Summer 2024
HRVAB Newsletter
Free Course ‘Living with Sight Loss’
We are thrilled to announce the success of our transformative free 5-week course - 'Living with Sight Loss', designed to enhance your daily life and connect you with a supportive community. The course covers a range of valuable topics, including daily life skills, enhancing mobility, aids and resources training, understanding available benefits, and connecting with the wider community. To make attending easier, we provide free transport and refreshments for all participants.
Don’t miss this opportunity to gain practical skills and build meaningful connections with others who also have sight loss. To register your interest or get more information, please email us at viconsultant@hrvab.org.uk or leave a message for head office on 01424 436359. We look forward to meeting you.
Hello,
from our CEO
Fieona Farrier-Twist
As summer draws to a close, I want to take a moment to reflect on the incredible season we’ve had and look ahead with anticipation.
This summer has been a time of growth, connection, and vibrant community engagement that we intend to build on further as we approach 2025! From successful courses and workshops that you will read about in this issue, to the continual hard work seen throughout Healey House, The Taplin Centre and our Silverhill & Bexhill Charity Shops. It does not go unnoticed how dedicated and caring our key workers are.
With new initiatives starting to come together, we realise all too well how much our work relies on the amazing volunteers and the passion of staff. As we transition into the next chapter, I hope new people come forward to help us build on the momentum we’ve gained.
Thank you for your unwavering support.
Vaccancies
Driver (volunteer) - Tuesdays 12pm-5pm
Taplin Centre to Bexhill
Shop Assistant (volunteer) - Mondays
Silverhill Charity Shop
Singer (volunteer) - Anytime
Healey House Care Home
Home-Not-Alone Friend (volunteer) - Anytime
Healey House Care Home
Do you have a friendly dog/cat/rabbit that you could bring in to see our residents?
Do you have a hobby/interest you could share with others?
Get in touch -executiveassistant@hrvab.org.uk
Top Shop Seller
Mini Boglins Bundle (24) raise £40.00
Free Drumming Workshop
We are excited to share the fantastic success of our recent free drumming taster day at The Taplin Centre! The event was a vibrant celebration of rhythm and community, with participants of all ages and abilities coming together to explore the joy of drumming. A massive thank you to Phil Little for organising and running the session in collaboration with The Bauji Foundation.
The full drumming workshop series will be launching soon on Monday evenings 6.30pm-8.30pm. To sign up or learn more, contact 020 7226 2094.
Thank you Hastings Direct!
A big thank you to Hastings Direct for their incredible support. Their teams of volunteers have come in and made a meaningful impact by rejuvenating our care home garden and assisting at our Thursday Club.
We’re deeply grateful for their hardwork in the summer heat and their ongoing support.
We look forward to future collaborations. Thank you, Hastings Direct!
Give audio books a go for free!
You could be eligible to join Listening Books FOR FREE!
With access to thousands of audiobooks, newspapers and magazines to those in Hastings & St Leonards who would find the fees an obstacle to joining (usual cost of £20 per year).
You can listen to the audiobooks online via an app or via Listening Books' website.
Join at www.listening-books.org.uk/join or by calling 020 7407 9417 to speak to their friendly team.
Quiz Nights
Our monthly quiz night fundraising events have become a highlight of our calendar, bringing together friends and supporters for a fantastic evening of fun, laughter, and community spirit. Known for its lively atmosphere, delicious buffet, and exciting raffle, each quiz night is a joyful celebration that truly makes a difference.
A special thank you goes to Jean from HRVAB, whose dedication and hard work in organising these events ensure their continued success. Her efforts not only make the evenings enjoyable but also crucial for our fundraising goals.
We look forward to seeing you at our next quiz night—come for the trivia, stay for the laughs, and join us in supporting a great cause!
Have your voice heard!
HRVAB’s 2024 Survey.
The Wider Community:
East Sussex Growing Together
We’re thrilled to be part of a new networking event uniting charities and groups across East Sussex dedicated to supporting the visually impaired.
Bringing together orgaisations such as HRVAB, RNIB, Thomas Pocklington Trust, Talking Newspapers, ESVS, Eastbourne Blind Society, and HomeCall Bexhill, this ongoing event aims to strengthen connections and share resources.
If you're involved in this vital work, join us to enhance collaboration and make a greater impact together.
Blind Barbie
2024 finally has shown us some representation in the form of 'Blind Barbie'. While it may seem silly to some, for children who are visually impaired we finally have representation. With a long stick cane, and a textured ruffle skirt Barbie's makers Mattel have tried to create a tactile toy. We hope to see this continue!
Donation Form
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Quiz Nights
27th September
25th October
22nd November5-week course - Living with Sight Loss
Wednesdays 10.00am
@ The Taplin Centre
Booking essential - email: viconsultant@hrvab.org.ukChristmas Fete
Saturday 30th November
10.30am - 12.30pm
@ The Taplin CentreNot forgetting our regular clubs:
Taplin Monday Club
Bexhill Tuesday Club
Taplin Thursday Club -
To all new and existing volunteers, we extend a warm thank you, your support is greatly appreciated. Our members tell us they love having company and getting out, which is why HRVAB volunteers are all important in helping blind and partially sighted people maintain their independence and combat the isolation and loneliness that threatens their everyday lives.
If you know of anyone who might be interested in volunteering, please let us know! Whatever your skills or interests we have a place for you.
