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The Joiners Arms in Morpeth have named NCBA as their Charity of the Year for 2020.
Our thanks go to Grant and all his staff and customers.
All our clients have a Sight Impairment (SI) and while this can affect ability to access information on screen, many of our clients use technology to access electronic media.
We have found that it can be better for our home page to be a series of short items to scroll through, rather than have things to click on scattered around the screen. We understand that there is not a 'one-size fits all', and welcome your views.
IS INACTIVITY AFFECTING YOUR HEALTH AND WELL BEING? YOU'RE NOT ALONE! |
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Inactivity affects people of all ages and abilities, let the NHS support youThe NHS 'How Fit' campaign could help you to take small steps to reduce your inactiity within your own homeDownload their free excercise leaflet 'HERE' |
EXPERIENCING LONELINESS IN LATER LIFE?LET THE MENTAL HEALTH FOUNDATION SUPPORT YOU |
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The Mental Health Foundation has launched their new toolkit - 'Tips on how to reduce loneliness in later life'Download you copy now by clicking 'HERE' |
WE ARE CHANGING OUR NAME!! |
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A huge thank you to everyone who voted on our name change. We wanted something to reflect the work that we do and thats what you've picked!We're pleased to announce that you voted overwhelmingly for...........Vision NorthumberlandWe are currently rebranding so watch out for new our new logo |
Could you use £500 towards home-use aids and technology? |
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RNIB are offering grants to people who are registered as blind or partially sighted, on a means-tested benefit and who have been unable to get statutory funding.Click here for more information
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Something very special to celebrate!! |
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At a wonderful award ceremony at Alnwick Castle, Her Grace The Duchess of Northumberland awarded us the Queens Award for Voluntary Service with Special Recognition for our work during CovidThis is a credit to ALL our volunteers, both before and during the pandemic. Thank you all!!!Click on either photo to find out more about QAVS |
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When will our social groups and other face to face activities re-start? |
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We share the desire of our clients to re-start our social groups and other activities which have been bustling hubs.With all of our support being for people who are vulnerable, we must take extra care. Please keep checking the next article.For more information on our transport service, please phone us or click below to email:Michael. Rickwood@ncba.org.uk |
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Latest re-start information for social groupsPlease check with the group co-ordinator before attending. |
Activities Group. (June, 01670 862554): Trips out to various venues. New group members welcome.Alnwick: SocialEyes. (Margaret, 01665 714583): 2nd Friday of the month. Please call for details.Ashington: Blind Group. (Joyce Simm, 01670 855686). Up and running!Ashington: SocialEyes. (Margaret Waterston, 01670 515529). Up and running!Bedlington: Sensory Allotment Group. (Lucy Manning, 01670 512789). Have now re-started.Blyth: SocialEyes. (Jacqui, 01670 353944): Next meeting in the Constitutional Club, February 3rd 2022Blyth: Insight. (Norma, 01670 734877): Renovations to centre underway. Re-start to be advised.Coquetvale: Social Group (Barry, 01670 514316): A new group for SI residents of upper Coquetdale to Rothbury.Cramlington: SocialEyes. (Andrea, 07412 707575): Re-start 10th AugustHexham: Luncheon Club. Existing members please contact the group leader for informationMorpeth: Craft Club. Joyce Simm (01670 855686). Restarting 17th March, every 3rd Thursday, 1-3pm.Ponteland: SocialEyes. (Please contact NCBA on 01670 514316 for the latest situation)Prudhoe: SocialEyes. (Please contact NCBA on 01670 514316 for the latest situation)Women's Group. (June, 01670 812053): No re-start date yetPlease keep checking here for updated information on these and other groups |
Are you a Leisure / Sports Provider? |
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Thomas Pocklington Trust has just launched a free training portal for leisure and sports providers to train their staff and make their facilities more accessible to visually impaired people.Click here for the toolkit, Inclusive facilities: Supporting people with a visual impairment This contains videos and resources that sports and leisure providers can use to help train staff. |
Are you a carer for someone who is sight-impaired? |
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For more information on Carers Northumberland, please click on the image here. |
Have you tried Tynedale Talking Newspaper? |
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Tynedale Talking Newspaper is a useful local audio news feature.You can access the website by clicking on the image here: |
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Latest edition of our in-Sight newsletter |
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This is our second edition of in-Sight (we changed the name from Noise to better reflect our focus).Click on the link below or the image here to download the latest edition.Click here for latest in-Sight Click here to access other newsletters |
NCBA Client Connect (Telephone befriending) |
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Our Client Connect service is one of our main ways we keep in touch with our clients.The service relies on our volunteer phone befrienders, many of whom are visually impaired themselves.If you would like a caller, or are interested in joining our CC team, please all 01670 514316 or email barry.frost@ncba.org.uk |
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Thank you to the Greggs Foundation for helping our Client Connect team bring some comfort to our clients and making life a little easier during the pandemic and beyond. |
Fuel Energy Project |
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We can provide information to clients about reducing fuel costs and managing energy use, as well as on low vision equipment and technology to assist you when using energy.Please contact Simon Dixon |
Some useful apps to explore:Click on the image or text to find out more |
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Be My EyesBe My Eyes is a free app that can connect low sighted or blind with sighted volunteers! They offer visual assistance through a live video call, whenever they may need assistance.TaptapseeTapTapSee is an app that helps people with a VI. It uses your camera and voice over functions to take a picture or video of anything and identify it and read out loud.Envision AIEnvision AI offers a range of visual aid for the blind and partially sighted users. It helps read out loud many items such as handwritten notes, a cereal box or a book you’ve always wanted to read. It also comes with 60 languages! |
Our new Facebook and Twitter pages are up and running! |
