Issue 2 - June 2004
We were thrilled and honoured to have Sir John and Lady Foley together with Lady Carey visit us at our Le Four Cabot Centre. Above is a photograph of Sir John being greeted by Bailey and Mr Peter Kendall. Bailey is the first of many dogs that we are hoping to fund for visually impaired people.
Introduction
It is with much pleasure that I bring you the foreword to the Summer Newsletter.
We have, I think, been very busy with quite a few events these last months.
Our Activities include our now Monthly Forsight Group meetings, and of course our weekly Social or Handcraft afternoons. Both these events are very well attended.
We have had our usual annual display at the Guilles-Alles Library which we hope has been seen by a great number of people. This display incorporated information about many activities and events and the origins of the Guernsey Blind Association.
The Age related Macular Degeneration Research team from Southampton has visited us again and is pleased with the results that are still on going.
Dolphin Computers, Haggar Electronics and Professional Vision Services had a Drop-In day which was well received.
Of course our weekly Audio New continues to be sent out every week to at least 70 people.
Featured in our newsletter are the reports that were presented at this year's Annual General Meeting by myself, Mrs Jean Le Huray and Mr Bernard Saunders.
Many thanks again for all your help & support.
Sandy Mauger
The corporate friends of the Guernsey Blind Association are:
N.M. Rothchild
Fuel Supplies
Schroders
Kingston Management
Long Port Properties Limited
Kraken Financial Group Limited
President's Report 2003
Thank you once again for coming to the AGM of the Guernsey Blind Association. It is my pleasure to outline some of the events that have taken place over the past year. We have had a very busy and interesting year.
Following last year’s AGM, in April we held a visual display on the first floor of the Guille-Alles library. This allowed Islanders to see the range of facilities and help we can offer them, including the chance to become Friends of the GBA.
Following this was our first Flag Day at the beginning of May. This was new ground for us. We were short of collectors as we had not done this sort of thing before and did not ask enough people to help us. Beware, we are having another Flag Day on June 12th and expect every trustee and helper to give all their time to this event.
On 2nd July last year, helpers involved in Guernsey Audio News together with family, trustees and friends celebrated 25 years of production of the weekly tapes. Over forty invitations were sent out but unfortunately many people had prior commitments and were unable to join us.
A social event was held at Les Cotils Conference Centre and a group of twenty-one enjoyed an evening buffet and get together. As usual the food was up to the excellent standards set by Les Cotils. We were honored with a birthday cake that had been iced and decorated with symbols of some of our equipment microphone and headphones.
As we move into the twenty-sixth year, the copier used to produce the cassettes is nearing the end of its useful life and plans are in progress to replace this with new, state of the art digital equipment. Many thanks to all the people involved in this very worthwhile venture. We reach over seventy people every week.
In the Summer we had our usual outing and tea at la Trelade. This year we had 42 people and helpers. We had a coach ride round the Island with singing and comments about the different houses that have appeared since last year. Great fun was had by all and the tea was excellent as usual. Many thanks to all the Thursday helpers for making the afternoon go so well.
To follow this we had the Donkey Derby. We had a gazebo to erect and some balloons to blow up which, as we had a strong wind, was quite a challenge, as was the fact that we did not have a valve for the helium cylinder! This was soon overcome and we had a very good day. The toys on the Tombola and the free gifts proved a real winner. Our trustees and helpers are to be thanked most sincerely for manning the stall and helping with this most public of events.
Mrs Marion Dorey very kindly once again had some of the Social and Handcraft people to her lovely garden for tea on two Thursdays, in what seemed at the time very hot weather. We all vied for space under the umbrellas. Cold drinks were called for instead of the usual tea, but conversation never flagged!
On this note may I thank most sincerely all the people that help on Thursday afternoons. The helpers are always so keen to give of their time to so many events and functions. The drivers that ferry our visually impaired never underestimate the pleasure that you give. May I on behalf of these Thursday groups thank you again.
During the month of September Jean and myself went on two trips. First we went to Sark. Thank goodness it was a warm and calm day. We visited the school and talked to the primary children. We then walked to see some of the other visually impaired people at various parts of the Island finishing, as one does in Sark, in a pub. The landlady runs the pub with very little sight and always manages the banking and books. Later in the month we flew to Alderney to visit the visually impaired in that Island. We hired a car and saw a number of people both in their homes and in care homes. We felt that on these two trips we endorsed the feeling that these people are not alone and we are always there for them.
In October we had our Autumn Fair with a raffle. All the tickets were printed, numbered and organised by Dave Eaton. We thank him again. We had coffee and the usual stalls. This helped to raise awareness and raise some money.
Christmas Lunch was at Les Cotils and for this we had 61 people. The lunch was enjoyed by all. This year we had two lady entertainers to sing carols and make the atmosphere a real celebration. Thank you to Lady Carey for attending this event
We have had thirty cases apply to us for help with glasses, which include quite a number of children. We have also supplied a computer, TV screens and a great number of visual aids throughout the year that have been appreciated.
Since our launch last year for Friends of the GBA, we have had 26 people sign up to this scheme or give donations.
We have a new Secretary, Caroline Maynard; she joined us in the summer after Mrs Lilla Desmond retired. We welcome her and hope she will be very happy with us. I would like to thank both her and Jean for continuing to maintain the high standard of care and attention to all the visually impaired that we are called upon to help.
It is planned that at the next Trustees meeting Mrs Caroline Maynard will be proposed as Company Secretary, which is the position that Mr Bernard Saunders has held since Mrs Desmond retired.
Advisor to the Visually Impaired Report 2003
During the year 2003, thirty-nine new visually impaired people have registered with the Guernsey Blind Association. The referrals come from the Consultant Ophthalmologists, Social Workers, Optometrists, or from friends and relatives who are concerned about the well being of the visually impaired person.
