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Selby District Vision
Chairman’s Report.
The tone of my reports over the past two years or so have been very sombre affairs indeed, and I regret that this particular one has to be even more so. The Trustees and Staff have made every effort to overcome the problems of our financial situation, but there has been little by way of progress. The reality of the situation is that we have virtually no income at this point and are surviving only by way of using our reserves of capital. Obviously there is a limit as to how this can continue.
As most people will be aware, we have been informed that we were unsuccessful in our application for a grant from the Big Lottery. This was very disappointing in that both staff and trustees had invested a very great deal of effort and time in that particular application. Further funding from North Yorkshire County Council and the Primary Care Trust is on hold pending the outcome of new arrangements for tendering and contracting for work on their behalf. The future, therefore, is very serious for us as an organisation.
Within this newsletter is information as to how you, as users, members and friends might be able to help, and the Trustees thank you in advance for any contribution you can make. We are also in the process of issuing a press release giving the details of our problems to the general public and future users. Despite all this, however, the prospects for the future appear bleak. I would hope to have more information for you at the Annual General Meeting in June, but in the meantime any support you can give will be most welcome. Neil Sutcliffe. Chairman.
WE NEED YOUR HELP An appeal from the Trustees
As you will be aware from recent newsletters we have been having difficulties securing funding to keep Selby District Vision going. We have all been working hard to identify funding and as part of that work we put in a bid to the Big Lottery Fund. We have just heard that we have been unsuccessful.
The current position is that unless we can secure more funding very quickly we will be forced to close the charity by the end of this year. We appreciate that this will be upsetting news for you, as it is for all the staff, volunteers and trustees. However, we are not beaten yet and want to assure you that we are still working hard to secure the £60,000 per year we need to continue.
As part of this the Trustees have decided that we need to ask you if you are able to help us. We have never directly asked you for money before and it has not been an easy decision to write to you in this way but unfortunately “needs must”. If you feel able to help us with a single donation, no matter how large or small, or preferably a bank standing order for a monthly donation it would be very much appreciated and make all the difference. We will understand if you are not able to help. It will not affect the services you receive from us either now or in the future as long as we are able to continue providing the services.
In simple terms for every £5,000 we raise it keeps Selby District Vision running for another month giving us another month to work on putting in bids to charitable trusts etc. to secure long term funding for the charity. Another way of looking at things is that if every person who receives our services could afford £10 per month (£2.30 per week) we would almost achieve our target.
If you are able to help please complete the enclosed bank standing order form enclosed or forward your donation to the Selby District Vision Office. Also, if you, your family or friends know anybody who might be able to assist us, perhaps a local business with funding or in any other way please ask them to contact us on –
01757 709800.
Annual General Meeting is on Tuesday 15th June at Selby Town Hall. Opening at 11.30am AGM at 1pm.
This is an important meeting for Selby District Vision. We hope that as many of you as possible will attend. It is an opportunity to find out more about the current situation and show support for the Trustees, staff and volunteers. It is also a chance to meet old friends. If you need transport please let us know by 1st June so we can make arrangements.
Volunteer Information
We are nearly half way through the year and still battling on with our fundraising! Your support for our events has been very valuable in the past and is another important way of helping us.
Coffee Mornings.
We have had some very successful coffee mornings. On Monday 29th April we raised over £105 for our funds and the one on the 17th April made £135. Bank Holiday Car Park
We are operating the Council Car Park on Bank Holiday Monday 31st May, to boost our funds so any volunteers who can help on a rota basis please let me know.
Selby War Memorial Hospital Open Day Sat. 5th June from 1pm We are once again having a mystery gift stall. Every ticket costs a £1 and wins a mystery prize. We have wrapping paper in the office to wrap items up for this stall so if you have anything worth £1 or more that you would like to donate please let us know. We would be most grateful. Whilst this is a very good stall, we only make as much money as we have prizes. This year we would like at least 150 prizes with your help we can do it.
At Selby Fun Day Sunday 20th June between 12 – 4pm.
We are running our, “Play Your Cards Right,” bottle stall and this year one for the children too. So once again we need bottles of any shape and kind and also any small children’s items would be welcome. The more prizes we have the longer we can keep going and raise more money so the more the merrier. We also need help on this stall so if you can offer an hour of your time it would be much appreciated. Please give me a ring and let me know what you can do.
Funds are desperately needed, as you will have learnt from this newsletter so if you have any more ideas on how we can fund raise then please let us know.
New Volunteers.
On a happier note I am delighted to welcome some new volunteers Linda Thacker is helping us in the office and at coffee mornings, Ken Buglass is working with clinics and the mobile resource centre, Ros Donnet is at present helping with coffee mornings and Elaine Firth is a new home befriender. We know you will make them most welcome when you meet them and hope they enjoy their time working with us.
Welcome to a New Baby
We are still missing Cait in the office but are delighted to tell you that her baby, Annalise Rose arrived on Saturday 24th April weighing 7lb 8oz. Both Cait and Annalise are doing fine. Hazel has been lucky enough to have a cuddle and passed on all our good wishes.
Resource Centre News.
Getting on with Gardening The “Getting on with Growing in Containers” book is the recent edition in the Getting on with Gardening series. These Gardening guides are packed with techniques that have been tried and tested by people who have sight loss. They are written for people who have sight loss and are new to gardening or more experienced. This new volume covers in detail: - choosing containers, how to plant and maintain them and planting suggestions. Priced at £7.50 or £5 to members of the National Blind Gardeners Club. Available in Large Print, Braille, Audio Tape, Audio CD or Daisy CD. To order a copy or for details of the other gardening guides please phone us – 01757 70980
Play Chess.
There is a newly launched project that offers, teaching, coaching and other support to blind and partially sighted people who wish to play chess, or to individuals or agencies who are thinking of setting up chess groups for visually impaired people in their area. They will fund teaching and coaching for visually impaired people and help with the funding of projects aimed at setting up chess groups. If this is of interest to you let us know and if we get enough interest we will see what we can do.
Braille Chess Association – www.braillechess.org.uk is their web site. Membership costs £7 per year or £20 for five years. Life membership is £50. UK residents Under 25’s get free membership. For more information e-mail the secretary Normal Wragg n.wragg@braillechess.org.uk
Newly Launched – Maggie. A credit card sized 1cm thick magnifier. Large 3.0 wide screen LCD. Sharp true colour image.4 levels of magnification: 4x, 6x, 8x,11x. Image freeze for close up review. 3.5hr lithium-ion battery. I year warranty. Special Launch Price £89.00 +vat (RRP £99)
Finally a reminder about our AGM which is on Tuesday 15th June at Selby Town Hall. Opening at 11.30am AGM at 1pm.
We try to ensure that all details are correct, but can accept no responsibility for changes and inaccuracies.
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