DB Openhand Magazine_June2017
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Summer 2017<br />
The magazine of Deafblind UK – putting you in the picture<br />
Inside:<br />
• nHave a break!<br />
• nAccessibility at Kenilworth Castle<br />
• nCoping with Loneliness<br />
p16<br />
The Deafblind UK<br />
Caravan in North Wales
What’s inside?<br />
Hello members,<br />
News<br />
P4 News<br />
P7 Meet the new Deafblind<br />
UK Trustees<br />
P8 What’s on?<br />
P9 Member news<br />
P10 Regional roundup: Essex<br />
Information<br />
P12 Digital update<br />
P14 Deafblind Awareness<br />
Week 2017<br />
P16 Have a break!<br />
P18 Kenilworth Castle<br />
P20 PIP; what you need<br />
to know<br />
Member Spotlight<br />
P22 Member spotlight:<br />
Di Wade<br />
Features<br />
P24 Did you know about…<br />
the Information and<br />
Advice Line?<br />
P26 All about volunteering<br />
P28 Coping with loneliness<br />
P30 Hate crime<br />
P32 Bills Board<br />
P34 London Marathon 2017<br />
London Marathon 2017<br />
Editor:<br />
David Evans<br />
Davidguidedog145@btinternet.com<br />
Design:<br />
Lovely Cuppa Design<br />
Published by:<br />
Deafblind UK<br />
© Deafblind UK 2017<br />
Pass it on<br />
Please share this edition<br />
of Open Hand with friends<br />
and family and even your<br />
local doctor or optician’s<br />
waiting rooms when you<br />
are finished with it.<br />
Welcome to the summer edition of Open Hand with its fresh<br />
new look and format. We have collected a lot of member<br />
feedback over recent months and I’m confident that the<br />
changes we have made will show that we are listening to<br />
our readers. I would love to know what you think of the<br />
changes so please keep your feedback coming in!<br />
Once again, it has been a busy few months here at<br />
Deafblind UK. I was delighted to have been invited to<br />
attend the opening our new social group in Corrignham,<br />
Essex in April, see the news pages for more information.<br />
This issue includes a recap on the personal independence<br />
payment (PIP). If anyone is affected by the recent changes<br />
to the benefit system, I would like to reassure you that<br />
our Information and Advice Line is here to help should you<br />
need it.<br />
On behalf of everyone at Deafblind UK I would like to<br />
warmly welcome our new Trustees to the Board. We had<br />
a fantastic response to the previous article in Open Hand<br />
where we launched our search for new Trustees and we are<br />
delighted to welcome Steve,<br />
Ruth, Judie and John to the<br />
team. Our new colleagues<br />
bring with them a wealth of<br />
experience and knowledge and<br />
I am excited about what the<br />
future holds for Deafblind UK.<br />
David Evans<br />
Chairman<br />
David Evans<br />
2 Open Hand<br />
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News<br />
A new look for Open Hand<br />
Following feedback from members, we<br />
have made a few changes to Open Hand.<br />
We hope readers will enjoy the updated<br />
look and fresh content but please do let<br />
us know what you think!<br />
A new caravan for<br />
Deafblind UK members<br />
The accessible caravan in<br />
North Wales<br />
Deafblind UK members can<br />
now benefit from heavily<br />
discounted holidays at our<br />
newly acquired caravan<br />
in North Wales! The fully<br />
accessible caravan sleeps up<br />
to six people and is located<br />
on the Presthaven Beach<br />
Resort park where there is<br />
something for everyone to<br />
enjoy. Turn to page 16 for<br />
more information.<br />
Inside:<br />
The magazine of Deafblind UK – putting you in the picture<br />
• Have a break!<br />
• Accessibility at Kenilworth Castle<br />
• Coping with Loneliness<br />
Congratulations<br />
to Dorreen and<br />
Lesley!<br />
Congratulations to our Admin<br />
Assistant Dorreen who has<br />
recently celebrated 25 years of<br />
working for Deafblind UK and<br />
also to Support Worker Lesley<br />
who has been with us for 20<br />
years - what an achievement!<br />
Lesley with Rainbow Court<br />
resident, Rudie.<br />
p16<br />
Summer 2017<br />
The Deafblind UK<br />
Caravan in North Wales<br />
Deafblind UK staff at the<br />
Queens Garden Party<br />
Tea with<br />
the Queen<br />
Deafblind UK team members<br />
Gina, Linda, Gill and Emma<br />
were lucky enough to be<br />
invited to the Queen’s Garden<br />
Party at Buckingham Palace<br />
last month in recognition of<br />
their long standing service to<br />
deafblind people.<br />
Marathon Success!<br />
A very big thank you to our<br />
six runners who completed<br />
the Virgin Money London<br />
Marathon on 23rd April and<br />
raised over £13,000 for<br />
Deafblind UK! See page 34<br />
for more information.<br />
New social groups<br />
in Corrignham<br />
We were delighted to establish<br />
a new Deafblind UK social<br />
group in Corrignham, Essex in<br />
April. The group, which will run<br />
twice a month, was launched<br />
with Chairman, David Evans<br />
and representatives from<br />
Thurrock Council. It will run<br />
on the 1st and 3rd Tuesday of<br />
each month.<br />
Members of Thurrock Council<br />
(in red) with Deafblind UK<br />
Community Engagement Officer<br />
Mark Hare and Deafblind UK<br />
Chairman David Evans.<br />
London marathon<br />
runners filling The Mall<br />
4 Open Hand<br />
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Please offer me a seat<br />
Transport for London (TFL) has<br />
launched a new card and badge to<br />
help travellers who are less able<br />
to stand get a seat. Application<br />
packs are currently available for<br />
anyone in Greater London and<br />
South East England.<br />
Apply for yours today by visiting www.tfl.gov.uk/transportaccessibility/please-offer-me-a-seat<br />
or call 0343 222 1234.<br />
BBC Proms<br />
Violin players at a concert<br />
We were excited to learn<br />
that the BBC Proms are this<br />
year introducing a ‘relaxed<br />
prom’ on 29th July; a concert<br />
suitable for those with sight<br />
and hearing loss. We have<br />
managed to get our hands<br />
on some tickets so if you<br />
would like to go along,<br />
please contact us.<br />
A blue ‘please offer<br />
me a seat’ badge<br />
Money matters<br />
We are pleased to see<br />
