0141 332 4632InSight Newsletter: winter 2023
Welcome
Welcome to InSight, Visibility Scotland’s twice-yearly newsletter. This issue is packed full of our latest news, your stories and an easy (and healthy) recipe to get the new year off to a great start!
We’d love your feedback. Get in touch and let us know what you think of InSight. You’ll find our contact details at the end of the newsletter.
Visibility Scotland news
Welcome to our new staff!
We’ve welcomed three new members of staff since our last newsletter. Emma Scott joined us in June 2022 as our new Head of Operations. Emma was previously deputy CEO at Disability Equality Scotland and brings a wealth of experience to the team.
We’ve also expanded our Patient Support team: Ali Lees and Callum Lancashire joined us in September 2022. Ali joined the team based in NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde, and Callum joined the team at the Princess Alexandra Eye Pavilion in Edinburgh.
Dumfries and Galloway support services
We offer the following support to people living with a visual impairment across the region:
Community or home-based support: staff can meet you to demonstrate accessible technology and daily living aids, and provide advice on coping strategies and help available locally.
Sensory support sessions: regular, three week, telephone-based and face-to-face courses, allowing you to meet other visually impaired people living locally. A specialist course is available for people with neurological or stroke-related sight loss.
If you’d like more information, please call 01387 267 131 and ask to speak to Craig.
New Patient Support Service at St. John’s Hospital
Our Patient Support Service is now available at St. John’s Hospital in Livingston, West Lothian. Our team are on-site in the eye department on Wednesdays, Thursdays and Fridays from 9 AM to 2 PM.
Patients with eye clinic appointments can drop in to see the patient support worker and receive tailored practical and emotional support. We can help with the registration process, reading and navigation, technology and assistive apps and much more.
For more information about the service, please call 0131 378 1874 or email westlothian@visibilityscotland.org.uk
VI Voices
VI Voices is our new representation group. If you’re living with sight loss, or you’re the family member or carer of someone who is, VI Voices is your opportunity to shape and improve the services available to visually impaired people. Members will be able to participate in surveys, focus groups, consultations and research.
To find out more or to join VI Voices, please visit our website:
Over to you
Are you knitting comfortably?
Caption: Two Fair Isle knitted hats. The one on the left has a bright, colourful pattern and the one on the left incorporates our logo.
These beautiful Shetland wool hats were kindly donated by visually impaired (yet supremely talented) knitter Issy from Bathgate. Issy uses her iPad to enlarge the patterns and says she prefers to work with bright colours as it makes spotting mistakes easier.
Our Glasgow Community Team are launching a new knitting group. Both beginners and experienced knitters are welcome. To find out more, give us a call on 0141 332 4632 or email info@visibilityscotland.org.uk
A to Z of hints and tips
In our regular series, Colin, one of our sensory inspirers from Dumfries, shares his top tips for living with sight loss:
Canes: Long symbol, support, guide and red-stripped canes are available for people living with sight loss.
Certificate of registration: The certificate is authorised by your ophthalmologist (hospital eye doctor) and issued by your local authority. The certificate can give you access to different benefits and entitlements.
Cooking: Keep your pan handle parallel to the work surface when using the hob. Stir hot liquid in a pan from the outside to the centre to avoid spillages.
Focus on fundraising
Thank you, Chris and Darren!
Chris Dowdall and Darren Green took on the National Three Peak Challenge in August 2022 to raise money for Visibility Scotland.
The fundraising superstars climbed Ben Nevis, Snowdon and Scafell Pike, three of the tallest mountains in the UK, within 24 hours!
Chris and Darren raised a whopping £1,763.30. All of the team here want to say a massive ‘thank you and well done’ to Chris, Darren and everyone who supported them!
How you can help
Visibility Scotland is a national charity. We support anyone living with a visual impairment across Scotland. Last year we supported 3,335 people. We want to do more, but we need your help! Every donation, big or small, helps us provide our life-changing support services.
Donate today:
By phone: 0141 332 4632
Online: Visibility Scotland donr page
Or scan the QR code below:
Recipe: Mini Spanish Omelettes
Our friends at Food Heroes have provided this easy, healthy recipe.
Ingredients
Makes three mini omelettes. Allergens: eggs, dairy.
- Two tablespoons of olive oil
- Tinned new potatoes (in water)
- Half a spring onion
- Two large eggs
- Frozen peas
- Peppers
- Grated cheddar cheese
Method
- Preheat the oven to 180 C, 350 F or gas mark 4. Generously brush three muffin cases with olive oil and set them to one side.
- Drain and rinse new potatoes. Chop roughly into small pieces and put on baking tray. Spray with low-fat oil and bake for 10 minutes.
- Prepare the other ingredients: chop peppers and spring onion.
- Mix potatoes, frozen peas, and other prepared ingredients in a bowl and divide equally between 3 muffin cases.
- Break the eggs into a jug or bowl and beat. Pour the potato mixture into the muffin tins, dividing equally between cases.
- Bake for around 20 minutes until puffed up and golden.
- Leave to cool in the tin for a few minutes before serving warm with a leafy salad.
We’re here for you
Thank you for reading the latest issue of InSight. If you would like to find out more about any of our support services, please get in touch:
Follow us on Twitter and Facebook: @VisibilityScot
Website: Contact Us page
Email: info@visibilityscotland.org.uk
Glasgow: 0141 332 4632
Edinburgh: 0131 378 1874
Dumfries: 01387 267 131
