Welcome to Eye Matter Matters issue 45, our fortnightly publication sharing news and information about events, activities, members’ experiences, and other items of interest. Unless otherwise stated, all articles have been written by Fiona Musgrove. Edited by George Sarcov and Paul Grierson.
To contribute to a future edition, please email: fiona@eyematter.org.uk
This edition includes:
Forthcoming Eye Matter Zoom Events
- Marvellous ME Monday continues with Confidence Coaching delivered by Vic Hogg, which started on the 13th April at 6 pm – A 5-week programme.
- Summer Choir Practice and an introduction to our pianist.
- Living Well with Sight Loss Course There’s still time to enrol on the course which started on 7th May 2026
- Cathartic Writing returns Friday, 22nd May at 12 pm.
Eye Matter Outings
- Eye Matter Sports Day 2026
- Audio Described performance of Avenue Q
- Eye Matter’s third PGL Activity Holiday
Special Features
- Eye Matter Annual Membership; 1st April 2026 – 31st March 2027 is NOW DUE.
- The success of our January concert with Irish singer/songwriter Andrea Begley,
- Welcome and thank you to our volunteers.
- Eye Matter made it to the top of the world’s ninth-largest building.
- March’s ‘Inspiring Speaker’s extraordinary adventures on the high seas and cooking around the world.
- Described as ‘lovingly divine’, Emily once again entertained Eye Matter with an eclectic range of songs.
- Embracing womanhood.
- The UK digital landline switchover is coming.
Forthcoming Eye Matter Zoom events can be viewed here
Marvellous ME Monday continues with Confidence Coaching delivered by
Vic Hogg – which started on the 13th April at 6 pm – A 5-week programme.
What is confidence?
Why is it sometimes hard to find, where to find it and how to hold onto it?
Each session is stand-alone and builds on previous sessions.
Expect neuroscience explanations, useful advice, small discussion groups, audio samples from experts, an improv game or two and a warm atmosphere that will support your understanding of how confidence shows up for you and how you can tap into confidence more regularly. There’ll be elective sharing, practice time, and.
Some feedback from our third session:
Rosy said, “Thank you for Monday’s session. It is good to be in the same room as those going through the same thing and thoughts. Thank you Vic, for a great session.”
Summer choir practice
Our Summer Choir practice started on Wednesday, 29th April at 6 pm, live on Zoom. These 12-week sessions culminate in our Summertime concert in July. There is no obligation to attend the final performance or to have any prior experience. It’s a fun social opportunity to enjoy with your Eye Matter friends. Each session is led by visually impaired Rachel, who will guide singers through repetition and fun each week.
For more about this article and information about our July concert, Click Here
Living Well with Sight Loss Course
There’s still time to enrol on our Living Well with Sight Loss Course which started 7th May 2026 (in partnership with RNIB).
Boost your confidence and get practical advice, information, and resources in this 6-week course, meeting every Thursday at 11 am for 2 hours.
Transport for London Accessibility speaker, low vision advice, understanding welfare rights, sports and leisure, learn about rehabilitation and ECLOs, mental health well-being session and resource centre with everyday gadgets.
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… Read more
Cathartic Writing Back by popular demand!
Cathartic Writing returns Friday, 22nd May at 12 pm.
Theme: family
See writing prompts here.
Eye Matter Outings:
Find all our events here.
Eye Matter Sports Day 2026
Where: Islington Tennis Centre and Gym, London N7 9PL
When: 10 am – 4 pm on Saturday, 20 June 2026
Meet and greet: 9:30 am at Caledonian Road (Piccadilly line within easy reach of King’s Cross St. Pancras)
Cost: £10
In collaboration with
Illuminate Freedom Health and Well-Being, enjoy trying fully accessible sports with the support of friendly, expert coaches.
Have a go at:
Showdown, VI football, VI tennis, VI baseball and even VI touch rugby.
This is for everyone, so come and swing your bats, swoosh your paddles and kick and dribble with your accessible balls as you try five amazing inclusive sports designed for visually impaired (VI) people!
For more information, click here.
Book your tickets by emailing suzie@eyematter.org.uk with the subject ‘Sports Day’
Audio described performance of Avenue Q
Tuesday 23rd June 7:30 pm
At Shaftsbury Theatre
Touch tour TBC.
Tickets are £42.50 per person.
Avenue Q is back on the block.
For its 20th anniversary, the three-time Tony Award-winning musical Avenue Q returns to the West End in all its glory.
Fresh out of college and searching for his purpose, Princeton ends up in a shabby apartment on New York’s rundown Avenue Q. He quickly meets his new and colourful neighbours, where together they navigate the life struggles of work, love and paying the bills in their own hilarious way.
Irreverent and irresistible, Avenue Q is the mischievous and charming musical full of infectious songs and lovable characters that will leave you smiling for days.
With original Broadway director Jason Moore (Pitch Perfect, Shrek the Musical) and original puppet designer Rick Lyon, rediscover the fun, fuzz and felt for a strictly limited season.
Content warning: Avenue Q contains strong language, adult themes and content. Parental guidance is advised.
