Welcome to Eye Matter Matters issue number four. This is a fortnightly publication for you to share experiences, engage with our extensive range of activities and learn more about Eye Matter’s objectives for its members. If you would like to contribute an article to a future edition, please contact: fiona@eyematter.org.uk
This edition includes:
Eye Matter Spotlight.
New Surviving to Thriving sessions
Eye Matter’s Living Well with Sight Loss Workshop
Suzie has been nominated for an award.
My personal experience of ‘Just For One Day’.
Future events
- A Confidence Building Afternoon with Eye Matter and friends.
- Eye Matter Singers proudly present our spring concert in loving memory of Davinder Marway.
- An audio described performance of The Constituent
- We still have tickets available for
Future on-line events
- Inspiring Speakers
- Eye Matter’s Living Well with Sight Loss Workshop.
Eye Matter Spotlight
New Surviving to Thriving sessions
Starting Monday 15th April, 1:30pm to 3pm
In these regular workshops, we will explore the nature of grief in the context of any major life change, not just bereavement, and specifically the challenges of living with visual impairment. As well as gaining an understanding of common human responses to loss, we’ll consider aspects of self-care and practical tools to help us navigate life’s more difficult days.
Joanna Williams (Facilitator) is a writer, workshop leader and therapist, specialising in grief and loss. These sessions will not be group therapy but will provide information and ideas, and a space for the sharing of experiences with your peers.
This is a drop-in session. Everyone welcome.
Eye Matter’s Living Well with Sight Loss Workshop hosted by Steve and Danielle
From Thursday 2nd May for 6 weeks 11am to 1pm. Places are limited, please book your place by emailing suzie@eyematter.org.uk with the subject ‘Living Well’
This programme includes guest speakers along with providing opportunities to meet and share experiences with other people in similar situations. Boost your confidence and get practical advice, information, and resources.
We ask that try your best to make all six sessions.
Suzie has been nominated for an award.
RNIB PRESS RELEASE. March 2024
Charity founder from London shortlisted for RNIB See Differently Award
A woman has been shortlisted for an RNIB See Differently Award in recognition of an organisation she founded to provide multi activity, peer support and social inclusion for blind and partially sighted people.
Suzie Simons, who has sight loss and lives in London, has been shortlisted in the Volunteer of the Year category. This award recognises people who have dedicated their time, skills and energy within their community or organisation to have a positive impact on the lives, health, and wellbeing of blind and partially sighted people. To read the full article please check out our Facebook Page or here on Eye Matter’s website.
My personal experience of ‘Just For One Day’.
By Jo Rickless, Eye Matter Volunteer.
Prior to volunteering with Eye Matter, I never had any experience of interacting with blind or visually impaired people. Before I began Suzie gave me some sighted guide training and I have now volunteered at numerous events and I’m on a continuous learning curve.
I was partnered with Fiona for the ‘Just For One Day’ musical at the Old Vic Theatre (near Waterloo), on Monday 18th March. Thirty members and volunteers from Eye Matter participated in a touch tour where they heard details about the show from the main stars before the performance. They were able to touch clothing being worn by the cast and described by the wardrobe department as well as props on the stage.
This highlighted to me how important it is for the visually impaired to have the opportunity to touch, feel and be able to wear audio headphones to bring the show to life.
The cast and music were fab. It was a shame we couldn’t get up and dance!
Future events
All our events are accessed here
Here are a few highlights:
A Confidence Building Afternoon with Eye Matter and friends.
This event is in partnership with Hounslow Council, RNIB, and The Middlesex Association for the Blind.
When: Wednesday 8th May 2pm to 5pm
Meet and Greet at 1:40pm at Feltham Station
Where: Feltham Assembly Hall, Feltham Park, Hounslow Rd, Feltham TW14 9DN
Join us for an afternoon with facilitators Steven George and Victoria Hogg. This event will include a fun-packed session that consists of various drama games and creative exercises to boost confidence and improve interactive skills– and are guaranteed to make you giggle!
For more information email suzie@eyematter.org.uk with subject ‘confidence’
Eye Matter Singers proudly present our spring concert in loving memory of Davinder Marway.
When: Saturday 25th May, 3:30pm to 6pm.
Meet and Greet at St Pancras International Station Midland Road Exit by the Thameslink barrier at 2:50pm
Where: St Pancras & Somers Town Living Centre, 150 Ossulston Street, London NW1 1DF
please come and join us for this fun afternoon featuring popular and contemporary songs.
To book your free tickets or for more information email suzie@eyematter.org.uk with the subject “Singers”
An audio described performance of The Constituent
When: Wednesday 31st July
Performance starts at 7:30pm, Touch Tour 5:30pm
Meet and Greet at Waterloo Station under the clock at 4:50pm
Cost: £22
Where: The Old Vic, 103 The Cut, London SE1 8NB
‘I am not your punch bag! I am a Member of Parliament!’
An MP with an instinct for compassion.
An ex-serviceman with a life in free fall.
And a parliamentary protection officer who’s having none of it.
This volatile new play stars BAFTA Award winner Anna Maxwell Martin (Motherland, Line of Duty) as a hard-working opposition backbencher whose ideals of public office are tested by the demands of a man in crisis, played by Tony, BAFTA and Emmy Award winner James Corden (One Man, Two Guvnors, The History Boys).
For more information or to book your place contact Suzie
suzie@eyematter.org.uk with subject ‘Constituent’
We still have tickets available for:
Sailing Wednesday 17th April £5
Tate Britain Tuesday 23rd April £5
Confidence Building Workshop 8th May £5
Just 6 more tickets left for Spirited Away 23rd May £45
Eye Matter Singers Concert Saturday 25th May FREE
Eye Matter Sports Day Saturday 22nd June £10
Sailing Wednesday 26th June £5
Sailing Wednesday 17th July £5
The Constituent Wednesday 31st July £22
Sailing Wednesday 4th September £5
Sailing Wednesday 2nd October £5
ABBA Voyage Thursday 7th November £27.50
For more information or to book your place contact Suzie
Suzie@eyematter.org.uk with subject [Name of event].
Future on-line events
Keep up to date with our activities here.
Highlights include:
Inspiring Speakers
12th: Fun and friendly social followed by Inspiring Life Talk by Jamie Beddard
Jamie Beddard is Joint Artistic Director of Diverse City and Lead Artist in Extraordinary Bodies. He is a Clore Fellow and a qualified RD1st coach. Recent artistic projects include two Extraordinary Bodies theatre productions; Delicate, (writer and co-director),Waldo’s Circus of Magic and Terror (co-writer with Hattie Naylor), and assistant director on the New Wolsey Theatre production of The Red Lion. Jamie has cerebral palsy CP and this results in some mobility and communication differences.
Every Monday 7pm. Eye Matter Singers
Monday 15th April 1:30pm to 3pm: New Surviving to Thriving facilitated by Joanna Williams.
9th: April: Fun and Friendly social followed by a concert with the amazing Jorgen Hansson.
16th: Fun and Friendly social followed by a music quiz
23rd: Fun and Friendly social followed by audio described chair yoga
30th: Fun and friendly social followed by Neurobics with Steve Wax, aerobics for your brain
Second Wednesday of every month 11am: Bounce – Come and discuss and bounce ideas off each other.
Third Wednesday of every month 11am: VI Cookery, easy and delicious recipes
Last Wednesday of every month 11am: Bookworms, our monthly book club, discussing King Rat by James Clavell.