Welcome to Eye Matter Matters issue 31. 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 contact Fiona at: fiona.musgrove@yahoo.co.uk
This edition includes:
Eye Matter Zoom events
- Bounce into September- from 11am Wednesday 17th September
- Eye Matter Outings
- Join us in September for our first Hyde Park Community Fun Run and Picnic
- An audio described performance of My Neighbour Totoro
Eye Matter’s volunteering opportunities
- Hyde Park Community Fun Run and Picnic
- Voiceover training
- Members Outreach Programme
Special Features
- The empowerment and fun at Eye Matter’s PGL Adventure week 2025.
- So who got the hump at London Zoo?
- All aboard the magical bus to meet Harry Potter
- Famous Blind people: John Fielding (1721-1780)
- Clive’s great advice for 50% special subsidies for VIP rail travel across the UK.
- National Eye Health week from 22nd September 2025.
- UK government is testing the Emergency Alerts system on Sunday 7 September 2025 at 3pm.
Eye Matter Zoom events
Keep up to date with our activities here.
Highlights include:
Bounce
From glasses to DIY, Bounce leapt into action.
On Wednesday, 9th July 2025 Eye Matter’s Bounce discussed issues relating to living with sight loss and a variety of helpful tips.
The first discussion concerned the merits of the “In Vision” glasses which are based on Google glass. A major consideration in comparison to other products, such as the meta Rayban glasses is the substantial price tag which according to the website, starts at £2,758.80 excluding shipping. This is in comparison to the Meta Rayban glasses which are available at £299 from a myriad of retailers. Whereas others asked, “is there a Talking air fryer and DIY tools?”
Click the following link to Access the Bounce back catalogue https://www.eyematter.org.uk/bounce-notes/
Please join us at 11am via Zoom on Wednesday, 17th September for our next Bounce.
Eye Matter Outings
Find all our events here
Highlights include:
‘Let’s move together to support mental health in our community.’
● Saturday, 13th September 2025
● Hyde Park, London
● Starting at 11:00 AM
● Choose 1K or 5K distance
● Run, Walk, Wheel, or Dance – it’s up to you!
● Entry: £10 per person
● Optional Eye Matter T-shirts – £10 each (Available in Small, Medium, Large)
● Bring your family and friends to participate or cheer you on!
● bring your own lunch or snacks and enjoy the day with fellow participants! We’ll be providing water and fruit to keep everyone refreshed!
Get Sponsored!
● Help raise funds for mental health support at Eye Matter by getting sponsored for your challenge.
● Once registered you will receive a link to our exclusive Just Giving page for this challenge to share on your networks.
● Please send us photos of your training preparations and images from the event.
To book your place or for more information please email: suzie@eyematter.org.uk with subject ‘Fun Run’.
To read more on our Facebook page please click here.
An audio described performance of My Neighbour Totoro
- At the Gillian Lynne Theatre
- On Saturday 11th October
- Meet and greet at Tottenham Court Road Station at 11:40am
- Touch tour 12pm
- Tickets are £25
- Please bring a picnic to have after the touch tour, before the performance
This “utterly beguiling” and “jaw-dropping” staging of the celebrated 1988 animated feature film is brought to you by the Royal Shakespeare Company and Executive Producer Joe Hisaishi and adapted by Tom Morton-Smith.
Hailed as “a tender and remarkably beautiful show”. My Neighbour Totoro is an enchanting coming-of-age story exploring the magical fantasy world of childhood and the transformative power of imagination, as it follows one extraordinary summer in the lives of sisters Satsuki and Mei.
- Run time: Approx. 2 hours 30 minutes, including a 20-minute interval
- CONTENT WARNING: This production contains live music, some loud noises, some scenes are set in a hospital with a sick parent and some very large puppets. There are pyrotechnics, smoke, and haze.
To book any Eye Matter outings please email suzie@eyematter.org.uk stating clearly which event and how many tickets you require.
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
Hyde Park Community Fun Run and Picnic
- Guide runners, stewards and first aiders.