To buy your ticket, email suzie@eyematter.org.uk with the subject ‘Q’
Eye Matter’s third annual UK holiday to PGL Activity Centre
When: Friday 28th August 2026 – Monday 31st August 2026
Where: PGL Holidays, Windmill Hill, Hailsham, East Sussex, BN27 4RZ.
Getting there: Eye Matter’s chartered transport will take and return guests from London King’s Cross to PGL Windmill Hill.
Cost: £415 per guest. This includes: three nights’ accommodation in twin en-suite rooms; all meals from arrival on Friday lunch until our departure after lunch on Monday; all equipment, all activities supported by PGL instructors, as well as evening entertainment. Guests are welcome to bring extra treats and snacks.
A £75 non-refundable deposit is required for each guest by 31st May 2026.
The remaining balance is payable by 19th June 2026.
Eye Matter is delighted to announce our third UK holiday for our members, their families, friends, and our sighted guides. We will be going to the hugely popular PGL Activity Centre, which is located in 21 acres of glorious countryside on the Sussex Downs.
Our three-night multi-activity holiday will offer everyone the opportunity to try exciting, accessible pursuits including Archery, Axe Throwing, Canoeing, Fencing, Abseiling, Aeroball, Rifle Shooting, Climbing, Disc Golf, Buggy Building, Giant Swing and Problem Solving. Our evenings will also have activities, including games, quizzes, and a pool party.
All over-18s must have a valid Enhanced DBS check to stay at PGL Windmill Hill. This is included in the price. Don’t miss out on this always wonderful experience! To secure your place, please email suzie@eyematter.org.uk with the subject ‘PGL Holiday.’
Special Features:
Eye Matter Annual Membership
Annual membership of Eye Matter; 1st April 2026 – 31st March 2027 is now due.
£15 covers access to a range of online activities, up-to-date information, receiving our newsletter and an excellent guide to our events.
Don’t delay, ensure your membership is up to date with your friends at Eye Matter to be part of this fabulous community.
To ensure your continued membership, please click this JustGiving link to pay your membership fee, ticking the Gift Aid option if applicable.
Alternatively, please pay by bank transfer:
Name: Eye Matter
Sort Code: 20-92-63
Account Number 83521087
Business bank account.
Please always remember to tell us it’s you by emailing suzie@eyematter.org.uk with the reference you’ve used.
The success of our January concert with Irish singer/songwriter Andrea Begley
On Tuesday, 27th January, Andrea with her husband Leon on guitar, joined us on Zoom from their home in County Tyrone (Northern Ireland). She rose to fame in 2013 after winning The Voice UK and, since then, has released two acclaimed albums. Andrea’s appearance with Eye Matter follows countless other prestigious venues such as the Albert Hall, Windsor Castle, and the Olympic Stadium in Beijing. Read more
Welcome and Thank You to Our Volunteers
Volunteers continue to provide vital support to Eye Matter through administration, leading projects and guiding us at events. We would like to say a huge thank you to you all and introduce some new names alongside some familiar faces. Click here to meet our volunteers.
Eye Matter Made it to the Top of the World’s Ninth-largest Building.
A huge thanks to everyone who supported this amazing challenge for Eye Matter. There’s still time to donate, even a fiver, to this small but mighty charity, who provide such a wide variety of activities for blind and partially sighted people across the UK.
We are so delighted too announnce that Eye Matter supporters, friends and family have raised £4000 on this amazing event.
Click here to read more about the experience of this epic challenge
March’s ‘Inspiring Speaker’s extraordinary adventures on the high seas and cooking around the world.
Our March ‘Inspiring Speaker’ was the Indefatigable Penny Melville Brown. Around 20 Eye Matter members listened spellbound to the stories of heroism and determination delivered by Penny on Friday, 13th March, live on Zoom. Read More
Described as ‘lovingly divine’, Emily once again entertained Eye Matter with an eclectic range of songs.
Nearly 20 members welcomed Emily Raiher back to Eye Matter on Tuesday evening (14th April). She began on the guitar, with a song from Nina Simone, before switching to the piano to deliver an “absolutely stunning” performance of ‘Fallin’ by Alicia Keys. Other songs included ‘Cheek to Cheek’ by Ella Fitzgerald, written by Irving Berlin for ’Top Hat’ in 1935 and originally performed by Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers. Her version of Stevie Wonder’s ‘For Once In My Life’ on guitar showed her energy and love of performing for Eye Matter. Read More
Embracing Womanhood
Our Tranquil Tuesdays series began on Tuesday 7th April, with Jaspreet Dhoot, a female health coach who delivered a women-only health session to ten Eye Matter members.
Jaspreet is a health and wellbeing professional with a strong focus on supporting women’s health. She is Female Health Qualified, with specialist knowledge in areas such as hormonal health, menopause, and lifestyle strategies that support women’s physical and emotional wellbeing. Read More
The UK Digital Landline Switchover is Coming
Between now and 2027, all telephone providers will be moving their customers over to new, upgraded landline services that use broadband to make and receive calls.
For BT, its digital landline product is called Digital Voice, but other phone companies have their own versions. Read More