Welcome to Eye Matter Matters issue 23. 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 contributed by Fiona Musgrove. If you would like to contribute an article to a future edition, please contact Fiona at: fiona.musgrove@yahoo.co.uk
This edition includes:
- Join Eye Matter as Our Treasurer Trustee.
- Eye Matter iPhone voiceover training opportunities
Eye Matter Zoom events
- Our “Bookworm” is on the move to the first Wednesday of each month.
- The changing seasons within our cathartic writing course.
- Mental Health Wellbeing Blog
- “Sing into Spring” with The Eye Matter Singers🎶
Eye Matter Outings
- “Hair and Care Visit
- Hangloose ZipWire and Treetop adventure
- “Neurobics” with Steve Wax.
- Sight Village Glasgow
- Eye Matter Spring Concert with the Eye Matter Singers.
- Henry Moore Studios and Gardens- A private audio described tour.
- An audio described tour to Frameless
Special Features
- Calais on the horizon as Nicky crosses the14 miles mark in the North Sea.
- Are blind people being kept in the dark?
- So, let’s groove tonight in Zumba with Louise.
- “Stranger Things” happen at Eye Matter!
- Our life online.
- A poet and did he know it?
Join Eye Matter as Our Treasurer Trustee.
March 2025
- Are you passionate about making a difference in the lives of visually impaired people?
- Do you have financial expertise and a keen eye for detail?
- Can you spare a few hours each week?
- Do you want some accounting experience?
Eye Matter a charity dedicated to empowering people with sight loss) has expanded its membership reach and activities in 2025 and subsequently, is now looking for another dynamic person to join our board of Trustees. Currently there are five board members all fulfilling different roles within the charity under the Chairship of Suzie Simons.
If you would like to know more, please email: suzie@eyematter.org.uk
iPhone voiceover training opportunities
Eye Matter is delighted to offer iPhone voice over training to its members. We will provide six sessions over a period of six weeks and each session would be for an hour. You would need an alternate number, preferably a landline number in order to carry out the sessions. If you are struggling while using your iPhone, then this training is for you. To join iPhone VoiceOver training please email suzie@eyematter.org.uk with the subject iPhone VoiceOver.
Eye Matter Zoom events
Keep up to date with our activities here.
Highlights include:
Our “Bookworms” is on the move to the first Wednesday of each month.
Eye Matter’s book club (Bookworm) is being moved from the last Wednesday of the month to the first Wednesday of the month, with immediate effect. Therefore, the next book club will be, live on Zoom, on the 7th May A murder is announced by Agatha Christie.
It will be hosted by the gorgeous Queen Sarah. All books are selected from the RNIB’s Reading Service and downloaded straight to smart phones.
If you would like to read our previous choices, please click here:
The changing seasons within our cathartic writing course.
Session 3: Friday 11th April from 11am.
At our March session, Joanna Barnard read a number of short passages which related to the theme of “The Seasons”. The group discussed their feelings about these examples and how they felt about the effect of each changing season. In addition to the current theme Jo encourages members to contribute writings based on the previous session which was “Love”. At next month’s session we will hear how members are inspired from the discussed pieces and their own personal interpretations of the changing seasons. Join us again on Friday 11th April at 11am for 90 minutes live on Zoom.
Writing Prompts:
🌼 Write about your favourite season and why you like it
🌼 If you were a season, which would you be? Why? What about the people close to you?
🌼 Write a story about any two of the seasons meeting
🌼 If you could spend spring anywhere in the world, where would it be?
🌼 What is your favourite way to spend a rainy day?
🌼 How are you feeling going into a new season?
🌼 Spring is the perfect time for…
Please send your contributions to Jo by Wednesday 9th April:
To read the full article please click here:
Mental Health Wellbeing Blog by Joanna
Please don’t forget to check this out. We now have 15 editions, please use the below link to read.
“Sing into Spring” with The Eye Matter Singers🎶
Eye Matter were delighted with the initial response from members who joined their first practice session on Monday 17th March as part of a 12-week programme culminating in an in-person event on Saturday 31st May.
People from all across the UK joined Choir Mistress Rachel to discuss the range of songs intended to entertain Eye Matter members. These sessions are aimed at all levels and abilities of singing as a fun, social programme. Attendance at the spring concert is optional.
Rachel explained, “We will be learning a wonderful selection of upbeat songs including: “Walking On Sunshine”, “Dancing In the Street”, “Oh What A Night” and many more.” Sessions will run every Monday for 11 weeks and Wednesday 28th May 6pm to 7pm.
