Latest News

TAXI CARD UPDATE

The Taxi card Scheme which runs in Sunderland in conjunction with Station Taxis's is very popular.  Those wanting to renew their taxi card dont need to do anything. Nexus will contact you direct to arrange this. For new aplications please call Nexus direct on 0191 2020747.

LATEST UPDATE FROM NEXUS - There has been some confusion around the Scheme continuing but after speaking direct to a Manager within the Company I have been advised that the Scheme is continuing for another 6 months. Names for new applications are being taken and added to a list and forms will be sent once the Tenders have been assessed, agreed and then put in place. There is a delay with this happening. I will continue to provide updates within timescales agreed with my contact within Nexus but feel free to call them direct also. I will update the website once I have more information. Julie Stormont 11.08.22   

JOB VACANCIES - IT Officer & Safeguarding Officer

Three local sight loss charities have come together to create a new project called ONE VISION. Sunderland & County Durham Royal Society for the Blind, Hartlepool Vision Support & Newcastle Vision Support  have 2 exciting new job vacancies. 

 

ONE VISION

IT Officer

Hours 35 per week

Starting Salary £23,178

Three local sight loss charities have come together to create a new project called One Vision.  The project is to be funded through the National Lottery through the National Lottery Community Fund and will run until 30/06/2025. This fixed term post has been created and candidates can apply for either full time or as a job share opportunity.

We are looking for an IT Officer to offer support and training to people with vision impairment who wish to learn or improve their IT skills.  The role provides face to face mentoring sessions which will be held in Newcastle, Sunderland, Hartlepool and County Durham.  We are hoping to recruit someone with a range of experience and knowledge, including an understanding of assistive technology.

This role is for you if you: -

  • Have good IT knowledge and skills which you can pass on to others.
  • Have excellent communication skills.
  • Have patience and kindness.
  • Have a good sense of humour and a positive attitude.

Please email office@sundrsb.org.uk or telephone 0191 5673939 to request further information and details on how to apply.

Successful candidate will be subject to an Enhanced DBS.  Closing date for applications is 5pm on 26/08/2022.  Interviews to be held W/C 05/09/2022

We welcome applications from all sectors of Society.

 

ONE VISION

Safeguarding Officer

Hours 35 per week

Starting Salary £25,300

Three local sight loss charities have come together to create a new project called One Vision.  The project is to be funded through the National Lottery through the National Lottery Community Fund and will run until 30/06/2025. This fixed term post has been created and candidates can apply for either full time or as a job share opportunity.

We are looking for a Safeguarding Officer to provide specialist support for individuals with sight loss who have been victims of crime or abuse or at risk of these occurring.  To raise awareness of safeguarding issues, to deliver safeguarding training to staff, volunteers, service users, informal carers and professionals. The role requires providing support to people with vision impairment throughout Newcastle, Sunderland, Hartlepool and County Durham.  We are hoping to recruit someone with a range of experience and knowledge.

This role is for you if you: -

  • Are familiar with current legislation regarding safeguarding adults.
  • Have a knowledge and understanding of Police Commissioners priorities.
  • Have a good understanding of visual impairment and issues people with sight loss may experience.
  • Have excellent communication skills and be computer literate.
  • Have patience and kindness.
  • Have a good sense of humour and a positive attitude.

Please email office@sundrsb.org.uk or telephone 0191 5673939 to request further information and details on how to apply.

Successful candidate will be subject to an Enhanced DBS.  Closing date for applications is 5pm on 26/08/2022.  Interviews to be held W/C 05/09/2022.  We welcome applications from all sectors of Society 

 

DATES FOR YOUR DIARY

AUGUST 2022

AFTERNOON TEA - Thursday 4th August at 1pm. Booking essential.  Please join us for sandwiches and cakes, tea and coffee and very good company,

COFFEE MORNING - Wednesday 10TH August 10am till 12 noon.  No booking required just pop along for good company, light refreshments and a raffle. These take place every 2nd Wednesday opf the month.

MENS GROUP - NO MEETING IN AUGUST - Many of our events attract more female members than male but there is a desire to provide an opportunity for men to come together and share their thoughts, feelings, concerns and interests within the confines of a support group. Our next meeting is Monday 12th September 2022 at 1:30pm.

DIABETIC GROUP - NO MEETING IN AUGUST - Monday 26TH September at 1:30pm. For anyone who has diabetes, has recently been diagnosed or would like more information please join us at this meeting.  Eve  ryone welcome.

MACULAR MEETING - NO MEETING IN AUGUST - Next meeting Wednesday 28TH September at 1:30pm.  Join your local macular support group. No booking necessary 

BOWLING IS BACK

Sunderland Visually Impaired 10 Pin Bowling Team are now meeting every week at The Sunderland Bowl, 141 High St West, Sunderland at 11AM. New members welcome.

We are starting up a new Independent Blind Tenpin Bowling League, fixtures to start in September.. If you would like more information please call Julie Stormont at the Society on 0191 5673939 for more info.

