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KVIN Fortnightly News Roundup Issue 3

KVIN will be compiling a fortnightly roundup of the news and information we have been sharing for visually impaired people in Kirklees. Here you can find out what we have been doing and how you can get involved.

Contents;

  1. Our service
  2. Useful Information and Sources of Support
  3. Keeping Busy
  4. Tech News

1. OUR SERVICE

Kirklees Visual Impairment Network is a charity run by and for people with visual impairments, we aim to make sure people can continue to live full and independent lives when they lose their sight.

Normally we run face to face drop-in services where people can visit us for peer support and technological help, at the moment these aren’t happening, but we are still doing lots!

Here is a summary of what we are doing;

  • Remaining active on our social media channels to give updates.
  • Actively posting in our KVIN Support What’s app group, this virtual group is for anyone with a visual impairment in Kirklees to join. If you would like to join this group, contact us and we will add you.
  • Making regular phone calls to volunteers and service users.
  • Providing group chat sessions on a weekly basis, if you would like to join these, contact us and we will get you into the chats.
  • Providing technical support for using your smart phone, tablet, or laptop, if you are having any issues or would like to learn something new, get in touch!
  • Provide practical support such as food shopping or prescription collections and dropping at your doorstep, contact us if you need help with this.
  • Referring service users to other support services as required.

During the Corona Virus outbreak, our offices are closed but we are working and are contactable.

We are a friendly team and would love to welcome you to the group, please use these details to reach us;

  • General email enquiries: info@kvin.org.uk
  • Christine Stephen 07765 344244 christine.stephen@kvin.org.uk
  • Claire Drake 07708 054245 claire.drake@kvin.org.uk
  • Mark Owen 07564 681920 mark.owen@kvin.org.uk
  • Sam Heaton sam.heaton@kvin.org.uk
  • David Quarmby 07828 212555 david.quarmby@kvin.org.uk

2. USEFUL INFORMATION AND SOURCES OF SUPPORT

We are sharing sources of information and support that might be useful at the moment. This information is available on our website by following this link or by finding the news items at www.kvin.org.uk.

If you have been struggling to get delivery slots for your supermarket online shopping, you can try calling the priority numbers listed at this link on our website.

We have shared information from West Yorkshire Trading Standards Scam Alert on our website so that it’s accessible for people with visual impairments to get the information to stay safe, read here.

If you are in need of support, please contact any staff member at KVIN, we are here to help!

KR Talking News

We would like to highlight KR Talking News, which is being continued to be produced at the moment by Kirklees Transcription Service. Here’s what they say;

‘Hello and welcome to our first KTS Podcast! Now although the office is not open and we are unable to deliver the KR Talking News at the moment, we thought we would try to share some information which you may find useful and a feature or poem to lighten your week. So, what’s on this edition? Well, we bring you Information from Infosound about large piece jigsaws, we’ve got a short poem from author and poet Rudrani, Jeff has some contacts information you may find useful and we have a short story read by one of our volunteer readers Helen. So, all you have to do is click one of these links, and you’ll be ready to listen in!’

FOR GENERAL ACCESS FOR SMARTPHONES

To keep up to date with KR Talking News, follow their Facebook page here.

3. KEEPING BUSY

Each week we are running 3 Zoom chats a week lead by our volunteers for our service users to have chance to socialise and get technology support. In April 2020, 32 KVIN service users spent a total of 13,483 minutes on Zoom. We ran 17 sessions; some were group and others were one to one support. On average, our service users attended 10 session spending 7 hrs 3 minutes per person attending.
Here is a photo of one of our Zoom chats, it’s a screen shot showing boxes for each person, you can see everyone’s faces through video chat. A screen shot showing the Zoom Chat with video screens of everyone joining in.

We have been sharing lots of links and information to help people keep busy during lockdown. Take a look to read more about how you can keep yourself busy;

Look forward to in the next issue to find out how Digital services like radio, TV and podcasts can help you beat lockdown boredom.

