Welcome to Eye Matter Matters issue 32. This is a fortnightly publication where Eye Matter shares news and information about events and activities, members’ experiences and other items of interest. Unless otherwise indicated, all articles have been written by Fiona Musgrove. If you would like to contribute an article to a future edition, please email fiona.musgrove@yahoo.co.uk
This edition includes:
Eye Matter Zoom events
● A concert by Eye Matter member and stunning jazz singer-songwriter, Katriona Taylor, accompanied by fellow member and brilliant jazz musician Duncan Clarke.
● Eye Matter Singers
● Bookworms returns on Wednesday 8th October at 11am, on Zoom.
Eye Matter Outings
● In-person “Turning Surviving into Thriving” Group Grief workshop with Joanna Williams,
● Audio described tour of Royal Collection Trust Kings’ Gallery
Eye Matter’s volunteering opportunities
● Voiceover training
● Members Outreach Programme
Special Features
● Exclusive Eye Matter merchandise.
● Exploring the joys of Brigadoon.
● Eye Matter’s carriage awaits!
● The impact of audio description from a describer’s perspective.
● Blind entrepreneur, Martin Fleming from Norfolk creates a unique dating platform
● Important RNIB survey.
Forthcoming Eye Matter Zoom events
Keep up-to-date with our activities here.
Highlights include:
Tuesday 30th September: 6pm fun and friendly social followed at 7pm by a concert by our members, amazing jazz singer-songwriter, Katriona Taylor, with jazz musician, Duncan Clarke. come and enjoy the talent of Katrina and Duncan at this exclusive concert just for Eye Matter.
Eye Matter Singers🎶 join in the fun every Monday between 6pm-7pm.culminating in our in-person concert on Saturday, 6th December in London.
All members welcome; there are no auditions as the singers sing for fun and well-being.
We will be learning a wonderful selection of upbeat festive songs so please come and join in the fun.
Bookworms returns Wednesday 8th October at 11am, on Zoom.
Eight members joined our September Bookworms to discuss The Afghan by Frederick Forsyth marking it 7 out of 10. For some it was enjoyable whereas for others it was too full of intricate weapon descriptions and muddled plots.
Next month’s Bookworms, will be hosted by the lovely queen Sarah, and will discuss “To Kill a Mockingbird” by Harper Lee.
Even if you haven’t read the whole book, didn’t like it or just enjoy listening to others, come along to this friendly, relaxed session and let us know your choice for next time.
all of our books are available on the RNIB Reading Services as a downloadable audio book. Please contact RNIB directly for more information.
Please check out our list of future books and our past Bookworms:
Eye Matter Outings
Find all our events here
We still have a few places available for the following events:
1. “Turning Surviving into Thriving, an in-person workshop about grief and loss hosted by the brilliant Johanna Williams.
When: Sunday, 5th October, 2pm-5pm.
Where: Somers Town Living Centre, NW1 1DF.
Meet and greet: 1:30pm at St Pancras International Midland Road Exit by the Thameslink barriers.
The value of community
Research has found that a key component in building resilience after a traumatic loss is peer support and connection to community. Community is not a magic wand but can provide a sense of connection, belonging and safety, as well as practical support.
In this special in-person workshop, there will be the chance to share experiences with your peers and reflect on ways of building and maintaining a community that works for you.
A second fully trained counsellor, specialising in visual impairment and neurodiversity, will also be attending the session to gain further experience in group work.
2. The King’s Gallery, Royal Collection Trust
When: Tuesday, 14th October at 10am
Meet and greet: 9:30am at Green Park station (Jubilee, Victoria and Piccadilly lines) Buckingham Palace exit.
Enjoy a fascinating audio described tour exploring the opulence and glamour of the Edwardian era. More than 300 objects from the Royal Collection will be on display, many for the first time, including works by renowned artists including Carl Fabergé, Frederic Leighton, Edward Burne-Jones, Laurits Tuxen, John Singer Sargent and William Morris.
To book your tickets for either or both events, please email: suzie@eyematter.org.uk.
Tickets are £5 voluntary donation.
Eye Matter’s volunteering opportunities
● Eye Matter encourages peer support amongst its members.
● No experience is necessary
● Provides work experience within a safe environment.
● All work is done through Zoom or on a phone (unless stated otherwise).
● You will learn to work both independently and as part of a team.
● These roles are for anyone who wants to support others or upskill for future employment opportunities
● Training is provided
Voiceover training
● Required participation of six (one hour) sessions over six weeks.
● An alternative number is required (preferably a land line).
Click here to read the testimonials of members who have benefitted from this project.
Members Outreach Programme
● coordinated by Eye Matter’s member liaison officer, the wonderful Irena Valchera.
● This role includes assisting Irena to reach out to our ever-growing membership.
● Check on their wellbeing, confirm their continued interest in membership, and ensure that they are able to join our Zoom sessions.
● Minimum commitment of one call per week.
If you are interested in any of these opportunities, please email suzie@eyematter.org.uk
Special features
Exclusive Eye Matter merchandise
As part of our health and wellbeing fundraising campaign we are launching branded t-shirts to support this initiative
Black V neck t-shirt.
in size S-XXXL
£10
Description:
● The design on its front is on the left breast (printed in yellow), saying ‘Eye Matter empowering people with visual impairment’.
● Below this statement is the Eye Matter Eye logo. (on the left breast).
● A larger yellow print of the logo appears on the back of the t-shirt.
Polo shirts
in size S – L
£12
Description:
● There are two colours, yellow and black.
● They are collared with two small buttons.
● On the left breast (printed in either yellow or black) according to shirts main colour, is written, ‘Eye Matter empowering people with visual impairment’.
● Below this statement is the Eye Matter Eye logo.
