CamSight

Would you like to make a difference whilst having fun?

Can you help at our stall at the Alconbury Weald Community Fun Day, on Saturday 7th September from 11am to 5pm.

You may only be able to help for a couple of hours, but whatever support you could offer please get in touch with our fundraising team!

No previous experience is necessary.

Contact [email protected] or phone 01223 420033.

Image Description: A lady dressed in a purple hat holding a fundraising bucket smiles to the camera, she is standing outside under a purple gazebo with a CamSight banner behind her.

Meet with other VI individuals and share your feedback at the next Peterborough VI Forum.

Where: RNIB Peterborough, Northminster House, Peterborough, PE1 1YN
When: Thursday 5 September from 10:00 to 12:00
Dial in: Use microsoft TEAMS and email [email protected] for log in details.

This community group brings together local visually impaired people and partner organisations to find out about and keep up to date with the latest events, activities and services available for blind and partially sighted people from the local area.

At the next meeting on Thursday 5th September, the group will hear from Sarah Haythornthwaite, Programme Director at Peterborough Presents and a member of the Peterborough Cultural Alliance.

Olivia Hewkin, Museums, Galleries and Heritage Programme Manager and Jess Beal, Marketing and Audience Development Manager from Vocaleyes will also be speakers, they will be able to tell us all about the work of Vocaleyes an organisation that audio describes the arts, helping create accessible opportunities for blind and partially sighted people to be able to enjoy going to theatre, museums and galleries.

IMAGE DESCRIPTION: A graphic of multi-coloured people hold hands in a semi-circle to represent community. Bottom right hand of the box is the CamSight multi-coloured logo with braille dots 'C' and 'S'. On the left hand side of the box is a purple semi-circle with white text Peterborough VI Forum.

DATE FOR YOUR DIARY: Tydd St.Giles Community Centre on Friday 13th September from 10am-1pm.

CamSight team members will be there to talk about the range of services we offer, including peer support groups and visual impairment technology equipment.

Hope to see you there!

Entry is free and they also offer free drinks, cakes and biscuits throughout the event.

For more information, please email [email protected] or call 01354 654321.

The full address of the venue is – Broad Drove E, Wisbech, PE13 5LN.

IMAGE DESCRIPTION: A black and white graphic representing people holding hands in a circle. At the bottom right of the page is an orange semi-circle with black font reading 'Golden Age Event' on the right hand side is the CamSight coloured braille dot logo representing 'C' 'S'

An important consultation is currently running with the Equality and Human Rights Commission who want your feedback on their three-year Strategic Plan.

This consultation asks for your views on how they can achieve the greatest impact and which topics they should prioritise. They want to understand your views so that you can use their resources in the most effective way.

Click on the link to view the consultation documents: https://tinyurl.com/2d8r6fw8

Deadline: 5pm on 3 October 2024.



Image Description: Three hearts are grouped together they say Have, Your, Say and each one a different colour - yellow, green, pink. Text in white font reads Have your say on Equality and Human Rights Commission Consultation on a blue background.

Please note the VIP Bus Users Group on Friday 9 August detailed below has been CANCELLED.

Two weeks to go until Stagecoach launch their first Stagecoach East VIP Bus Users Group

Are you visually impaired? this is your chance to have your say!

A brand new Stagecoach East VIP Bus Users Group is being set up for visually impaired individuals, so you can feedback on your experience of using the local bus service. The aim of the group is to find out what you need from them, and how they can work with you to make things better for everyone.

The first Stagecoach East VIP Bus Users Group is happening on:
When: Friday 9th August
Time: 13:00 to 15:00
Where: St John’s Innovation Centre, Cowley Road, Cambridge, CB4 0WS

To register your interest contact Stephen Kiely, Stagecoach East, PR and Communications: [email protected].



Image description: A close up image of a stagecoach branded bus with blue, orange and white stripes drives past black bricked town houses. The bus is Cambridge 9. Text reads VI Bus Users Group in white font on a pink background. CamSight coloured dot braille logo bottom right hand of the screen.

