
as you like. If anyone needs
assistance with transport
please let us know.
Where and when?
Central Library, Traps Hill,
Loughton, IG10 1HD
(Signer’s Deafclub drop in)
1st Tuesday of each month,
2pm – 4pm
Langland Community Hall,
langland Close, Corringham,
SS17 7LB
1st and 3rd Tuesday of each
month, 10.30am – 2.30pm
Rex Mott Court, Guithaven St
Witham, CM8 1UP
4th Monday of each month,
11am – 3pm
6 Church Street, Colchester,
CO1 1NF
4th Wednesday of each
month, 2pm- 4pm
St Mary’s Court, Crossfield Road,
Clacton-on-Sea, CO15 3QS
4th Thursday of each
month, 11am – 3pm
Pontreath Place, Cornwall
Crescent Chelmsford, CM1 4DN
1st Thursday of each
month, 10.30am – 2.30pm
John Lampon Court, Smith
Field, Colchester, CO1 2HP
3rd Thursday of each
month, 11am - 3pm
Chichester House, Sir Frances
Way, Brentwood, CM14 4TD
2nd Friday each month,
11am – 3pm
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Digital Update
Our digital inclusion service introduces people to the possibilities
of digital technology. Here’s a glimpse of just some of the things
we’ve been up to over the past few months…
Ruth’s Amazon Echo
Digital Support Ambassador,
Ruth told us about her new
‘Echo Dot’; the new voice
enabled, hands free speaker
from Amazon’s Alexa range.
Ruth explains…
“I thought it would be a bit
of a gimmick but the Echo
has proven to have wonderful
dimensions. I always start the
day by asking it what is going
on in the news today. The Echo
then responds with the morning
headlines – it’s great, there is
no way I could read all this!”
As the day unfolds, Ruth finds
herself calling on Alexa’s
services frequently: “I use the
Echo to tell me what’s in my
diary for the day, to write my
shopping list and even to set
cooking timers.”
When it is time to relax, the
Echo seems equally obliging.
Radio, music and audio books
are all easily within Ruth’s grasp
and she has mastered all the
necessary commands. “It’s so
easy, listening to my favourite
murder mystery is as simple as
saying ‘Play my next book’
“It feels like there is somebody
else to talk to, it’s like having
another companion in the
house, I think it’s absolutely
marvellous!” Concluded Ruth.
Ruth and her Amazon Echo
Learning together
Deafblind UK members in
North Wales have been
learning how to make the
most of tablets and other
technology at the Wrexham
Digital Inclusion group. The
group meets regularly and has
been working through a series
of eight structured sessions to
learn how to do everyday tasks
on tablets using the Synapptic
software for low vision.
Group member Tony began the
sessions as a digital novice but
he now uses his tablet to check
the weather, set calendar entries
to remind himself of those all
important household tasks and
effortlessly dictates emails to
friends and family. Learning
how to adapt the devices to
support low vision prompted one
member to tell us “it’s the first
time I have been able to read
in four years!”
The sessions are led by
Deafblind UK’s Tim Locke
and supported by six Digital
Support Ambassadors
(DDSA’s); Deafblind UK
members who have got to
grips with the latest technology
and who are now helping
others to benefit from it.
Deafblind UK members at
the Wrexham DI group
Thanks to funding from Awards
for All Wales from the Big
Lottery Fund, we are also able
to loan devices out to members
who are thinking of investing in
a tablet so they can ‘try before
you buy’.
Big Lottery Fund logo
Get involved
Our digital inclusion group
sessions are currently
running in Wrexham,
Colchester and Bradford.
For more information or
to join a group, please
contact us.
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Get Set For Deafblind
Awareness Week 2017!
There’s so much to look forward to during this year’s Deafblind
Awareness Week between 26th June and 2nd July. This year’s
theme is ‘Sight and hearing loss is more common than you
think; let’s talk about it!’
Our national member
forum will take place
on Friday 30th June
in Peterborough.
Representative Deafblind
UK members from across
the country will come
together to discuss
the future direction of
Deafblind UK services.
