Open Hand from Deafblind UK - Spring 2019 LoRes

Spring 2019
The magazine of Deafblind UK – putting you in the picture
Gaby and Dilwyn
Inside:
• nThe right to an assessment
• nMember news: Dilwyn’s story
• nWhat to do when things get difficult
p20
Using OXSIGHT
glasses to read a menu

What’s inside?
P4
P6
P8
News
News
Member News
What’s On
Information
P9 Tell us what you think
P10 Deafblind
Awareness Week
P12 Take the stress out
of shopping
P14 The right to an
assessment
P16 Accessibility review
– Leeds Castle
P18 A Condition – Diabetic
Retinopathy
P20 Expanding your
field of vision
Features
P22 Marie celebrates 15
years of volunteering
P24 What to do when
things get difficult
P26 Digital Update
P28 Regional Roundup
P30 A word of thanks
An elderly woman walking with
a Deafblind UK staff member
Editor:
Naomi Dainty
info@deafblind.org.uk
Design:
Lovely Cuppa Design
Published by:
Deafblind UK
© Deafblind UK 2019
Pass it on
When you have finished with
this magazine, please pass
it on to family and friends or
even donate it to your local
doctor’s waiting rooms.
Welcome to the Spring edition of Open Hand which
features Deafblind UK’s activities, useful information
for members and research findings.
Since the last issue, not only have we had to assess
whether there would be any implications for us from
the various Brexit options but we have had to deal with
a ‘perfect storm’ of lower than expected income from
our care and support services. This is a result of Local
Authorities reviewing their contracts and also the effects of
reduced voluntary income.
However, we have set an achievable budget for the coming
year and, with an increase in staff in our fundraising team,
we are confident of a sustainable financial future.
We believe that we now have the resources to grow our
services; initially focusing on digital inclusion and providing
easier and more regular access to activities.
Finally, I am pleased to confirm that the Annual General
Meeting (AGM) will take place on 26th June. For more
information, please contact us
using the details on the back
of this magazine.
Steve Conway
Chief Executive
Steve Conway
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News
New online Blue
Badge service
The Department of Transport has launched a new service to
apply for a Blue Badge online. This means that you no longer
need to send important documents in the post and applications
are processed more quickly. An offline system will still be
available for those who are not able to apply online.
For more information visit www.gov.uk/apply-blue-badge.
RNIB Bright Box
Our friends at RNIB have
created three different
packs of goodies for
partially sighted people
which can be delivered to
your door free of charge.
Bright Boxes include handy
signature guides, bank note
checkers and bumpons.
If you’re registered blind
or partially sighted and
live in England, subscribe
online at: www.rnib.org.uk/
brightbox.
Blue badge sign
Deafblind
Friendly Awards
Do you know anyone who
has gone the extra mile to
help someone with sight and
hearing loss? This might be your
hairdresser, shop assistant or
a friendly neighbour. If so, then
send us their details to nominate
them for a Deafblind Friendly
Award which will be presented
during
Deafblind
Awareness
Week in
June.
Our first charity shop
We are excited to announce
the opening of our first charity
shop! All profits from the shop
go straight back into the charity
and help us continue to support
people with combined sight and
hearing loss. The shop is at The
Werrington Centre, Staniland
Way, Peterborough PE4 6NA
and will be open Monday –
Saturday 9.00am – 4.30pm.
New holiday
accommodation for
Deafblind UK members
Our discounted holidays have
been so popular that we have
fundraised for and bought a
third caravan! This is located
in Hopton, Norfolk and we are
now taking bookings for 2019.
For more information visit:
www.deafblind.org.uk/whatwe-do/holidays
or contact us
using the details on the back of
this magazine.
Deafblind UK
Conference Centre
The Deafblind UK
Conference Centre in
Peterborough is now taking
bookings for evenings and
weekends in addition to
mid-week bookings.
All proceeds go directly
to the charity, so if you’re
looking for a meeting room
please consider us!
Synapptic TV Box
Our friends at Synapptic have
launched a new TV Box which
plugs into a normal TV to give
visually impaired people a
highly usable and simple
menu system. This makes it
simple and easy to find what
you want to watch. For more
information contact Synapptic:
www.synapptic.com.
A waitress pouring coffee
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The new Deafblind UK caravan
The Deafblind UK
Conference Centre

Member News
Dilwyn’s story
Dilwyn and Gaby
Discounted holidays
Book now for 2019!