Wishing Simon Smyth every ounce of luck as he takes on his walking challenge for us today!
Heading to Devils D**e in Sussex for what he’s calling the Devils D**e Dander!
Thank you for supporting us and if you want to sponsor Simon to raise money for our sight loss services, please visit the link below:

https://tinyurl.com/5n6hj3xr

Image shows rolling hills with green grass and trees taken at sunset with a warm pink sky on the horizon.

Local museum Kettle's Yard, is leading an audio described Tour: Megan Rooney: Echoes & Hours

Dates and timings:
Tuesday 20 August, 10-11.15am.
FREE to attend, but you must book before visiting!

An enigmatic storyteller, Megan Rooney works across a variety of media – including painting, sculpture, installation, performance and language – to develop interwoven narratives.

In this exhibit, Megan Rooney has created dramatic, large scale abstract paintings titled ‘Echoes and Hours’ in this tour for blind and visually impaired visitors.

The tour will be delivered in person, by members of the Kettle’s Yard learning team and will include time within the exhibition spaces.

If you require any further information please get in touch with us by emailing [email protected] or by phoning 01223 741800.


's Yard

Image description: A large canvas is hung in a gallery, the artist has drawn a colourful picture in blue/pinks/oranges. It is a vast canvas and covers the length of the back wall of the gallery.

Join the Ely Museum team for a guided tour of the galleries!

You will have the opportunity to handle objects and hear about Ely's interesting local history.

The exclusive tour is available to CamSight clients on Monday 2nd September, 10:30am -1:30pm. Please email [email protected] to book on.

The session will also include a tasty lunch in the Aedwen Room.

We can only take up to 20 participants and booking is on a first come first served basis.

This activity has been made possible due to the success of our involvement with the 'Inspired by Nature' project earlier this year, and CamSight can also provide transport for those who need it.



Image one: A group of visitors stand and listen to a speaker in the museum. Behind the speaker are glass cabinets filled with artifacts. One lady has a guide-dog on a harness.

Image two: A group sit and listen to a speaker in a wooden structure inside the museum, which has been made using wooden batons.

Image three: A black and white image of two ladies sitting on a bench inside a wooden structure inside the museum.

Have your say on local bus services!

Are you visually impaired? Do you care for someone who has a sight-loss condition? Are you a sighted-guide?

wants to hear from you!

A brand new Stagecoach East VIP Bus Users Group is being set up for visually impaired individuals, so you can feedback on your experience of using the local bus service. The aim of the group is to find out what you need from them, and how they can work with you to make things better for everyone.

The first Stagecoach East VIP Bus Users Group is happening on:
When: Friday 9th August
Time: 13:00 to 15:00
Where: St John’s Innovation Centre, Cowley Road, Cambridge, CB4 0WS

To register your interest contact Stephen Kiely, Stagecoach East, PR and Communications: [email protected].



Image description: A close up image of a stagecoach branded bus with blue, orange and white stripes drives past black bricked town houses. The bus is Cambridge 9. Text reads VI Bus Users Group in white font on a pink background. CamSight coloured dot braille logo bottom right hand of the screen.

Now THIS is what we’re talking about!

The first ever blind Mattel helping to promote inclusivity and acceptance and pushing the boundaries for the blind community.

At the same time this new doll helps to challenge stereotypes and misconceptions about blindness. And we think this is brilliant ! 💕🌸💘



Image credit: Mattel

Image description A doll in a packaged pink box and next to it is doll wearing a pink skirt and holding a white cane.

If you would to have your say and influence the design of the Civic Quarter, you can register your ideas and feedback by using the link below before 28th June;
cambridge.gov.uk/ccq

City Council want the Civic Quarter to become a destination for both locals and tourists, showcasing the best of Cambridge’s heritage and forward-thinking spirit.

The aim of the project is to link the Market Square, Guildhall and The Corn Exchange to create a vibrant Civic Quarter!

Cambridge City Council wants to hear from local people on how we can make these spaces better for everyone to enjoy.

The Cambridge Civic Quarter project is currently at an early design
stage.

From 17 June to 28 July 2024, the team are running a comprehensive
public engagement programme to gather your ideas and feedback.



Image description: An artist impression of the centre of Cambridge in the market square. Market stalls with brightly coloured canopies and shoppers mingle by. Text reads 'Changing the spaces and vision for the civic quarter', white font on a blue background.