We’ll also be holding other
exciting events over the week
including a Ukulele concert,
a ‘student versus teacher
bake-off’ at a local school
and bag packing at a local
supermarket, so check out
www.deafblind.org.uk
for updates.
The Princess Court Ukelele band
The Deafblind
Awareness Week logo
On the Web
You can also get involved
online by submitting
questions to our live
Twitter Q&A sessions
everyday between 1 and
2pm each day from 27th
– 30th June. Simply tweet
your question to with the
hashtag #askDBAW and
your questions will be
answered by a sight and
hearing loss expert.
Out and About
Deafblind Awareness Week celebrates the late Helen
Keller’s birthday. Born on 27th June 1880, Helen Keller
was known for her writing works and political activism,
and most notably became the first deafblind person
to earn a Bachelor of Arts Degree. Through Deafblind
Awareness Week we aim to encourage a better
understanding of living with sight and hearing loss.
Here’s where you can catch the
Deafblind UK team throughout
the week:
Monday 26th June
• nLondon – Deafblind
Information Day, Deafplus,
Trinity Centre, Whitechapel
• nChelmsford – High Chelmer
Shopping Centre
• nBristol – Bristol Central Library
• nBirmingham – Asda, Barnes Hill
• nLancashire – Burscough Village
Primary School, Omskirk
• nNorth Wales – Glan Clwyd
Hospital, Denbighshire
• nNorthern Ireland – Altnagelvin
Hospital, Londonderry
Tuesday 27th June
• nBury St Edmunds – West
Suffolk Hospital Eye Clinic
• nChelmsford – High Chelmer
Shopping Centre
• nBristol – Tesco, Eastgate Road
• nSouth Wales – Age Connects
Community Café, Barry
• nNorth Wales – Bangor Hospital
• nNorthern Ireland – Royal
Victoria Hospital, Belfast
Wednesday 28th June
• nPeterborough - Serpentine
Green Shopping Centre
• nNorth Yorkshire – Henshaw’s
Arts and Crafts Centre,
Knaresborough
• nNorthern Ireland – Ulster
Hospital, Belfast
Friday 30th June
• nManchester - Macular Road
Show, Renaissance Hotel
A Deafblind UK
information stand
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Have a break!
Planning a holiday might seem a
daunting task but giving ourselves
some well-deserved time off is
well worth it!
The beach at Presthaven,
North Wales
The beach at Hopton-on-Sea
Carry on caravanning!
Deafblind UK’s very own
caravans in North Wales
and Norfolk are available for
members to use.
Presthaven Beach Resort,
Presthaven, North Wales
Our new fully accessible
six-berth caravan is well
equipped with DVD players,
a low level sink and an
accessible bathroom. On-site
facilities include a restaurant,
heated indoor and outdoor
pools, multi-sport courts,
archery, miniature golf and
more – ideal for both adults
and children. The site is
easily reachable by car
and public transport.
Haven Holiday Village
Caravan, Hopton, Norfolk
This six-berth caravan has
direct access to the beach just
south of Great Yarmouth. With
two bedrooms and an en-suite
bathroom, it’s an ideal home
away from home with on-site
facilities including an indoor
aqua park, gym, crazy golf
course and amusements. This
relaxing accommodation is
available from April to October
and weekends in November.
Vision Hotels from Action for
Blind People offers accessible
facilities for people with
reduced sight and hearing up
and down the country. Andrew
Wilson, General Manager at the
Windermere Manor Hotel, says:
“In an ideal world, a person’s
ability would not be a factor in
influencing whether or not they
have an enjoyable, relaxing
and stress-free holiday and we,
as a non-profit organisation,
are determined to ensure we
make this ideal a reality.”
Windermere Manor
Hotel, Cumbria
Cliffden –
Teignmouth, Devon
Known as “the gem of South
Devon”, Cliffden features seven
acres of gardens in a seaside
resort setting. The hotel is well
equipped for guide dogs with a
free run area and even a dog
grooming room!
For more information on Vision
Hotels, visit www.rnib.org.uk.
Offering stunning views over
the Lake District, this Victorian
retreat is within easy reach of
all of Windermere’s top spots.