Wellbeing Activities

We have partnered with local mental health charity Support to Recovery, who promote positive mental health. They have developed some activities that people can try at home which will promote their wellbeing and mental health during this time of social isolation. These packs are available for anyone to download and use, we have a Word and PDF version that can be downloaded.

Click here for more information and to download the pack.

4. TECH NEWS

Here at KVIN we have a team of staff and volunteers with visual impairments who are able to help you to use technology such as using your smart phone, tablets, and laptops. We can help with magnification and voiceover tech so that you can keep using what you have and can also share some handy apps that might help you out too.

We can also help with audio books and smart speakers like Amazon Echo. Whatever you are struggling to use or would like to try, we can offer help and talk you though your options.

You can listen to our fortnightly Tech Podcasts from Dan and Mark to hear the most recent news from the accessible technology world.

Click here to listen!

Here are some links from what they discuss so you can find out more;

  • Continuing his podcasts, Dan talks about the latest free audio books service from Calibre, listen to the Tech Tutorial here.
  • Voice Dream Scanner: an app that will read letters and most paper documents to you, they have discounted there software to £5.99.
  • Seeing Solutions, we discuss the talk from Phil Ward during last weeks Zoom chat.
  • Sight and Sound Webinars: Dan discusses the latest technology being demonstrated by sight and sound, who distribute technology on behalf of other companies subscribe at the following link.

If you would like to receive the KVIN fortnightly news roundup straight into your mailbox, sign up here.

KVIN fortnightly news roundup Issue 2

KVIN will be compiling a fortnightly roundup of the news and information we have been sharing for visually impaired people in Kirklees.

Here you can find out what we have been doing and how you can get involved.

Contents;

  1. Our service
  2. Useful Information and Sources of Support
  3. Keeping Busy
  4. Tech News

1. OUR SERVICE

Kirklees Visual Impairment Network is a charity run by and for people with visual impairments, we aim to make sure people can continue to live full and independent lives when they lose their sight.

Normally we run face to face drop-in services where people can visit us for peer support and technological help, at the moment these aren’t happening, but we are still doing lots!

Here is a summary of what we are doing;

  • Remaining active on our social media channels to give updates.
  • Actively posting in our KVIN Support What’s app group, this virtual group is for anyone with a visual impairment in Kirklees to join. If you would like to join this group, contact us and we will add you.
  • Making regular phone calls to volunteers and service users.
  • Providing group chat sessions on a weekly basis, if you would like to join these, contact us and we will get you into the chats.
  • Providing technical support for using your smart phone, tablet, or laptop, if you are having any issues or would like to learn something new, get in touch!
  • Provide practical support such as food shopping or prescription collections and dropping at your doorstep, contact us if you need help with this.
  • Referring service users to other support services as required.

During the Corona Virus outbreak, our offices are closed but we are working and are contactable. We are a friendly team and would love to welcome you to the group, please use these details to reach us;

  • General email inquiries: info@kvin.org.uk
  • Christine Stephen 07765 344244 christine.stephen@kvin.org.uk
  • Claire Drake 07708 054245 claire.drake@kvin.org.uk
  • Mark Owen 07564 681920 mark.owen@kvin.org.uk
  • Dan Owen 07564 681933 daniel.owen@kvin.org.uk
  • Sam Heaton sam.heaton@kvin.org.uk
  • David Quarmby 07828 212555 david.quarmby@kvin.org.uk

2. USEFUL INFORMATION AND SOURCES OF SUPPORT

We are sharing sources of information and support that might be useful at the moment. This information is available on our website by following this link.

If you have been struggling to get delivery for your supermarket online shopping, you can try calling the priority numbers listed at this link on our website.

It’s really important to look after your mental health and wellbeing at the moment, if you are struggling or are concerned about someone else, we have a list of services that may be able to help support to help you stay mentally well, click here for the list.

If you are in need of support, please contact any staff member at KVIN, we are here to help!

SKIES Service

We would like to highlight the SKIES team who are still active to provide rehabilitation support for people with sight loss.