the new £1 coin is more<br />
recognisable due to it’s<br />
unique 12 sided shape.<br />
Remember that we only have<br />
until October to either spend<br />
our old £1 coins or to take<br />
them in to a bank in exchange<br />
for the new ones. Also don’t<br />
forget that the old £5 notes<br />
are now no longer accepted<br />
in shops, but don’t worry if<br />
you haven’t got through your<br />
stash yet as banks will still<br />
exchange them for new ones.<br />
The new £1 coin<br />
Meet our New Trustees<br />
We are delighted to welcome some fresh new faces to our<br />
Board of Trustees. They are:<br />
Steve Wilson<br />
Steve lives locally to our<br />
headquarters and joins us<br />
from the housing and asset<br />
management sector. Currently<br />
working as a Consultant, Steve<br />
has previously held senior<br />
posts in the voluntary sector.<br />
Ruth Bridgeman<br />
Based in Market Harborough,<br />
Management Consultant Ruth<br />
joins us with extensive strategic<br />
leadership experience gained<br />
from within both<br />
healthcare and<br />
higher education<br />
sectors.<br />
Ruth Bridgeman<br />
We are looking forward<br />
to welcoming more<br />
Trustees with sight<br />
and hearing loss to the<br />
Board later this year.<br />
Judie Jones<br />
Based just outside of<br />
Peterborough, Judie has<br />
a background in finance,<br />
leadership, governance and<br />
compliance. Currently Judie<br />
is Director and<br />
Company Secretary<br />
of Oundle School<br />
Services Company<br />
Limited.<br />
Judie Jones<br />
John Churcher<br />
John lives in Birmingham and<br />
is a Deafblind UK member.<br />
Having previously worked for<br />
the MoD, John has volunteered<br />
with Guide Dogs, Equity<br />
Steering Group, the British<br />
Mountaineering Council and is<br />
a Deafblind UK Digital Support<br />
Ambassador.<br />
John is also in<br />
his fifth year of<br />
being in the GB<br />
Paraclimbing Team!<br />
John Churcher<br />
6 Open Hand<br />
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What’s On<br />
Here’s your roundup of the best places to be over the next few<br />
months. If you know of an event that you think we should list<br />
here, please let us know!<br />
The Princess Court<br />
Ukulele Band<br />
23rd June<br />
Ukulele Concert, The Trinity<br />
Centre, Llandudno<br />
Enjoy music from the Princess<br />
Court Ukulele Band and browse<br />
stalls selling homemade<br />
goodies to raise money for<br />
local Deafblind UK groups.<br />
26th June<br />
Sight and Hearing Loss<br />
Information Day, Deafplus,<br />
Trinity Centre, London<br />
Meet representatives from<br />
other sensory loss charities<br />
and sensory teams operating<br />
within the Tower Hamlets area<br />
of London.<br />
4th July<br />
Technology Day,<br />
Bristol Eye Hospital<br />
Discover how to do more<br />
with your handheld tablet<br />
and mobile phone. Book your<br />
session now by emailing<br />
Laura.Kirby@UHBristol.nhs.uk<br />
or call Laura on 0117 342 9097.<br />
29th July<br />
Relaxed Proms, Royal Albert<br />
Hall, London<br />
Part of the BBC Proms,<br />
this concert is suitable for<br />
those with sensory and<br />
communication impairments<br />
and learning disabilities. A<br />
limited number of tickets are<br />
available from Deafblind UK at<br />
just £6 each.<br />
Violin players at<br />
a concert<br />
Member News<br />
Photography from Keith<br />
Keith Lloyd has Usher<br />
Syndrome which has left him<br />
with no sight. But this doesn’t<br />
stop him in his quest to become<br />
a budding photographer and<br />
has sent us some amazing<br />
photos of Swansea.<br />
Photo of Swansea marina<br />
taken by Keith Lloyd<br />
Congratulations John!<br />
We were delighted to hear that<br />
John Nicolls from Northern<br />
Ireland recently came 2nd at<br />
the British Blind Indoor Archery<br />
Championships! Watch out<br />
for his next competition at<br />
the British Visually Impaired<br />
Outdoor Archery<br />
Championships<br />
in September.<br />
Johnboy at<br />
the recent<br />
British Blind<br />
Indoor Archery<br />
Championships<br />
Exploring<br />
vision<br />
Marcus Innis from London<br />
has arranged a fascinating<br />
exhibition to explore how<br />
eye conditions such as Usher<br />
Syndrome impact people’s<br />
lives. Marcus is keen to create<br />
an educational medium to<br />
challenge stereotypes and<br />
break down the stigma<br />
around disabilities.<br />
He says: “Often, people<br />
comment on how I don’t look<br />
visually impaired and many<br />
have never heard of Usher<br />
Syndrome.”<br />
The exhibition is at<br />
Moorfields Eye Hospital<br />
until mid-August as part of<br />
the Open Senses festival.<br />
A photo taken by Marcus<br />
showing how Usher Syndrome<br />
affects his vision.<br />
8 Open Hand<br />
Open Hand 9
Regional Roundup: Essex<br />
New! Drop in coffee shops<br />
In each edition of Open Hand we will bring you a roundup of the<br />
services and activities on offer for members in certain areas.<br />
This month, it’s Essex!<br />
Summer outings<br />
Throughout the summer, we<br />
will be arranging outings that<br />
will be open to all Deafblind UK<br />
members in Essex, regardless<br />
of whether you have joined<br />
a social group or not. We will<br />
be asking members to tell us<br />
where they would like to go<br />
and will let all members know<br />
the itinerary well in advance so<br />
you can choose which trips you<br />
would like to go on.<br />
Digital support<br />
We have recently launched<br />
our digital support group<br />
in Colchester to introduce<br />
members to the opportunities<br />
that digital technology can<br />
bring. As part of this service,<br />
we are delighted to be able<br />
to loan equipment, such as<br />
tablets, to our members.<br />
If you would like to come<br />
along to a digital support<br />
group, please contact us.<br />
Deafblind UK Members<br />
enjoying a summer outing<br />
Over the next few months<br />
we will be launching ‘drop in<br />
coffee shops’ in seven locations<br />
across Essex. These will be<br />
social events that members<br />
from across Essex can come<br />
along to as and when they<br />
wish, just drop in for a coffee<br />
and a chat and stay as long<br />
as you like. If anyone needs<br />
assistance with transport<br />
please let us know.<br />
Where and when?<br />
Central Library, Traps Hill,<br />
Loughton, IG10 1HD<br />
(Signer’s Deafclub drop in)<br />
1st Tuesday of each month,<br />
2pm – 4pm<br />
Langland Community Hall,<br />
langland Close, Corringham,<br />
SS17 7LB<br />
1st and 3rd Tuesday of each<br />
month, 10.30am – 2.30pm<br />
Rex Mott Court, Guithaven St<br />
Witham, CM8 1UP<br />
4th Monday of each month,<br />
11am – 3pm<br />
6 Church Street, Colchester,<br />
CO1 1NF<br />
4th Wednesday of each<br />
month, 2pm- 4pm<br />
St Mary’s Court, Crossfield Road,<br />
Clacton-on-Sea, CO15 3QS<br />
4th Thursday of each<br />
month, 11am – 3pm<br />
Pontreath Place, Cornwall<br />
Crescent Chelmsford, CM1 4DN<br />
1st Thursday of each<br />
month, 10.30am – 2.30pm<br />
John Lampon Court, Smith<br />
Field, Colchester, CO1 2HP<br />
3rd Thursday of each<br />
month, 11am - 3pm<br />
Chichester House, Sir Frances<br />
Way, Brentwood, CM14 4TD<br />
2nd Friday each month,<br />
11am – 3pm<br />
10 Open Hand<br />
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Digital Update<br />
Our digital inclusion service introduces people to the possibilities<br />
of digital technology. Here’s a glimpse of just some of the things<br />
we’ve been up to over the past few months…<br />
Ruth’s Amazon Echo<br />
Digital Support Ambassador,<br />
Ruth told us about her new<br />
‘Echo Dot’; the new voice<br />
enabled, hands free speaker<br />
from Amazon’s Alexa range.<br />
Ruth explains…<br />
“I thought it would be a bit<br />
of a gimmick but the Echo<br />
has proven to have wonderful<br />
dimensions. I always start the<br />
day by asking it what is going<br />
on in the news today. The Echo<br />
then responds with the morning<br />
headlines – it’s great, there is<br />
no way I could read all this!”<br />
As the day unfolds, Ruth finds<br />
herself calling on Alexa’s<br />
services frequently: “I use the<br />
Echo to tell me what’s in my<br />
diary for the day, to write my<br />
shopping list and even to set<br />
cooking timers.”<br />
When it is time to relax, the<br />
Echo seems equally obliging.<br />
Radio, music and audio books<br />
are all easily within Ruth’s grasp<br />
and she has mastered all the<br />
necessary commands. “It’s so<br />
easy, listening to my favourite<br />
murder mystery is as simple as<br />
saying ‘Play my next book’<br />
“It feels like there is somebody<br />
else to talk to, it’s like having<br />
another companion in the<br />
house, I think it’s absolutely<br />
marvellous!” Concluded Ruth.<br />
Ruth and her Amazon Echo<br />
Learning together<br />
Deafblind UK members in<br />
North Wales have been<br />
learning how to make the<br />
most of tablets and other<br />
technology at the Wrexham<br />
Digital Inclusion group. The<br />
group meets regularly and has<br />
been working through a series<br />
of eight structured sessions to<br />
learn how to do everyday tasks<br />
on tablets using the Synapptic<br />
software for low vision.<br />
Group member Tony began the<br />
sessions as a digital novice but<br />
he now uses his tablet to check<br />
the weather, set calendar entries<br />
to remind himself of those all<br />
important household tasks and<br />
effortlessly dictates emails to<br />
friends and family. Learning<br />
how to adapt the devices to<br />
support low vision prompted one<br />
member to tell us “it’s the first<br />
time I have been able to read<br />
in four years!”<br />
The sessions are led by<br />
Deafblind UK’s Tim Locke<br />
and supported by six Digital<br />
Support Ambassadors<br />
(DDSA’s); Deafblind UK<br />
members who have got to<br />
grips with the latest technology<br />
and who are now helping<br />
others to benefit from it.<br />
Deafblind UK members at<br />
the Wrexham DI group<br />
Thanks to funding from Awards<br />
for All Wales from the Big<br />
Lottery Fund, we are also able<br />
to loan devices out to members<br />
who are thinking of investing in<br />
a tablet so they can ‘try before<br />
you buy’.<br />
Big Lottery Fund logo<br />
Get involved<br />
Our digital inclusion group<br />
sessions are currently<br />
running in Wrexham,<br />
Colchester and Bradford.<br />
For more information or<br />
to join a group, please<br />
contact us.<br />
12 Open Hand<br />
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Get Set For Deafblind<br />
Awareness Week 2017!<br />
There’s so much to look forward to during this year’s Deafblind<br />
Awareness Week between 26th June and 2nd July. This year’s<br />
theme is ‘Sight and hearing loss is more common than you<br />
think; let’s talk about it!’<br />
Our national member<br />
forum will take place<br />
on Friday 30th June<br />
in Peterborough.<br />
Representative Deafblind<br />
UK members from across<br />
the country will come<br />
together to discuss<br />
the future direction of<br />
Deafblind UK services.<br />
We’ll also be holding other<br />
exciting events over the week<br />
including a Ukulele concert,<br />
a ‘student versus teacher<br />
bake-off’ at a local school<br />
and bag packing at a local<br />
supermarket, so check out<br />
www.deafblind.org.uk<br />
for updates.<br />
The Princess Court Ukelele band<br />
The Deafblind<br />
Awareness Week logo<br />
On the Web<br />
You can also get involved<br />
online by submitting<br />
questions to our live<br />
Twitter Q&A sessions<br />
everyday between 1 and<br />
2pm each day from 27th<br />
– 30th June. Simply tweet<br />
your question to with the<br />
hashtag #ask<strong>DB</strong>AW and<br />
your questions will be<br />
answered by a sight and<br />
hearing loss expert.<br />
Out and About<br />
Deafblind Awareness Week celebrates the late Helen<br />
Keller’s birthday. Born on 27th June 1880, Helen Keller<br />
was known for her writing works and political activism,<br />
and most notably became the first deafblind person<br />
to earn a Bachelor of Arts Degree. Through Deafblind<br />
Awareness Week we aim to encourage a better<br />
understanding of living with sight and hearing loss.<br />
Here’s where you can catch the<br />
Deafblind UK team throughout<br />
the week:<br />
Monday 26th June<br />
• nLondon – Deafblind<br />