Our self-catering
holidays are selling fast.
Contact us today to
book one of our luxury
caravans at heavily
discounted rates.
Hopton-on-Sea, Norfolk
Dilwyn, 88, lives alone near
Wrexham. He began losing
his sight 19 years ago and is
now completely blind.
He says, “The biggest
challenge is being on my own
for over 40 hours a week.
Isolation is the hardest thing.
I asked my local social services
for help and they told me about
Deafblind UK.”
Dilwyn was soon introduced
to Gaby, a Deafblind UK
volunteer companion and they
immediately felt comfortable
together. Gaby said: “I visit
Dilwyn every Wednesday for
2-3 hours at a time. We have a
coffee and a chat. It’s nice, we
have become good friends.”
Dilwyn has also been welcomed
to our social group in Wrexham.
He has enjoyed making new
friends and his self-confidence
has dramatically improved -
he even agreed to give a talk
about his life and career!
Dilwyn says: “Every meeting,
before I even walk through the
door at the group, my friend
shouts: “Hi Dilwyn!” and it’s
absolutely lovely!”
Chambery, Hopton-on-Sea, Norfolk
Prestatyn, North Wales
Each of our caravans is furnished to the highest
specification and located on idyllic parks which
are close to the beach. For more information or
to book your holiday, call us on 0800 132230
or email: info@deafblind.org.uk.
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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 any events that
you think we should list
here, please let us know!
Dolphin Software Events
A series of events to introduce
people with visual impairments
to different technology and
lifestyle solutions.
24th April 2019
Vision Support, Avow 21
Edgerton Street, Wrexham
LL11 1ND
3rd June 2019
Open Day Bristol, Newman Hall
Grange Court Road, Westbury
on Trym, Bristol BS9 4DR
Low Vision and
Hearing Loss Day
A free event for anyone who
is affected by sight loss,
hearing loss or both! Come
along and discover tools and
services to improve life with
sight and hearing loss.
For more information visit:
www.deafblind.org.uk/events
Low vision
and hearing
loss day logo
28th June 2019
10.30am – 3.30pm
Deafblind UK, Cygnet Road,
Peterborough PE7 8FD
Guide Dogs Forums
A series of events for people who
are blind or partially sighted, their
friends, family or carers to share
and provide information and raise
concerns in a positive manner
directly to change makers.
8th May 2019
11.00am – 1.00pm
The Annesley House
Hotel, Norwich NR2 2LA
22nd May 2019
12.00pm – 2.00pm
Parkside Fire Station,
Cambridge CB1 1JF
5th June 2019
11.00am – 1.00pm
RNIB, Midgate House,
Peterborough PE1 1TN
Tell us what
you think
Who better to shape the
future of our services than
the people who benefit most?
Our member forums are
informative and engaging
events where you can give us
feedback about our services
and make suggestions for
our ongoing work. They are
also a great opportunity to
meet other members and talk
to Deafblind UK staff.
Members and staff at a
recent forum
Forums are planned
for the following dates,
so contact us to book
your place! Please note
that the forum can only
go ahead if at least 20
people book in.
Northern Ireland
Thursday 11th April
North Wales
Tuesday 7th May
South Wales
Thursday 23rd May
Bristol
Tuesday 4th June
North of England
Tuesday 16th July
West Midlands
Thursday 18th July
National Forum
(Peterborough)
Tuesday 15th October
To book a place at your local forum, call 0800 132 230
or email: feedback@deafblind.org.uk
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Join us for Deafblind
Awareness Week 2019!
We are already thinking about summer as we look forward to
another Deafblind Awareness Week. This year’s events will
take place between Monday 24th June and Sunday 30th June.
woodland walk or get involved
in some tree planting?
Alternatively, you could hold a
bake sale or coffee morning,
leave a collection pot in your
local pub, shop or café, or
simply share our cause on
social media.
What is Deafblind
Awareness Week?
Deafblind Awareness Week
commemorates the birthday
of Helen Keller (1880-1968),
a prominent author and political
activist who became the first
deafblind person to earn a
Bachelor of Arts degree.
The week aims to raise
awareness of dual sensory loss
which currently affects nearly
400,000 people in the UK.
Throughout Deafblind Awareness
Week we will be helping
more people to understand
deafblindness and ensure that
they know where to go for help.
