Somerset Sight

Dont forget! Our Village Agents will be hosting 5️⃣ Talking Cafes tomorrow (Thursday 25th July). Why not pop in for a chat?

📌 Bishops Lydeard: Village Hall
⏰ 10am - 12 noon

📌 Dulverton: Fishers Mead Community Room
⏰ 10.30 am - 12.30pm

📌 Highbridge: Purplespoon Cafe (YMCA)
⏰ 10am - 12 noon

📌 South Petherton: Library
⏰ 10am - 12 noon

📌 Yeovil: St Peter’s Community Centre
⏰ 10am - 12 noon



🌐 At over 30 locations in Somerset, find your local Talking Cafe here: www.somersetagents.org/talking-cafes/

Dont forget! Our Village Agents will be hosting 5️⃣ Talking Cafes tomorrow (Wednesday 24th Juy). Why not pop in for a chat?

📌 Bridgwater: ReCreation Community Hub
⏰ 1.30am - 3.30pm

📌Langport: The Angel, Bow Street
⏰ 11.30am - 1.30pm

📌 Taunton: The Minster, St. Mary Magdalene
⏰ 10am - 12 noon

📌 Wiveliscombe: Silver Street Centre
⏰ 10.30am - 12 noon

📌 Woolavington: Bitham Walk Community Hall
⏰ 11am - 1pm



🌐 At over 30 locations in Somerset, find your local Talking Cafe here: www.somersetagents.org/talking-cafes/

Shepton Mallet Dementia Action Alliance are hosting our Tea & Skittles social group tomorrow, Weds 24th July at The Charlton Inn, Shepton Mallet from 2.30pm-4pm.

Come along and meet your local Dementia Action Alliance team. It's a fantastic opportunity for those living with dementia to socialise and have fun. We encourage carers, family members or anyone who would like to join us, no need to book, everyone is welcome.
For further details please contact Anne on 01749 840681.

We would also like to give Kevin and his amazing team at The Charlton Inn, Shepton Mallet a massive THANK YOU for supporting our social group and providing us with the venue and refreshments.

Evercreech Talking Cafe

Every Thursday afternoon at the Village Hall from 2.30pm- 4pm.

We have weekly Talking Cafes all across Mendip. For your nearest please take a look at the Health Connections website: https://healthconnectionsmendip.org/talking-cafes-wells-shepton-frome/

Talking Cafes are a great place to meet new people, make friends and chat to a local Health Connector about the support Health Connections can offer. We can also let you know about activities, support groups and services in your community.

Sherborne Classic and Supercars 😊

We had a fantastic time at the Sherborne Classic and Supercars Show at Sherborne Castle on Sunday! The sun shone and the people came. It was lovely to be a part of such an exciting and well organised event. Here are some photos of what we got up to.

Thank you so much Sherborne Classic Cars for inviting us!

Mobile Advisory Service 😊

Our Mobile Advisory Service (MAS) travels around Somerset offering information, advice and aids for people with sight loss. We have lots of helpful gadgets and interesting resources on board!
Donna, our wonderful MAS operator, will be visiting the following locations this week. She would be delighted to see you there! No appointment needed.

Monday 22nd July - Shepton Mallet Tesco - 10.30am to 3.30pm - CANCELLED due to unforeseen circumstances.
Tuesday 23rd July - Burnham-On-Sea B&M - 1.30pm to 3.30pm
Wednesday 24th July - Watchet Coach Park - 10.30am to 3.30pm
Thursday 25th July - Wellington ASDA - 10.30am to 3.30pm

If you would like any specific aids to be on board, or if you are making a special trip to the Mobile Advisory Service, please call us in advance on 01823 333818.

Thank you 😀.

The Balsam Centre will be holding three Community Inclusion Days during the summer holidays for children and young people with a disability or additional needs, and their families.

Supported by Somerset Council, each day has a different theme - crafting, gardening and forest school - and costs £5 per family, to include a healthy snack! 🍓🌳

For more information and to book your family's place, email [email protected], call 01963 31842 or pop into The Balsam Centre.

The Good Stuff

Mobile Advisory Service Update - Monday 22nd July 2024

**Please note that due to unforeseen circumstances, unfortunately Donna and the Bus will not be visiting Tesco at Shepton Mallet today as originally planned. Please accept our apologies for any inconvenience caused by this.**

Thank you.
Somerset Sight

We are so excited! The weather is looking promising and we can’t wait to see you there!!