Information Day, Deafplus,<br />
Trinity Centre, Whitechapel<br />
• nChelmsford – High Chelmer<br />
Shopping Centre<br />
• nBristol – Bristol Central Library<br />
• nBirmingham – Asda, Barnes Hill<br />
• nLancashire – Burscough Village<br />
Primary School, Omskirk<br />
• nNorth Wales – Glan Clwyd<br />
Hospital, Denbighshire<br />
• nNorthern Ireland – Altnagelvin<br />
Hospital, Londonderry<br />
Tuesday 27th June<br />
• nBury St Edmunds – West<br />
Suffolk Hospital Eye Clinic<br />
• nChelmsford – High Chelmer<br />
Shopping Centre<br />
• nBristol – Tesco, Eastgate Road<br />
• nSouth Wales – Age Connects<br />
Community Café, Barry<br />
• nNorth Wales – Bangor Hospital<br />
• nNorthern Ireland – Royal<br />
Victoria Hospital, Belfast<br />
Wednesday 28th June<br />
• nPeterborough - Serpentine<br />
Green Shopping Centre<br />
• nNorth Yorkshire – Henshaw’s<br />
Arts and Crafts Centre,<br />
Knaresborough<br />
• nNorthern Ireland – Ulster<br />
Hospital, Belfast<br />
Friday 30th June<br />
• nManchester - Macular Road<br />
Show, Renaissance Hotel<br />
A Deafblind UK<br />
information stand<br />
14 Open Hand<br />
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Have a break!<br />
Planning a holiday might seem a<br />
daunting task but giving ourselves<br />
some well-deserved time off is<br />
well worth it!<br />
The beach at Presthaven,<br />
North Wales<br />
The beach at Hopton-on-Sea<br />
Carry on caravanning!<br />
Deafblind UK’s very own<br />
caravans in North Wales<br />
and Norfolk are available for<br />
members to use.<br />
Presthaven Beach Resort,<br />
Presthaven, North Wales<br />
Our new fully accessible<br />
six-berth caravan is well<br />
equipped with DVD players,<br />
a low level sink and an<br />
accessible bathroom. On-site<br />
facilities include a restaurant,<br />
heated indoor and outdoor<br />
pools, multi-sport courts,<br />
archery, miniature golf and<br />
more – ideal for both adults<br />
and children. The site is<br />
easily reachable by car<br />
and public transport.<br />
Haven Holiday Village<br />
Caravan, Hopton, Norfolk<br />
This six-berth caravan has<br />
direct access to the beach just<br />
south of Great Yarmouth. With<br />
two bedrooms and an en-suite<br />
bathroom, it’s an ideal home<br />
away from home with on-site<br />
facilities including an indoor<br />
aqua park, gym, crazy golf<br />
course and amusements. This<br />
relaxing accommodation is<br />
available from April to October<br />
and weekends in November.<br />
Vision Hotels from Action for<br />
Blind People offers accessible<br />
facilities for people with<br />
reduced sight and hearing up<br />
and down the country. Andrew<br />
Wilson, General Manager at the<br />
Windermere Manor Hotel, says:<br />
“In an ideal world, a person’s<br />
ability would not be a factor in<br />
influencing whether or not they<br />
have an enjoyable, relaxing<br />
and stress-free holiday and we,<br />
as a non-profit organisation,<br />
are determined to ensure we<br />
make this ideal a reality.”<br />
Windermere Manor<br />
Hotel, Cumbria<br />
Cliffden –<br />
Teignmouth, Devon<br />
Known as “the gem of South<br />
Devon”, Cliffden features seven<br />
acres of gardens in a seaside<br />
resort setting. The hotel is well<br />
equipped for guide dogs with a<br />
free run area and even a dog<br />
grooming room!<br />
For more information on Vision<br />
Hotels, visit www.rnib.org.uk.<br />
Offering stunning views over<br />
the Lake District, this Victorian<br />
retreat is within easy reach of<br />
all of Windermere’s top spots.<br />
For more information on<br />
There are ample facilities<br />
booking a holiday in a<br />
including dog bowls and beds<br />
Deafblind UK caravan,<br />
in every room, braille menus<br />
please contact us using the<br />
and wheelchair access.<br />
16<br />
details on the back cover.<br />
Open Hand<br />
Open Hand 17<br />
The inside of the Deafblind<br />
UK caravan at Presthaven<br />
The outside of the Deafblind<br />
UK caravan at Hopton-on-Sea<br />
Best of British<br />
Windermere Manor Hotel<br />
Cliffden Hotel, Teignmouth
Accessibility at Kenilworth Castle<br />
and Elizabethan Garden<br />
Few attractions across<br />
Britain provide the<br />
opportunity to walk through<br />
900 years of history in just<br />
one day, but at Kenilworth<br />
Castle and Elizabethan<br />
Garden, visitors can do just<br />
that. This incredible fortress<br />
in Warwickshire is a fantastic<br />
educational experience.<br />
Accessible Facilities<br />
There is a huge choice of areas<br />
to explore at Kenilworth Castle<br />
and Elizabethan Garden’s vast<br />
grounds, from the ruins of John<br />
of Gaunt’s 14th Century Great<br />
Hall to Leicester’s Gatehouse.<br />
All of these tours are made<br />
accessible by English Heritage’s<br />
wide range of facilities for<br />
partially sighted and hard of<br />
hearing visitors. Audio tours<br />
are available together with a<br />
hearing loop and tour transcript<br />
upon request.<br />
Kenilworth Castle<br />
©English Heritage<br />
Multi-sensory experiences<br />
are available in abundance<br />
throughout the stunning<br />
Elizabethan outdoor areas.<br />
Deafblind Visitors can take<br />
in a vast array of aromas in<br />
the scented gardens, which<br />
are complemented by flowing<br />
water and bird life.<br />
Inside, visitors can handle<br />
artefacts in the Gatehouse<br />
Exhibition upon request and<br />
there is also an interactive<br />
display in the stables. For those<br />
looking for refreshments whilst<br />
visiting, there is a hearing loop<br />
available in the Stables Tearoom<br />
as well as in the admissions<br />
area. If you would like to bring<br />
a guide dog with you, these are<br />
welcome and can be provided<br />
with a water bowl if required.<br />
Kenilworth Castle<br />
©English Heritage<br />
What’s On<br />
Don’t miss out on the<br />
exciting events and<br />
exhibitions at Kenilworth<br />
Castle and Elizabethan<br />
Garden this summer.<br />
Story Circus: Iron John<br />
Taking place on Thursday<br />
24th August, this exciting<br />
performance sees an<br />
ancient story come alive<br />
with music, dance and<br />
acrobatics.<br />
The Thrilling Thirties<br />
From Saturday 22nd to<br />