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If you have any ideas about what you would like to be added to our pages please contact:ruth.speirs@ncba.org.ukBoth sites will get weekly updates (if we can!)Click the images to the left to be taken straight to our pages. |
We have a new Sports and Activities co-ordinator! |
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Last year we started a new venture designed to support people with a Visual Impairment who wished to take part in a range of activities.We now have a co-ordinator who is currently planning for country walks, tennis, boccia, cricket, football, etc..We're really keen to re-kindle our programme. Watch this space for more information. |
Resources |
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NCBA can provide resources such as magnifiers, readers, radios and even technology like smart speakers.For other items, for example canes and tips (e.g. white balls) please contact one of our sister organisations.RNIB can be contacted on 0303 123 9999. Alternatively, here is a link to theRNIB online shop(For canes, tips, etc. click on the Health and Mobility tab) |
Have you tried these Northumberland Libraries services? |
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Borrow Box gives access to audio books, E-books, journals, large print, etc.. |
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Pressreader gives access to more than 7000 top journals and newspapers as soon as they are available online. |
If you are already a member of a local library and know your PIN: Click on the relevant image above to join. |
If you are already a member, but don't know your PIN, telephone any Northumberland library, or email: mylibrary@northumberland.gov.ukIf you are not already a member, you can join online and get access straight away using a temporary membership number and PIN at:http://mylibrary.co.uk |
Winter Food and Fuel Support |
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Are you a client struggling with the cost of living and require support and assistance over the winter months? If so, we may be able to put you in touch with someone who can help. Please contact us on 01670 514316 and mention "Winter food and fuel support". |
Calling all counsellors |
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RNIB accredits counsellors who have completed a RNIB training course and have committed to a developmental plan that enables blind and partially sight people to access their counselling services.Contact Maria Bulgakova (Accreditation Officer) for more info |
Northumberland Communities Together: 01670 620015 |
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NCT are here to help keep you safe and well, if you or anyone you know need a bit of extra support...Perhaps your financial circumstances have changed with reduced hours, redundancy or benefitWorried about winter bills or financial pressures? We work with Citizens Advice Northumberland to connect and support familiesFeeling lonely, overwhelmed or struggling with mental healthIf you do need food or medicine, please order it online or by phone or ask friends and family to drop it off at your home.Worried about someone experiencing domestic abuse or concerned about a neighbour. |
RNIB Connect Radio: Online and Freeview Channel 730 |
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This is a fantastic radio station aimed at people with a visual impairment.You can listen to it by tuning in to Freeview Channel 730 or online at:(https://www.rnibconnectradio.org.uk/#) |
TV Licence Concession |
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Many clients have asked how they can get their registration number to apply for their discount. Please be aware that we do not have copies of your CVI or BD8 certificate. Your registration number will be issued by Northumberland County Council and you should have been issued with a card. Information about your CVI is usually held on your GP records, so you could request a copy of this. |
An appeal for used low-vision equipment! |
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Do you have any equipment which is no longer needed? This includes devices which assist people with low-vision, such as talking scales, big button phones and clocks, etc.. We can find a home for all these, and are particularly in need of magnifiers. Please contact Helen on 01670 514316. Thank you! |
Audio Books |
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We have a small selection which we can send clients. Most books are on CD, and there are also MP3 files and even a few on cassette.If you are interested, please contact Helen at NCBA (01670 514316). For MP3 files you will need to send Helen a USB stick to be copied on to. These can be obtained from Calibre, RNIB, or many shops. |
BOXES OF JOY |
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We received lottery funding to purchase boxes for 557 of our clients, to send some cheer to our VIP clients and friends during this difficult covid period. Many of our clients live alone, and covid has caused so much isolation and anxiety.We have been overwhelmed by thank you cards and messages, lots of people telling us things like:“its glad to know someone cares”; “it brought a tear to my eye”"I am 97 and live alone, this meant so much knowing someone is there for me.”Our boxes took much hard work from our wonderful staff, so a BIG thank you to them! |
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Join our NCBA 100 Club!for a chance every month to win:£25 First Prize£15 Second Prize£10 Third Prize |
Call Ruth on 01670 514316 to enter a draw to win one of these prizes* every month whilst supporting us?
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*Shares can be purchased for an annual fee of £12. Total share money received by January 31st 2021 will be split 50/50 between prize money and support for the services run by NCBA - prize money is therefore subject to total funds raised. Click below to download an application form, or call Ruth at NCBA. |
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http://www.ncba.org.uk/site/assets/uploads/1.100 Club Application Form.docx |
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We are pleased to say that we have been officially approved as a Disability Confident Employer until 2023! |
We work closely with many partners and continue to provide many services thanks to their support. Thank you!
One example was the Big Lottery Reaching Communities fund. From 2013-18, NCBA received £495,924 which helped fund our voluntary services and further develop our information service. Find out more about how we put our funding to good use, with our Key Communications project.
Our Resource Centre has a wide range of low-vision aids and other equipment for demonstration, some of which can be given out on loan.
Our facilities include a specially-adapted kitchen suitable for rehabilitation use for teaching kitchen skills to visually-impaired people.
Volunteering for NCBA is a very rewarding experience, knowing you are making a real difference in supporting blind or partially-sighted people living in Northumberland.
You will be supported by our experienced Volunteer Co-ordinator, who will ensure that you are comfortable with your commitment.
The Joiners Arms in Morpeth have named NCBA as their Charity of the Year for 2020.
Our thanks go to Grant and all his staff and customers.