We encourage everyone to get
involved in the week, whether
it is by helping us to spread the
word and support more people or
by holding a fundraising activity
or doing a challenge event.
A picnic set up on
a table outside
The Great Outdoors
This year Deafblind Awareness
Week will be focussed around
The Great Outdoors. We want
to encourage as many people
as possible to experience the
health and wellbeing benefits of
being outdoors. Studies have
shown that getting outdoors,
even for a short walk, can:
• nDecrease stress levels
• nLower blood pressure
• nImprove short-term memory
• nFight fatigue
Walking through a forest
A trip outdoors, whether it’s the
beach, a nature trail, or even
your own back garden is a
delight for all the senses. From
the smells of forest leaves to
the texture of sand, it’s hugely
beneficial to get away from
the stresses of daily life with a
simple walk outside.
Get involved!
There’s lots you can do to
support Deafblind Awareness
Week. For the thrill-seekers
among you, take part in our
tandem skydive or swim a mile
in open water in the Great East
Swim. Or, why not go for a
picnic in your local park, try a
Dates for your diary
• nGreat East Swim
22nd June, Suffolk
• nTandem Skydive
23rd June, Sibson
Airfield, Peterborough
• nLow Vision and
Hearing Loss Day
28th June, Peterborough
(see more on page 8)
The Great East Swim
To get involved with any of these events,
please email: fundraising@deafblind.org.uk
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Taking the stress
out of shopping
For many visually and
hearing-impaired people
a simple trip to the
supermarket can be a
stressful experience. A lack
of natural light, too many
crowds and loud background
noise may deter people from
making essential trips.
Thankfully, UK supermarkets are
now making changes to ensure
that the shopping experience
is more pleasant for everyone.
There are also more alternatives
available now for those who
prefer not to venture out.
Slow shopping
In 2016, supermarket chain
Sainsbury’s introduced “Slow
Shopping”. Between 1pm
and 3pm on Tuesdays, staff
members are on hand to
greet elderly and vulnerable
customers, while chairs are
placed at the end of aisles if
shoppers need a rest.
This slow shopping initiative has
since been introduced to other
stores across the UK, including
Southgate Shopping Centre,
Waitrose Bath, Asda Clacton-on-
Sea, and Tesco and Marks and
Spencer, Kingston Park.
In July 2018, supermarket chain
Morrisons also launched a
“Quieter Hour” between 9am and
10am on Saturday mornings.
During this time they have
pledged to dim the lights, turn
off all music and radios, avoid
in-store announcements, reduce
check-out noises, lessen trolley
movement and inform customers
that it is Quieter Hour.
Person holding a basket
full of vegetables
Making your shopping
experience less stressful
For an easier shopping
experience, consider:
• nMaking a list in advance
• nTaking a friend or relative
with you
• nShopping during less busy
or “quiet hours”
• nContact the customer service
desk in advance to find out
what support they can offer
Alternatives to
supermarket shopping
Online shopping has increased
considerably in recent years,
almost doubling between 2010
and 2016. Customers can
choose from ordering groceries
for delivery from Asda, Tesco,
Morrisons, Sainsbury’s and
Waitrose, or they can also
choose click-and-collect, both
of which allow them to choose a
convenient time.
For other shopping, such as
gifts, clothes or household
items, many online retailers
now have just a small delivery
charge or even free delivery
over a certain spend. Other
initiatives such as Amazon
Prime provide next day delivery
for a yearly or monthly charge,
seven days a week.
To find a “slow shop” store
near you, visit:
www.slowshopping.org.uk
Our digital support service
can help you get set up for
online shopping – contact us
using the details on the back
of this magazine.
A tablet and a laptop
Deafblind UK is
working with shopping
centres such as
Serpentine Green
in Peterborough to
help staff understand
the challenges of
deafblindness.
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The right to an
assessment
For years, Deafblind UK
and other charities have
campaigned for the rights
of people with dual sensory
loss. This has now been
acknowledged in specific
legislation (The Care Act 2014)
but do enough people know
about this?
We wanted to discover whether
people with sight and hearing
loss know that they are entitled
to a specialist deafblind
assessment and potentially
further support. So, in
conjunction with students from
Form filling
the University of Cambridge,
we spoke to deafblind people
across Cambridgeshire to
find out.