For more information on
There are ample facilities
booking a holiday in a
including dog bowls and beds
Deafblind UK caravan,
in every room, braille menus
please contact us using the
and wheelchair access.
16
details on the back cover.
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The inside of the Deafblind
UK caravan at Presthaven
The outside of the Deafblind
UK caravan at Hopton-on-Sea
Best of British
Windermere Manor Hotel
Cliffden Hotel, Teignmouth

Accessibility at Kenilworth Castle
and Elizabethan Garden
Few attractions across
Britain provide the
opportunity to walk through
900 years of history in just
one day, but at Kenilworth
Castle and Elizabethan
Garden, visitors can do just
that. This incredible fortress
in Warwickshire is a fantastic
educational experience.
Accessible Facilities
There is a huge choice of areas
to explore at Kenilworth Castle
and Elizabethan Garden’s vast
grounds, from the ruins of John
of Gaunt’s 14th Century Great
Hall to Leicester’s Gatehouse.
All of these tours are made
accessible by English Heritage’s
wide range of facilities for
partially sighted and hard of
hearing visitors. Audio tours
are available together with a
hearing loop and tour transcript
upon request.
Kenilworth Castle
©English Heritage
Multi-sensory experiences
are available in abundance
throughout the stunning
Elizabethan outdoor areas.
Deafblind Visitors can take
in a vast array of aromas in
the scented gardens, which
are complemented by flowing
water and bird life.
Inside, visitors can handle
artefacts in the Gatehouse
Exhibition upon request and
there is also an interactive
display in the stables. For those
looking for refreshments whilst
visiting, there is a hearing loop
available in the Stables Tearoom
as well as in the admissions
area. If you would like to bring
a guide dog with you, these are
welcome and can be provided
with a water bowl if required.
Kenilworth Castle
©English Heritage
What’s On
Don’t miss out on the
exciting events and
exhibitions at Kenilworth
Castle and Elizabethan
Garden this summer.
Story Circus: Iron John
Taking place on Thursday
24th August, this exciting
performance sees an
ancient story come alive
with music, dance and
acrobatics.
The Thrilling Thirties
From Saturday 22nd to
Sunday 23rd July, the castle
will be transported to the
1930s with a vintage fair and
a celebration of technology
inspired by the castle’s
owner, Sir John Siddeley.
Tudor Times
Experience the golden
age of Elizabeth I in an
exhibition that feels so real
it even re-creates the smells
of Tudor England!
For more information on events and accessibility at
Kenilworth Castle and Elizabethan Garden, visit
English-heritage.org.uk/visit/places/kenilworth-castle
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All About…
Personal Independence Payments
Challenges: Blue Badges
Glasses on a pile
of paperwork
At Deafblind UK we want to
ensure that as many people
as possible can continue to
receive the help they need.
We have closely monitored
the development of Personal
Independence Payments (PIP),
this is some of the latest. Since
October 2015 following a slow
national roll out programme,
all existing Disability Living
Allowance (DLA) claimants aged
16-64 are being invited to make
a claim for PIP.
The new assessment system
is based on 10 activities for
a daily living component and
two for mobility. The benefit
payment received is based on
points scored in each activity,
the points are given based on
which descriptor your needs
match within that activity.
What Happens Next?
It is not possible to predict when
you will be invited to make a
claim for PIP but the roll out
is now national. You do not
need to do anything, your DLA
payments will continue until you
are invited to make a PIP claim.
Once you apply for PIP your DLA
payments will continue until you
have been assessed and given a
PIP award decision. However, if
you do not make a claim when
invited, your DLA will end.
If you are between 16 and 64
years old and a new claimant,
you will only be able to claim
PIP rather than DLA, whilst
those over 65 can only claim
Attendance Allowance.
The delays in the roll out
mean that the September
2017 deadline for England
and Wales and the December
2018 deadline for Northern
Ireland may not be met.
Under the recent changes,
it may be more difficult to
obtain a blue badge as these
require a score of eight or
more in the “Moving Around”
activity assessment within PIP.
This activity considers whether
you can physically walk but
does not consider whether
you need assistance such as
a guide or a guide dog. There
are other ways to qualify for
a badge but this will require
other evidence of need, such as
being certified as severely sight
Those currently registered with
this scheme may be affected if
they do not meet the criteria of
the PIP mobility assessments.
