Issue 8 - April 2008

Mrs. Debbie Clark
New Advisor for the Visually Impaired

Introduction

Once again I have great pleasure to welcome you to the 8th Guernsey Blind Association Newsletter.

The last year has been one of change and reorganisation. We have a new Advisor, Mrs Debbie Clarke, who has been with us since the autumn when Caroline left us to join the Education Department, we were very sorry when she left but she now has school holidays free for her family.

The other change is our secretary, as Julie left us. Mrs Katy Burkhardt joined us just after Debbie and so now we have a new voice on the phone. Both of these ladies have settled in quickly and will soon become very familiar to you all.

We have tried to help as many people as we can over the last year both financially and with some strong comforts for the home comforts. Most of this would not be possible if we did not have the continuing help from our many volunteers, both as drivers and supporters of the GBA’s events. Our Open Day last autumn had been well supported and that there are many ideas for events this coming year. The Summer Outing was very well attended last year and we are planning this year’s event at a different venue. Our Christmas Lunch was extremely well attended, with the best numbers so far at this event; the children singing and playing were greatly appreciated.

We did not attend the Donkey Derby last year as the GBA were between staff, and as it turned out the weather was awful for that event, for once we were in luck!

I would like to thank all of the Trustees of the Guernsey Blind Association for giving up their time and energy to help and a special mention to Mr Bernard Saunders for the unstinting support and work he provides as the Treasurer.

I also wish to thank the Audio News Team, led by Mr Dave Eaton as this service is in great demand and covers such a wide audience, in addition it is the envy of our sister island Jersey.

Thanks also to Mr Gordon Fowler for his continuing work with the collection boxes and to Mr Chris Richardson for his assistance on all the GBA’s building works and recent updates of lighting.

In addition thanks go to Mr Adrian Hale, the neighbour of the GBA, who is the Charities, cleaner, window cleaner, maintenance and handy man; he has proved invaluable to the staff and me this past year.

There are many calls on the GBA’s help from all ages and that there is the hope to accommodate the people if that is what is needed, but mostly it is found that having someone who cares to listen and talk to makes such a tremendous difference and is so appreciated. The number of people coming into the centre is growing and also the number of visits that are achieved each month is growing. The GBA cover all ranges of ages, from Pre School to elderly people that are in Residential Homes. It really was necessary for the Advisors role to now be Full Time as Part Time would no longer be sufficient.

I do hope you enjoy this Newsletter as it explains to you in more detail some of the events I have only touched on. Many thanks once again for all the help and support you are continuing to give to our local charity.

Sandy Mauger

Corporate Friends of
The Guernsey Blind Association

N.M. Rothchild
Belle Fleur Nursery
Fuel Supplies
Medical Specialist Group
Schroders
Zouche Group Limited
Kingston Management
Moores Hotel Limited
Long Port Properties Limited
NRG International Limited
Kraken Financial Group Limited
Mercator Trust Company
JLT Risk Solutions Limited
Royal Bank of Canada
Specsavers Optical Group

Treasuers's Report Year Ending 31/12/07

The Audited accounts have been on display in the office for members.

Steve Turvey and Mrs Mia Guilmoto of Cleland & Co. Ltd our Auditors attended the last meeting of trustees to explain and answer questions from Trustees on the accounts. They offered to attend the AGM but were happy that the Treasurer explains the accounts to members.

The Treasurer was pleased to be able to report an excess of income over expenditure for the year. As in previous years the receipt of bequests and legacies has made a significant contribution, without these we would have approximately broken even. Income from fund raising and our investments continue to almost meet our operating expenses. A large part of our legacy income came from the auction proceeds of a property in Queen's Road, one of two properties left to 5 charities by the late Pam de la Mare; the second property has a life tenant who is maintaining the property beautifully.

Our president Sandy and the Treasurer spent several years making themselves unpopular with the other charities fighting to have the property sold by public auction, a policy which assured the maximum selling price was achieved. During all of this time they had amazing moral and practical support from fellow Trustee Advocate Jessica Rowland who carried on our battle with a clutch of advocates at a huge cost in time to her but minimal if any cost to our association. All of our trustees and volunteers contributed to our general fund raising efforts.