Birdsong Garden Walk Touch Tour 🐦‍⬛

Head over to Garden on 17 July, 10am -12pm, for a bespoke guided walk with staff from the Garden and for blind or partially sighted adults, taking in the sounds of the summer.

Find out more on their website and book your free place:

https://tinyurl.com/2vkdp8jx

To hear about all our upcoming Touch or Audio Described Tours for blind and partially sighted adults, you can sign up for their mailing list: https://tinyurl.com/cc92dcmr

Photo credit: Howard Rice.
Image Description, a beautiful spring garden filled with green, pink, blue, white, and purple flowers. A mix of plants including large exotic trees in the background. On the left of the image is a large glass windowed greenhouse filled with plants.

Looking to start a new hobby or activity?

Why not check out the range of workshops which are run by Cambridge charity Arthurs Shed, part of the Arthur Rank Hospice Charity

Arthurs Shed is a beautiful, purpose-built studio set in the landscaped gardens of the Arthur Rank Hospice at Shelford Bottom, Cambridge.

The Shed hosts a range of sessions which are free of charge and open to the public, these include card making, flower arranging, astronomy, still life drawing and much more.

The Shed is accessible so please let the team know at the time of booking if they need to make any adaptations in order to support you in advance of attending.

To find out more https://tinyurl.com/4r56sej8 or contact the team via: [email protected] and calling 01223 675871.



Image Description: A group of ladies sit around a table. There is a teacher demonstrating a drawing on the table, the three ladies on around the edge are sketching pictures on to a large white pad. The lady who is sitting by the teacher is listening to her instruction.

Still time to get your tickets if you fancy heading to at the weekend!

Charity band night featuring this Saturday (13th July) at 8pm

Tickets £8.00 available from the bar at Beach Social Club 🎉

All proceeds will continue to support our vital sight loss services at CamSight and Beach Social Club's other charity of the year, Waterbeach Military Heritage Museum Museum.

Have fun to everyone on the night and thank you so much for supporting two local charities!



Image Description: A poster reading the words The new fools, at Beach Social Club, Waterbeach at 8pm, Saturday 13 July. The style of poster has been hand painted and text on white bits of torn paper giving it an artistic edge.

Are you a runner or a walker and looking for a challenge?

The annual kicks off on Saturday 31 August, and CamSight have 5 spaces for either the 10km or 5km.

If you would like to run for us and help raise vital funds to support those living with sight loss then we would love to hear from you!

Message our fundraising team for more information on: [email protected] or call 01223 420033.



Image Description: Three ladies in white T Shirts with CamSight writing on the top, run next to each other, smiling and laughing as they go. They have numbers on their T shirts which represents their race numbers. There are two gentleman behind also running, one with a bright yellow T shirt. They are running along a treelined path with high trees and bushes in the background.

Reminder!

Come to the Cambridge VI Forum this Thursday 4 July starting at 10:00am until 12pm.

Hosted by the , the group will be joined by Jake Wheldon from Cambridge’s Neighbourhood Policing Team, and Julie Nettelfield from Cambridgeshire County Council’s Sensory Services.

We will be meeting in person at University Printing House, Shaftsbury Road, CB2 2BS or on Microsoft Teams. For joining details please email [email protected]

RNIB Cambridge City Council

Image Description: A multicoloured graphic to represent community with identical shaped people holding hands in a circle. At the top of the image is a corkboard style background which has the words 'Community ' pinned on.

Did you know CamSight runs a monthly Chair Based Exercise group in March, Cambridgeshire, open to CamSight clients and the residents of Fleming Court, in March.

With so many benefits to chair-based exercise it's worth a try if you feel that your mobility, or your body, is limited to some of the more strenuous strengthening classes that are already available.

This monthly session allows you to take part on all aspects of your core strength with the comfort and support of a chair that is available in the sessions delivered by an experienced instructor.

Held on the second Wednesday of every month, from 2pm, for a 45-minute workout before finishing with a well-earned cup of tea to enjoy with the people that are involved.

Location: Fleming Court Community Centre, March
Dates: Second Wednesday of every month
Time: 2pm to 2.45pm
Details: Refreshments available afterwards with others from the session.