Anyone who is not awarded
the Mobility Component in PIP
with enhanced points are no
longer eligible for the Motability
scheme. Motability is offering a
one-off package of transitional
support. At Deafblind UK we
impaired. If you only claim
Attendance Allowance, which
has no mobility component,
additional evidence will always
be needed to apply to your
council for a blue badge.
A man using a red
and white cane
The Motability Scheme
are currently investigating
the impact of this and will
publish updates over the
coming months.
Details are correct at the
time of writing.
A piggy bank
If you are experiencing difficulties or
would like to talk to someone about
20 Open Hand
the changes, please get in touch.
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Member Spotlight: Di Wade
We meet inspiring people from all walks of
life at Deafblind UK, but few have shown
as much courage and resilience as Di
Wade, who has not let her illness deter
her from following her dreams.
Di Wade
Registered blind, Di was
born with Antley Bixler
Syndrome, a rare condition
which makes her severely
hearing impaired and unable
to bend her elbows. Despite
these obstacles, Di maintains
a determined spirit with
ambitions of becoming a
bestselling writer.
Globe Trotter
Unwilling to let her condition
get the better of her, Di has
visited corners of the globe
that we can only dream of,
including such adventures as
driving husky sleds in Finland
and walking across China,
Japan, Laos, Cambodia and
the Antipodes. She’s also a
woman of many talents, having
earned a degree in English and
Philosophy as well as a grade
eight in piano and French horn.
Her many hobbies include
horse riding, ice fishing and
tandem cycling!
22 Open Hand
A Sunny Disposition
If there is one thing that
member Di has taught us, it’s
not to take life too seriously.
Di maintains a good sense of
humour on a day to day basis
and recounts memories of
how her daily challenges have
not stopped her. She says:
“As a blind person, I wield a
white stick and my dramas
tend to include things like
trying to post letters in people
wearing red coats or engaging
inanimate objects in animated
conversation.”
The cover of ‘A year
in Verse’ by Di Wade
Di’s poetry
book, A Year in
Verse, is now
available to
buy with some
proceeds going to
Deafblind UK, email
diwadepoetry@gmail.com
to order your copy.
Leaving a gift
in your Will
Here at Deafblind UK, we rely on supporters who leave us a
gift in their Will. Last year these funds allowed us to ensure
that our vital Information & Advice Line was available to each
of our members.
If you would like more information on the difference a gift
from you could make, or any other aspect of leaving a gift in
your Will to Deafblind UK, please feel free to call us on:
0800 132 320
or email:
info@deafblind.org.uk

Did You Know About…
Our Information and Advice Line?
We’re always keen to provide our members with as
much free information as possible, which is why we run
a professionally-manned information and advice line to
answer your queries.
0800 132 320
07950 008870
info@deafblind.org.uk
Get in
touch
This free phone line is available
for all Deafblind UK members
by telephone or text and can
be accessed from 9am to
5pm Monday to Thursday
and 9am to 4pm on Fridays.
We’ve received fantastic
feedback on our advice line,
particularly from our older
members who may not have
access to the internet.
What information can I get?
To make the most of
this free service, simply
call 0800 132320 or text
07950 008870 during
our working hours.
Whether it’s furthering
your independence in the
community or meeting new
people, our friendly team is
happy to help!
Our trained team is
available to answer any
questions about sight and
hearing loss with 100%
confidentiality. We can
also advise you on:
• nContact details for helpful
organisations
• nHobbies and activities that
can be enjoyed with sight
and hearing loss
• nHousing and benefits
• nArranging tele-befrienders
• nAssistance in the community
• nHolidays (we have two
residential caravans but can
also provide advice outside
of this)
• nInformation about Deafblind
UK and other organisation’s
social groups
• nAssistance with shopping
and cleaning
• nCommunication methods
• nA general chit chat!
Deafblind UK staff answering
the Information and Advice Line
Of course, outside of our
core information and advice,
we’re also happy to lend an
ear even if you don’t have
anything specific to talk about.