 

SEPTEMBER 2022

AFTERNOON TEA - Thursday 1st September at 1pm, Booking Esential

QUIZ - Tuesday 6th September 11am  

COFFEE MORNING - Wednesday 14th September from 10am - 12 noon

MEN'S GROUP - Monday 12th September 1.30pm

DIABETIC GROUP - Monday 26th September 1.30

  

BEAMISH - . Wednesday 21st September 2022

I am looking to run a day trip to Beamish on Wednesday 21st September 2022. Cost per person £15.00. This includes transport. For more information please call Julie Stormont on 0191 5673939.

 

Pallion Action Group (PAG)

Volunteers available Mon – Fri 10am – 2pm

Can help with collecting prescriptions, shopping, benefit/welfare advice

Please contact, Karen Wood on either 07534 983971 or 0191 5142011

BT Skills for Tomorrow Support for Society

BT Skills for Tomorrow aims to give people the skills they need to flourish in the digital world. Due to the spread of the coronavirus, having these skills is more important than ever.

Large numbers of people are self-isolating or are confined to their homes. It is vital that people with low or no digital skills can keep in touch with family and friends and access health services. The spread of the coronavirus presents significant challenges to small businesses. Families with children at home from school need to get the best out of technology to help their children to learn and play. And many people need support as they work from home for the first time.
Working in partnership with leading digital skills organisations, BT Skills for Tomorrow has free resources and information to help people with each of these challenges: www.bt.com/skillsfortomorrow

This briefing outlines the support available during the spread of the coronavirus. We want as many people as possible to have access to this help for themselves and to be able to support others during this challenging time.

Help for older and vulnerable people and those with lower digital skills.

Working with the Good Things Foundation, we’re supporting older and vulnerable people and those with low or no digital skills to stay in contact with family and friends, to keep up to date, and to be healthy during the spread of the coronavirus.

Key information includes:

 How to access GP services online – providing key information on how to find and register with your local GP surgery, apply for repeat prescriptions and look up health records online.
 How to use the NHS website – outlining how to make the most of the NHS website to find advice and local health services like GPs and hospitals online.
 Using public services online – how to understand what public services are available online, how use the GOV.UK government website and find local council services.
This information can be found at: https://www.bt.com/skillsfortomorrow/daily-life/accessing-public-service...
 Video calling – learn how to use video calling to connect with family and friends https://www.learnmyway.com/courses/video-calling
 Online and mobile banking – providing tips on how to do internet banking using either a computer, tablet or mobile phone, and how to keep track of your money https://www.bt.com/skillsfortomorrow/daily- life/managing-your-money.html
 Online shopping – helping on how to shop online, compare prices, use secure payment methods and understand your rights when buying online. https://www.bt.com/skillsfortomorrow/daily-life/mastering-the-basics/mak... the-most-of-the-internet.html
 Socialising online – learn how to use social networks like Facebook and Twitter to connect with family and friends and to share things online https://www.bt.com/skillsfortomorrow/daily-life/mastering-the-basics/dis... social-media.html
 Watching and listening online – support to watch TV and listen to radio online, and to use services to listen to music: https://www.bt.com/skillsfortomorrow/daily-life/mastering-the-basics/dig...
           For more information on BT Skills for Tomorrow, go to bt.com/skillsfortomorrow

Supporting small businesses

At a time when many small businesses may struggle to survive, we’re working with Google Digital Garage, Small Business Britain, and LinkedIn Learning to provide guides for people to do business online and to build their digital skills.

Key information includes:

 Make sure customers find you online – setting out how search engines and online advertising can help small businesses to connect with more customers.
 Connect with customers over mobile – providing information on how to grow an online presence and start reaching new customers on their mobiles.
 Promote a business with content – supporting small businesses on how to get noticed and to connect with more customers through social media, video, and content marketing.
 Promote a business with online advertising – outlining the online tools small businesses can use to promote their business online, create a marketing strategy, and attract the right customers.
This support can be found at: https://www.bt.com/skillsfortomorrow/business/promoting-your-business.html
We’re also offering support to small businesses via webinars, covering topics such as Online Presence, Digital Marketing, Data Analytics, Social Media and Collaboration Tools. The full list of live webinars can be found at: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/o/bt-skills-for-tomorrow-26823592931
 

Helping families to get the most from technology
With many families self-isolating or with children at home from school, parents are looking for ways to help children continue learning from home. In partnership with Internet Matters, we are also providing support to help kids to balance the opportunities that tech brings, along with challenges as they spend more time online at home.
Key information includes:
 BT Learning at Home resources - we have engaging activities for children aged 4-11 year old to keep developing their computing and digital skills at home: https://www.bt.com/skillsfortomorrow/parents/learning-at- home.html
 Supporting your children - information and activities to help parents keep their kids safe online and to feel better equipped for conversations about the online world: https://www.bt.com/skillsfortomorrow/parents.html