Our staff and volunteers will be having a well deserved break over Christmas.
Here is our schedule:
Our office will be closed from Wednesday, 23rd and will reopen on 4th January 2021.
Our shops will be closed from Thursday, 24th and will reopen on Saturday, 2nd January 2021.
We look forward to coming back refreshed in the New Year!
We wish everyone a happy and, most importantly, safe Christmas which we hope everyone is able to enjoy.
Thank you to all our members, staff and volunteers for their patience and fortitude over the past year, which we can all agree has certainly been interesting and one we will all remember!
The pandemic has certainly had an impact for DBA, especially around the clubs and our traditional fundraising, but we have adapted and continued to keep our services going throughout the year. The shops have done really well and not only helped us raise funds but also reach many more people in the community.
We also hope that next year will see some new service developments and that, at some point, as and when the situation with Covid eventually allows us, we can also resume some of the club activity, albeit possibly never quite as it always was before.
So enjoy Christmas in whichever way you can, please keep safe and well and we look forward to what we hope will be a much better year for us all in 2021. Regardless of what the future holds, we will be here for you!
We have just been given an extraordinarily generous donation of £500 by a member who wishes to remain anonymous.
We are so thankful to all our members who support our work to provide help and services throughout Dorset. Our members support us through through their membership fees but, these additional voluntary donations make a real difference. Some members then also make the ultimate final gift of a legacy, for which we are most grateful.
For those involved in running the charity and providing our services, financial support from those we directly help is always the most pleasing to receive as it shows just how much the charity is valued by the people we help and that the help is appreciated by them. We have taken the liberty of providing a link if you want to donate online or you can do as our member did and call Jo on 01292 712865.
The photo shows the wide range of activities and support we give our members, some are on hold due to Covid but will resume as soon as possible.https://dorsetblind.org.uk/help-us/donate/
Dorset Blind Association, Charity of the Year 2020/2021 for Haskins Garden Centre, Ferndown, has worked with Haskins to produce a new poster for their charity wishing well in the store. The poster features a new QR code which enables customers to donate to Dorset Blind without the need for physical cash.
At the launch, Lynne from Dorset Blind met with Ben, Haskins Customer Services Team Leader and commented: “During the pandemic Haskins are dealing with card only purchases. At the wishing well customers can use the QR code reader on their smart phones which will direct them to a JustGiving page. The text donation option is simple and effective to use and keeps the charity in touch with its supporters old and new.”
Tracy and Jackie at the Ferndown shop are so happy to be back amongst their wonderful customers and amazing volunteers that they pulled out all the stops in creating this festive Christmas window display.
The shop is busy and sales of the 2021 large print calendars and diaries are going so well they’ve had to restock. However, donations of winter clothing would be much appreciated as that has also been selling fast.
If you have a bit of time to spare, a volunteer shift has become available on a Thursday afternoons from 1-4 pm. Please contact Tracy by phone or email to find out more.Telephone Number: 01202 920385E-mail: ferndownshop@dorsetblind.org.uk
Jim Logan is our Sight Equipment and Resources Co-ordinator. He’s the man with the van who brings our equipment service out to people in their homes to help them make living independently easier.
Recently, we were able to get some funding to keep him on the road through the Coronavirus Community Support Fund and here is his story in his own words.
“I am the Equipment man at Dorset Blind Association. I spend my working week supporting members and non-members in their own homes demonstrating equipment to help support their low vision.
2020 has been a challenge for our members. In the first four months my role was furloughed and during this time there was no equipment service. In July when lock down was lifted I spent my time on catching up with those people most in need of the equipment service.
There was a lot of relief that the service was back up and running. Then lockdown 2 was upon us. I am pleased that my role is recognised as an essential service. The people in the Dorset community that use DBA are also relieved that the service continues during this difficult time.
For many people, I am the only human they interact with. In these circumstances my role is more than just equipment. I listen to them, I empathise with them and I do whatever I can to reassure them that Dorset Blind is there to support.
Most weeks even during lockdown I see on average 15 members and non-members per week so that can be as many as 700 visits per year. In most cases I am able to order equipment via different organisations such as the RNIB and Optima Low Vision Services.
Sometimes I loan equipment for the person to try and in many cases I can provide them with second-hand equipment which is very helpful for those on a limited budget. Dorset Blind is a vital service within the community. The National Lottery funding has enabled my colleagues and I to support those in need both practically and emotionally with coming to terms with low vision.”
Click here to look at some of the aids and equipment we offer
Welcome back to our four shops, where we have lots of great bargains for the holiday season! Come to shop or visit our mini resource centres offering aids for people with impaired vision.
Of course, we can always use more quality donations, especially clothing, you can either drop them off or arrange collection by ringing Jo on 01202 712865.
Please call before dropping off donations as space may be limited by the need to quarantine items before they can be processed. We hope to see you soon.
A huge thank you to the 1st Lilliput Brownies troop who have been meeting virtually and still finding ways to make change in our community and learning that sometimes small actions can be added together to make a bigger change.
They decided to raise money in many creative ways and split it between Dorset Search and Rescue and the Dorset Blind Association. The unit sold handmade face coverings, homemade cakes and mince pies, painted works of art and were sponsored to read endless books, tidy their rooms and turn 100 cartwheels.
They raised £216.43 for us that we greatly appreciate and will use towards our Community Support Services, where all the little things we do daily help people with sight loss live better lives. Well done girls!
A message from our CEO, Jonathan about our oldest member Lillian born in 1908.
“Some of you will know Lillian, one of our members in Swanage, who is rather elderly. Well “rather elderly” is a bit of an understatement as she is in fact now the oldest person in the country and tomorrow will celebrate – if that’s the right word at the moment – her 112th birthday!
In normal times I would have gone to see her in Swanage at the home which cares for her so well – she is an amazing lady and fascinating to talk to and the times I have been able to do that have been a huge privilege – but with the pandemic I sadly cannot visit her, so flowers and a card have been sent instead.
Lillian was still managing to attend our club in Swanage as recently as last year, which I think is pretty amazing for someone that age and I hope is an endorsement of just how much people appreciate the club opportunities.”