The Treasurer highlighted a few areas; our flag day organised by Mrs Margaret Moffat supported by Mr David Le Lievre and others raised a record amount. The raffle organised by Mr David Eaton with main prizes provided by Investec, and Mr Gordon Fowler continued his sterling work managing our collecting boxes. All of these events and the other huge amount of work carried out by our Trustees and helpers outside the field of fundraising promote the work our Association carries out for the Visually Impaired in The Bailiwick. By so doing making best use of our services and also ensuring we are kept in mind when donations, bequests and legacies are being considered. A terribly practical way to view things but essential in today's world.

Our office expenses have increased as we have now employed a full time advisor. The benefits of this were felt immediately.

The Treasurer then went over the breakdown of the associations assets in detail explaining the reasons behind the investment policies and went on to say that the charity is currently in a very strong financial position.

However no charity can rest on its laurels and cease fund raising and promoting itself in the community. We never know when we will have a substantial call on our resources and must endeavour to meet any demands made on us in the future to assist the Blind and Visually Impaired in the Bailiwick. he '195' number remains the same.  For those visually impaired members registered with this service, the telephone operator will find the number for you and put you through.

 Bernard Saunders

Advisor for the Visually Impaired Report

May I first introduce myself Debbie Clarke, I am the new Advisor for the Visually Impaired and I commenced this position in September 2007.

My background is I am a local girl, and left the island to do my General Nurse training in the Midlands returning to work in Intensive Care. I then worked as a community nurse before going into Health Visiting/Staff Nursing which I did for 9 years before commencing this position.

I have two children and have recently become a grandmother, which is fantastic.

My reasons for taking this position was my children are getting older and I realised I needed to give myself a new challenge, and with my skills acquired from nursing found that I could use these in this role as Advisor For the Visually Impaired. I have managed to meet many new people and for those I have not got around to meeting yet I look forward to meeting you soon.

Firstly, I have been fortunate to take over this role at a time when the Charity is going from strength to strength, and my goal is to continue promoting the good work of the GBA.

Information in this report contains information from my predecessors, Mrs Jean Le Huray & Mrs Caroline Maynard.

The Resource Centre is visited by a large range of clients and Health Professionals looking for the latest equipment and technology, to help maintain independence within home and work environments.

Regular visits by Humanware and Associated Opticals allow us to keep up to date information which we share with clients, teachers and support workers.

RAMP (Raising Awareness of Mobility Problems) organised an audit of St Peter Port's bus terminus, we were invited to assess some of the possible difficulties our visually impaired clients may encounter. The information obtained has been put into practice with clearer definition of steps and bus doorways.

Visits to the other islands of Sark and Alderney were much appreciated, comments received were they are pleased they are not forgotten and felt supported from the GBA.

Having displays is important to give a visual profile of the GBA and I have been fortunate to have one on display at Mill House and the Hotel Hougue du Pommier.

Organising the Open Day we held in October here at the centre, and the Christmas lunch was exciting with so many people (85) attending the very much enjoyable lunch at Les Cotils.

Activities at the centre continue with Thursday afternoon social/handcraft sessions which are very much enjoyed by all who attend.

In February 2008 we were very lucky to have been chosen by the Globe as part of their fund raising for one year. Interviews have been requested which resulted in a full page spread in the Globe, and our role in the parish of St Andrews.

Debbie Clark

Forthcoming Events

Liberation Day Tea Party at the centre May 8th 2pm - 4pm

Liberation Day stand at the Crown Pier May 9th 10am - 5pm
There is a raffle sponsored by HSBC Securities (£500.00) cash first prize, tickets are available at the centre.

Flag Day Saturday 14th June

Tower on the Nid no5 (Pre Martello Tower) Open Day - June 29th 11.30am - 4pm
L'ancresse Common, entry by donation on the day. By kind permission of Miss Nancy Dorey.

Summer Outing 10th July - 2.30pm - 4.30pm Coach trip and afternoon tea at the Peninsula Hotel

Officers and Committee

GUERNSEY BLIND ASSOCIATION

TEL 236933         FAX 236932

E-MAIL  gba@guernsey.net

WEBSITE  www.guernsey.net/~gba/