Worryingly, only 15% of
respondents had heard of
The Care Act and just over half
of these could tell us anything
about their rights. Some
knew that they had the right
to an assessment, that their
assessor should be trained
in deafblindness and that an
assessment should address
the need for one-to-one
human contact.
Whilst these responses are
correct, it is disappointing that
so few people know about their
entitlements and that so many
more people could be benefiting
from further support.
Your rights
If sight and hearing loss affects
your mobility, communication
and access to information,
you are entitled to:
• nA deafblind assessment
to determine whether you
have eligible needs for care
and support.
Your local authority must:
• nRecognise that you may not
necessarily be able to benefit
from mainstream services or
those services aimed primarily
at blind people or deaf people
who are able to rely on their
other senses.
• nEnsure that deafblind people
are able to access specifically
trained one-to-one support
workers if they are assessed
as requiring one.
• nProvide information about
services in ways which are
accessible to deafblind people.
We would like to thank
our members who took
part in this research,
and students from
Cambridge Hub’s Social
Innovation Programme
(SIP) for working with us
on this project.
Chatting on
the phone
For more information
about assessments
or to request an
assessment through
Deafblind UK, please
contact us using the
details on the back of
this magazine.
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Spring at Leeds Castle
The keypads on these
devices have been designed
in conjunction with the RNIB
and Action for Blind People
to ensure full compliance with
access guides for visuallyimpaired
guests.
Maidens Tower and Castle
Accessibility Review:
Leeds Castle
Known by many as the
“loveliest castle in the world”,
the historic Leeds Castle
celebrates its 900th birthday
in 2019. Contrary to the name,
it is located in Maidstone,
Kent and is easily accessible
off the M20 motorway or by
Bearsted train station.
Catherine of Aragon, as well
as a Jacobean country house,
Georgian mansion and a retreat
for Lady Baillie who left it to the
Leeds Castle Foundation in
1976 when it was opened to the
general public.
Accessible facilities
at the castle
The Castle Shop provides
audio tours at a reduced rate
for visitors with disabilities. The
devices are lightweight and
hand-held, while there are also
hands-free stereo headphones
for visitors with walking aids.
Guide dogs are welcome
at Leeds Castle and there
are multiple accessible
entrances for wheelchair users.
Wheelchairs are also available
free of charge, although mobility
scooters are not permitted. A
free mobility bus is available
near the ticket office which
offers regular trips to the main
entrance. Many attractions are
wheelchair-friendly, including
the Castle View Restaurant,
The Gatehouse, The Black
Swan Ferry Boat and many
gardens, as well as car parking.
Some areas are limited due
to the castle’s ancient building
design but alternative tours
are available.
Offering a rich history, the
• nMotors by the Moat:
castle was built by Robert
11th to 12th May
de Crevecoeur as a Norman
• nMedieval Jousting
stronghold before it became
Tournament:
a royal property for six of
25th to 27th May
England’s medieval queens.
It also served as a palace for
Henry VIII and his first wife,
For more information, visit:
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www.leeds-castle.com Open Hand 17
Guide dogs at Leeds Castle
What’s On
Falconry displays are
available during school
holidays, weekends
between October and
March, and daily from
April to September.
Admission includes
entry into the Gatehouse
Museum, garden and more,
while there are events to
look forward to this spring:
• nEaster Fun with the
Junk Orchestra:
19th to 22nd April

A condition:
What is diabetic
retinopathy?
Developing in stages over
time, diabetic retinopathy is
one of the leading causes of
sight loss across the world.
It can affect any age group,
with national screening being
offered from the age of 12
to identify the early signs.
If left untreated it can lead
to blindness, although it
takes several years for the
condition to develop.
What causes
diabetic retinopathy?
Currently affecting around a third
of the diabetic population, diabetic
retinopathy (DR) is a complication
caused by high blood sugar
levels which damages the retina.
The retina is made of cells that
convert light into electric signals,
which are sent to the brain and
turned into images.
To function properly, the
retina needs a constant blood
supply. If the blood sugar is
persistently too high the blood
vessels supplying the retina can
become damaged.
Signs and symptoms
Early stages of DR do not usually
present symptoms, however
you should always seek medical
assistance if you notice:
• nBlurred or patchy vision
• nEye pain or redness
• n“Floaters” – shapes in your
field of vision
• nWorsening vision or sudden
total loss
A human eye
Over time a persistently
high blood sugar level
can damage these blood
vessels. This happens in
three stages:
1 There are small
changes in the eye but
sight is not affected and
treatment is not needed.
