We’re gearing up for the summer and we have some new and exciting events and activities to share with you. We hope some of them will tickle your taste buds, so please do book early to avoid disappointment.
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.
Wednesday 5 June we welcome Sandwell Council’s Chris Cooper, CCBU Manager, who will talk to us about Direct Payments and financial contributions. Chris has been invited to join us following our tea and toast session in March when Deb Ward came along to explain what Direct Payments were and how they could help you at home and out and about. Several members wanted to know how financial contributions to the Direct Payments scheme worked and asked if we could invite someone to tell us more.
Our July Tea and Toast will be on Wednesday 3 July.
Brum Rocks workshop, Wednesday 5 June from 12.30pm to 2.30pm at SVI, West Bromwich Town Hall
Do you play a rock band instrument or sing? Would you like the opportunity to join us for a free workshop where you can learn tunes and make music together? If so, come to Brum Rocks at SVI. The session will be run by a professional rock music leader who will lead you through a range of classic rock songs from the past 50 years. Expect Electric Light Orchestra, the Beatles, and Status Quo, as well as much more! This workshop is for members of SVI but is part of the much larger Brum Rocks project which will see hundreds of musicians come together for a once in a lifetime rock concert extravaganza in July 2024 at the Forum, Birmingham. If this sounds interesting, even if you only want to shake a tambourine, or sing backing vocals, come along, make some music, and find out more about the Brum Rocks project!
SVI Women’s Group, bottomless Brunch at Lucarelli Restaurant, 58-60 Seagar Street, West Bromwich, B71 4AN on Saturday 8 June from 1pm to 2.45pm.
Ladies who lunch are invited to join us for two light bites of our choice from the brunch menu. A choice of two cocktails and as much fizz as you want in the 1 hour and 45 minutes we have at this popular local Italian restaurant. The cost is £29.95 per person, you are welcome to bring a companion if you wish. Contact us for details of the brunch and cocktail menu. Booking and payment in advance is required, so don’t delay.
Women’s group Zoom meeting on Monday 8 July at 5pm.
A chance to chat online, with guest speaker to be confirmed.
SocialEyes, a group for members of all ages, their families and friends
SocialEyes curryoke’ night at the Yew Tree, Albion Rd, West Bromwich B70 8QX on Friday 21 June from 7.30pm to 11pm.
Join us for a party evening with a tasty mix of curry and karaoke. Dine, sing and dance the night away.
We want this to be a celebration event, with a thank you to Wates Family Trust for their support to SVI over the past twelve months. The cost of this subsidised evening, including curry buffet is £17 per person. Please contact the office to book your place and to make payment in advance.
SVI Members Open Meeting at Portway Lifestyle Centre, Monday 15 July from 1.30pm to 4pm.
We have a mix of entertainment and serious content as we welcome Joe Somerton and George Lancaster from BT Openreach to tell us about the switch to full fibre optic. Jayne Salter-Scott is back to update us on the Midland Metropolitan Hospital which is opening very shortly. To help the meeting go with a swing, we will have songs from our Brum rocks session, by Sarah-Ann and SVI members. Please contact the office to book your place. Transport free for Sandwell residents.
Active 60 – is a group for young at heart people aged 50+, their families and friends.
Active 60 Winterbourne House and Gardens trip, Monday 8 July from 10am to 3.30pm.
Join your A60 friends for a guided tour of the lovely Winterbourne gardens, followed by lunch in the tearoom or why not bring your own picnic. After lunch, there will be free time to look around the beautifully restored Winterbourne House with its Edwardian Arts and Craft splendour, this is a unique heritage attraction – set within seven acres of beautiful botanic gardens, then take a calming breath and stroll around the rock garden and woodland walk through Gunnera leaves and Rhododendron displays. Cost for this day out including transport from West Bromwich Bus Station is £16 payable in advance.
Active 60 Blackcountry Man narrow boat trip with fish and chips plus entertainment from Billy Spakemon and Tim Martin – The Busketeers on Thursday 25 July at 5pm
We will board the narrowboat at the Bonded Warehouse, Stourbridge, Canal Street, DY8 4LU, from where we will have a 2.5-hour trip to Stourton Locks cruising down the beautiful Stourbridge Canal, with proper Black Country entertainment from Billy and Tim, a fish and chip tea will be served and there is a bar on board for you to purchase alcohol or soft drinks. The cost of the evening out is £20 per person, and we can provide transport from West Bromwich if you need it at an additional small cost. Booking and pre-payment for this event is essential.
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.
SEE – Support Empowerment & Experience
Living with Sight Loss Course – Wednesday 12 & 19 June at West Bromwich Town Hall [CANCELLED]
2-day course, looking at all issues around sight loss and independent living.
Unfortunately we have had to cancel this course due to lack of numbers wishing to attend. If you would like to receive information about about living with sight loss, please contact the SVI office.
Talk & Support & befriending service
We had a good attendance at the last Talk and Support session where we chatted about sources of support during the cost of living crisis. By the time you read this, we will have held another at SVI and the next session will be in July. We have had quite a few members apply to be volunteer telephone befrienders (so thank you!) and we are in the process of collating names and finding their perfect match. Meanwhile, if you would like a befriender to call you, please let Sue Bloomer know.
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. We thank 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 Wednesday 19 June 2024 – still a few weeks left, so get your trunks on.
Dartmouth Park walks are back from Thursday 13 June
Come and stroll with us around Dartmouth Park and the Sandwell Valley every Thursday lunchtime. We will meet at the main gates of Dartmouth Park near the War Memorial at 12 noon. Following a leisurely stroll, we will finish at the Dartmouth Central Club for refreshments at 1.30pm to 2.30pm. Please tell us you are coming in advance so that we can make sure we have enough sighted guides to help us get around safely.
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.
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.
Payment for activities can be made by bank transfer, payment card, cash at the office or cheque.
