Cam Sight

Monet lost his eye sight but he never lost the passion he felt for his art.

The Chatteris Support Group recently enjoyed a session looking at “Living Paintings”. Living Paintings is a charity that provides a free postal library service for people with a visual impairment. Living Paintings has designed a touch and sound system which brings pictures to life.

Using this system they have created unique packs which they call ‘Albums’. The Albums bring together collections designed to provide access for visually impaired people to a wide and varied selection of the world’s great works of art. Each Album contains raised images, audio descriptions and colour reproductions of at least ten works of art.

The collections are designed to group together topics in an interesting and exciting way. For example works of art from The National Gallery, The Royal Collection, and special interest Albums on architecture, garden design, British cities and birds.

The Chatteris Group would thoroughly recommend the experience. To view the trusts complete catalogue of Albums or to join their free postal library service please contact them on 01635 299771 or visit their website www.livingpaintings.org

VisionUk conference. Alison, Jerry and Anne attended the VisionUK conference in London this week.   There were lots of very interesting seminars and discussions, giving us food for thought.  In particular there was a focus on how to reach all people with sight loss, especially those who traditionally haven’t engaged with statutory and voluntary services.   Events like these are also a good opportunity to network and catch up with staff from other local societies, hear what they are doing and share ideas. The conference also featured “Techshare” – right up Jerry’s street.

We currently stock the Maxi-Key Plus SOS Big Button Mobile Phone. This mobile phone has large keys which speak when each key is pressed, a panic button to call for help, text messaging and many other options. It is available in black and red. It is £36.50. Please phone us on 01223 420033 and speak to Gail or Sue for more information.

If you have ever thought that you would like to try running but for whatever reason have never got around to having a go, why not take the plunge and come along to the newly set up group for visually impaired runners.

The first of the scheduled weekly sessions is due to be held on Coldhams Common, Monday 27th June at 6.30. The group will meet at the Abbey Pool car park before the run. There will be a cost of two pounds per person per week to take part.

The intention is to keep the group fairly small, no larger than eight. If there is a lot of interest a second group will be set up.

sighted runners will be available to assist those who need guiding. However, if you have a sighted friend or partner who you would like to join in the session and act as a running buddy that will be splendid. Remember this is a beginners group so nobody will be expected to run very far straight away. At the start it will be very easy so if people are not very fit that is fine.

The session will be led by an experienced England Athletics coach and will be run along the lines of the successful Run England format.

http://www.runengland.org/

So, regardless of your age, fitness level, aspiration, background you can experience the joy of running and improve your fitness.

For more information contact Steve Morley, Cambridge City Council Sports Development Officer on

01223 457000 or steve.morley@cambridge.gov.uk

Welcome to our new website, we hope you like it.

We are holding a fundraising sale on Saturday 11 June, 10.30am – 2pm at 167 Green End Road, Cambridge.

Books, CDs, Clothes, Bric-a-Brac, Plants, Tea and Cakes and much more!

The proceeds will go towards day trips out for Cam Sight members.

We’d love to see you!