Wear your t-shirt with pride at being part of the fastest growing charity offering such an array of activities all across the UK.
Sizes are limited so be sure to send us your choice soon.
To place your order please include style, colour (if applicable), quantity and size.
All proceeds from these sales go directly to Eye Matter.
Please email: suzie@eyematter.org.uk
Please click here to see images of the t-shirts on Facebook:
Exploring the joys of Brigadoon.
“This was a truly outstanding production, and we feel very lucky to have been part of it.”
Suzie Simons (Eye Matter’s Founder) writing to the company involved in Brigadoon which was staged in Regents Park open air theatre exclaimed, “a heartfelt thank you on behalf of Eye Matter for the incredible experience we had at your production of Brigadoon on Saturday 6th September. We brought a group of 30 people, and every single one of us was truly moved by the performance.”
From the brilliantly organised pre-show touch tour and the generous number of cast members who joined us, to Jo and Nai’s vivid and engaging audio descriptions — the entire day was run seamlessly. We were so grateful for the extra special care and attention shown to our group throughout.
Suzie continues,” The script and score were simply beautiful and brought many of our members to tears. It was a deeply emotional and memorable experience for all of us, and we can’t thank you enough for such a wonderful treat.”
There was a special appreciation for Felix, “who went above and beyond to support us on the day. From helping reserve lunch tables to assisting with finding participants. your thoughtful support allowed me to enjoy the day alongside our members — which made a world of difference.”
Eye Matter’s carriage awaits!
On Monday 1st September, Eye Matter visited The Royal Mews
Vicky and other members, were described the differences between, ’The old but very beautiful coronation coach and the modern lighter coach built for the  late Queen’s Golden Jubilee.’ Along with a beautiful Bentley car and two of the large horses.
Vicky added, ‘There was great description provided by Catherine who was able to answer an array of questions from Eye Matter.’
Click here to read the full article.
Click here for the full photo folder from this event.
(Please note these images are not described at the moment)
The impact of audio description from a describer’s perspective.
Fiona chatted with Jonathon Nash from Sightlines Audio Description Services.
Jonathon’s initial encounter with audio description occurred nearly ten years after its first appearance at The Theatre Royal, Windsor in 1988. Whilst working as Front-of-House Manager at the Oxford Playhouse he was introduced to Diane Hull from the London Audio Descriptive Service. Diane was credited within The International Television Commission’s ‘ITC Guidance On The Standards Of Delivery For Audio Description May 2000. Delighted to take part in one of the UK’s first workshops, he explained that “The Oxford Playhouse was always progressive and at the heart of new developments in the arts and so I was sent on a training course in 1992.”
Usually, Jonathon visits a show within its opening week where he makes copious notes about the different sets, costumes and characters. Although the voice tone may have evolved their role as an observer, rather than a storyteller, remains revealing, “Whilst I would love to include every visual detail, because AD is adding another layer of information, I remain mindful not to overload anyone with unnecessary content deflecting from the performance.”
Improved access to musicals has created interpretations of dance moves being delivered without disturbing the performances musicality, explaining “Now I describe opera, ballet and contemporary dance, circus, live events and even burlesque.”
Recounting one strange memory, at the touch tour for ‘the National Theatres tour of ‘Curious Incident of the Dog in The Night-time’, “Around sixteen visually impaired (VI) people, including three white Labrador assistance dogs, were making their way off stage, through the wings, when we were confronted by the ‘dead dog’ from the title, speared by a garden fork. I had assumed, wrongly as it turned out, that this was a man-made stage prop, until all the assistance dogs were drawn to it, and began sniffing! realisation soon dawned that this was a taxidermy white Labrador, one of their own. Clearly if I had realised this in advance, I would have asked for it to be taken away from view during the tour!”
Finally, Jonathan explained his idea to engage key cast members into AD, “written as a collaboration with the describer, using their character’s voice, to allow vi people to identify specific voices on stage.”
Please click here to read the full article.
Blind entrepreneur Martin Fleming from Norfolk has created a unique dating platform
After an Expression of Interest’ was posted on Facebook for a unique dating website, I tracked down its creator Martin, from Spectrom Connect CIC, to find out more.
Martin Fleming from Norfolk who was born blind, has been developing his career as a “transformational coach, helping professionals navigate significant life changes and finding their passion”, alongside developing his software skills. The fusion of these two elements, together with the difficulties he experienced in accessing dating platforms has created a new dating website specifically for blind and partially sighted people. The spelling of “Spectrum” contains the rom from romance, emphasizing the desire to reach out to a wider community.
Martin explained “It’s a strange irony that in our hyper-connected world, true, authentic connection can feel harder to find than ever. This is especially true for the millions of us living with a visual impairment or other disability. The modern digital world, particularly the landscape of dating and friendship apps, was simply not built with us in mind.”
According to national data (listed 2023) there are just under 270,000 people identified as blind and partially sighted. However, the RNIB have estimated 2 million people are currently living with sight-loss (severe enough to impact their lives) but not necessarily registered with a local authority.
Suzie Simons (Eye Matter’s Founder) admitted that she is regularly asked how can her members find a partner?
He continues, “Our vision is to create a space where everyone is valued for who they are. We are replacing superficiality with an audio-first philosophy.”
Click here to read the full article: Follow the journey here:
Or contact Martin directly:
Important RNIB survey.
On 3rd September the RNIB opened their second stage survey aimed at reshaping services and support for blind and partially sighted people. Within this survey are questions around what areas should they support, the importance of collating adequate and relative statistics about sight-loss and whether they should continue some of their provisions. Therefore, it is vital that everyone takes part in this survey to ensure our voices are heard within these changes.
For more information about this survey and to take part please click here.