Join us for a community picnic in the park – bring your own lunch or snacks and enjoy the day with fellow participants! We’ll be providing water and fruit to keep everyone refreshed!
- Saturday, 13th September 2025
- Hyde Park, London
- Starting at 11:00 AM
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 volunteer 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
The empowerment and fun at Eye Matter’s PGL Adventure week 2025.
On Monday 25th August 2025 27 Eye Matter members and volunteers set off for the Sussex based PGL adventure park, on-board a private coach from London.
Clive A said, ““I felt part of an amazing family of lovely people who all embrace the challenges of living with a visual impairment. As a newcomer into this world, it has been enlightening to discover how everyone embraces the day-to-day challenges with a smile on their face. The organisation was great giving us an opportunity to discover all the different activities with the guidance of the PGL instructors & our team leaders.”
Once at the park the large group was divided into several smaller teams which were supported by PGL instructors and Eye Matter volunteers. This allowed all participants to engage in a wide variety of activities. Ibrahim continued, “What a fantastic time I had on this holiday. It was a wonderful experience and a great opportunity for me to relax, unwind and have some fun. I’ve made some wonderful new friends; had some great experiences and it’s been a throwback to activities I did as a child and have Long since wanted to do but never had the opportunity before meeting Eye Matter.”
Hayley D commented, “I’m so delighted to be a part of Eye Matter with whom I had such an amazing time! I thoroughly enjoyed being in the company of all those I encountered and for all those that I didn’t encounter as much I look forward to getting to know you in the future. I can’t wait till next year. I have some wonderful memories that I will take with me for the rest of my days.”
For some members, like Darren V, this was his second visit with Eye Matter, “I have had a fantastic time meeting new friends as well as meeting up with old ones. A very big thank you to Suzie and all of the helpers including all the staff at PGL for making our stay such a fantastic time.”
Suzie Simons (Eye Matter’s founder) in responding to the PGL WhatsApp group said,,”Thank you so much for sharing an amazing few days with us, pushing yourself out of your comfort zone, pushing the boundaries and for some, doing things you never thought possible.”
Please click here for our videos:
Please click here to read the full article:
Please click here to read more from our ‘Events Testimonial’ page:
So who got the hump at London Zoo?
-Camels, parrots and of course exotic flamingos, all stared in amazement at Eye Matter!
On Wednesday 20 August Eye Matter took 32 of its members and sighted guides to London Zoo. After managing to get all aboard one public bus and despite being disappointed that there were not enough headsets for everyone, they were soon divided into two groups.
New member Hannah left us a voice message, “It was my first time with Eye Matter attending an in-person event and I was really grateful to be met at the railway station. I really enjoyed the experience of us all travelling together on a bus and getting to know some of its members who were all so friendly. It was so interesting to hear about the different reptiles, animals and birds within the Zoo. We had a very knowledgeable guide who gave us so many interesting facts and it was great to feel real camel fur – it was so soft, nothing like I thought it would be! I felt also felt very honoured to be able to calculate a parrot’s wingspan, purely by touch, of its tail feathers. I was exhilarated in overcoming my apprehensions about going near goats. In fact, feeding and petting these pygmy goats was one of the day’s highlights for me. It was such an amazing, lovely day and so looking forward to my next adventure with Eye Matter!”
Jay said, “A big thank you to all the wonderful volunteers, administrators and members of Eye Matter for making the trip to London Zoo so enjoyable and well organised. I truly appreciated all your help and support.”
Please click here for the full article and photos.
All aboard the magical bus to meet Harry Potter
On Wednesday 13th August, Eye Matter joined an audio‑described tour at the Harry Potter Studios based in Watford, Hertfordshire.
Suzie Simons (Eye Matter’s founder) said, “Alka, Connor, and Erin made such a remarkable difference as our tour guides. Their expertise in the Harry Potter universe, vivid descriptions, and inclusion of tactile elements created a truly immersive and accessible experience for our visually impaired members. Their guidance—plus assistance with organising lunch and invaluable support from other team members—enriched our visit immeasurably.”