To book the session email [email protected] or call 01223 420033.

Image Description: Two rows of people doing exercise, they are bent over stretching their arms on chairs. The group wear exercise lose fitting clothes and their faces are concealed as their heads lean downwards to the chairs. They are in a community room with basic blue chairs and white walls.

Have you recently been to an eye clinic or used a low vision service?

Healthwatch Cambridgeshire and Peterborough are asking for your views about what worked well and what needs improving?

Your feedback is confidential, quick and won't affect your care, but your experience
will be fed back to the NHS and eye care services how to make your care better.

Register your comments via the website: www.healthwatchcambridgeshire.co.uk

Healthwatch in Cambridgeshire and Peterborough

Image Description: Two ladies sit opposite each other, one lady has a white jacket and is smiling at a patient. They have a machine in front of them and the lady opposite has just used the eye machine. Below the image are the logos in white text Healthwatch Cambridgeshire and Healthwatch Peterborough (speech marks have been inserted instead of the e and a in the word Healthwatch). Text in the bottom reads Have you recently been to an eye clinic or used a low vision service?

It’s 🎉

Thank you to our amazing community of supporters that make our work possible!

We love the chance to celebrate the fantastic work and our awesome CamSight Community!

From yoga, rowing, walking, to peer support groups, emotional support services and advice on the latest VI technology, we help so many people throughout Cambridge and Peterborough who are going through sight loss.

Our latest photos of what we have been up to have been posted today with a big THANK YOU!

We may be small, yet we are mighty 💪



Image one: Two ladies smile at the camera, the lady on the left is wearing a white cardigan and has short hair, the lady on the right is wearing a blue jacket and has short brown hair. They are sitting in a room with blue walls.

Image two: Two ladies are standing listening to a lady talking about the flowers in the Cambridge Botanical Gardens. The day is sunny with a blue sky, and they are surrounded by beautiful green trees and white flowers.

Image three: A group of runners go past the camera and turn and wave, they have big smiles and cheers on their faces. They are running along a treelined street with lots of other runners behind them.

Image four: A lady looks at the camera smiling with wearing tinted glasses and a bright orange top. She is standing with her hand cleaning a rowing boat and the sun is shining. Behind her is a rowing lake and boats stacked on to a trailer.

Image five: Three ladies sit behind a coffee table in a community hall. They are smiling at the camera, the lady on the right-hand side is Rosie and she wears a black jacket and polka dot dress.

Image six: A row of four people sits along a table smiling, they are wearing headsets as they listen to a recording. They are in a museum, so you see large paintings behind them. There are cups of tea and sweets on the table.

Happy 100th Birthday to Alice Zeitlyn MBE! Alice volunteered at CamSight for many years teaching Braille and promoting the importance of Braille as a proven literacy tool that enriches the lives of people living with blindness.

Photo description: Senior lady standing smiling in front of a banner saying 'Happy 100th Birthday' with black, yellow and silver balloons either side in a bunch.

Still time to order your tickets to the Mawson Road Community Orchestra, this Saturday, 22nd June.

The talented orchestra will be playing music by Gounod, Bizet, Tchaikovsky, Mozart and raising funds for our charity in the process!

DETAILS:
Saturday 22nd June, 7.30pm
Tickets: visit the link below
https://www.ticketsource.co.uk/MRCO
St John's Church, Hills Road, Cambridge, CB2 8RN.
Ticket's £10 (unwaged £5, under 16's free)

Thank you to the Orchestra for raising funds for our charity, and the work we do to support those living with a life-changing sight loss condition, across Cambridgeshire and Peterborough.



Image Description: A background in orange with a black icon of musical notes
on a score centered at the top of the box. Underneath in black writing is the text: Mawson Road, Community Orchestra, Saturday 22nd June. In aid of CamSight.

With just over two weeks to go until the General Election, (Thursday 4 July), make sure you're up-to-date with the latest VI legislation when it comes to polling day.

All voters have a right to vote independently and in secret, and local authorities have to ensure that polling stations are accessible to people with sight loss..