🚗✨ Hey everyone! The Sherborne Classic and Super Car Show is tomorrow at Sherborne Castle! 🌟

⏰ Don't miss out on early bird savings—get your tickets at 15% off until midday today!

🎟️ Tickets will also be available at the door tomorrow for the full price of £20 per adult, kids are free!

👉 Act fast and grab your discounted tickets now to enjoy a fantastic day of classic and supercars! Buy your tickets here: https://classic-supercars.co.uk/

👋 See you all tomorrow!

Thank you Mendip Times for the write-up about the charity gig that was performed recently by Frome Ukulele Club to raise funds for Somerset Sight and Purple Elephant!

“Frome-based ukelele band The Frukes played a charity gig at The Silk Mill in Frome raising money for two local charities, Somerset Sight and Purole Elephant. The idea came from band member Sue Marshall who volunteers with Somerset Sight. The photo shows the presentation of £500 to Cath Lyn-Jones from the charity.”

We would like to say a Massive thank you as well to for thinking of us and for your very generous donation that will help us to continue our work with the visually impaired community in Frome and across the whole of the county.

If you would like to find out more about the services we provide here at Somerset Sight, or if you would like to join our team of amazing volunteers like Sue, please call us on 01823 333818 or email us on:
[email protected].

Thank you 🙏

It's and we are looking for volunteers!
Please can you help?
Our Head Office is in Taunton but our flagship Volunteer Visiting Service operates across the whole of Somerset and we would match you with someone in your local area.

Volunteers Needed in your Local Area 😊

Do you have a couple of hours to spare once a week or fortnight? Would you like to help someone in your local community in Somerset? Then we would love to hear from you!

We are looking for volunteer visitors to provide companionship and support to people with sight impairment across the whole of Somerset.

No previous experience is necessary, as full training is provided. All reasonable expenses are paid, including mileage.

If you would like to find out more, please call us on 01823 333818 or email:
[email protected]

Somerset Sight currently helps 3,500 visually impaired people of all ages and their families every year, delivering vital practical and emotional support.

Thank you and we look forward to hearing from you. 😊😊

We are hiring!

Community Support and Communications Officer

Somerset Sight, your local sight loss charity, is expanding. We are looking for a positive can-do person with passion and energy to raise the charity’s profile whilst supporting our face to face service provision throughout the county.

The person will be well organised, proactive, empathetic and have the ability to work flexibly and in partnership with a wide range of colleagues and stakeholders. They will grow and support our existing social groups many of which are led by volunteers, lead on expansion of additional groups with the help of volunteers, and increase other provision, such as IT and cookery classes, throughout the county, using our model based on existing learning. The person will make significant contributions to publicity and communications, raising the profile and sustainability of the charity and all it does, by gathering authentic stories for publication and sharing.

This will be a 24 hour per week flexible role, head office based and reporting to the office manager, with much face-to-face contact with stakeholders.
The successful candidate must be able to travel extensively across the local area to fulfil the requirements of the role.
Competitive salary.

Please contact Jackie at Somerset Sight and send CV.

Thank you.

Dining in the Dark 2024 😊
Friday 9th August 2024 at 6.30pm
The Old Bridge, South Petherton, TA13 5JE

The Trustees of Somerset Sight invite you to join us to enjoy an unforgettable dining experience and a journey of the senses.
Welcome drink and canapés on arrival, followed by dinner and coffee.
£75 Per Person
Black Tie / Lounge Suit

Tickets are available online at somersetsight.org.uk, by calling 01823 333818 or by sending a cheque to:
Somerset Sight
Dining in the Dark
Northfield House
51 Staplegrove Road
Taunton
TA1 1DG

If you are unable to attend and wish to make a donation, please use the same details as above.

New Adult Activity - Tuesday 6th August
Fenix Carriages Museum Tour and horse drawn Carriage Ride followed by picnic lunch (please bring your own)
£10 for tour and ride/s.
Please note that the carriage has three steps up, and is not suitable for wheelchair users or for dogs.

Contact Somerset Sight on 01823 333818.

Dining in the Dark 2024 😊

Time is running out to get your tickets for our exciting Fundraiser 'Dining in the Dark' that will take place on Friday 9th August!

What is it?
It is an unforgettable dining experience and a journey of the senses.
Welcome drink and canapés are served on arrival, followed by dinner and coffee. Plus there will be Heads and Tails and an auction.

