At last spring is in the air, the birds are singing and buds are starting to burst. We are looking forward to some nice dry and sunny days as move into April and May. We do hope you can join us for one or more of the activities below.
☕ Tea and Toast, the first Wednesday of the month | 10.30am – 12noon
Come along for tea, toast and a chat with SVI friends.
On Wednesday 1 April, we have Lydia Turton from the Beacon to tell us about their new oral history programme and how you can get involved. As well as toast, we will have hot cross buns on offer…yummy!
Our May tea and toast is on Wednesday 6 May, speaker to be confirmed.
🚲✨ Parkride accessible cycling is back in Sandwell Valley | Starting Monday 13 April | 10.30am to 1pm
SVI and Mencap Parkride have partnered up again to bring a series of four, free accessible cycling sessions to Sandwell Valley. In the past these sessions have been very popular. We’re keen to welcome back familiar faces as well as anyone new who’s curious to give cycling a go. The Parkride team believe that there is an accessible bike or trike for everyone’s needs. Contact us to book your place.
💻 Let’s Talk About IT Monday 13 April | 12.30pm – 2.30pm | SVI Office
Come along to join us for an informal session where we’ll chat about all things IT. Whether you’re a tech whizz or just getting started, everyone’s welcome. Contact the SVI office to book your place
👥 Men’s group | Wednesday 15 April | 10.30am trip to the Ozzy Osbourne exhibition at the Birmingham Museum and Art Gallery.
Travelling together on the Metro from West Bromwich, our men will spend an hour or two around the exhibition and finish the day with lunch in Birmingham. Contact the office for more details and to be added to the register.
On Wednesday 20 May, join the men at the SVI office for relaxed chat, informative guest speakers and tabletop accessible games like dominos. We want more men to join our Men’s Group and welcome ideas of what we could do in the future.
🌟 Unlocking potential ‘getting more involved’ | Thursday 16 April | West Bromwich Town Hall | 11am to 2.30pm
We want to work with you, our members and volunteers, to see how we can keep SVI activities and services going in the face of forthcoming council funding cuts. Our ‘unlocking potential’ day will be a great opportunity for us to work together to look at how you might get more involved, or what might stop you from doing more. Even the smallest bit of help can make a difference. The day will be lively and informative, with speakers from a range of services, small focus groups and lunch will be provided. Please join us to share your ideas. This day is funded through the Esmée Fairbairn EPIC programme.
🍽️ SocialEyes fundraising meal | Akash Balti, Carters Green, West Bromwich | Monday 20 April | 6.30pm onwards
After a long gap following Covid, we are making a welcome return to see our friends at the Akash restaurant, who have very kindly agreed to hold a fundraising evening for the SVI SocialEyes group.
We will meet at the Akash at 6.30pm onwards. At £20 each, the meal will include poppadoms, a starter, main and side dish from a set menu. Half of the takings from the evening’s meal will be donated to the SocialEyes group. This will help us to run more activities and trips at subsidised costs. There will also be a raffle. There is a licenced bar at the restaurant, and you can either purchase drinks on the night or take your own. As we have to block book the restaurant, payment to SVI needs to be made in advance. Please contact the office to book your place.
🎤 SVI Rocks is back | first session on Wednesday 22 April | 10am to 12noon
Join Rodrigo and Sarah-Ann for our popular SVI Rocks sessions in the SVI Common Room. Sing or bring along an instrument and make some noise with us. Boost your musical skills and confidence. The second session will be on Wednesday 13 May, with more sessions to follow, leading up to a performance at SVI’s open meeting on Monday 13 July. Contact us to book your place.
🌿 Nature Connection activities | starting Thursday 23 April | from 1.30pm
From April until October, you can join a series of Nature Connection guided walks at Oak House, West Bromwich and in West Smethwick Park. Sophie, from Wonder in Nature will guide you in gentle, mindful walks. These sessions will offer a chance to slow down and connect more deeply with nature and each other. Each session will include a nature-based creative activity and time for refreshments.
Over the course of the project, we also plan to capture an audio story of the nature connection experiences and create a nature inspired art piece as a group. The first session will be on Thursday 23 April at Oak House, 1.30 pm – 4 pm, leaving from the SVI offices. More details will be provided nearer the time. The other sessions will be on the first Monday of each month between June and October, 1.30 pm – 4 pm. Please contact SVI to sign up for the walks.
🗣️ Sandwell Talking News AGM | Monday 27 April | 1pm to 3.30pm | SVI Common Room
If you are interested in hearing more about Sandwell Talking News or getting involved, you are welcome to come along to the annual general meeting. There will be a guest speaker too. Details to be confirmed.