Sunday 23rd July, the castle<br />
will be transported to the<br />
1930s with a vintage fair and<br />
a celebration of technology<br />
inspired by the castle’s<br />
owner, Sir John Siddeley.<br />
Tudor Times<br />
Experience the golden<br />
age of Elizabeth I in an<br />
exhibition that feels so real<br />
it even re-creates the smells<br />
of Tudor England!<br />
For more information on events and accessibility at<br />
Kenilworth Castle and Elizabethan Garden, visit<br />
English-heritage.org.uk/visit/places/kenilworth-castle<br />
18 Open Hand<br />
Open Hand 19
All About…<br />
Personal Independence Payments<br />
Challenges: Blue Badges<br />
Glasses on a pile<br />
of paperwork<br />
At Deafblind UK we want to<br />
ensure that as many people<br />
as possible can continue to<br />
receive the help they need.<br />
We have closely monitored<br />
the development of Personal<br />
Independence Payments (PIP),<br />
this is some of the latest. Since<br />
October 2015 following a slow<br />
national roll out programme,<br />
all existing Disability Living<br />
Allowance (DLA) claimants aged<br />
16-64 are being invited to make<br />
a claim for PIP.<br />
The new assessment system<br />
is based on 10 activities for<br />
a daily living component and<br />
two for mobility. The benefit<br />
payment received is based on<br />
points scored in each activity,<br />
the points are given based on<br />
which descriptor your needs<br />
match within that activity.<br />
What Happens Next?<br />
It is not possible to predict when<br />
you will be invited to make a<br />
claim for PIP but the roll out<br />
is now national. You do not<br />
need to do anything, your DLA<br />
payments will continue until you<br />
are invited to make a PIP claim.<br />
Once you apply for PIP your DLA<br />
payments will continue until you<br />
have been assessed and given a<br />
PIP award decision. However, if<br />
you do not make a claim when<br />
invited, your DLA will end.<br />
If you are between 16 and 64<br />
years old and a new claimant,<br />
you will only be able to claim<br />
PIP rather than DLA, whilst<br />
those over 65 can only claim<br />
Attendance Allowance.<br />
The delays in the roll out<br />
mean that the September<br />
2017 deadline for England<br />
and Wales and the December<br />
2018 deadline for Northern<br />
Ireland may not be met.<br />
Under the recent changes,<br />
it may be more difficult to<br />
obtain a blue badge as these<br />
require a score of eight or<br />
more in the “Moving Around”<br />
activity assessment within PIP.<br />
This activity considers whether<br />
you can physically walk but<br />
does not consider whether<br />
you need assistance such as<br />
a guide or a guide dog. There<br />
are other ways to qualify for<br />
a badge but this will require<br />
other evidence of need, such as<br />
being certified as severely sight<br />
Those currently registered with<br />
this scheme may be affected if<br />
they do not meet the criteria of<br />
the PIP mobility assessments.<br />
Anyone who is not awarded<br />
the Mobility Component in PIP<br />
with enhanced points are no<br />
longer eligible for the Motability<br />
scheme. Motability is offering a<br />
one-off package of transitional<br />
support. At Deafblind UK we<br />
impaired. If you only claim<br />
Attendance Allowance, which<br />
has no mobility component,<br />
additional evidence will always<br />
be needed to apply to your<br />
council for a blue badge.<br />
A man using a red<br />
and white cane<br />
The Motability Scheme<br />
are currently investigating<br />
the impact of this and will<br />
publish updates over the<br />
coming months.<br />
Details are correct at the<br />
time of writing.<br />
A piggy bank<br />
If you are experiencing difficulties or<br />
would like to talk to someone about<br />
20 Open Hand<br />
the changes, please get in touch.<br />
Open Hand 21
Member Spotlight: Di Wade<br />
We meet inspiring people from all walks of<br />
life at Deafblind UK, but few have shown<br />
as much courage and resilience as Di<br />
Wade, who has not let her illness deter<br />
her from following her dreams.<br />
Di Wade<br />
Registered blind, Di was<br />
born with Antley Bixler<br />
Syndrome, a rare condition<br />
which makes her severely<br />
hearing impaired and unable<br />
to bend her elbows. Despite<br />
these obstacles, Di maintains<br />
a determined spirit with<br />
ambitions of becoming a<br />
bestselling writer.<br />
Globe Trotter<br />
Unwilling to let her condition<br />
get the better of her, Di has<br />
visited corners of the globe<br />
that we can only dream of,<br />
including such adventures as<br />
driving husky sleds in Finland<br />
and walking across China,<br />
Japan, Laos, Cambodia and<br />
the Antipodes. She’s also a<br />
woman of many talents, having<br />
earned a degree in English and<br />
Philosophy as well as a grade<br />
eight in piano and French horn.<br />
Her many hobbies include<br />
horse riding, ice fishing and<br />
tandem cycling!<br />
22 Open Hand<br />
A Sunny Disposition<br />
If there is one thing that<br />
member Di has taught us, it’s<br />
not to take life too seriously.<br />
Di maintains a good sense of<br />
humour on a day to day basis<br />
and recounts memories of<br />
how her daily challenges have<br />
not stopped her. She says:<br />
“As a blind person, I wield a<br />
white stick and my dramas<br />
tend to include things like<br />
trying to post letters in people<br />
wearing red coats or engaging<br />
inanimate objects in animated<br />
conversation.”<br />
The cover of ‘A year<br />
in Verse’ by Di Wade<br />
Di’s poetry<br />
book, A Year in<br />
Verse, is now<br />
available to<br />
buy with some<br />
proceeds going to<br />
Deafblind UK, email<br />
diwadepoetry@gmail.com<br />
to order your copy.<br />
Leaving a gift<br />
in your Will<br />
Here at Deafblind UK, we rely on supporters who leave us a<br />
gift in their Will. Last year these funds allowed us to ensure<br />
that our vital Information & Advice Line was available to each<br />
of our members.<br />
If you would like more information on the difference a gift<br />
from you could make, or any other aspect of leaving a gift in<br />
your Will to Deafblind UK, please feel free to call us on:<br />