Often our members are simply
looking for somebody to listen
and to talk them through any
personal issues. All of our staff
are trained to deal with any
problems sensitively and will be
happy to talk to you, whatever
the nature of your call.
Ready to make a phone call
24 Open Hand
Open Hand 25

All about volunteering!
Giving
Something Back
Volunteering is something
we take very seriously at
Deafblind UK and having
recently celebrated national
volunteering week, we would
like to encourage all of our
readers, their friends and family
to consider giving something
back to the local community.
Volunteering can
help you to:
• nReap the rewards of
helping others
• nGive back to causes who
have helped you
• nMeet new people with
shared interests
• nGain new skills
• nImprove your confidence
A man being assisted
by a volunteer
Building a
successful service
Deafblind UK would not
be the success it is today
without the help of our
dedicated volunteers.
Our current UK team is made
up of over 300 volunteers and
they have an immeasurable
impact on our members,
whether they are providing
company on a day out, lending
their talents to gardening
and DIY, or simply driving
someone to an appointment
or social group.
Our volunteers come from all
walks of life and they do not
need any special skills to assist
our members. We provide an
induction and on-going support
to all of our volunteers, but
what they give us is priceless.
Our volunteers help us to reach
out to some of our loneliest
members, particularly through
our home befriending scheme.
Volunteers help members to
not only live an easier life by
assisting them with their day
to day tasks, but also a more
enriched one, knowing they
have a friend to lean on when
they need it most.
As a growing charity,
looking after our increasing
membership base becomes
more and more costly,
and we would not be able
to provide the breadth of
services we currently offer
without the hours given
up by our kind volunteers.
Here’s an insight into
volunteering as told by our
home befriender, Jackie.
Deafblind UK
volunteers gardening
Deafblind UK
volunteer, Jackie
Meet
Jackie
Jackie is a retired Chartered
Physiotherapist from London
who is a home befriender to two
members: Peter and John.
“I visit Peter and John in their
homes every other week. We
have a cup of tea and chat
together – we get on very
well! Peter likes to take a walk
around the local park’s herb
garden for all its different smells
and tastes. He’s also learning
a deafblind manual, so I’m
learning too!
“John is less mobile so we spend
more time indoors. I help him
write Christmas cards and fill in
his address book and also make
lots of cups of tea! I’ve been a
home befriender for a year now
and spend 2.5 hours a week
volunteering.
“It makes a big difference when
you know you’re as appreciated
by the charity as you are by the
people you befriend.”
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Open Hand 27

A Helping Hand
In an increasingly
connected world, it’s
hard to believe that
Britain was recently
reported as one of the
loneliest countries in
Europe. Loneliness is
defined as the sadness
felt from lack of social
interaction and can
affect people of all
ages and backgrounds.
Whether you or
somebody you know
is feeling lonely, here
are our tips to help
make things better.
Coping with
Loneliness
Be self-aware
A woman sitting
alone in the sunset
Loneliness happens for all sorts
of reasons, from bereavement
to children leaving home. The
first step is to acknowledge
your feelings – perhaps
keeping a journal or simply a
mental note, you will have a
daily reminder of which tasks
make you happiest.
Self-awareness can sometimes
lead to anxiety however,
so it’s important not to dwell
on negative thoughts. Be kind
to yourself by making lists
about your personal skills,
achievements and compliments
you have received. This will
improve your confidence
and help you build better
relationships.
Talk to Others
There are many organisations
who will listen when you feel
isolated such as the Deafblind
UK Information and Advice
Line. Try setting yourself
progressive targets to talk to
more people or think about
arranging a befriender to call
or pop in to see you regularly.
Soon enough, you’ll progress
to other interactions such as
social media, local activity
groups and volunteering.
An elderly lady resting her
head on her hands
Two people holding hands
Overcome
the Barriers
Living with sight and hearing
loss can be one of the most
challenging conditions to
overcome, but there are many
resources out there to help you
connect. If you know somebody
who is lonely, try to encourage
them to take these steps and
accept that there will be times
when they are alone. Practising
“mindfulness” while alone
helps us to manage feelings
in a positive way, leading to
improved self-confidence and
more fulfilling lives.