Eye Matter Outings
Find all our events here
Highlights include:
Here are the outings and events available for Eye Matter members:
Sight Village Wales
Tuesday 8th April from 10am.
At the All Nations Centre, Cardiff CF14 3N
Suzie will be appearing at this Sight Village which is part of a national programme delivering the UK’s leading exhibitions providing an integral part of the blind and low vision landscape. It attracts thousands of visitors eager to explore the latest technology, products and support services.
Hair and Care Visit
Wednesday 9th April 2025
At Hackney Depot
On Wednesday 9th April 3pm to 5pm
Meet and greet and London Fields station at 2:40pm
Founded by international hairstylist Anna Cofone in 2019, Hair & Care supports blind and low vision women and girls with hair care and styling, offering workshops to boost confidence and reduce isolation.
To reserve your place, email suzie@eyematter.org.uk with subject ‘Hair’
Flow Sense Ladies only Research
Thursday 10th April, 11:40am meet and greet
Kings Cross
The session is 12:30pm to 2pm.
We would still love new participants, if you can join us, please get in contact.
Hangloose ZipWire and Treetop adventure
Saturday 26th April. Meet and greet at 10am at St Pancras Station by the Thameslink barrier.
Tickets are £35 per person including both events, or £25 per person for either Zip Lining or Treetop Adventure. If you are traveling with us, travel will cost £7 if you have a freedom pass. If you are a sighted guide, you will need a travelcard to zone 6.
Celebrating Suzie’s birthday with cake and fun! Get set to enjoy fun, thrilling, adrenaline fuelled adventures with the UK’s most exciting Outdoor Adventure company, offering England’s longest zipline, and a brilliant high ropes course Over 720 Metres Long, Over 100 Metres Tall, Reach up to 50 mph! Soar through the skies on England’s longest zipline. At (approximately) 3pm we will be enjoying Hangloose Adventure on the thrilling treetop adventure.
Children over 8 are welcome, must be a minimum of 35kg, and there is a weight maximum of 120kgs.
N/B: Disclaimer: If you bring children to this event, they are your responsibility and not the responsibility of our volunteer sighted guides.
“Neurobics” with Steve Wax.
In partnership with Hounslow Council, RNIB, and The Middlesex Association for the Blind.
Thursday 8th May 2pm to 4pm
At St John Centre, 80 St John’s Road, Isleworth, Middlesex, TW7 6NY
Meet and greet at 1:40pm at Isleworth Station or 1:55pm at the hall.
This is in conjunction with our monthly Zoom sessions. Neurobics is a preventative and rehabilitative treatment programme which supports people to “Challenge the Body, Stimulate the Brain & Lift the Heart”.
Brain and body Fitness has become a vital element for lifelong well-being. As a response, Neurobics can help you to manage, postpone or eliminate cognitive decline. Every day, your brain forms NEW NEURAL CONNECTIONS, provided you give it what it needs. Your brain’s ability to change and grow is called NEUROPLASTICITY. It has been proved that the brain is like “plastic” – it can physically remodel itself. Simple brain-fitness exercises, and being more mindful of various lifestyle habits, are an essential way to slow down cognitive decline, improve brain fitness, and harness the power of the brain’s ability to change! This can help with improving memory, speed of reaction, concentration, focus, sleeping patterns, outside the box thinking, stress management and enabling an overall SHARPER BRAIN.
Sight Village Glasgow
Wednesday 21st May from 10am.
At The Science Centre, Glasgow, Scotland.
Join Eye Natter at the Sight Village who are the UK’s leading exhibitions and an integral part of the blind and low vision landscape. Each year they attract thousands of visitors eager to explore the latest technology, products and support services.
Eye Matter Spring Concert with the Eye Matter Singers.
On Saturday 31st May, 4pm to 6pm
Meet and Greet at St Pancras International Station Midland Road Exit by the Thameslink barrier at 3:30pm.
St Pancras & Somers Town Living Centre,150 Ossulston Street, London NW1 1DF
For twelve weeks our magnificent members have been learning
A variety of upbeat songs including: “Walking On Sunshine”, “Dancing In the Street”, “Oh What A Night” and many more. Spend your afternoon toe tapping along with Eye Matter.
Henry Moore Studios and Gardens- A private audio described tour.
On Thursday 5th June
Meet and greet at Stratford Station at 12:50pm
Tickets cost £30 – this covers the train from Stratford to Ware, only paying from zone 6, the minibus from Ware to the Gardens, entrance to the gardens and the return travel to Stratford. Sighted guides will need to have a ticket to cover them from Stratford to Enfield Lock (zone 6)
Dane Tree House, Perry Green, Much Hadham, Hertfordshire, SG10 6EE
The tour will include some context about the site, house, visit a couple of studios & of course interact with the outdoor sculptures! Experience Henry Moore’s iconic work in the beautiful Hertfordshire countryside with a visit to the artist’s former home, studios and sculpture gardens.
An audio described tour to Frameless
On Thursday 26th June, 1:30pm
Meet and Greet at Marble Arch Station Oxford Street exit at 1pm
Tickets £9
Frameless is redefining the experiential immersive art world. Situated in Marble Arch, they are the largest permanent multi-sensory experience in the UK. Frameless features four galleries and showcases some of the world’s greatest works of art presented in ways never seen before. Where art breaks free.
To book any Eye Matter outings please email suzie@eyematter.org.uk stating clearly which event and how many tickets you require.
Special features
Calais on the horizon as Nicky crosses the 14 miles mark in the North Sea.
With less than10 miles left Nicky is on target to arrive at Calais in April. A huge thanks to everyone who has supported our blind swimmers fundraising efforts to raise over £600 for Eye Matter.
Please dig deep to support Nicky to fundraise for our various activities in 2025. These include theatre trips, a sports day, Zoom events and much more. Nicky is so appreciative of the staff at Forest Hill swimming pool as she continues to simulate 22 miles from Dover to Calais. Please continue to support Nicky.
https://www.justgiving.com/campaign/nickynewportswimsforeyematter
Are blind people being kept in the dark?
There is a lot of speculation and concern, around the changes to new and existing benefits claimed by blind and partially sighted people. Social media continues to provide a range of responses and opinions from organisations and individuals. One person who had been listening live to the Parliamentary announcement was relieved that there were no attempts to means test Personal Independence Payment (PIP). However, this will be of little consequence to over 80,0000 blind and partially sighted people identified by the RNIB a few years ago as still not claiming the correct benefits. Check out the RNIB’s Benefit Checker here:
https://www.rnib.org.uk/living-with-sight-loss/money-and-benefits
It should be noted that it will take about a year for these changes to take place but here is a summary of some of the key elements:
Personal Independence Payments (PIP)
- The payments will go up in line with inflation this year.
- The eligibility criteria will be tightened from November 2026, resulting in reduced payments for many.
- It will become harder to qualify for the daily living component of PIP, which starts at £72.65 a week.
- It is likely there will be more frequent reassessments for people claiming PIP.
- Those with more severe, long-term conditions will no longer face any reassessments, under the proposed reforms.
Work capability assessment
- Under the proposals, the work capability assessment that determines who is eligible for incapacity benefits will end in 2028.
- People applying for health-related financial support and disability benefits will only face one assessment, based on the PIP system.
Incapacity benefits
- Incapacity benefits under universal credit will be frozen from April next year – this means they will not be increased in line with inflation.
- The amount will be reduced for new claimants.
The RNIB have now produced more information here:
https://www.rnib.org.uk/news/changes-to-benefits-and-employment-support-what-you-need-to-know
So, let’s groove tonight in Zumba with Louise.
Illuminate Freedom Ltd was founded in July 2015 and relaunched in 2022 as Illuminate Freedom Health and Well-Being CIC. They aim to support, educate and empower people with sight loss by delivering health and well-being related projects that help to increase people’s confidence and improve their mental health and overall health and well-Being. Their work brings in a range of audio described dance, gentle movement and fitness sessions, social activities and audio description services to inactive and active groups of blind and (VI) visually impaired people, sight loss organisations and arts organisations across London and parts of the United Kingdom.
Louise Dickson, Founder and Artistic Director from Illuminate Freedom Health and Well-Being CIC, explains, “Many studies have shown that individuals who suffer from sight loss or a visual impairment find it more difficult to exercise regularly. A lot of blind and VI people are more likely to be less physically active, often through the lack of suitable activities or the means of accessing them, which can lead to many areas in their lives, including both physical and mental health, being negatively affected. Visually impaired people can and do benefit greatly from having access to regular exercise as it can help to improve physical independence, create better mobility and balance, which can lead to more social inclusion and improved overall mental health and well-being.”