At this time SKIES are mainly doing welfare calls to service users to see if there is anything they need; groceries etc. or even just a chat if people are feeling isolated. We are still taking referrals and doing as much of the assessment as we can over the phone. We operate a duty rota during the week so people can still phone in, they will always get one of us Monday – Thursday 9-5 and Friday 9-4.30. Call 01484 823198.

Service users can also visit the SKIES Facebook page.

3. KEEPING BUSY

We have been sharing lots of links and information to help people keep busy during lockdown. Take a look to read more about how you can keep yourself busy;

Look forward to in the next issue to find out how technology and arts and crafts can help you beat lockdown boredom.

Wellbeing Activities

We have partnered with local mental health charity Support to Recovery, who promote positive mental health. They have developed some weekly activities that people can try at home which will promote their wellbeing and mental health during this time of social isolation. These packs are available for anyone to download and use, we have a Word and PDF version that can be downloaded.

Click here for more information and to download the pack.

4. TECH NEWS

Here at KVIN we have a team of staff and volunteers with visual impairments who are able to help you to use technology such as using your smart phone, tablets and laptops. We can help with magnification and voiceover tech so that you can keep using what you have and can also share some handy apps that might help you out too.

We can also help with audio books and smart speakers like Amazon Echo. Whatever you are struggling to use or would like to try, we can offer help and talk you though your options.

You can listen to our fortnightly Tech Podcasts from Dan and Mark to hear the most recent news from the accessible technology world.

Click here to listen!

Here are some links from what they discuss so you can find out more;

Here’s the link to the blog from KVIN mentioned, New Skill, old skill: KVIN will help you up skill!

KVIN Meets – Online:
We’re pleased to announce that Phil Ward from Seeing Solutions will be joining our zoom meeting on Friday, 1st May to share his insight into how technology is being developed to support people with sight loss. Phil is always interesting to hear from, and we’re sure that you will find his insight into how technology is developing informative. They’ll be an opportunity to ask questions and perhaps you have ideas of your own?

Technology tutorials from Dan

We have a series of tech tutorials you can listen to via our website to get you listening to audio books;

A third tutorial is coming soon! Check our website in the next few days.

Use NVDA and Windows Magnifier Together

An NVDA add-on is being developed that gives speech feedback as you change Windows Magnifier settings. While it is still being perfected, the developer believes it is useful currently, read more here.

New iPhone

Apple have released a new version of their iPhone. The iPhone SE will be particularly appealing to people who use voice over due to its small size and the reintroduction of the home button. The phones are also much more affordable than the current iPhone 11. Details can be found on the apple website or by calling 0800 048 0408.

If you would like to receive the KVIN fortnightly news roundup straight into your mailbox, sign up here.

Kirklees Visual Impairment Network (KVIN): our services during lockdown

At KVIN, the wellbeing of our service users, volunteers and staff is always our priority. Given the rapidly developing situation in relation to corona virus, we want to share the following information with you. As of Wednesday, 18th March 2020, KVIN will be suspending all face to face services across all our 3 sites. This means that our Huddersfield, Dewsbury and Batley drop in service, will not operate until further notice. As you will appreciate, we have not taken this decision lightly.

At present KVIN staff are continuing to work support our volunteers and service users, we are;

  • Remaining active on our social media channels to give updates.
  • Actively checking our KVIN Support What’s app group, if you would like to join this group contact us and we will add you.
  • Making regular phone calls to volunteers and service users.
  • Providing group chat sessions on a weekly basis.
  • Provide practical support such as food shopping or prescription collections and dropping at your doorstep, contact us if you need help with this.
  • Referring service users to other support services as required.

