The daffodils are out, the birds are tweeting, and Easter is nearly here, we just want the rain to stop now! Alongside our regular offerings, we’ve got new activities and outings planned, with ideas welcomed for new ones. We hope there is something to tickle your fancy! So please do come along and join us.
Social activities
Tea and Toast at SVI, West Bromwich Town Hall – a regular date for your diary.
Join us on the first Wednesday of each month between 10.30am and 12pm. This is an informal session, where we welcome guest speakers. Come along to enjoy a cuppa and a round or two of toast, with time to chat with friends.
On Wednesday 6 March we welcome Sandwell Council’s Deb Ward, who will talk to us about Direct Payments. Deb has been invited to join us following on from our tea and toast session in June last year when Jackie Taylor came along to seek our views on Direct Payments and how well they worked for us. Many members knew little about how the Direct Payments scheme worked and asked if we could invite someone to tell us more.
Our April Tea and Toast will be on Wednesday 3 April. Guest speaker to be confirmed nearer the time.
Active 60 Easter festivities at the Dartmouth Central Club, Devonshire Drive, West Bromwich B71 4AA, Thursday 21 March 12noon to 2.30pm
Celebrate the arrival of spring and the approach of Easter with your Active 60 friends, as we get together for a lunchtime buffet, Easter quiz and…watch out for that cheeky bunny again with lots of surprises! This is an event for young at heart people aged 50+, their families and friends. There is a £5 fee to help cover the costs of the buffet. This is payable on the day of the event but it’s important to book your place in advance as numbers are limited.
SVI Members Open Meeting at Portway Lifestyle Centre, Monday 25 March from 1.30pm to 4pm.
Join us for our next open meeting. We will have a mix of entertainment and serious content. Over the last few months, we have held Creative Change drumming workshops. Programme lead and Tabla drummer, Mendi Singh will introduce the project. Participants have learned to beat to the rhythm of the drum and now they will entertain you with their new skills!
After a break for refreshments Hardev Sandhu, Sandwell Welfare Rights will talk about the migration to Universal Credits for those of us receiving some benefits. He will answer your general questions about benefit entitlements.
Contact the office to book your place. Transport free for Sandwell residents.
SVI Women’s Group
Shopping trip in West Bromwich, Monday 8 April, from 4pm
Join us in sunny, central West Bromwich for a bit of retail therapy. Check out the shops and plan your summer wardrobe, with sighted support. We will meet at Costa at 4pm for a quick coffee. At 6.30pm, after shopping, we will gather at The Interceptor for a bit of pub grub and a relaxing drink. You are welcome to come to all or just part of the afternoon/evening. Please let us know so that we can organise the right number of helpers and can look out for you.
Women’s group Zoom meeting on Monday 22 April, 5pm.
A chance to chat online, with guest speaker to be confirmed.
SocialEyes
We can’t confirm any SocialEyes dates just yet. However we are busy arranging a ‘curryoke’ (a tasty blend of curry and karaoke) evening. We aim for this to take place before the end of April. This will be a celebration event, with a thank you to Wates for their support of SocialEyes activities.
Several of our SocialEyes members have said that they want to do a blind drive challenge. We’ve checked out some options. You would have to pay for this yourself and prices range from around £60 to £200 per person, depending on the experience you choose. Subsidised travel costs would be extra . If you would like SVI to look into this further, please let us know. For anyone who wants to book a driving experience independently, we now have several useful contacts, so call or email the office to find out more.
Digital Empowerment Thursdays
Steve Nutt our specialist digital and IT consultant, expert in accessibility, is here to help you. As well as group sessions, Steve can give one-to-one support at SVI, at your home or over the phone. Booking is essential, especially for one-to-one help, so give us a call.
Healthy Lifestyle activities
Be in the swim at West Bromwich Leisure Centre, every Monday afternoon from 3pm to 4pm.
Whether you are a good swimmer or just want to splash about, join us in the pool. SVI private pool Sessions take place every Monday from 5 March. We warmly thank our lovely volunteer Belinda Kaur for raising funds through the Great Birmingham Run. Her efforts are funding these sessions.
Fancy a gym workout with the support you need to join in. Every Tuesday morning from 10am to 12pm at Portway Lifestyle Centre.
Join SVI members on the treadmill, the exercise bikes, weights and much more. Support is on hand to help you get the most out of these sessions. The gym is a great way to keep fit whatever the weather.
Line dancing at The Dartmouth Central Club, Tuesday afternoons from 1pm to 2.30pm
Ray and Jean, our friendly line dance instructors, will lead the dancing every Tuesday afternoon. Line dancing is a great way to get fit and meet new and old friends. It’s a social opportunity to meet up and chat too. Even if you haven’t tried line dancing before, its great fun and learners are welcome.
Splash out with our Aquafit sessions every Wednesday afternoon from 1pm to 2pm at Portway Lifestyle Centre therapy pool
Get the benefit of exercise without putting too much pressure on aching joints. It’s surprising how this type of exercise helps you keep flexi and mobile. The heated therapy pool helps people to relax too. Join us and work at your own pace but don’t delay, aquafit sessions will end on 27 March.
Online meetings and activities (via Zoom)
Coffee and Conversation
Every Wednesday lunchtime drop in on the Zoom platform between midday and 1.30 pm for Coffee & Conversation with SVI members and friends.
Cook along with Kiran and Krupa
Zoom in to ‘cook along with Krupa and Kiran’ on Friday 22 March when we will be cooking pizza with spicy topping.
Zoom in to Gogglevox, once a quarter
Where we chat about audio described TV programmes – contact the office if you wish to be added to our mailing list.
Book your place
Due to demand, booking for all events is essential, so please call the office on 0121 525 4810 or email info@sandwellvisuallyimpaired.org.uk.
