Support 4 Sight Home Page
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A Brief Introduction
Support 4 Sight, originally named Saffron Sight, was established in 1994 to give support, help and advice to visually impaired people and their carers.
We changed our name in July 2007, when we expanded our geographical boundaries, allowing us to help an even larger number of blind and partially sighted people in West Essex and the surrounding areas.
From our centre in Saffron Walden, we provide information on equipment that can help visually impaired people maintain their independence. Visitors are always welcome at our centre in George Street in Saffron Walden, Mondays to Fridays (9:30am - 2:30pm), to browse the equipment and try for themselves.
New Patron for Support 4 Sight
We are delighted to announce that Lady Braybrooke has agreed to be our Patron.
News
If you would like to view events coming up in 2010, Please visit our Future Events Page.
Ernest Scasbrook
Support 4 Sight would like to say a big thank you to Chris and Shirley Scasbrook who very generously donated a large range of visual aids that assisted Ernest Scasbrook, Chris’s father, when he became Visually Impaired in later years. Sadly Ernest recently passed away. Chris very kindly thought of Support 4 Sight and asked if we could make use of the equipment. We are so grateful for the thought and will ensure that the equipment will be put to good use to help our members and service users. Please follow the link to read the short brief account of Ernest’s life.
Paul’s Dare Devil 4 x 4 Off Road Drive.
On Sunday 27th June 2010, Paul Atkins Support4Sight’s Centre & Volunteer Manager, got behind the wheel of a Land Rover Discovery to carry out his Challenge to drive Blind around the exhilarating and very demanding 4x4 offroad course at Wildtracks, Newmarket. Colleagues and friends from the charity, alongside Nessie Paul’s Guide Dog, stood and watched in amazement as Paul steered the vehicle with the aid of his instructor Malcolm over the rough terrain. Paul experienced some hair raising and death defying moments which he and Malcolm will remember for a very long time! Said Malcolm Swan “I have been told that I must be brave to take out Paul. My reply is that on the two occasions teaching Paul off-road driving, it has been both a pleasure and honour, for it is he that is the brave one. My hat goes off to him, for he is showing others what some would say is impossible - is indeed possible”.
After the event Paul said “This is one of the most challenging activities I have undertaken, the concentration needed to complete the drive was something that I have never experienced with all my other adventures. I’m not sure how I am going to top this one I am looking forward to doing some more off roading with Malcolm in the future. I would like to thank everyone for supporting me and to all those who came along on the day to witness this terrifying experience. Extra thanks to Malcolm for his patience and Wildtracks for allowing me this opportunity. Also my thanks go to Katy Badger for being brave enough to sit in the back of the vehicle leaping in and out taking action photos of some of the most dramatic moments and also some embarrassing ones!”If you would like to see more pictures of the day please click on this link.
Rose and Crown, Ashdon
On Saturday 29th & Sunday 30th May 2010, The Rose and Crown Pub will be hosting a Charity weekend in aid of Support 4 Sight, The Alex Ruffell Memorial Trust and Help the Hero’s. If you would like to attend this fun packed weekend, please click here to view the poster with more information.
OPEN GARDENS IN AID OF SUPPORT4SIGHT Sunday 13th June 2 to 6 pm Sewards End, near Saffron Walden
The village of Sewards End, 2 miles to the east of Saffron Walden, is holding their annual Open Gardens and Vintage Car display in aid of Support4Sight this year. All proceeds from the day will be donated to us. The village has some large and beautiful gardens and up to 12 are expected to be open, including one where Strawberry Cream Teas will be on sale. Entrance is £5 per adult, children free, with payment at ticket points in the village on the day. Guide dogs are welcome. There is also a small quiz for children. For further details, please contact the organiser, Steve Hasler on 01799 525041. Have a look at the poster.
Focus Day with Optelec Ltd
On Tuesday 20th April 2010, Support 4 Sight held the second of its very successful open days at its Resource Centre in Saffron Walden. The day was attended by 41 Visually Impaired People, Carers and Professionals. Peter Skpper from Optelec was on hand to give expert advice and demonstrations on the latest equipment such as the HD Clearview Plus, The Compact Plus, Compact Mini and many other products. For further information on future Support 4 Sight Open Days, please visit our Future Events Page.
Thriplow Daffodil Weekend
Members, Staff & Volunteers visited Thriplow on Saturday 20th March and enjoyed music and dancing from the Morris Men and browsing many of the stalls. We also enjoyed a good walk up the hill to the church to join a service then listened to a really interesting talk on the 900-year history of the church. Ex House of Commons Speaker Betty Boothroyd who was in the congregation very kindly agreed to join us for a group photograph in the grounds.
Due to the winter being hard and long the Weekend could only muster a few daffodils but many of the group purchased the small potted ‘Tete e Tete’ from a stall as a memento before heading home.