Our staff and volunteers are continuing to work, providing telephone and email support – but not face to face. From Friday 20th March onwards, the KVIN landline number will no longer be available as staff will be working from home remotely. Our staff and volunteers will be working Weds-Fri weekly and are contactable by mobile or email;

Below are some phone numbers of several services that you may find useful. Please contact us if you need help accessing these services:

  • Kirklees Gateway to Care – 01484 414933
  • NHS helpline – 111 – please do not go to GPs!
  • Nicki Rowe (ECLO for Dewsbury Hospital): 07808 735 748
  • Alice Elliot (ECLO for Huddersfield Royal Infirmary): 07711 920 494
  • Silverline – helpline and telephone befriending for over 50’s (0800 4 70 80 90)
  • Free Talking Book Libraries (Calibre – 01296 432339), RNIB (0303 123 9999). With 20,000+ titles, there’s something for you to keep occupied.
  • Stores doing home delivery via phone – Iceland – 0800 328 0800 or Boots – 0345 070 8090
  • Wiltshire Farm Foods – frozen meals home delivered – 0800 077 3100

Continue to check our website and social media channels regularly for updates.

www.kvin.org.uk

Facebook: KirkleesVIN

Twitter: @KirkleesVIN

Kirklees Visual Impairment Network (KVIN): How are we doing under lockdown?

It’s been 3 weeks since we had to make the decision to close our face to face drop-in sessions due to the Corona Virus Crisis. This was a very hard decision because we know how valueable the groups are to everyone who attends them.

We quickly had to think of ways that we could continue to support our serice users with visual impairments, without putting our staff and volunteers at risk.

Within a week we had a plan! We would be supporting our service users through one to one phone calls and we also worked out an accessible way to do group chats using Zoom.

Since then we have had 2 weeks of working remotely from home, we have done 6 online chats (3 per week) and it’s going well!

We’ve had great attendance to the group chats, everyone who has wanted to join them has had technical support over the phone to download the app and get it working. Over the first 3 sessions we had a collective attendance of 33 people with Visual Impairments.

Here’s what some of our service users have said about our new (temporary) way of working;

Sammi says; ‘Absolutely love the zoom chats, they are so helpful, we talk about all sorts from tech to day to day things. Under the circumstance it’s really helpful just hearing everyone’s voices and feeling like we’re all there for each other, it kinda feels normal.’

Sue says; ‘Thanks to everybody at KVIN for these virtual drop-in sessions you have been a lifeline to all of us who are self isolating look forward to chatting to you all again next week.’

Other service users have said;

‘You’re all ace! It makes me so happy to see how supportive , kind and caring you all are.’

‘The contact we have on this group is lovely, also the Zoom meetings – it’s just nice to hear everyone. Many thanks KVIN.’

‘Thanks to everyone at KVIN, you are really appreciated.’

‘KVIN is about friendship and supporting each other especially at this critical situation.’

‘If I had to sum up how KVIN is helping at the moment I would say “bringing people together when they have to be apart“. I know it sounds a bit corny but I think it sums it up. I think KVIN is doing a great job during this time.’

Since closing our face-to-face service we have continued to support service users by phone, email and messaging, in 2 weeks staff and volunteers have provided support on 115 occasions. Although its not the same, we are pleased to have been able to continue to provide our valuable emotional, practical and tech support.

We have also offered to get shopping for any service users who have been struggling to get shopping themselves since lockdown.

This service has been needed 4 times so far and we anticiapte it will contunue to be needed as many people are struggling to get online deliveries.

‘Thank you to everyone for all the kind offers to bring shopping. At the moment, we are managing, but , I’m just thinking ahead. So I might need to ask for help next week if I still can’t get a slot. And I feel much less anxious, knowing that I can ask in the future.’

‘We are very lucky to have such lovely people at KVIN who offer help to us and support I appreciate everybody who is offering to help us during this difficult period.’

It’s all part of what we do at KVIN, we are glad we are helping to alleviate isolation, loneliness and anxiety at this difficult time.

Keep up to date with KVIN,

www.kvin.org.uk

Facebook and Twitter

KVIN fortnightly news roundup: Issue 1

KVIN will be compiling a fortnightly roundup of the news and information we have been sharing for visually impaired people in Kirklees.

Here you can find out what we have been doing and how you can get involved.

Contents;

  1. Our service
  2. Useful Information and Sources of Support
  3. Keeping Busy
  4. Tech News

1. OUR SERVICE

Kirklees Visual Impairment Network is a charity run by and for people with visual impairments, we aim to make sure people can continue to live full and independent lives when they lose their sight.

