Kingston Upon Thames Association for the Blind

KAB Eye Opener Issue 49 December 2023

Issue 49 / 13th December 2023
Office hours: 10:00am - 4:00pm ( see Christmas closure below )
Phone: 020 8605 0060
Charity registration number: 249295

News for our Members

Our Christmas Message

Welcome to your Eye Opener newsletter December 2023. From all the staff and trustees, we wish you all a peaceful and joyful festive season. As this year ends, we say farewell to 2023 and welcome 2024 and hope you will be joining us for more social lunches, activities, days out and much more!

Remember you are always welcome to phone or pop into the office to say hello!

KAB update

In the past 6 months, 15 new members have joined us.
Soumaya, our welfare officer has supported 49 members to apply for benefits such as blue badges, Dial A Ride membership, taxi card, disabled freedom pass, council tax reduction, PIP and more. If you would like a benefit check and to learn about concessions do not hesitate to contact the office.

Office Christmas Closures

The office will be closed from 4pm on Friday 22nd December and we will reopen on Wednesday 3rd January 2024.

If you need any help outside of our opening hours here are a few emergency numbers:
999 – For emergencies
101 - For not so urgent calls
111 - NHS
Royal Borough of Kingston Upon Thames have a helpline:
During Office opening hours: 020 8547 5000.
Note that outside of office opening hours including weekend and bank holidays its: 020 8547 5800.

New Year New beginning

We have a few exciting events lined up for the new year.

Sew and Repair

On Tuesday 9th January during our Socialeyes lunch we will have the lovely Taghree who will be bringing her needlecraft skills to the Quaker Centre to help with any sewing needed.
So, if you have any trousers that need turning up, or skirts that need hemming or if you have a hole in a pocket, a button or two missing, bring them to the Quaker centre.  She will be bringing some extra buttons so do not worry if you have lost them!

Better Bones

On Tuesday 23 January Nina from the better bones team will be coming to talk to us about bones and joint health, which foods and exercises are good for those of us with arthritis, rheumatism and brittle bones or just to keep ourselves healthy in general!

New Trustees

In 2024 KAB will be looking for new Trustees. We need a new Treasurer and Secretary. We urge you to look around amongst your family, friends, and people you know who are experienced in finance and accountancy or Business administration. Please contact our office and we can send them the role descriptions, the skills and experience we need and what they would be expected to do.

Fundraising

2024 will continue to see KAB double its efforts with its fundraising campaign.

We would like to thank Barbara, David and other members who helped by placing collection boxes out in the community, so far we have collected £110 with 2 of the collection boxes. So if you know of a shop, a dentist, a pub or any place in Kingston that you feel would be a good spot for us to have a collection box please let us know!

In December KAB launched their autumn appeal to raise funds through members and supporters. We are now extending our appeal to the business community in Kingston. If you know of a business in Kingston who might want to support us or make KAB their charity of the year, please contact the office with the details and we can send them our corporate appeal letter.

KAB Activities

January to March 2024

For more details and to book:
Phone 020 8605 0060
Email: [email protected] (mailto:[email protected])

Meet and greet by arrangement

We understand how difficult it can be to go to unfamiliar places, so KAB will be very happy to meet and greet at the closest bus stop or train station so that you can take part in any of our activities on offer. Please contact the office to prearrange any assistance.

Social Eyes Lunches

We offer lunch plus a chair-based exercise session for those who would like to participate. Alternate Tuesdays 1:00pm to 3:00pm.

Venue: At the Kingston Quaker Centre, Fairfield East, Kingston, KT1 2PT.
2024 Dates:
09th and 23rd January
06th and 20th February
05th and 19th March

Lunch Club and Quiz

A light lunch is offered, and members have the opportunity to socialise and try your hand at the quiz.  Last Friday of each month 12:30am to 3:00pm.

Venue: At the Kingston Quaker Centre, Fairfield East, Kingston, KT1 2PT.

2024 Dates:
26th January, 23rd February

Beginners and Improvers Swimming lessons

For beginners, or swimmers who would like to improve. The swimming sessions are on a one-to-one basis with Emily Hampton. The dates and times can vary, if you are interested, please contact the office to arrange a session and discuss any needs you may have.

Date and time by arrangement.

Venue: New Malden Leisure Centre, Training Pool, New Malden, KT3 4TA.

Swimming Session for independent Swimmers

In association with Spartans Swimming Club. All members new to the session need to fill out a form signed by their GP. Please phone or email us to obtain a form, further details and please prebook.

During these sessions the pool is closed to the public and only open to disabled swimmers.

Cost: Sessions are £2.