0800 132 320<br />
or email:<br />
info@deafblind.org.uk
Did You Know About…<br />
Our Information and Advice Line?<br />
We’re always keen to provide our members with as<br />
much free information as possible, which is why we run<br />
a professionally-manned information and advice line to<br />
answer your queries.<br />
0800 132 320<br />
07950 008870<br />
info@deafblind.org.uk<br />
Get in<br />
touch<br />
This free phone line is available<br />
for all Deafblind UK members<br />
by telephone or text and can<br />
be accessed from 9am to<br />
5pm Monday to Thursday<br />
and 9am to 4pm on Fridays.<br />
We’ve received fantastic<br />
feedback on our advice line,<br />
particularly from our older<br />
members who may not have<br />
access to the internet.<br />
What information can I get?<br />
To make the most of<br />
this free service, simply<br />
call 0800 132320 or text<br />
07950 008870 during<br />
our working hours.<br />
Whether it’s furthering<br />
your independence in the<br />
community or meeting new<br />
people, our friendly team is<br />
happy to help!<br />
Our trained team is<br />
available to answer any<br />
questions about sight and<br />
hearing loss with 100%<br />
confidentiality. We can<br />
also advise you on:<br />
• nContact details for helpful<br />
organisations<br />
• nHobbies and activities that<br />
can be enjoyed with sight<br />
and hearing loss<br />
• nHousing and benefits<br />
• nArranging tele-befrienders<br />
• nAssistance in the community<br />
• nHolidays (we have two<br />
residential caravans but can<br />
also provide advice outside<br />
of this)<br />
• nInformation about Deafblind<br />
UK and other organisation’s<br />
social groups<br />
• nAssistance with shopping<br />
and cleaning<br />
• nCommunication methods<br />
• nA general chit chat!<br />
Deafblind UK staff answering<br />
the Information and Advice Line<br />
Of course, outside of our<br />
core information and advice,<br />
we’re also happy to lend an<br />
ear even if you don’t have<br />
anything specific to talk about.<br />
Often our members are simply<br />
looking for somebody to listen<br />
and to talk them through any<br />
personal issues. All of our staff<br />
are trained to deal with any<br />
problems sensitively and will be<br />
happy to talk to you, whatever<br />
the nature of your call.<br />
Ready to make a phone call<br />
24 Open Hand<br />
Open Hand 25
All about volunteering!<br />
Giving<br />
Something Back<br />
Volunteering is something<br />
we take very seriously at<br />
Deafblind UK and having<br />
recently celebrated national<br />
volunteering week, we would<br />
like to encourage all of our<br />
readers, their friends and family<br />
to consider giving something<br />
back to the local community.<br />
Volunteering can<br />
help you to:<br />
• nReap the rewards of<br />
helping others<br />
• nGive back to causes who<br />
have helped you<br />
• nMeet new people with<br />
shared interests<br />
• nGain new skills<br />
• nImprove your confidence<br />
A man being assisted<br />
by a volunteer<br />
Building a<br />
successful service<br />
Deafblind UK would not<br />
be the success it is today<br />
without the help of our<br />
dedicated volunteers.<br />
Our current UK team is made<br />
up of over 300 volunteers and<br />
they have an immeasurable<br />
impact on our members,<br />
whether they are providing<br />
company on a day out, lending<br />
their talents to gardening<br />
and DIY, or simply driving<br />
someone to an appointment<br />
or social group.<br />
Our volunteers come from all<br />
walks of life and they do not<br />
need any special skills to assist<br />
our members. We provide an<br />
induction and on-going support<br />
to all of our volunteers, but<br />
what they give us is priceless.<br />
Our volunteers help us to reach<br />
out to some of our loneliest<br />
members, particularly through<br />
our home befriending scheme.<br />
Volunteers help members to<br />
not only live an easier life by<br />
assisting them with their day<br />
to day tasks, but also a more<br />
enriched one, knowing they<br />
have a friend to lean on when<br />
they need it most.<br />
As a growing charity,<br />
looking after our increasing<br />
membership base becomes<br />
more and more costly,<br />
and we would not be able<br />
to provide the breadth of<br />
services we currently offer<br />
without the hours given<br />
up by our kind volunteers.<br />
Here’s an insight into<br />
volunteering as told by our<br />
home befriender, Jackie.<br />
Deafblind UK<br />
volunteers gardening<br />
Deafblind UK<br />
volunteer, Jackie<br />
Meet<br />
Jackie<br />
Jackie is a retired Chartered<br />
Physiotherapist from London<br />
who is a home befriender to two<br />
members: Peter and John.<br />
“I visit Peter and John in their<br />
homes every other week. We<br />
have a cup of tea and chat<br />
together – we get on very<br />
well! Peter likes to take a walk<br />
around the local park’s herb<br />
garden for all its different smells<br />
and tastes. He’s also learning<br />
a deafblind manual, so I’m<br />
learning too!<br />
“John is less mobile so we spend<br />
more time indoors. I help him<br />
write Christmas cards and fill in<br />
his address book and also make<br />
lots of cups of tea! I’ve been a<br />
home befriender for a year now<br />
and spend 2.5 hours a week<br />
volunteering.<br />
“It makes a big difference when<br />
you know you’re as appreciated<br />
by the charity as you are by the<br />
people you befriend.”<br />
26 Open Hand<br />
Open Hand 27
A Helping Hand<br />
In an increasingly<br />
connected world, it’s<br />
hard to believe that<br />
Britain was recently<br />
reported as one of the<br />
loneliest countries in<br />
Europe. Loneliness is<br />
defined as the sadness<br />
felt from lack of social<br />
interaction and can<br />
affect people of all<br />
ages and backgrounds.<br />
Whether you or<br />
somebody you know<br />
is feeling lonely, here<br />
are our tips to help<br />
make things better.<br />
Coping with<br />
Loneliness<br />
Be self-aware<br />
A woman sitting<br />
alone in the sunset<br />
Loneliness happens for all sorts<br />
of reasons, from bereavement<br />
to children leaving home. The<br />
