Here’s the latest edition of the Halifax Society for the Blind Newsletter.
Foreword from the Chair
Dear Members and colleagues, welcome to our Autumn Newsletter!
As the days get shorter, I start to think about my top tips for a better winter. Autumn always starts with my favourite jumper! Adding task lights, carrying a torch and trying to stay active, as well as eating well, are important for us all. Our aim here at HSB is to support people living with sight loss to live life to the full so I was delighted to hear how many people our staff and volunteers talked to during Eye Health Week. If you would like to have a chat with others living with sight loss, do join one of our regular sessions where anything and everything is chatted about, including top tips for a better winter! We are hoping to start the New Year in our new premises at Southgate, so do please continue to share your ideas as we add the final touches. I hope you enjoy the newsletter and I look forward to seeing you at one of our many winter events.
Sue Mort
Upcoming Courses at HSB
Can’t See, Can Cook – A cooking course designed to re-build confidence in the kitchen for adults living with sight loss across Calderdale, using modern equipment (some specially designed for people with sight loss) to demonstrate what is possible.
Living Well with Sight Loss – A course designed to support people affected by sight loss including friends, families and carers. Join us for sessions led by qualified guest speakers as we discuss eye care, leisure opportunities, education and technology.
If you would like to know more, or to get your name on the waiting list please contact us on 01422 352383 or email us at info@halifaxblindsociety.org.uk
Christmas!
Yes, it is time to talk about Christmas! Let’s start by telling you about this year’s Christmas Outing.
This year we will be having our Christmas meal at Coffee Culture (also known as Shibden Park Café). This will take place on Thursday 8th December at 12.30pm. You may choose either a Festive Afternoon Tea or a more traditional Christmas menu. The Festive Afternoon Tea includes a selection of sandwiches and cakes and is accompanied by a selection of teas and filter coffee. The Christmas menu can either be two or three courses. If you are interested in booking your place, please call the office on 01422 352383. You will then choose your meal options. The full price of the outing will depend on your menu choice, however, a non-refundable deposit of £10 per person will be required at the time of booking. The deadline for booking is Friday 4th November and places are limited. We hope to arrange transport for £5 per person for those who need it so please advise at the time of booking whether this is a requirement for you.
Festive Afternoon Tea £14.95pp
2 Course Festive Meal £18.95pp
3 Course Festive Meal £22.95
The next exciting Christmas announcement is the return of the Christmas Fair! This will take place on Saturday 26th November from 10am to 12.30pm at the Maurice Jagger Centre. There will be a cake stall, a Sight Centre Stall, and a Tombola. Refreshments will be available. Stalls by Black Cat Hampers, Sulky Fox, Knot Paper Scissors and Yvonne Jennings will all offer some lovely gift ideas with a personal touch. Raffle tickets are available now as well as on the day and will cost £1 per strip. We would like to make this year’s Fair just as successful as the previous one; so, put the date in your diary and we shall look forward to seeing you there!
2023 Diaries and Calendars
HSB will be producing a limited number of our own 2023 calendar so if you would like one of these please let us know.
2023 VIP calendars and diaries are now available to order.
VIP A6 pocket diaries – £6.30
VIP A5 diaries – £8.30
VIP A3 calendar – £7.60
The following are also available in large print:
A4 Telephone book £11.00
A5 Telephone book £9.60.
A4 Address book £11.00
A5 Address book £9.60
Please place your order by 12th November 2022, with payment, so we can ensure they arrive before the end of the year.
National Eye Health Week
Firstly, we would like to thank everybody involved in a very successful National Eye Health Week! This year it took place between the 19th and 23rd September 2022. We had guest speakers including Sue Straw our ROVI and Duncan Mitchell providing useful information, tips on eye health and answering members’ questions at many of our weekly events. We ended the week by having an HSB Eye Health and Information Stall, placed right outside our new Southgate premises. Both staff and volunteers engaged with the public throughout the day, providing information about eye health. We had a selection of equipment from our sight centre available for purchase.