Normally we run face to face drop-in services where people can visit us for peer support and technological help, at the moment these aren’t happening, but we are still doing lots!

  • Remaining active on our social media channels to give updates.
  • Actively posting in our KVIN Support What’s app group, this virtual group is for anyone with a visual impairment in Kirklees to join. If you would like to join this group, contact us and we will add you.
  • Making regular phone calls to volunteers and service users.
  • Providing group chat sessions on a weekly basis, if you would like to join these, contact us and we will get you into the chats.
  • Providing technical support for using your smart phone, tablet or laptop, if you are having any issues or would like to learn something new, get in touch!
  • Provide practical support such as food shopping or prescription collections and dropping at your doorstep, contact us if you need help with this.
  • Referring service users to other support services as required.

During the Corona Virus outbreak, our offices are closed but we are working and are contactable. We are a friendly team and would love to welcome you to the group, please use these details to reach us;

2. USEFUL INFORMATION AND SOURCES OF SUPPORT

We are sharing sources of information and support that might be useful at the moment. This information is available on our website by following this link or by finding the news items at www.kvin.org.uk.

If you are in need of support, please contact any staff member at KVIN, we are here to help!

ECLO service We would like to highlight the Eye Clinic Liaison Officers who are still working and is still available to anyone who is concerned about their sight loss and needs either practical information and advice or emotional support. Both Nicki and Alice are lovely and will help you out as best they can, they are available by phone.

  • Nicki Rowe – 07808 735 748 for people who usually go to Dewsbury Hospital eye clinic.
  • Alice Elliott – 07711920494 for people who usually go to Huddersfield Royal Infirmary Eye Clinic at Acre Mills.

3. KEEPING BUSY

Last week we shared lots of ways to keep active during lockdown, follow this link to read the summary of all the advice and links.

Next, we are focusing on reading to keep busy, we will share the summary in in the next news roundup.

Here are some other links to tips for maintaining your mental and physical health during this challenging time;

Listen to our very own Dan on Dodge Radio:

Dodge radio was set up a decade ago and is managed by our very own Dan Owen. It plays a variety of different types of music and presenters discuss a variety of different topics throughout the week, the music ranges from the 50’s up to today.

An example of some shows include the; country café happy days playing you some great feel good tracks, the midweek mix playing you classics from the 50’s, 60’s and 70’s, the Friday night essential mix and Saturday night party, playing you some great party tracks for your weekend.

To view the schedule, visit: www.dodgeradio.net

You can listen through the website or ask Siri on your iPhone or google assistant on your android to ‘play dodge radio’. You can also tune in from your favorite smart speaker such as Google Home or Amazon Alexa, ask it to ‘play dodge radio on tune in’.

*please note, not all shows may be suitable for younger listeners and may contain explicit language so please bear this in mind.

4. TECH NEWS

Here at KVIN we have a team of staff and volunteers with visual impairments who are able to help you to use technology such as using your smart phone, tablets and laptops. We can help with magnification and voiceover tech so that you can keep using what you have and can also share some handy apps that might help you out too.

We can also help with audio books and smart speakers like Amazon Echo. Whatever you are struggling to use or would like to try, we can offer help and talk you though your options.

You can listen to our fortnightly Tech Podcasts from Dan and Mark to here the most recent news from the accessible technology world.

Listen to our first tech podcast here!

Here are some links from what they discuss so you can find out more;

  • RNIB Talking books service: To register and take advantage of this service, check out this link.

Technology companies’ responses to coronavirus (Covid-19): During this crisis, several technology companies are helping users to stay connected by offering free trials.

  • Dolphin computer access – Supernova: Three months of free Supernova for students studying at home. Follow this link for more information.
  • Sight and Sound – 3 months FREE access to JAWS, ZoomText or Fusion for everyone: To obtain your free 90 day version, please complete the form on their website, or contact the team by emailing support@sightandsound.co.uk, stating which software you will require.

If you would like to receive the KVIN fortnightly news roundup straight into your mailbox, sign up here.

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