Our friends at the RNIB have pulled together a user guide, which can be accessed via the link bel have pulled together a user guide, which can be accessed via the link below:

https://bit.ly/4bfbkjV

Have a quick read before you go and cast your votes so you know your rights before you head to the polling stations.



Image Description; A black silhouette of a hand holding a piece of paper, dropping it in to a ballot box. There is text on the box which says, do you know your rights on polling day?

If you live or work near to Littleport, in East Cambridgeshire, then check out their range of activities running throughout the week, during 24 to 30 June for

If you want to sign up to any of the events you can do so by checking out their Facebook events page by clicking the link below:

https://tinyurl.com/2rbn5pj6



Image Description: Icons are displayed around text which reads World Wellbeing Week in a yellow circle with black text. The icons have been displayed in coloured circles and have pictures of an apple, brain, stack of books, smiley face and a heart. These represent the mental and physical aspects of the body.

One very big thank you to Tesco’s March Hostmoor Superstore and its customers, who have raised £350 for CamSight via the community bookstall!

Our new Business Development Manager, Sara Fleming, popped along to meet Community Champion Kelly to receive the cheque and talk about how the monies will be used.

Sara commented "When communities come together, good things happen. Tesco has always been so supportive of our charity, and we can't thank Kelly, the team, and their customers enough for this new donation. All monies raised contribute to our vital work supporting individuals living with sightloss throughout Cambridgeshire and Peterborough – including our monthly Peer Support Group at March Library."

Do you live near March? Call us on 01223 420033 to find out more about how we can help!

Tesco

Image Description: Two ladies are standing looking at the camera smiling. They are holding a large cheque which reads Tesco: Camsight £350 dated 7.6.24
In the background there is a poster which reads Serving March Hostmoor's customers, communities and planet.

Want to meet other local visually impaired people and find out more about your local area?

Then please come to the Cambridge VI Forum!

Thurs Jul 4 10:00 - 12:00.

Hosted by the , for the next meeting we will be joined by Jake Wheldon from Cambridge’s Neighbourhood Policing Team, and Julie Nettelfield from Cambridgeshire County Council’s Sensory Services.

We will be meeting in person at University Printing House, Shaftsbury Road, CB2 2BS or on Microsoft Teams. For joining details please email [email protected]

RNIB

Date for the Diary!

If you are interested in classical music, pop this date in your diary and book your tickets to the Mawson Road Community Orchestra, who are playing music by Gounod, Bizet, Tchaikovsky, Mozart.

Saturday 22nd June, 7.30pm
Tickets: www.ticketsource.co.uk/MRCO
St John's Church, Hills Road, Cambridge, CB2 8RN.
Ticket's £10 (unwaged £5, under 16's free)

Thank you to the Orchestra for raising funds for our charity, and the work we do to support those living with a life-changing sightloss condition, across Cambridgeshire and Peterborough.



Image Description: A background image of a bright blue sky and along bottom is a field of bright yellow sunflowers. over the blue sky is text which reads Maswon Road Community Orchestra, Music by Gounod, Bizet, Tchaikovsky, Mozart
Saturday 22nd June, 7.30pm

The team are ready and waiting at Waterbeach Feast today! Come by for a pirate temporary tattoo, some merchandise, and to learn about what we do!

Image description: two members of the CamSight team are standing under a purple gazebo. A CanSight banner is to the left, and in the centre is a table with CamSight goodies such as cloth bags and teddies.

At CamSight last year our incredible volunteers contributed 8,758 volunteer hours, which is a financial equivalent of £95,462 if paid the real living wage. That’s an incredible impact!

We quite simply couldn't do what we do without the help of our fabulous volunteers!

If you've wanted to volunteer for a while but are struggling for time then why not help us with a small opportunity to help distribute our marketing materials.

You may only need to distribute a handful of posters in your local community spaces, taking an hour or two. It's a small amount of time for you, but a huge time saving for us.

Interested? Please email: [email protected] or Tel: 01223 420033


The Big Help Out

Image description: A box with three coloured areas, the top section is orange with a green banner and the words 'This Summer '. In the bottom left hand side of the image is a blue box with a mobile phone graphic and the lettering 'The Big Help Out' in orange blue and green text. Then an orange box with the text ' '7th - 9th June'