Category: News

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!

Read the latest bio from our member / volunteer Iain

Click here to read

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.”

Our charity remains open for business to continue helping our community during the second lockdown period.

We can be contacted through our office during normal working hours, our community support service and our equipment service remain fully engaged and we are here to help in whatever way we can, within government rules.

Our Charity shops however will be closed now as we head into lockdown 2. We all hope the break this time is only as long as they have said and we will have lots of lovely items waiting for you upon our return!

We want to thank the wonderful people who donated items and shopped with us over the last few months. To all our shop staff and volunteers, well done for the marvellous effort and huge sales since we came back from the previous lockdown.

BBC Radio Solent was interested in how people with sight loss cope with getting out and about with the social distancing restrictions. Karen Wye let them tag along on one of her outings to give them some insight. You can listen to Karen and Moira Kopanycia-Reynolds on the Radio Solent Breakfast Show below.

Hear the Radio interview here:

We were delighted to be told just yesterday that our application to the Coronavirus Community Support Fund had been successful, and we’ve been awarded a grant to help fund the ongoing delivery of our mobile equipment service for the next 6 months. That’s a vitally important service, giving people direct access to specialist equipment and aids to daily living which help visually impaired people to maintain independent and active lives.

The fund is distributed by The National Lottery Community Fund on behalf of the Government, so a big thanks from us all to the Government for helping us to keep helping our members in this way.

Help us celebrate our 102nd Birthday! It’s a challenging year (minor understatement) and we’d like you to help us see it off in a positive way! A lot has changed in the last two years, we have opened three more charity shops to support our work, which is great. The shops aren’t able to generate the income we need yet though, so we really need your help since we can’t currently do our other normal community and events fundraising.

Other things have changed as well. Due to Covid, our community support workers provide most of their support by telephone or online and have learned how to safely visit members at home, where that is still necessary. We’ve gotten really good at setting up virtual befriending and support groups using group telephone and video calls! We’ve continued to take on the challenge of helping people with sight loss in spite of restrictions and we challenge you to join us.

Pick a fun challenge for yourself and get your friends and family to sponsor you. Set up a fundraising page, you can follow this link https://dorsetblind.org.uk/help-us/fundraising/challenge-events/ to the fundraising page on our website. Then, go for it! Raise £10 or £102 or more, it all helps!

Some ideas:

• Walk for 102 minutes
• Hula hoop 102 times
• Don’t speak for 10.2 hours (that’s 10 hours and 12 minutes)
• Host a virtual coffee morning
• Host a Zoom fancy dress/Halloween party

Make sure you keep us up to date with your ideas and fundraising achievements and tag Dorset Blind Association on social media.
Facebook – @Dorset Blind Association
Instagram – @dorset.blind
Twitter – @DorsetBlind

To follow our Birthday Challenge click here

Our CEO Jonathan Holyhead recently spoke to Radio Solent about our virtual befriending services and the great work our volunteers and members are doing to support each other.

Listen to the interview below: