Welcome to Eye Matter Matters issue 25. 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:
- Nicky Newport completed swimming The Channel for Eye Matter
Eye Matter Zoom events
- “Sing into Spring” with The Eye Matter Singers
- Eye Matter’s “Living Well with Sight Loss” course
Eye Matter Outings
- “Neurobics” with Steve Wax.
- Eye Matter meets Visually Impaired residents in Hounslow
- 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
- Eye Matter’s Third Annual Sports Taster Day and Social
Special Features
- Please support our fantastic work by nominating Eye Matter for this award
- Well done to Charu and her team of Trainers
- Eye Matter’s volunteering opportunities
- Hangloose adventures on the high ropes!
- Toys and games with Eye Matter
Nicky Newport completed swimming The Channel for Eye Matter
Congratulations to Nicky Newport who has completed her 22-mile swim and arrived in France. We are so proud of her and delighted she has raised over £700 for Eye Matter. Nicky and Eye Matter would really appreciate your support. Please continue to sponsor her.
https://www.justgiving.com/campaign/nickynewportswimsforeyematter
Eye Matter Zoom events
Keep up to date with our activities here.
Highlights include:
“Sing into Spring” with The Eye Matter Singers🎶
Sessions will run every Monday for 11 weeks and Wednesday 28th May 6pm to 7pm. A performance will take place on Saturday 31st May (this is optional).
These sessions are aimed at all levels and abilities of singing as a fun, social programme.
Eye Matter’s “Living Well with Sight Loss” course.
Our free and informal Zoom based Living Well with Sight Loss course is an ideal way to help you adjust to your sight condition, increase your independence, and grow your confidence.
Thursday 15th May 11am to 1pm
Thursday 22nd May 11am to 1pm
Thursday 29th May 11am to 1pm
Thursday 5th June 11am to 1pm
Thursday 12th June 11am to 1pm
Thursday 19th June11am to 1pm
For more information, please contact Suzie on 07968722664 or email suzie@eyematter.org.uk with the subject ‘living well with sight loss’
These series of Workshops provide a range of guest speakers along with a chance to meet and share experiences with other people in similar situations, boost your confidence and gain practical advice. Resources include Transport for London Accessibility speaker; low vision advice; welfare rights; sports and leisure opportunities; rehabilitation and ECLOs; mental health well-being session; resource centre with everyday gadgets.
Eye Matter Outings
Find all our events here
Highlights include:
Here are the outings and events available for Eye Matter members:
“Neurobics” with Steve Wax.
In partnership with Hounslow Council, RNIB, and The Middlesex Association for the Blind.
Thursday 8th May time 2pm to 4pm
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.
Eye Matter meets Visually Impaired residents in Hounslow Wednesday, 21st May 2025 at 11:00 AM- 3:00 PM Hounslow House, 7 Bath Road, Hounslow, TW3 3EB
This initiative is the result of a partnership between Hounslow Council, the Royal National Institute of Blind People (RNIB), and the Middlesex Association for the Blind (MAB), all dedicated to enhancing the lives of VI residents.
The event is a great opportunity to explore a wealth of information, celebrate the work of the partnership, and connect directly with charities, services, and community organisations. Whether you’re looking for assistive technology, daily living aids, peer support, or expert guidance—there will be something for everyone. The event will also include guest speakers, information stalls from specialist organisations, and an overview of the support developed through the partnership project. You can RSVP or find out more by visiting our Eventbrite page: Click here to view the event details and RSVP
Please come over to our stall and say hello.
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.
Click here for more information
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 Liverpool Street Station at 12:50pm
Tickets cost £30 – this covers the train from Liverpool Street to Ware, only paying from zone 6, the minibus from Ware to the Gardens, entrance to the gardens and the return travel to Liverpool Street. Sighted guides will need to have a ticket to cover them from Liverpool Street 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, 2pm
Meet and Greet at Marble Arch Station Oxford Street exit at 1:30pm
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.
Eye Matter’s Third Annual Sports Taster Day and Social
In collaboration with Metro Blind Sport and Illuminate Freedom Health and Well-Being
Islington Tennis Centre and Gym, Market Rd, London N7 9PL
Over 18s only.
Saturday 19th July 2025 – 10am to 4pm
Meet and greet at 9:30am at Caledonian Road Underground Station
Tickets £10 – including a halal lunch from Tripoli Express.
All abilities welcome. Volunteers will be on hand along with different coaches to provide instruction in each sport. For a taster of VI tennis and VI football, with an audio described warm-up and cool-down with Illuminate Freedom Health and Well-Being. We have some more sports in the pipeline but cannot release information about these yet.
There will be food from a Lebanese food truck available for lunch with wraps of chicken, halloumi or falafel options and sides of fries and a soft drink. When booking your place, please let us know your preference.
To book any Eye Matter outings please email suzie@eyematter.org.uk stating clearly which event and how many tickets you require.
Special features
Please support our fantastic work by nominating Eye Matter for this award:
Every year the Benefact Trust (part of the Benefact Groups supports hundreds of projects, please ensure Eye Matter is part of this award.
Well done to Charu and her team of Trainers.
Peer support iPhone training 2025.
Charu has led another successful series of iPhone training; Charlotte expressed her appreciation; “thank you very much for arranging iPhone training for me. I’m very pleased with the training I’ve had, and also the trainer. I feel he should be awarded a medal for his patience!”
Eye Matter is so grateful to Bakul and other members, who responded to our most recent initiative to encourage peer support. Each trainer receives prior training from Cheru and continuous support throughout the programme. These sessions are delivered for one hour over a six-week period, on an additional phone-line, at a convenient time.
Shahid also completed his training with Alan and this is his feedback; “Thank you very much for this opportunity. I am very pleased with Alan. He has been an amazing trainer, and I have gained a lot of confidence with my iPhone. I will definitely get back if I need any more training in the future. Thank you once again for your support Eye Matter.”
Eugene acknowledged the support from Trainer Tahira, “permit me to say a big Thank You for the voice over training sessions. You were supportive, patient and kind. I found the training very useful. Please convey my appreciation to Charu and the Eye Matter Team.”
Often receiving the right support can be life changing as seen here in Angelas review on her training with Tahira. “Thank you! Thank you! Thank you! Mere words cannot express how grateful I am to you.”
Jennifer added, “Just to say thank you so much for the lessons. It has given me a real insight into how the phone works.”
Click here for the full article:
Eye Matter’s volunteering opportunities
Voiceover training volunteers
We are seeking confident iPhone and Android users within our membership who are interested in sharing their skills with other visually impaired individuals. To support this initiative, we are excited to introduce our Volunteer VoiceOver Training Manager, Charu Bansal, alongside volunteer IT Trainer Jackie Brown, who will facilitate a short training programme designed to enhance your teaching abilities.
Outreach Programme
We are pleased to be promoting this volunteering opportunity at Eye Matter.
We are continuing our member outreach programme, which is being coordinated by our wonderful volunteer Irena Valchera, our member liaison officer. We are seeking more volunteers to assist Irena in reaching out to our members to ensure they are doing well, confirm their continued interest in membership, and ensure that they are able to join our Zoom sessions.
If you would like to support Irena, even committing to make one call per week would be beneficial. If you are able to contribute more time, that would be greatly appreciated. Volunteers will receive basic training for this role.
To join our member outreach team, please email suzie@eyematter.org.uk with the subject line “Outreach Volunteer.”
Thank you for considering this opportunity to support our community!
Hangloose adventures on the high ropes!
Suzie Simon’s (Eye Matter’s founder) wrote an appreciation message to #HANGLOOSEADVENTURE #HANGLOOSEBLUEWATER. “On Saturday 26th April, Eye Matter brought 20 members to Hangloose Adventure Bluewater. Our group included 12 visually impaired participants, 8 sighted guides, and one wheelchair user.
From the moment we arrived, your team were outstanding—kind, patient, enabling, and never patronising. You made sure that every individual could take part in the activities in a way that suited them, and it was truly heartwarming to witness such inclusive support.” Hangloose provided a chance for everyone, including our wheelchair user to access their activities “she was hoisted up upon the Zip Wire, to take part alongside her friends—a moment that was particularly special for her and for all of us to share.”
Eye Matter’s member, Paula congratulated their planning and organisation, “The event was fun and very scary, and I got as much out of it as was humanly possible for me. People were friendly and conversational, that includes VI’s, staff at Hangloose and guides.
Miles one of Eye Matter’s new sighted guides, expressed his admiration of both the organisation behind the event and being part of such a positive charity supporting those with sight loss: “I was paired with Rachael. Her resilience to combat her personal fears of the zip line was totally awe inspiring. For me the highlight of watching a visually impaired person tackling the challenges that they faced while traversing through the high ropes was an absolute inspiration. I just cannot comprehend how people who don’t know what’s in front of them will place 1 foot in front of the other based on the advice given from someone they have only just met. However, Rachael did this with grace and confidence and was a true inspiration to watch. I feel she is a great example of the entire day and at one stage, she brought a tear to my eye as I was just so proud of her, and her achievement of combating the high ropes.”
To see Suzie on the Zip Wire click here:
Toys and games with Eye Matter.
“It was a grey old day, it looked like rain
But you were laughing all the same”
Puddle by Kae Tempest
This month’s “Poetry Appreciation” theme (lead by Diana Bramson,) was based on ‘Toys and games. Members were encouraged to explore their personal experiences from childhood after hearing another fantastic range of carefully selected poems. Again, these included a wide ecliptic genre from 18th century poets to American contributions: Puddle by Kae Tempest, Loss of the Lego by Pam Ayres, Block City by Robert Louis Stevenson, The Toy Eater by Shel Silverstein
Suzie Simons, (Eye Matters Founder) said, “The poems were fun and playful. Members explored and shared personal experiences from their childhood reflecting how often the joy of play is lost within adulthood. It was a light-hearted and incredibly fun session.”
Eye Matter member Malcolm admitted, “it was his favourite session each month and this week was particularly fun.”.
After each session Eye Matter distributes both the selected poems and those written by participating members. Please email us if you would like to join our next session.