🌊 Aquafit is back | Wednesday 29 April | 1– 2pm | Portway Lifestyle Centre
Get summer body ready! Aquafit restarts on Wednesday 29 April for 12 weeks. This gentle toning activity in the water is suitable for everyone, with expert instructor Alison. Contact SVI if you are interested.
🍜 SVI Women’s Group invites you to a taste of something different | Thursday 30 April |12.30pm | Oak Ca Phe, 614 Bearwood Road, B66 4BW
Dig into Vietnamese comfort food and more at Oak Ca Phe. Whether you fancy the classic Pho Beef or the lighter Pho Chicken, the bowls are packed with authentic flavours. There are plenty of other options too, including cake for those with a sweet tooth. Made with care and top-notch ingredients, you will leave with nice full tummies and a smile on your face! Let us know if you are coming so we can reserve the tables. You will order and pay on the day.
🏛️ Chance Heritage Trust guided walk | Thursday 7 May | 10.30am
The Chance Heritage Trust will be holding an “Access to Heritage” open day on 7 May in West Smethwick Park. The day will include guided heritage walks around the park and interactive Chance Glass history displays in The Pavilion. Sophie from Wonder in Nature will lead the walks. Sandwell Visually Impaired members are invited to join a walk at 10.30 am on 7 May followed by an interactive history talk which will include exploring Chance Glass heritage items. Please contact SVI to sign up for this event.
The Chance Brothers were pioneers in glassmaking, known for their innovative design. They supplied the glass to over 2500 lighthouses around the world. The Chance Glass Factory was established in Smethwick in 1822. West Smethwick Park was opened in 1895 on land donated by James Timmins Chance. The Chance Heritage Trust is working to bring back to life the legacy of heritage assets. We are delighted to give you the opportunity to find out more about this important part of Sandwell’s history.
🍺SocialEyes visit to the Fixed Wheel Brewery | Saturday 9 May | 1pm
Come and have a look around this Blackheath based micro brewer. Meet Scott Povey who will give us a guided talk, with two pints or four halves and a tasty cob included in the price. He will talk us through the brewing process and where possible we will taste, feel, and smell the main ingredients used. The cost of the tour including tastings and a cob is £15. Contact us to book your place.
🚔 SocialEyes trip to the ‘Lock Up’, West Midlands Police Museum | Thursday 21 May
Step inside Birmingham’s historic Victorian Lock-up and experience life on both sides of the bars. Join us for a guided tour, followed by tea and biscuits. Built in 1891 and used as a working police cell block until 2016, this unique museum brings two centuries of policing to life. Learn about notorious local criminals like the real Peaky Blinders and about the officers who worked at the lock-up. It’s a fascinating and fun trip out.
We will travel on the Metro, meeting at West Bromwich bus station at 9.45am. Cost, excluding travel, is £10 per person. Don’t forget your travel pass! Contact us to book your place.
🌳 Active 60 trip to ‘The Valley’, Evesham | Thursday 28 May
Join us for some fresh country air and a day out at The Valley, Evesham. With cafes, outdoor activities, a garden centre and shops, there’s something for everyone. There’s even a little train that will take you round the country park if you don’t fancy a walk. We will meet at West Bromwich bus station at 9.45am for a 10am prompt departure. Cost of travel per person is £15. There is no entrance fee for the Valley however there is a charge for the train and some other activities. Contact SVI to book and pay in advance.
🏋️ Supported Gym Sessions Every Tuesday | 10am – 12pm | Portway Lifestyle Centre
Break a sweat and boost your energy with fellow SVI members! From treadmills and bikes to weights, there’s something for everyone – and plenty of support to help you along the way. It’s a fun, social way to stay fit and active all year round, rain or shine.
👢 Line Dancing Every Tuesday | 1pm – 2.30pm | Dartmouth Central Club
Put on your dancing shoes and join Ray and Jean for a lively line dancing session full of fun and feel-good moves! Whether you’re looking to stay active, improve your balance, or simply meet new people, this is the perfect chance. Absolute beginners are welcome – just come along and enjoy. We’d love to see you on the dance floor!
🏓 Showdown every Wednesday afternoon| 1pm to 3pm | Portway Lifestyle Centre
Showdown will be every Wednesday from 1pm until 22 April. It moves to Thursday mornings from 30 April. Come and join us for this fast-moving, interactive sport similar to table tennis and air hockey. Designed for blind and visually impaired people but anyone can play. Contact the SVI office for more information.
📞 Booking and Payments
All activities must be booked in advance – spaces fill up fast!
Call 0121 525 4810 or email info@sandwellvisuallyimpaired.org.uk to reserve your spot.
We can now take card payments in person or over the phone. You can also pay by bank transfer or cash – just get in touch and we’ll help you with the details.
We look forward to seeing you at one or more of our upcoming events.