Venue: At the New Malden Leisure Centre, Main Pool, New Malden, KT3 4TA with Emily Hampton.  Thursdays, 7:00pm to 8:00pm.

2024 Dates:
04th, 11th, 18th, 25th January

Football Club

Two football sessions run at the same time for Blind and Visually Impaired Juniors (5-16 years old), and Adults (16+). Both sessions are open to all levels, male and female. To book visit: tinyurl.com/Football-VI. If the website is inaccessible, please call or email our office.

The sessions take place in a huge indoor bubble protecting the players and spectators from the British weather!

To book: Please call or email our office.

Venue: Fulham FC Training Ground, Motspur Park, KT3 6PT.
Saturdays, 10:45am to 11:45am.
January to April during term time

2024 Dates:
First session Saturday 13^th January

Tandem and Adapted Cycling Club
Please phone the office to pre-book. Sessions are weather dependent. In partnership with Wheels for all Kingston.

Venue: Weir Archer Athletics Centre, Jack Goodchild Way, 422a Kingston Road, KT1 3PB.

Mondays except Bank holidays, 1:00pm to 1:45pm

2024 Dates:
09th, 15th, 22nd, 29th January

Ten-pin Bowling

Phone or email the office to register.

Venue: Hollywood Bowl, Charrington Bowl, Kingston Rd,
Surbiton KT5 9PB.

Twice a month on Mondays 11:00am to 1:00pm.

2024 Dates:
08th, 22nd January
05th, 19th February
04th, 18th March

Bowls
Food and Drink available to purchase at the Club after the session.

Venue: King George Field Indoor Bowls Club, Jubilee Way, Chessington, KT9 1TR.

Thursdays fortnightly, 10:00am to 12:00pm

2024 Dates:
11th and 25th January
08th and 22nd February
07th and 21st March
04th and 08th April

We would like more local people at some of these activities, so go on, give them a try.

Tech Sessions
We have started monthly sessions at the Kingston Library. Sessions will be the first Thursday of each month from 11:00am to 1:00pm, supported by the RNIB Tech for Life team.  They can support you with:

  • Using and setting up your smartphone, tablet, laptop or eReader.
  • Discovering accessible technology and devices
  • Making the most of the internet
  • Your questions about using accessible technology

Places are limited and registration is essential.  Phone the KAB office to book your place and let us know if there is anything in particular you would like to learn or get help with.

Venue: Kingston Library, Fairfield Rd, Kingston upon Thames KT1 2PS
First Thursday of each month from 11:00am - 1:00pm.

2024 Dates:
04th January, 01st February, 07th March, 04th April

South London Working Age Forum

January 16th - run by KAB from 6:00pm to 8:00pm
Venue: To be confirmed
Employment agencies talking about blind and visually impaired job seekers. They will also offer to look at your CV and give advice on job hunting and getting ready for the interview.

February 13th - run by Croydon
Venue: To be confirmed
Let’s have fun speed dating – first impressions and how to present yourself in a few minutes. A useful skill for job fairs and networking events.

March 12th – run by MertonVision
Venue: To be confirmed
Blind in Business presenting the importance of having a mentor.

Volunteer for us

Our activities and services depend on the support of our volunteers, we are always on the look out to recruit and grow our team! We are looking for the following volunteers:

·Trustees
·Eye Buddy volunteers
·Help with Clubs and outings
·Help with sports sessions
·Transport Volunteers
·Information Technology Volunteer

Forthcoming dates for visual awareness training for our volunteers:

Monday 08th January from 11:00am to 12:30pm
Wednesday 10th January from 5.30pm to 7:00pm
Friday 19th January from 1:00pm to 2.30pm
Tuesday 30th January from 1:00pm to 12:30pm

All volunteers should call the office to book your place.

We value feedback, help us shape and improve our services:
Your feedback is invaluable to us, and we are currently conducting a member survey to find out which KAB services you enjoy or currently use, and if there are more services that you would like us to provide. A huge thanks to all members who have participated and volunteers who are helping us reach out to members. We will be continuing to contact you.

If you haven't been contacted and would like to have your say, please phone the office on 020 8605 0060.

More members enjoying their lunch
KAB members sitting on a long table enjoying the Christmas Lunch

KAB members eating their Christmas lunch

Roy Smith our Chair of Trustees thanking members and volunteers

From the KAB team
We wish you all a peaceful and joyful festive season

* End of Newsletter*

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Copyright © 2023 Kingston Upon Thames Association for the Blind, All rights reserved.

Kingston Quaker Centre, Fairfield East, Kingston Upon Thames KT1 2PT

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