Information taken from: www.telegraph.co.uk
and Independent Age, If you’re feeling lonely;
how to stay connected in older age.
28 Open Hand
Open Hand 29

Stamping Out Hate Crime
Hate crime is an extremely serious offence and
unfortunately, is currently on the rise. In 2016, there
were 62,518 recorded incidents of hate crime in the
UK alone, more than 3,000 of which were classed as
disability hate crimes.
A woman looking
out of the window
The definition of a hate crime
is a physical or verbal attack
against groups or individuals,
who may be targeted based
upon their race, sexuality,
gender identity, religion,
beliefs or disability. Attacks
do not always have to be
physical; they can also
amount to threats of violence,
harassment, verbal abuse,
property damage, offensive
graffiti or cyber-bullying
(often known as “trolling”,
particularly on social media).
The Effects of
Hate Crime
These vicious acts are
damaging to both individuals
and communities, leaving
the victims feeling
persecuted for something
that they have no control
over. Hate crime can lead to
tensions within communities
and can also have drastic
effects on individuals, many
of whom will feel they can no
longer go outside for fear of
being attacked.
Those targeted by hate
crime may often feel too
frightened to speak out
and report the crimes, for
fear of retaliation against
them or their families. It is
therefore important that we
communicate with our loved
ones and act on their behalf
if we feel they may be the
victim of a hate crime.
Someone working
at a laptop
Reporting an Attack
If you or somebody you
know has been a victim
of hate crime, you should
report it immediately as it
may become a police issue.
It is still important to make
the police aware even if no
laws have been broken – if
they have knowledge of the
perpetrators then they can
monitor the situation.
If you have been personally
attacked, remember that it is
not your fault and you have
not done anything wrong. In
an emergency, call the police
on 999, or if you cannot make
voice calls, ensure you are
registered with Emergency SMS
www.emergencysms.org.uk.
In non-emergencies, you can
speak to the police on 101, or
contact your local station.
Hate crimes can be
reported anonymously and
investigated by police at
www.report-it.org.uk, or if
you do not want to fill in forms
you can call Crimestoppers
on 0800 555 111 or visit
www.crimestoppers-uk.org.
Alternatively, there are
numerous charities who can
help including Stop Hate UK
(call 0800 138 1625 for a
24-hour helpline) and Victim
Support UK (08081 689 111).
You can also contact your local
Citizens Advice Bureau
by visiting www.
cItizensadvice.org.uk.
Remember – by reporting the
incidents, we can all work
together to put a stop to hate
crimes against disabled people
once and for all.
This information has been kindly
supplied by Emma Elmett, Hate
Crime Officer at Cross Keys
Homes in Peterborough.
For more information
or for help reporting
a hate crime, contact
the Deafblind UK
Information and
Advice Line.
30 Open Hand
Open Hand 31

Bill’s Board
Welcome to Bill’s column
A trip to Avebury
Last summer I took a trip
to Avebury; a village in
Wiltshire which contains
the largest stone circle in
Europe. This prehistoric
site attracts many visitors
each year and although
its original purpose is
unknown, it is now a place
of religious importance to
contemporary pagans.
I visited during the summer
solstice celebrations that
happen every year. There is
always a lot going on during
this time including dragon
dancing and fire juggling;
it’s a great atmosphere. The
fire juggler was a friend of
mine so I was able to join in
with some of the dancing,
luckily for me there were
no photographs of this for
Deafblind UK to get their
hands on!
I have been to Avebury
many times both when
I was sighted and not.
Since loosing my sight
the experience was very
different; it was filled with
blossom aroma, the sounds
of the excited crowd and
even some interested bees!
After the celebrations, we
went to the local pub which
has a well inside it! Guests
can throw coins down the
well and make a wish whilst
enjoying a well deserved pint.
I would thoroughly
recommend a trip
to Avebury; it’s a
fascinating day out!
The stones at Avebury
Bill becomes
mobile compatible
You may remember
me writing about my
new mobile phone, the
Samsung Galaxy J5 which
has been adapted with
Synapptic accessibility
software for visually
impaired users. I’m
pleased to say that I
have now got to grips
with it and I would like to
thank both Synapptic and
Blind Veterans for their
willingness to help me out!