Activities Update – Upcoming Events to watch out for
Regular Activities at Halifax Society for The Blind
(Contact the office for further details)
Weekly (or most weeks)
When?
Venue
Brighouse Group – friendly gathering of people with sight loss, friends and family for social chat, information and games.
Mondays from 12.30pm to 2.30 pm.
Brighouse Rest Centre.
Tuesday Zoomers – different activities each week (guest speakers, quizzes, information, chat and workshops).
Tuesdays from 11am to noon.
Via Zoom (for details on joining see the back page of newsletter)
Halifax Group – friendly gathering of people with sight loss, friends and family for social chat, information and games.
Wednesdays 2.15-3.45pm (1st, 2nd & 3rd week each month).
Maurice Jaggar Centre, Halifax
Thursday Fun & Games – with quizzes and games, keep yourself fit for fun. Bring your own cuppa!
Thursdays from 11.30am -12.30pm.
Via Zoom.
Chairobics! – 25-minute gentle seated exercise session for all ages and abilities.
Friday at 10am
Via Zoom.
Bowling group – A chance to meet up with friends and other members, to engage in recreational fun.
Every Friday 11.00am
Electric Bowl 70 Commercial Street, Halifax, HX12JE
Less Often…
When?
Venue
Wellbeing Wise – looking after your wellbeing self-help group.
4th Wednesday each month
Via Zoom.
Synapptic Users Group – share experiences at this mobile phone and tablet user self-help group.
1st Wednesday of the month, 11am to noon.
Via Zoom.
Guide Dog Owner Group – a chance for current, past, and potential guide dog owners to catch up and share their experiences.
3rd Wednesday of the month, 11am to noon.
Good Mood Café, Commercial Street, Halifax (at the old toy shop).
LEO Group Reunited!
The LEO (Local Eating Out) group were delighted to get together again, after nearly two and a half years, in August 2022. It was a great success with 6 people meeting at the Beefeater in Halifax. The venue was very easy to get to and the service was excellent, nothing was too much trouble. There was a good choice on the menu and the food served was excellent. Our special requests were obliged and all in all it was a very good night, good food and lovely company. We would certainly recommend the Beefeater.
On 15th September, we went to Ricci’s Place in Halifax. There are four steps at the entrance, with no alternative, so be aware of this if your mobility is limited. The menu print was small and low contrast, so not easy to read. However, it was available on their website so could be viewed on a smartphone.
There were many choices of typical Italian fare. Some of us had a starter, but the portions were generous, so we regretted this a bit! Service was efficient and polite. The atmosphere was good although, with an open kitchen, the noise could be a bit intrusive. We still managed to have lots of good social chat though! Prices are reasonable and it is definitely a place we would go to again!
If you are interested in finding out more about LEO, contact Angela Hoey on 07791134362 or email angelamhoey@aol.com
Have a Go – Tenpin Bowling 22nd July 2022
The taster day was held on 22nd July 2022. It was a great event and a chance for members to come along and try something different.
A good morning was had by all, lots of laughter and time to chat and make new friends. John, new to the bowling group, said he really enjoyed the camaraderie and dynamics of the group and was looking forward to continuing to attend each week. He said it was nice to meet new people, make new friends and get out of the house. To make this a real occasion we had trophies, these were won by Sue for the highest score, and John for best newcomer. Sue was delighted with the trophy and said this was the first time she had ever won anything. Well done, Sue!
We hope to make this an annual event, so watch this space!
If anyone would like to join the Peaky Blinders, they play every Friday morning 10am to 12.00noon at the Electric Bowl in Halifax. Please contact us on 01422 352383.
Contact HSB
Call HSB’s office: 01422 352383
Email: info@halifaxblindsociety.org.uk
Write: 36 Clare Road, Halifax, HX1 2HX
Website: www.halifaxblindsociety.org.uk
Halifax Society for the Blind CIO is a registered charity (No 1197353)
