Dear members, friends and supporters,
Eye Matter is delighted to share “Eye Matter, Our Journey”, a unique and emotive film that aims to show, not tell, people how it feels to be blind.
Launched to coincide with “Disabled Access Day” on Monday, 16th March, The newly launched film uses integrated audio description within a powerful and creative animation. The film features the voices and lived experiences of Eye Matter members, who describe images representing what the charity means to them. As the animation unfolds, these reflections come together to reveal a shared message of gratitude and a call to action to support Eye Matter’s vital work by making a donation. Just £10 a month will provide training, support and give hope to someone living with Sight Loss.
Suzie Simons, Eye Matter’s Founder and Coordinator says, “We are incredibly grateful to everyone who contributed to the film. It is a celebration of the resilience of our community, and a reminder of the importance of supporting people living with sight loss. We wanted these stories to be told in an accessible and meaningful way, and we hope it encourages everyone to learn more about Eye Matter and to donate towards our crucial work. Special thanks to JulesCreativeContent.com for producing the film with such care and compassion.
“Eye Matter, Our journey” is now available to watch and share
Thank you, we couldn’t do all we do without you.
https://www.justgiving.com/campaign/eyematterourjourney
Welcome to the world of Eye Matter, where we create connections that truly matter for people with visual impairment. Our mission is to entertain, educate and empower. Eye Matter has delivered over 300 Zoom events this year including book clubs, concerts, Zumba, creative writing, poetry and drama workshops. Our regular outings have included theatre trips, art galleries, sledging, zip wiring, sports days, comedy evenings, climbing the O2 and much more.
We appreciate there are times when support is needed in sight loss journeys and this is provided in our twice monthly ‘Surviving to Thriving’ Zoom grief programme (supported by our regular blog) and three times a year in-person session.
Many of our facilitators are themselves visually impaired, enabling them to provide a more empathic service. Our £15 per year membership allows access to a multitude of exciting opportunities both through Zoom and in-person.
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Marvellous ME Monday continues with, The Confidence Tricks course delivered by Victoria(Vic) Hogg.
Nicky commented, “This was my first Zoom event with Eye Matter and I have to say I got a lot out of it. I’ll definitely be back next week.”
Rosie said, “Thanks guys.I really enjoyed the session today Monday 6pm. Coaching confidence with Victoria Hogg and it was good in the breakout room too.”
Over the next five weeks each session will relate to a letter from the word ‘CHAMP’. This weeks refers to confidence, critic and perhaps, Chris McCausland.. Session 1 covered:
1. Laughter Yoga.
Laughter Yoga was created in 1995 and has over 10,000 groups across the world. We raised our hands above our heads, moving them into different positions and clapped rhythmically. Vic encouraged us to exhale false laughing and listen as it turns into genuine laughter.
Someone commented that hearing everyone elses false laughter made them genuinely laugh. Those who initially felt self-conscious at laughing out loud, were soon taking part in the exercise. One person even suggested that some must have cheated at being able to laugh all the way through a single,long exhale of breathe.
2. Chris McCausland (the Visually Impaired stand-up comedian, Scope Celebrity Role Model of the Year and Strictly Come Dancing winner), talking about confidence.
Bic showed us a clip of Chris discussing what ‘confidence’ means to him, which was shared after the session. He revealed that although he always had social confidence he was initially self-conscious beginning his career as a stand up comedian. Chris became Scopes celebrity role model of the year, emphasizing the effect of how sight-loss is entwined within mental health.
3. Meet your Inner Critic.
Vic asked us to scan our body’s to locate where our inner critic is lurking and then to scoop it out. With it held in our hands we were asked to describe its shape, texture etc. Now that it is facing us, allow it to speak clearly and listen to it. Then drop it on the floor and watch it scuttle away. Members presented different representations of these entities, for one it was very large whilst another saw a green impish creature, pulled from her head, although seemed filled with fun, it stood mutely staring back. They were able to say it was so ugly and banish it away which made them feel emotional.
The aim of this exercise was to acknowledge that our inner critic is always there but its how we give it power to overwhelm us which affects our behaviour. Enabling the idea of telling, this inner critic, how it makes us feel. Recognising its vulnerabilities and realising how tired it must be to be always criticizing.
Another member suggested it could be a liar. We considered could it be nerchered to become less bothersome. This concept derives from the Buddhist idea of always having balance, noticing and taking control in a loving way. The realisation that it is part of a life long journey,allowing generosity and other factors attributed to its creation.
Homework for all participants:
1. Revisit the Laughter Yoga via the Celeste Green YouTube video.
2. Reflect on meeting your Inner Critic and spend 10-15 minutes voice-note journalling on the experience. How did it feel? When does your inner critic show up most loudly? Can awareness help you manage the feelings that come up when your inner critic is loudest and knocks your confidence?
We look forward to seeing you again on Monday.