first step is to acknowledge<br />
your feelings – perhaps<br />
keeping a journal or simply a<br />
mental note, you will have a<br />
daily reminder of which tasks<br />
make you happiest.<br />
Self-awareness can sometimes<br />
lead to anxiety however,<br />
so it’s important not to dwell<br />
on negative thoughts. Be kind<br />
to yourself by making lists<br />
about your personal skills,<br />
achievements and compliments<br />
you have received. This will<br />
improve your confidence<br />
and help you build better<br />
relationships.<br />
Talk to Others<br />
There are many organisations<br />
who will listen when you feel<br />
isolated such as the Deafblind<br />
UK Information and Advice<br />
Line. Try setting yourself<br />
progressive targets to talk to<br />
more people or think about<br />
arranging a befriender to call<br />
or pop in to see you regularly.<br />
Soon enough, you’ll progress<br />
to other interactions such as<br />
social media, local activity<br />
groups and volunteering.<br />
An elderly lady resting her<br />
head on her hands<br />
Two people holding hands<br />
Overcome<br />
the Barriers<br />
Living with sight and hearing<br />
loss can be one of the most<br />
challenging conditions to<br />
overcome, but there are many<br />
resources out there to help you<br />
connect. If you know somebody<br />
who is lonely, try to encourage<br />
them to take these steps and<br />
accept that there will be times<br />
when they are alone. Practising<br />
“mindfulness” while alone<br />
helps us to manage feelings<br />
in a positive way, leading to<br />
improved self-confidence and<br />
more fulfilling lives.<br />
Information taken from: www.telegraph.co.uk<br />
and Independent Age, If you’re feeling lonely;<br />
how to stay connected in older age.<br />
28 Open Hand<br />
Open Hand 29
Stamping Out Hate Crime<br />
Hate crime is an extremely serious offence and<br />
unfortunately, is currently on the rise. In 2016, there<br />
were 62,518 recorded incidents of hate crime in the<br />
UK alone, more than 3,000 of which were classed as<br />
disability hate crimes.<br />
A woman looking<br />
out of the window<br />
The definition of a hate crime<br />
is a physical or verbal attack<br />
against groups or individuals,<br />
who may be targeted based<br />
upon their race, sexuality,<br />
gender identity, religion,<br />
beliefs or disability. Attacks<br />
do not always have to be<br />
physical; they can also<br />
amount to threats of violence,<br />
harassment, verbal abuse,<br />
property damage, offensive<br />
graffiti or cyber-bullying<br />
(often known as “trolling”,<br />
particularly on social media).<br />
The Effects of<br />
Hate Crime<br />
These vicious acts are<br />
damaging to both individuals<br />
and communities, leaving<br />
the victims feeling<br />
persecuted for something<br />
that they have no control<br />
over. Hate crime can lead to<br />
tensions within communities<br />
and can also have drastic<br />
effects on individuals, many<br />
of whom will feel they can no<br />
longer go outside for fear of<br />
being attacked.<br />
Those targeted by hate<br />
crime may often feel too<br />
frightened to speak out<br />
and report the crimes, for<br />
fear of retaliation against<br />
them or their families. It is<br />
therefore important that we<br />
communicate with our loved<br />
ones and act on their behalf<br />
if we feel they may be the<br />
victim of a hate crime.<br />
Someone working<br />
at a laptop<br />
Reporting an Attack<br />
If you or somebody you<br />
know has been a victim<br />
of hate crime, you should<br />
report it immediately as it<br />
may become a police issue.<br />
It is still important to make<br />
the police aware even if no<br />
laws have been broken – if<br />
they have knowledge of the<br />
perpetrators then they can<br />
monitor the situation.<br />
If you have been personally<br />
attacked, remember that it is<br />
not your fault and you have<br />
not done anything wrong. In<br />
an emergency, call the police<br />
on 999, or if you cannot make<br />
voice calls, ensure you are<br />
registered with Emergency SMS<br />
www.emergencysms.org.uk.<br />
In non-emergencies, you can<br />
speak to the police on 101, or<br />
contact your local station.<br />
Hate crimes can be<br />
reported anonymously and<br />
investigated by police at<br />
www.report-it.org.uk, or if<br />
you do not want to fill in forms<br />
you can call Crimestoppers<br />
on 0800 555 111 or visit<br />
www.crimestoppers-uk.org.<br />
Alternatively, there are<br />
numerous charities who can<br />
help including Stop Hate UK<br />
(call 0800 138 1625 for a<br />
24-hour helpline) and Victim<br />
Support UK (08081 689 111).<br />
You can also contact your local<br />
Citizens Advice Bureau<br />
by visiting www.<br />
cItizensadvice.org.uk.<br />
Remember – by reporting the<br />
incidents, we can all work<br />
together to put a stop to hate<br />
crimes against disabled people<br />
once and for all.<br />
This information has been kindly<br />
supplied by Emma Elmett, Hate<br />
Crime Officer at Cross Keys<br />
Homes in Peterborough.<br />
For more information<br />
or for help reporting<br />
a hate crime, contact<br />
the Deafblind UK<br />
Information and<br />
Advice Line.<br />
30 Open Hand<br />
Open Hand 31
Bill’s Board<br />
Welcome to Bill’s column<br />
A trip to Avebury<br />
Last summer I took a trip<br />
to Avebury; a village in<br />
Wiltshire which contains<br />
the largest stone circle in<br />
Europe. This prehistoric<br />
site attracts many visitors<br />
each year and although<br />
its original purpose is<br />
unknown, it is now a place<br />
of religious importance to<br />
contemporary pagans.<br />
I visited during the summer<br />
solstice celebrations that<br />
happen every year. There is<br />
always a lot going on during<br />
this time including dragon<br />
dancing and fire juggling;<br />
it’s a great atmosphere. The<br />
fire juggler was a friend of<br />
mine so I was able to join in<br />
with some of the dancing,<br />
luckily for me there were<br />
no photographs of this for<br />
Deafblind UK to get their<br />
hands on!<br />
I have been to Avebury<br />
many times both when<br />
I was sighted and not.<br />