Jade said, “I went to the Harry Potter studio tour this week and it was fantastic! Our tour guide, Connor, deserves an award for how helpful he was! He went into so much detail, showed us so many different props and things. It was magical and incredible! I would definitely recommend this tour.”
Nicky Newport exclaimed, “Harry Potter was fab, and I liked the butter beer.”
As if by magic in response to Elsie’s disappointment, “Wow! Wish I had been able to go.” Suzie waved her magic wand announcing, “We genuinely look forward to joining another fantastic audio‑described tour in the future.”
Please click here to read the full article and photos.
Famous Blind people: John Fielding (1721-1780)
This is the third episode from Blind Lives featuring famous blind people from the past.
John Fielding was born on 16 September 1721, most likely in Blenheim Street, London. At some time John was said to have served in the Royal Navy. For many years, due to poor sight, he was under the care of an eye Surgeon James Wilkie. However, when a bodged operation (1740) left him unable to pursue his naval career he was awarded compensation of around £500.
In 1750, John, along with his half-brother Henry, formed ‘The University Registry Office’ more commonly referred to as an employment exchange service. During this period Henry, who by now was a magistrate, engaged John, to investigate corruption and improve the competence of those delivering justice in London. Together they formed the first Police Force ‘Bow Street Runners’. John was also responsible for creating the first Police Criminal Records department by circulating known criminal activities through a regular Police Gazette.
Following Henrys death (1754) John took over as Magistrate at Bow Street where he became known as the ‘Blind Beak’ allegedly able to distinguish voices of over 3000 renowned criminals in his area. He continued to improve employment for young people and encourage various crime prevention projects.
Please click here to read the full article.
Join ‘Blind Lives’ Facebook page where Next time we will be exploring the rather colourful life of John Milton.
Clive’s great advice for 50% special subsidies for VIP rail travel across the UK.
Through Eye Matter’s array of on-line and in-person events, members are encouraged to utilise this vital peer support network to discuss personal ideas and opinions on services. Whilst attending our PGL holiday in Sussex Clive shared his experience of using the 50% rail discount awarded to blind travellers with a companion. Unlike the London based Freedom pass this is a national subsidy and covers both standard and first class tickets..
Please click here to find out more.
If you access this subsidy, as a result of this article, please share your experience here with other members.
Please click here to read the full article.
National Eye Health week from 22nd September 2025.
For the past few years a National Eye Health week has been organised to raise awareness of sight loss in the UK. Over 2 million people are known to be living with sight loss which impacts their everyday life. It is suggested that half of these could have been avoided or at least delayed by regular screening.
Each year charities, health professionals and organisations come together to encourage better eye health care across the UK. This year there is a chance to experience sight loss through a new E: simulator of conditions such as Glaucoma, and cataract.
https://www.visionmatters.org.uk/home/e-vision-simulator
If you are experiencing sight loss or finding it difficult to accept its impact Eye Matter is running an in-person group therapy session in October alongside twice monthly on-line, ‘Surviving to Thriving ‘grief counselling. Both are facilitated by Joanna Williams who has over 7 years’ experience as a therapist. If you would like more information about Eye Matter please click here:
UK government is testing the Emergency Alerts system on Sunday 7 September 2025 at 3pm.
Your mobile phone or tablet will vibrate and make a loud siren-like sound, even if it’s set on silent. The alert message will confirm this is a test and that you do not need to take any further action. Regular testing ensures the system is functioning correctly, should it need to be used in a life-threatening emergency.
Find out more at gov.uk/alerts.
You can opt out of the Emergency Alerts, including the national test, but you should keep them switched on for your own safety. Emergency Alerts will warn you via your mobile or tablet if there’s a life-threatening emergency nearby. Only the government and the emergency services are able to send them. There are simple and effective steps we can all take to be more prepared for an emergency. Visit gov.uk/prepare for advice on how you can prepare