There is an increased
risk of future sight loss.
2 There are greater
changes to the eye
including retinal bleeds.
Sight is affected and
diabetic screenings
should increase to every
3-6 months.
3 There are significant
changes in the eye,
bleeds and retinal
detachment. There is
significant sight loss
and treatment can
stabilise but cannot
improve your sight.
Treatment
and prevention
The risk of developing DR can
be reduced by controlling your
blood sugar, blood pressure
and cholesterol levels alongside
taking all prescribed diabetic
medications and living a
generally healthy lifestyle.
(Your GP can give advice about
a healthy lifestyle). Also, ensure
you attend your yearly diabetic
eye screening appointment.
Depending on the severity of
the condition, laser treatments,
eye injections or even eye
surgery may treat DR.
Having a sight test
National charity Diabetes UK offers local support
groups and advice lines, though you should always
consult your GP for medical advice.
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Life changing
Using OXSIGHT
glasses to read a menu
technology
For those of us with vision
impairments, the idea of
being able to see more really
would be life changing. This
dream could now be reality
for some thanks to our
friends at OXSIGHT.
OXSIGHT glasses can improve
sight for visually impaired people.
They are designed to enhance
vision for people with peripheral
sight loss caused by conditions
such as Glaucoma, Diabetes,
Retinitis Pigmentosa and other
degenerative eye diseases.
vision. This can allow a user
with peripheral sight loss to
experience a full 68 degree
field of vision.
Deafblind UK’s Chairman Bob
Nolan uses the glasses. He said:
“The moment when I first tried
on the OXSIGHT glasses will
stay with me for a long time.
I was talking with one of my
family members and I could
only make out her head and
shoulders in a dimly lit room.
When I put the glasses on it
brightened up everything and
I could clearly see not one but
five members of my family!
When you have less than five
degree vision as I do, looking
through the glasses is nothing
short of miraculous.”
The company was founded
in 2016 by a team whose
research into how the brain
manages visual information
began at Oxford University.
OXSIGHT has since
established partnerships with
globally recognised partners
from both the sight impaired
and technology communities
including: Google, The Royal
National Institute of Blind
People (RNIB), Guide Dogs
Association, The University
of Oxford, NIHR i4i, and The
Royal Academy of Engineering.
loss conditions. They are
currently providing trials, fitting,
and clinical support at their
clinics in London, Oxford and
Greater Manchester. Funding
support for OXSIGHT devices
is available through the
Government’s Access to Work
scheme, as well as through a
0% finance plan.
The glasses are fitted with a
camera which streams a live
feed into two high resolution
Epson®-powered video
OXSIGHT glasses
displays. These screens are
placed directly in front of the
eyes and the images produced
are manipulated to fit into
To find out if OXSIGHT
the user’s area of usable
OXSIGHT glasses are suitable glasses could help you,
for people with certain sight visit: www.oxsight.co.uk
20 Open Hand
or call 01865 580255. Open Hand 21
Wearing OXSIGHT
glasses at the BBC

Marie celebrates 15 years of
volunteering with Deafblind UK
Marie Meredith from Bangor has recently celebrated her
15th anniversary of volunteering for Deafblind UK.
Marie celebrating 15
years of volunteering
With encouragement from her
daughter, Marie admits she “fell
into” volunteering. Marie explains:
“My daughter started volunteering
and as she couldn’t drive, I
agreed to join too so I could drive
her. I ended up going in to visit
Deafblind UK members with her
and then, when my daughter
moved away to University, I
agreed to take over and carry on
seeing her members!”
Marie says: “I’ve visited 9 or 10
members during my 15 years
and they’ve all been different
types of people, it’s been so
interesting. I also try and spread
the word locally with anyone
I know who has a sight and
hearing loss that there is help
available from Deafblind UK.”
Volunteering with Deafblind
UK has also benefited Marie’s
wellbeing. Marie explains: “I
feel it’s in my nature to help
people as I used to be a nurse.
I really don’t like to see people
suffering and if I can help in any
way I try to. That’s why I enjoy
volunteering, because I get a
reward for it too.”
After experiencing volunteering
for so long Marie remains
the strongest advocate for
volunteering with Deafblind UK:
“I would definitely recommend
volunteering with Deafblind UK.
