Happy New Year from the SVI team. We hope you have enjoyed the Christmas break and that 2024 will bring you and yours much health and happiness.
Please read on for details of the healthy lifestyle, digital and social activities we have planned for early 2024. Important – to book your place, please contact us by phone on 0121 525 4810 or email info@sandwellvisuallyimpaired.org.uk
Healthy lifestyle activities
New year is an ideal time to join your SVI friends at one or more of our free, healthy lifestyle sessions. They aren’t just about physical fitness, you will make new friends and have a laugh too. Make 2024 your year to get and keep fit.
Swimming 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. Sessions take place every Monday. We have a swimming instructor, Toni, until 19 February to provide one-to-one guidance on swimming techniques.
Gym session, every Tuesday morning from 10am to 12noon 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 the gym equipment. It’s a great way to keep fit in the winter when it’s not so easy to exercise out of doors.
Line dancing at the Dartmouth Central Club every Tuesday from 30 January
Volunteers Ray and Jean, our fantastic line dance instructors, will lead the dancing every Tuesday afternoon from 1pm to 2.30pm. It doesn’t matter if you have two left feet, it’s a fun session and we don’t take ourselves too seriously! Line dancing is a great way to get fit and meet new and old friends. Sessions restart after the Christmas break on Tuesday 30 January.
Aquafit sessions every Wednesday afternoon from 1pm to 2pm in the therapy pool at Portway Lifestyle Centre.
Join in our aquafit sessions and get the benefit of exercise without putting too much pressure on aching joints. It’s surprising how this type of exercise helps you keep flexible, mobile and burns up those calories. They say no pain, no gain, but in this case the opposite is true. The therapy pool is lovely and warm, so it’s a great way to relax and ease the pains and woes away.
Social and peer support activities
Virtual Women’s Group (on Zoom), Monday 29 January 5.30pm to 7pm
Cosy up with our friendly bunch of SVI women for a bit of lively conversation and fun. We haven’t confirmed our special guest yet but we have a couple of options in the pipeline and we will let you know more as soon as we do.
Active 60, Burns lunch at the Court of Requests, Oldbury on Tuesday 23 January, from 12.30pm.
Join us to celebrate the Scottish bard. This event was very popular last year, and people have asked us to do it again, so why not don your kilt and tartans for a Burns lunch. You can enjoy haggis and neeps and indulge in a wee nip, or order from the standard menu. Please contact us to book your place and you can pay on the day for your food and drinks.
Active 60 is our group running activities and trips for those of us aged 50 plus.
Tea and Toast at SVI, West Bromwich Town Hall, first Wednesday of every month
Join us on the first Wednesday of each month between 10.30am and 12noon. This is an informal session, where we welcome guest speakers who will update you on a range of subjects. Come along to enjoy a cuppa and a round or two of toast, with time to chat with friends too.
On Wednesday 7 February our guest speaker is still to be confirmed.
On Wednesday 6 March our speaker is Deb Ward, Safeguarding lead at the council who will be talking to us about Direct Payments.
A day at the Black Country Living Museum on Thursday 29 February
Enjoy stepping back in time with a visit to the Black Country’s iconic local museum, filming location for Peaky Blinders amongst others.
As well as the usual attractions you can now enjoy the Museum’s ‘new’ 1940s to 1960s High Street, complete with 1960s telephone box, shops, a hairdresser and even pork baps 1950s style. Spark some memories and share your stories of this significant period of 20th Century history. We aim to get to the museum at about 10.30am and leave at 3pm. The subsidised cost for the day is £12 each, thanks to funding from Waites. Please note that there will be a small additional fee if you need transport from West Bromwich. Contact us to book your place.
This session is part of our SocialEyes programme of activities for all ages.
Digital Empowerment Project
We’ve been funded by the Thomas Pocklington Trust to offer this informative digital skills programme. Get the most out of your screen reader and apps on various devices. Join our group sessions or register for a one-to-one with our expert visual impairment IT specialist Steve. These sessions are running every Thursday. Group sessions from 11.30am to 1pm, with one-to-ones by appointment in the afternoon.
Group sessions so far are as follows:
Thursday 18 January: Getting the most out of your mobile phone apps.
Thursday 25 January: Take control of your social media presence and keep yourself safe.
Thursday 1 February: NVDA – learn more about this free, voice screen reading software for Windows laptops and PCs.
Thursday 8 February: JAWS – why choose JAWS and how to use this screen reader most effectively.
Thursday 15 February: Zoom – useful tips and keyboard shortcuts for virtual meetings.
Thursday 22 February: Question and answer session.
Zoom in to our online meetings and activities
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 Krupa and Kiran
Practice your cooking skills by Zooming into our ‘Cook Along’ sessions. The next session will be Friday 16 February between 3.00 pm and 4.00 pm when we will be cooking soya/chicken with vegetable rice. If you’ve never joined in with one of these sessions before, you really should give it a try. It can revolutionise your cooking techniques and give you more confidence in your cookery techniques.
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.
Save the date!
Our next SVI Open Meeting will be at Portway Lifestyle Centre on Monday 25 March from 1pm to 3.30pm. An event not to be missed, featuring our aspiring SVI drummers.
Due to demand, and for safety and planning reasons, booking for all events is essential. Call the office on 0121 525 4810 or email info@sandwellvisuallyimpaired.org.uk.