R A Butler School Children Visit Support 4 Sight
On Wednesday 3rd, Thursday 4th and Friday 5th March 2010, approximately 75 children (spread over the 3 days) from the Saffron Walden R A Butler School visited Support 4 Sight’s Resource Centre. The reason for their visit was to get a better understanding of equipment and how it is used and how it can help Visually Impaired People cope with every day living. Paul Atkins (Centre & Volunteer Manager) with his Guide Dog Nessie, welcomed the children to the centre. Paul demonstrated and talked about Nessie, the symbol and long cane. The children had a chance to try out these items as well as talking clocks & watches and have fun with the colour detector. As the children left, they said thank you, patted and said Goodbye to Nessie as they left the centre. We hope that they all learnt from this experience with Support 4 Sight and will be more aware of the needs of people with a sight impairment.
Support 4 Sight’s Spring Dance
Following the success of the Spring Ball last year, Christine Marshall and Linda Penrose bravely offered to organise another dance for members, volunteers and their friends. Sixty two people arrived for the ‘do’ at the Saffron Walden Golf Club and were treated to an excellent evening of good food, the odd glass of wine or two and great music from Five Star Disco. The DJ said that he could provide music for ‘all dancing styles’ but, without mentioning any names, he was a little tested at times! Not only did everyone have a great time but we managed to raise £446 for the coppers, even though fund raising was not the main object of the evening. If you would like to see more photos of the evening, please visit our photo gallery.
Cheque Presentation to Support 4 Sight
On Wednesday 17th March, representatives of the Katherine Semar Players visited Support 4 Sight’s Information Centre at 2 & 4 George Street, Saffron Walden, to present Support 4 Sight with a cheque for £200. The money has been raised by the Players performance of the Panto, Dick Whittington and Emma Seymour, who played Dick Whittington handed over the cheque to Paul Atkins, the Information Centre’s Manager. Emma was accompanied by the Head of Katherine Semar Juniors, Rachael Callaghan and Andy Long. The donation will be used to purchase audio equipment for our Visually Impaired members to use. Our grateful thanks go to the Katherine Semar Players for their generous donation.
Braintree Outreach Project
Following the success of our first visit on Thursday 4th February 2010 to the Braintree Outreach, Paul made a second visit to the Braintree Library, with Carol Malcolm, on Friday 26th February. Information and advice was given to four professionals, six visually impaired people and one person requesting information about Support 4 Sight. Support 4 Sight looks forward to welcoming you to the information stand on Friday 26th March 2010in the Library, , between 10 am – 1 pm. If you would like to find out more about our home visiting service for Visually Impaired People in the Braintree area, please call in and talk to us. Please look out for our new Outreach Project in Harlow. For further information on dates, please visit our Upcoming Events Page.
Open Day With Sight & Sound Technology:
On Tuesday 2nd February 2010, Sight & Sound Technology visited Support 4 Sight to advise and demonstrate their latest range of technology to assist Visually Impaired People. The day was a great success with a large number of people with a visual impairment and their carers taking advantage of this event. If you were unable to visit Sight & Sound Technology, we have further open days planned throughout 2010.
Family Fun Day With Mr Rainbow Friday 19th Feburary 2010:
Despite the weather, this half term was anything but dull for the children in Saffron Walden. On Friday 19th February 2010, Support 4 Sight held a Family Fun Day at its Resource Centre in Saffron Walden with the children’s entertainer Mr Rainbow. It is so important to raise the awareness of Visual Impairment to children at an early age. Mr Rainbow performed twice during the morning and the children were also able to meet the Guide Dogs, guess what is on the tactile board, play games on the computer, play with tactile games designed for visually impaired people and finally take part in a drawing competition for which there was a prize for the 2 winners. A great day was had by all of the children and adults. If you would like to see pictures of everyone enjoying themselves, please visit our photo gallery.
Jodi Awards at the V & A Museum in Kensington
On Wednesday 2nd December 2009, Paul & Maddy were invited to attend the Jodi Awards at the V & A Museum in Kensington, London.
Duxford Imperial War Museum were shortlisted for an award in the category for the best Digital Access On Site. Several members and volunteers from Support 4 Sight took part in many visits to the IWM to give feedback and advice on their digital audible guide, as well as Braille and tactile markings and exhibits in the Airspace hanger.
The IWM were successful and came away with the award and asked me to pass on their grateful thanks to everyone who helped and took part in the project. Please see the photo below and thanks to everyone.
Charity Sponsored – Sunday 3rd May
Support 4 Sight’s Director, Madeleine Cassidy and Chairman, Iris Evans, are undertaking a Sponsored Abseil down Harlow Water Tower on Sunday 3rd May – a distance of 110 feet! This event is organised by Harlow Rotary Club and is an annual event which is very successful. Hundreds of organisation and charities have raised money this way.
So far Madeleine and Iris have been sponsored over £700 but they are hoping to raise at least £1,000 for Support 4 Sight. Sponsorship forms have been circulated to members, family and friends, and visitors to the centre have been asked to contribute. Letters have been sent to all local shops asking for their help with sponsorship.
Charity Director, Madeleine Cassidy admitted to being somewhat nervous about the undertaking:
“When the abseil was mentioned to me, I thought “No problem! But to be truthful, now that the date is drawing closer, I’m getting much more nervous! After all, 110 feet is a long way down!”
Funds are needed to run our centre in Saffron Walden and to provide home visits to people who are losing their sight and becoming blind.
Support for Carers on Tuesday 24th March.
Do you know someone that needs help coping with sight loss, click HERE for more information.
News Archive
News items from previous years.