You get to make a difference to
people and make them happy,
you’ll be supported throughout
and receive all the training
you need before you start and
during your role. Deafblind
UK staff have always been
supportive, I’ve been able to
meet other volunteers in the
regular get-togethers we’ve had
in North Wales.”
When asked what Marie would
say to someone thinking of
volunteering with Deafblind UK,
Marie’s response couldn’t have
been clearer: “Go for it! I never
thought I’d be volunteering for
so long but as I enjoy it I can’t
stop! I’ve loved it.”
A huge thank you and
congratulations go to
Marie from everyone at
Deafblind UK.
If you are inspired by Marie’s story and would like to
volunteer for Deafblind UK please contact us to find
out more about the different roles available.
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An elderly woman
walking with a Deafblind
UK staff member
go to the bank or to support
with shopping, to help make
sure that you don’t miss out on
any information. They will also
support you to carry on with
your hobbies, making sure sight
and hearing loss doesn’t stop
you doing what you love.
Our support workers will
communicate with you in the
way you want, whether this is
British Sign Language (BSL),
Deafblind Manual, block
alphabet, clear speech or
any other method.
What to do when
things get difficult
Living with any level of sight
and hearing loss can be
hard; you might find yourself
relying on family and friends
to help you with reading
post or making calls, you
might be avoiding personal
appointments because of the
communication barriers they
present. But did you know
that there is support available
for when you need some
extra help?
Deafblind UK Care and Support
is a truly unique service that
combines personal support with
communication and guiding
to help those with sight and
hearing loss continue to live as
independently as possible.
A support worker could visit
you at home and work with you
to do whatever you want. This
might be helping you with post
and paying bills, or it might
be helping you to get to your
appointments,
Communicating with
Deafblind Manual
Our care and support service is a paid for service,
you can access it in the following ways:
Personal budgets
If you have a personal
budget from your local
authority following a
deafblind assessment,
you can arrange your
own support.
Through your
local authority
If you are eligible for support
following a deafblind
assessment, but your local
authority holds your budget,
ask them if you can use
Deafblind UK Care and
Support as your provider.
Self funding
If you are not eligible for
support from your local
authority, you can arrange and
pay for support yourself. We
recommend that you check
whether you are eligible for
funded support first.
A piggy bank
Contact us using the details on the back of this
magazine to see if we operate in your area.
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Digital Update
Our digital support service helps people make the most of devices,
apps and products to help them continue to do what they love.
Welcome Solomon
“Hello, I’m Solomon. I have
recently joined Deafblind
UK’s digital inclusion team
in London and wow, what a
start it has been! My job is to
reach out to people affected
by sight and hearing loss and
help them to use technology
to their advantage. Since I
started in November, I have
run a digital workshop with a
patient support group, delivered
digital showcases at Deafblind
UK social groups and visited
deafblind people in their own
homes to support them with
digital technology.
I’m astounded
at just how
many devices
and apps on
the market
today can
help people
with sensory
loss. I always Digital Inclusion
include a Officer, Solomon
review of the
most relevant products in my
talks and the reaction has been
fantastic! There are so many
people who want to find out more
about how technology can help
them, I’m going to be very busy!”
Jim’s story
Jim is a retired children’s
book author who still enjoys
creative writing. However, the
onset of macular degeneration
together with a detached
retina makes it difficult for
Jim to use his computer. He
has been working with our
digital support team for the
past year and has learned
to set a sharper background
colour, configure a simpler
file view and set advanced
MS Word editing options. Jim
said: “I could no longer read
the screen but showing me
simple Windows magnification
keystrokes together with the
built in screen reader support
is proving indispensable. You
have made all the difference
for me being able to continue
to use my computer!”
Free app –
Dolphin EasyReader
Dolphin EasyReader is a free
app designed for readers with
dyslexia or low vision. It allows
you to read and/or have books
and newspapers read back
to you. Through the app you
can access the popular book
and newspaper libraries such
as the RNIB online talking
books service or the Project
Gutenberg free ebook library.
We think it’s great, give it a go!
The University of Bradford
We recently visited the University of Bradford to talk to
social work and social care students about the use of
adaptive technology for sensory impairments. Students were
particularly interested to hear about products such as talking
phones, sophisticated Braille note takers and screen readers.
Dolphin EasyReader
To find out more about
our digital support
service, contact us using
the details on the back of
Solomon helping Jim
26 Open Hand
this magazine. Open Hand 27

Regional Roundup: Yorkshire
Meet our Outreach Officer, Andrew, and find out what we’re
up to in Yorkshire!
