JustGiving fundraising Appeal Link:

https://www.justgiving.com/campaign/croydon-vision-bridge-the-gap

Weekly Meetings:

Bedford Hall 1.30pm – 3.00pm every Wednesday. Please arrive at 1.15pm for tea and coffee.

WAG Timetable:

Monday

• ESL: 10.30am – 12.30pm – Bedford Lounge
• Braille: 1.30pm – 3.00pm – Second Floor

Tuesday

• Braille: 10.30am – 12.30pm – Second Floor
• Book Club: 1.30pm – 3.00pm – Second Floor

Wednesday

• Braille: 10.30am – 12.30pm – Second Floor
• Craft: 11.00am – 1.00pm – Lounge Area
• WAG: 1.30pm – 3.00pm – Bedford Hall

Itinerary for May:

Stella Willow’s Workshops: – Posters attached

Mindfulness & Meditation Class (twice monthly) – £3.00 per session

What is Mindfulness and how can we find peace and contentment in the here and now?

Creative Writing Class

Every blank page is full of potential. No experience needed, just willingness to think creatively and enjoy!

We use techniques of automatic writing to liberate our inner creativity as Stella pens your stream of consciousness.

Verbatim Theatre Workshop

Come and create a powerful play using our own experiences and stories to be told.

Fantastic Funded Travel Opportunity:

Six Days Independence Building Adventure to Sicily – FOR YOUNG ADULTS (18–25) WITH A VISUAL IMPAIRMENT. We are looking for young adults with a visual impairment to grow their confidence, sharpen their travel skills, and experience the rich culture of Italy. This project is more than just a holiday; it is a chance to gain vital life skills in a supportive yet challenging environment. Because this project is funded, the majority of your trip is covered.

Regional Funding Requirements:

Due to specific regional funding, we are seeking 16 participants in total:

• 8 people from Dorset and Hampshire
• 8 people from anywhere else in the UK

If you know anyone that meets these requirements, please send this email to them.

Trip Details:

• Dates: 31st October to 5th November 2026
• Participant age: 18 to 25 years old
• Location: Sicily, Italy
• What is covered: The funding covers your accommodation, planned excursions,
  lunches, dinners, and expert guiding.
• Participant responsibility: Participants are responsible for booking their
  own flights and travel insurance, and for purchasing their own breakfast
  groceries at the destination.

Pre-trip Commitment:

To ensure you feel prepared and empowered, all participants must attend a virtual five-session travel independence course on the following dates:

• 4th June
• 2nd July
• 6th August
• 1st September
• 1st October

Contact us Today:

If you are ready to manage your own personal care, navigate new spaces with your mobility aids, and build lasting connections with a group of like-minded peers, this is your moment. We are finalising selections the
week commencing 18th May.

This project has been funded by the Powell Foundation and DHB Events.

• Phone: 020 3375 6947
• Email: info@seable.co.uk

BBC1 Sort Your Life Out! – A message from the Production Team

(Image is a flyer with Stacey Solomon and three co-presenters. Text says ‘Optomen hit BBC One show Sort Your Life Out is back for 2026. We’re looking for families and shared household ready for a life changing declutter to bring calm and joy back into their home. Apply now: www.optomen.com/Sort-Your-Life-Out. Applicants must be aged 18 or over and based in the UK | T&Cs apply. To see how we process your data go to: www.optomen.com/contributor-privacy-notice’)

Message from the casting team:

“Hello, my name is Claire and I’m part of the casting team working on the hit BBC1 show Sort Your Life Out!

We are currently looking for families or shared households that need help decluttering their homes and transforming their spaces to take part in a new series.

We are particularly keen to connect with families where someone is navigating changes in vision and who may be thinking about how their home might need to be adapted for the future.

Through the programme, we plan to offer support and sensitively raise awareness of the different pressures people face.

To find out more, please visit the Sort Your Life Out website.”

VocalEyes News:

Leaping into the park on Saturday 5th September is a new production of Andrew Lloyd Webber’s Cats. Join the strays and rebels of London gather under the Jellicle moon in the hope they’ll be the chosen one. Featuring a legendary score including Old Deuteronomy, Macavity: The Mystery Cat, Jellicle Ball and the chart-topping hit Memory. You can book tickets on 0333 400 3562 or email: boxoffice@openairtheatre.com.

Press Release:

• Exhibition Dates: 8 May – 11 June 2026
• Venue: SQFT Space, Marylebone, London
• Admission: Free

This Sound Is Purple launches its debut exhibition at SQFT Space, Marylebone, from 7 May to 11 June 2026. Bringing together contemporary art, narration, artist reflection and original sound, the free exhibition invites audiences to experience visual art in a more immersive, accessible and emotionally resonant way.

The exhibition is built around a simple but ambitious idea: to make visual art more inclusive, more emotionally resonant, and more accessible. Each artwork in the show is paired with a three-part audio piece combining clear spoken narration, artist reflection, and an original soundscape, inviting audiences to experience the work through sound as well as sight.

Featured artists include Bianca Raffaella, Peter Davis, Ray Richardson, Danny Rolph, and Jennifer Farrow-Moore. Mini Interview with Glenn Harvey.

Dr Peter’s Corner:

Part 2 of Dr Peter’s write up is attached. Please feel free to share his write up and email me any questions you may have for him.

Dates for your Diary:

• Metro Sports – 13th June
• Vision Zone – 23rd June
• CV Barbecue – 24th July

Metro Games 2026:

• 13 June, 10.30 AM – 5.30 PM, London

Metro Blind Sport is delighted to announce that sign-up for Metro Games 2026 is now officially
open. This much-loved annual event is a highlight in our calendar – a fantastic, high-energy day bringing our community together to take part in a wide range of traditional athletics activities. Whether you are looking to compete, try something new or simply enjoy the atmosphere, the Metro Games promises an inclusive, exciting and memorable experience for all.

Event Details:

• Date: Saturday 13 June 2026
• Time: 10:30 AM – 5:30 PM
• Location: Mile End Stadium, 190 Burdett Road, London, E14 7TW
• Nearest Station: Mile End (Central, District & Circle Lines)
• Activity: Track and Field Athletics Events
• Cost: Free
• Meet & Greet: Available at Mile End Station

Donate with JustGiving: https://www.justgiving.com/campaign/croydonvision