When is it?
Friday 9th August at 6.30pm

Where is it?
The Old Bridge, South Petherton, TA13 5JE

How much does it cost?
£75 Per Person

Is there a dress code?
Black Tie / Lounge Suit - with a blind fold provided!

Tickets are available by calling 01823 333818.

Here are some photos of what we got up to last time!
We hope to see you there!

Burnham-on-Sea Social Group

We had a fantastic time at the Burnham-on-Sea Social Group yesterday. We meet on the third Tuesday of the month between 10.30am and 12.30pm at The Waffle Club, The Methodist Church, College Street, Burnham on Sea.

Come and join us for a coffee and a chat. Call us on 01823 333818 for more information.

Our next meeting will be on Tuesday 20th August and we hope to see you there!

Although it’s no longer , we are still looking for volunteers!
Could you spare a couple of hours a fortnight to help make a difference to someone’s life?
We have opportunities available across the whole of Somerset and we will match you with someone local to you.
To find out more, please call us on 01823 333818 or email us on:
[email protected]

Thank you.

It's and we are looking for volunteers!
Please can you help?
Our Head Office is in Taunton but our flagship Volunteer Visiting Service operates across the whole of Somerset and we would match you with someone in your local area.

Volunteers Needed in your Local Area 😊

Do you have a couple of hours to spare once a week or fortnight? Would you like to help someone in your local community in Somerset? Then we would love to hear from you!

We are looking for volunteer visitors to provide companionship and support to people with sight impairment across the whole of Somerset.

No previous experience is necessary, as full training is provided. All reasonable expenses are paid, including mileage.

If you would like to find out more, please call us on 01823 333818 or email:
[email protected]

Somerset Sight currently helps 3,500 visually impaired people of all ages and their families every year, delivering vital practical and emotional support.

Thank you and we look forward to hearing from you. 😊😊

Our digital health team will be out and about again this week and able to help you with all manner of health related digital technology issues, including downloading and using the NHS App for things like ordering repeat prescriptions and booking some appointments. They can also help you with using our online forms on our website.

If you need more general technology advice then please go along to the Thursday session at the Cheese & Grain where they can offer much broader advice if you're struggling with things like online banking, using government forms and so on.

No appointments needed but do bring your mobile phone or tablet with you so we can help.

Here's where to find them over the next few days:

Tues 16th July 10am - 12pm at the practice
Tues 16th July 1pm - 3pm at Sainsbury's
Wed 17th July 10am - 12pm at Fair Frome on the Marston Trading Estate
Thurs 18th July 10am - 11.30am at the cafe in the Cheese and Grain
Thurs 18th July 4pm - 8pm at the practice

📣 Our Paddle boarding and Rafting session is open to book onto. this will be held at Channel Adventure in Taunton. To book a place please complete the forms link for each child you would like to attend.

https://forms.office.com/e/60fXMPqKGK

Come along and get creative!

Why Volunteer for Somerset Sight?

As part of (and every day 😊), we are celebrating the hard work and commitment of our wonderful team of Volunteer Visitors! We could not run our Volunteer Visiting Service without them, and we would like to say a huge thank you to each and every one of them! 🙌👍🙂

Nikki is one of our Volunteer Visitors who visits a visually impaired person in their own home once a fortnight.

Nikki says:
“I love being a Somerset Sight volunteer. When I visit, it is like having a coffee morning with a friend. We natter about all sorts, we eat cake and we go for a walk if the weather is nice.”

To find out more about volunteering for us, please call us on 01823 333818 or email us on:
[email protected]

Thank you 😊

🎁🎅🎄GIFT VOUCHERS🎄🎅🎁

Are you aged 16-25 years with a visual impairment and passionate about sport and physical activity? If the answer is ‘yes’, then you could help make a visible difference in sport! 🙌

The Youth Ambassador Programme (YAP) will provide a unique development opportunity for young people to work closely with BBS staff, its members, volunteers, participants, and partner organisations, bringing together ambassadors from a diverse range of backgrounds and experiences.

If you would like to be considered, or you know anyone with a visual impairment who would like to become an ambassador, please complete the expression of interest form: ➡️ https://bit.ly/3QSR7sK

[Image description: A young male smiling holding a tennis racket and tennis ball. Text/Tagline: 'A voice for blind and partially sighted young people' and Youth Ambassador Programme logo.]