Help can range from very simple advice on choosing a suitable magnifier, or perhaps more intensive teaching independent living skills.
The Guernsey Blind Association recommended two visually impaired members to the Guide Dogs for the Blind Association for assessment to be a guide dog owner. A mobility instructor and a guide dog trainer visited during February and these two members were accepted for training.
The Guernsey Blind Association has purchased a computer with Super-Nova software which is an enlarged print and speech programme for one of our members, and also a videolupe magnifier which acts as a C.C.T.V. using an ordinary T.V. The Guernsey Blind Association continues to loan C.C.T.V.'s to members who are in full-time employment.
A major new study of blindness in the elderly has been conducted in Guernsey. The research, commissioned by 'Hope' Research Fellowship, will establish a DNA bank of samples taken from patients with age related macular degeneration, (A.M.D.) This is the most common form of blindness in people over the age of 65. The Guernsey Blind Association was very pleased to be able to offer the use of their centre as a venue for Professor Andrew Lottery and his team to use. They have visited five times with approximately seventy people attending each session.
During 2003 a new charity R.A.M.P. (Raising Awareness of Mobility Problems) was launched. The Guernsey Blind Association takes a very active part. The first task was to enlist the help of some deputies who were then challenged to go shopping in town; some in wheelchairs but Deputy Jean Pritchard was asked to wear simulated spectacles that restricted her peripheral vision. She was very pleased to take the simulated spectacles off at the end of the exercise, but people with a sight problem must cope every day. An audit of shop entrances for their accessibility has been conducted by two of our visually impaired members. Their findings have been put in a report and sent to the relevant shops and States Departments. It is hoped in this way that improvements, however small, will be made.
The Forsight Group continues to be a lively, pro-active support group. On a sunny day in September they took part in a Driving Experience. Specsavers kindly made their car park available and with the expert help of Peter Dereham, were given the opportunity to get behind the wheel and drive.
I have given talks to S.J.A.B. Care in the Community Volunteers and First Aiders, Social Workers, Les Beaucamps School and St Sampsons W.I. This is always a good opportunity to reach the general public about the work of the Guernsey Blind Association and the needs of the visually impaired.
During 2003 Police Liaison Officer for the Deaf and Blind, P.C. Mick Chart was appointed. He held a regular monthly meeting and the Ron Short Centre and anyone with a non-urgent matter could feel free to contact him.
One of our members is very grateful for this service, as P.C. Chart has been able to arrange with the States Traffic Committee a disabled parking space in front of her house.
These are just a few examples of the work that I am involved with as an employee of the Guernsey Blind Association. Life is never boring; there are always new challenges to renew my enthusiasm for the work as Adviser to the visually impaired.
Honorary Treasurer's Report 2003
At the Annual General Meeting the Treasurer presented the audited accounts for the financial year ended 31st December 2003 and explained the reason for the change of auditors and the change in the format of the balance sheet. He then discussed in detail the results for the year -
There had been a good surplus of income over expenditure in 2003. Income from investments, property rental, donations and collecting boxes, together with proceeds from fund raising events including the raffle, flag day, coffee morning, Friends of GBA, handicraft sales, Donkey Derby stall etc. had as last year almost covered our day to day running expenses including our welfare work.
The reason for the surplus in 2003 was the amount received from legacies. In the present financial climate this source of income is becoming more and more important, not only for us but also for all other charities including over 250 registered in Guernsey. The good work carried out by our staff, trustees, and helpers in aiding the partially sighted and in fund raising increased our profile locally and made it more likely for us to be remembered when wills are being drawn up.
We continue to adopt a cautious approach with our investments with cash being held on deposit. Of our managed investment portfolio 49% is in triple A rated bonds, 22.5% in equities and 28.5% in cash. This policy is constantly under review but has protected us from the losses suffered by others over the last few years and guaranteed us the income necessary to continue our work.
We still hold funds on a separate account from a legacy, which is to be used specifically to provide Guide dogs for residents of the Bailiwick of Guernsey.
Forthcoming Events
Summer Outing Friday 25th
June
Donkey Derby Saturday 21st
August
Autumn Fair & Grand Raffle Saturday 16th
October
Christmas Lunch Saturday 11th
December
The Raffle tickets for the Grand Raffle will be on sale from the 1st August. If you can help us distribute these tickets or could donate a prize towards the draw please could you contact our office and speak with Caroline or Jean on 236933. All assistance will be very welcome and greatly appreciated.
Officers and Committee
President MRS SANDRA
MAUGER
Honorary Treasurer MR BERNARD SAUNDERS
Advisor to the Visually Impaired MRS JEAN LE HURAY
Secretary MRS CAROLINE
MAYNARD
Handycraft MRS MARION
DOREY & MRS DOREEN HURFORD
COMMITTEE OF TRUSTEES
MRS MARGARET CLEREY (GBA Listening for Pleasure
Tape Library)
DR DAVID DE LISLE
MR DAVID EATON (Audio News Co-ordinator
& Technician)
MR GORDON FOWLER (Collection Boxes)
MRS CATHERINE LENFESTEY (Thursday Afternoon Helper)
MR TONY MAHY
MRS MARGARET MOFFATT (Friends of the GBA)
MR CHRIS RICHARDSON (GBA Property Manager)
ADVOCATE JESSICA ROLAND (GBA Legal Advisor)
MRS VIV WEBBER (Audio News Editor)
GUERNSEY BLIND ASSOCIATION
TEL 236933 FAX 236932
E-MAIL gba@guernsey.net
WEBSITE www.guernsey.net/~gba/