Welcome Andrew
“Hello, I’m Andrew and it’s my
job to deliver Deafblind UK
services in West and South
Yorkshire. I joined Deafblind UK
in June 2018 having worked
and volunteered for hearing
loss charities throughout my
career. In my previous role I
specialised in using technology
to help people remain
independent, so for information
about hearing loops, amplifiers,
alerting systems and all things
technical, I’m your man!
I was born deaf and rely on two
hearing aids but I communicate
through clear
speech –
although I
am qualified
in BSL.
I studied
Social Care
and Deaf
Studies at
university,
where I met my good friend
and Deafblind Northern Ireland
Outreach Officer, James.
If there’s anything I can help
you with please do not hesitate
to contact me.”
Calling all volunteers!
We are urgently looking for volunteer
companions to visit or call some of our more
isolated members on a regular basis. This is
truly rewarding and gives some people a rare
chance to interact with others. If you or anyone
you know might be interested in volunteering
with us then please contact us.
Andrew Barnes,
Outreach Officer for
Yorkshire
Preventing
social isolation
in rural areas
Living in a rural area, as many
Yorkshire residents do, means
that opportunities for social
interaction can be more limited
than in larger towns and cities –
but it is just as important.
We would love to hear about
any social groups or clubs that
members in Yorkshire go to
so that we can recommend
these to other people. Also, if
you would like to meet up with
another Deafblind UK member
in your local area then please
let us know and we will do what
we can to arrange this for you.
People talking
Liz (SRSB), Andrew (Deafblind
UK) and Tracy (SRSB)
Out and
about
We have been working
closely with Sheffield
Royal Society for the Blind
(SRSB) and The Macular
Society to raise awareness
of sight and hearing loss
in the local area. Together,
we have attended some
local events and are busy
planning some activities
for Deafblind Awareness
Week in June.
To find out more about
our services in Yorkshire,
contact Andrew Barnes
on 07940 858749.
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A word of thanks
We couldn’t do the life-changing work that we do
without the generous support of fundraisers, donors,
partners and volunteers.
Running for Deafblind UK
Support a
good cause
Deafblind UK supports
thousands of people with
combined sight and hearing
loss. But we couldn’t do it
without support from our
members and their friends and
family. Do you know someone
who might want to use our
conference centre, take on a
challenge event for us or even
volunteer for us? If so please
contact us using the details on
the back of this magazine.
Hello Abellio
We’d like to say a huge
thank you to Abellio for
making Deafblind UK
it’s charity of the year!
Abellio is one of the UK’s
leading transport providers
operating buses and trains
across the country. We are
looking forward to working
with the team on fundraising
and awareness raising
projects later this year.
Abellio
logo
Run, Patrick, Run!
Well done to Patrick who has just
completed his third marathon
for Deafblind UK! Patrick has
now raised nearly
£3,000 for deafblind
people. Thank you
very much!
Good luck London
The very best of luck to
everyone running the London
Marathon later this month,
especially Team DBUK!
Rachel, Michael, Jo, Lucy,
Adam and Hilary will be
running for Deafblind UK.
If you would like to get
involved in fundraising
for Deafblind UK, please
contact us using the
Good luck everyone!
details on the back of
30 Open Hand
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Patrick
Serpentine Green
Thank you to Serpentine
Green shopping centre in
Peterborough for its ongoing
support. The centre has been
more than accommodating
in holding collections and
awareness events for us and
helping us to spread the word
about deafblindness.
Dobbies Garden Centre
Thank you to Dobbies in
Peterborough for donating coat
hangers and “D-bars” to our
new charity shop!
Cooking for raffle prizes
Thank you to COOK
and Steamer Trading in
Stamford for kindly donating
very generous raffle prizes
for our fundraising activities.
Progressive Property
Thank you to Progressive
Property for hiring rooms in
our conference centre over
multiple recent weekends.
These bookings have allowed
us to support 21 deafblind
people for a whole year!
Deafblind UK
Conference Centre
this magazine.
Serpentine Green
shopping centre

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
Deafblind UK is a registered charity. We have to raise £35,000
every week to be able to keep supporting our members.
If you would like to make a regular or one off donation please
go to: www.deafblind.org.uk/donate or call 0800 132 320
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
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