10 members grooved into Zumba on Tuesday 18th March. Join us next month for another lively, fun session filled with laughter, it doesn’t matter whether you have two left feet or are a seasoned Zumba pro! There is something for everyone to enjoy in a session that moves at your own pace.
To read the full article please click here:
“Stranger Things” happen at Eye Matter!
On Sunday 9th March 37 Eye Matter members and volunteers attended the matinee performance of “Stranger Things”, at the Phoenix Theatre, in collaboration with VocalEyes. Before the show Eye Matter were invited on stage to experience the props and even meet cast members before being handed their headsets. Nicky Newport added “thanks for a lovely day at “stranger things” and for getting me out of my comfort zone as that is the first sci-fi play I have seen in a theatre. Big thanks to Tiana and Toni for all their help. Looking forward for the next one.” The actors brought to live the characters through expressions, special effects, lighting, sound and moving around the space in front of the audience. At one point, jumping down into the front row to escape out the back of the theatre
This dynamic access was reflected in the excellent touch tour, allowing members to walk around and feel all the different sets, whilst speaking to many of the cast members and production crew. JJ, one of the costume designers, described the different colours and textures, denoting these ever-changing scenes. Blind and partially sighted visitors were able to handle many of the props worn by the actors including a bone sculptured mask,1950’s styled skirts and felt the weight of a chest piece worn on stage by its main antagonist. One member commented how it was an interesting to feel the braid type bumps on the sole of the sparkling dance shoes worn by the actors to prevent them slipping.
VocalEyes not only provided the audio description but also, delivered a pre-show commentary describing the layout of the stage and on coming scenes, Wearing headsets blind and partially sighted visitors were able to receive live observations of the on-stage activities picking up non-verbal communications, the change of a characters costume and positioning.
To read the full article please click here:
Thanks to Nando’s and SnoZone for making our sledging so special.
New member, Elsie Wilcox said, “This was my very 1st experience with Eye Matter. I’d never done sledging before and didn’t know what to expect.” On Thursday 6th March Eye Matter’s adventure began at Nando’s (Milton Keynes) Suzie Simons (Eye Matters Founder and Project Co-Ordinator) explained, “we brought 24 members (17 visually impaired people and 7 sighted guides) for lunch. We were made so welcome. Most of us pre-ordered food and they called our names which made the process absolutely brilliant! Staff were always on hand to help the visually impaired people refill their drinks, enabling individual payments and assisting where necessary.”
Paul Bepey, another new member commented, “Everything was extremely well organised.” Along with the fabulous team of volunteers Eye Matter is also so appreciative of the businesses who support these trips, such as Nando’s and SnoZone. Elsie agrees, “The Nando’s experience was a 1st too. I found the staff very accommodating. It was an excellent venue to get to know some of the other members before we started.” Suzie continues, “In particular we would like to acknowledge Adam who went above and beyond, to ensure our members had a fantastic meal. We are extremely grateful for helping make this an amazing day out. A huge congratulations to him and his team for really getting it absolutely right.” Irena said, “From start to finish everything clicked like clockwork. Bearing in mind that there were 24 of us so logistically it could have been tricky, but it just went smoothly and most importantly it was fun.”
To Gemma from SnowZone Suzie said, “thank you so much for the incredible support we received, I am so sorry I can’t remember everybody’s names; Michael, Sophie, Veronika, Nathan.” Their attitude was enabling which created confidence in our members.” Irena agreed, “It was absolutely brilliant. A lot of fun going down the hill trying not to crash into the barriers!” Whilst
To read the full article please click here:
Our life online.
In the news this week we heard how one woman took on Meta who own Facebook in relation to their targeting of personal advertisements. The company’s reaction was to state that this is their main income source in keeping the service free for users.
However, is the point that the claimant felt she was being violated by another organisation having access to her personal information a valid point? Eye Matter and the RNIB recently delivered a series of Facebook training sessions which looked at on-line safety for blind and partially sighted users. Amongst areas of concern was the exposure of us and our lives to people who we may not wish to see our life. The importance of knowing how to protect ourselves through raising our privacy settings seems impotent if the provider can share our personal information without our permission through targeted advertisements. Surely just an opt out clause should be considered?
A poet and did he know it?
With the engagement of our monthly Poetry Appreciation and Cathartic Writing sessions isn’t it any wonder we have produced a new poet:
“A lovely young girl from Winchester
Had a poorly foot that did fester
They rubbed it with honey
That cost plenty of money
And she ran off with a Yorkshire Jester”
From Eye Matter member: Malcolm Day.