The only limitation that I
have come across is it is
difficult to make selections
once you are on the call, as
the keyboard disappears.
For example, when you
are asked to enter an
extension number or select
a category from a list.
The Synapptic
accessibility software
Bill’s talking microwave
My kitchen friend
I also recently wrote about
my new talking microwave
which I have been very
impressed with. I am now
much more used to it
and have been trying out
lots of the audio recipes.
However, if you’re thinking
of getting one I would
recommend patience as
the microwave has been
programmed and
you haven’t!
Get in touch!
If there is anything
you would like me to
write about in my next
column, please let me
know by contacting
Deafblind UK. I would
love to hear from you!
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Open Hand 33

London Marathon 2017
On 23rd April a six-strong team of runners laced up their
trainers and set off around the 26.2 mile course to run the
Virgin Money London Marathon for Deafblind UK.
Each running
for their own
personal reasons,
the team have so far
raised over £13,000
for Deafblind UK
– a truly amazing
result!
One runner, Annabelle from
Weybridge, completed the race
in an impressive four hours
and 23 minutes having raised
over £2,500 for Deafblind UK.
At the finish line she told us:
“I can’t believe I’ve done it! It
was such a long way but the
support was amazing on route
and we couldn’t have asked
for better weather!” Annabelle
chose to run for Deafblind
UK because her grandfather
Norman lived a large part of
his life with no sight and no
hearing. “When I told
Annabelle at
the London
Marathon finish
Grandad I’d
been lucky
enough to
land a place
running for
Deafblind
UK, he was so thrilled for
me! He was very honoured to
have been the motivation and
inspiration to raise money for
people with his condition
– especially those who are
less fortunate than him.”
Said Annabelle.
Matt at the London
Marathon finish
Another runner, Patrick from
Romford ran said: “I know
the difference that Deafblind
UK has made to my Uncle
Matthew’s life. It is such a good
cause. Matthew is so proud that
I am running the Marathon and
that I am doing it for Deafblind
UK.” Patrick, who had become
a Dad just two days before,
finished the marathon in four
hours and 30 minutes.
Annabelle and Patrick were
joined by Wouter, Claire,
Paul and Matt who all
finished the gruelling course
in good time having dedicated
months to training and
fundraising. Claire, from
Peterborough ploughed her
infectious
energy into fundraising events
in the run up to
the race and
is now well
known for her
three-hour
spinathons!
Claire at
the London
Marathon finish
Wouter at
the London
Marathon finish
Wouter,
also from
Peterborough,
set up ‘tuckshops’
selling cakes
and sweets to
his colleagues at work. His
employer, Peterborough based
BGL Group has also kindly
agreed to match whatever
he raised, making a huge
contribution to the overall total.
Barbara Burnett, Community
and Individual Fundraising
Manager said:
“We are so proud of all our
runners; not only for taking
on the daunting challenge
of the London Marathon,
but also for their dedicated
training and fundraising
which can often be as big a
challenge as the race itself.
Their fundraising will have
a significant impact on the
work of Deafblind UK.”
We are now searching for runners to take part in the Virgin
Money London Marathon 2018 so if you know of any budding
runners who might like to join our team, please contact us or
visit ww.deafblind.org.uk/london-marathon.
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Open Hand 35

How can we help you?
Information
and advice
Community outreach
Casework
Home, telephone and
email befriending
Social groups
Digital support
Heavily discounted
holidays
If you would like to access
any of the services we offer
please contact us:
0800 132 320
info@deafblind.org.uk
07950 008870 www.deafblind.org.uk
If you have any news, letters or contributions for Open Hand,
please email Marcoms@deafblind.org.uk or post them to
the address below.
Contact us
Deafblind UK
National Centre for
Deafblindness
John and Lucille van
Geest Place
Cygnet Road
Peterborough
PE7 8FD
Tel/Text phone: 0800 132 320
Fax: 01733 358 356
email: info@deafblind.org.uk
www.deafblind.org.uk
DBUKCharity
@DeafblindUK
Registered Charity No: 802976
Company Reg No: 2426281