Since loosing my sight<br />
the experience was very<br />
different; it was filled with<br />
blossom aroma, the sounds<br />
of the excited crowd and<br />
even some interested bees!<br />
After the celebrations, we<br />
went to the local pub which<br />
has a well inside it! Guests<br />
can throw coins down the<br />
well and make a wish whilst<br />
enjoying a well deserved pint.<br />
I would thoroughly<br />
recommend a trip<br />
to Avebury; it’s a<br />
fascinating day out!<br />
The stones at Avebury<br />
Bill becomes<br />
mobile compatible<br />
You may remember<br />
me writing about my<br />
new mobile phone, the<br />
Samsung Galaxy J5 which<br />
has been adapted with<br />
Synapptic accessibility<br />
software for visually<br />
impaired users. I’m<br />
pleased to say that I<br />
have now got to grips<br />
with it and I would like to<br />
thank both Synapptic and<br />
Blind Veterans for their<br />
willingness to help me out!<br />
The only limitation that I<br />
have come across is it is<br />
difficult to make selections<br />
once you are on the call, as<br />
the keyboard disappears.<br />
For example, when you<br />
are asked to enter an<br />
extension number or select<br />
a category from a list.<br />
The Synapptic<br />
accessibility software<br />
Bill’s talking microwave<br />
My kitchen friend<br />
I also recently wrote about<br />
my new talking microwave<br />
which I have been very<br />
impressed with. I am now<br />
much more used to it<br />
and have been trying out<br />
lots of the audio recipes.<br />
However, if you’re thinking<br />
of getting one I would<br />
recommend patience as<br />
the microwave has been<br />
programmed and<br />
you haven’t!<br />
Get in touch!<br />
If there is anything<br />
you would like me to<br />
write about in my next<br />
column, please let me<br />
know by contacting<br />
Deafblind UK. I would<br />
love to hear from you!<br />
32 Open Hand<br />
Open Hand 33
London Marathon 2017<br />
On 23rd April a six-strong team of runners laced up their<br />
trainers and set off around the 26.2 mile course to run the<br />
Virgin Money London Marathon for Deafblind UK.<br />
Each running<br />
for their own<br />
personal reasons,<br />
the team have so far<br />
raised over £13,000<br />
for Deafblind UK<br />
– a truly amazing<br />
result!<br />
One runner, Annabelle from<br />
Weybridge, completed the race<br />
in an impressive four hours<br />
and 23 minutes having raised<br />
over £2,500 for Deafblind UK.<br />
At the finish line she told us:<br />
“I can’t believe I’ve done it! It<br />
was such a long way but the<br />
support was amazing on route<br />
and we couldn’t have asked<br />
for better weather!” Annabelle<br />
chose to run for Deafblind<br />
UK because her grandfather<br />
Norman lived a large part of<br />
his life with no sight and no<br />
hearing. “When I told<br />
Annabelle at<br />
the London<br />
Marathon finish<br />
Grandad I’d<br />
been lucky<br />
enough to<br />
land a place<br />
running for<br />
Deafblind<br />
UK, he was so thrilled for<br />
me! He was very honoured to<br />
have been the motivation and<br />
inspiration to raise money for<br />
people with his condition<br />
– especially those who are<br />
less fortunate than him.”<br />
Said Annabelle.<br />
Matt at the London<br />
Marathon finish<br />
Another runner, Patrick from<br />
Romford ran said: “I know<br />
the difference that Deafblind<br />
UK has made to my Uncle<br />
Matthew’s life. It is such a good<br />
cause. Matthew is so proud that<br />
I am running the Marathon and<br />
that I am doing it for Deafblind<br />
UK.” Patrick, who had become<br />
a Dad just two days before,<br />
finished the marathon in four<br />
hours and 30 minutes.<br />
Annabelle and Patrick were<br />
joined by Wouter, Claire,<br />
Paul and Matt who all<br />
finished the gruelling course<br />
in good time having dedicated<br />
months to training and<br />
fundraising. Claire, from<br />
Peterborough ploughed her<br />
infectious<br />
energy into fundraising events<br />
in the run up to<br />
the race and<br />
is now well<br />
known for her<br />
three-hour<br />
spinathons!<br />
Claire at<br />
the London<br />
Marathon finish<br />
Wouter at<br />
the London<br />
Marathon finish<br />
Wouter,<br />
also from<br />
Peterborough,<br />
set up ‘tuckshops’<br />
selling cakes<br />
and sweets to<br />
his colleagues at work. His<br />
employer, Peterborough based<br />
BGL Group has also kindly<br />
agreed to match whatever<br />
he raised, making a huge<br />
contribution to the overall total.<br />
Barbara Burnett, Community<br />
and Individual Fundraising<br />
Manager said:<br />
“We are so proud of all our<br />
runners; not only for taking<br />
on the daunting challenge<br />
of the London Marathon,<br />
but also for their dedicated<br />
training and fundraising<br />
which can often be as big a<br />
challenge as the race itself.<br />
Their fundraising will have<br />
a significant impact on the<br />
work of Deafblind UK.”<br />
We are now searching for runners to take part in the Virgin<br />
Money London Marathon 2018 so if you know of any budding<br />
runners who might like to join our team, please contact us or<br />
visit ww.deafblind.org.uk/london-marathon.<br />
34 Open Hand<br />
Open Hand 35
How can we help you?<br />
Information<br />
and advice<br />
Community outreach<br />
Casework<br />
Home, telephone and<br />
email befriending<br />
Social groups<br />
Digital support<br />
Heavily discounted<br />
holidays<br />
If you would like to access<br />
any of the services we offer<br />
please contact us:<br />
0800 132 320<br />
info@deafblind.org.uk<br />
07950 008870 www.deafblind.org.uk<br />
If you have any news, letters or contributions for Open Hand,<br />
please email Marcoms@deafblind.org.uk or post them to<br />
the address below.<br />
Contact us<br />
Deafblind UK<br />
National Centre for<br />
Deafblindness<br />
John and Lucille van<br />
Geest Place<br />
Cygnet Road<br />
Peterborough<br />
PE7 8FD<br />
Tel/Text phone: 0800 132 320<br />
Fax: 01733 358 356<br />
email: info@deafblind.org.uk<br />
www.deafblind.org.uk<br />
<strong>DB</strong>UKCharity<br />
@DeafblindUK<br />
Registered Charity No: 802976<br />
Company Reg No: 2426281