Summer’s here and we’ve got some fun and interesting activities lined up. We’ve got our 21st anniversary celebration and a day trip to an unusual outdoor museum coming up in July. Dartmouth Park walks are back…and new tandem cycling sessions. There’s lots more, including our regular activities like the gym, swimming and tea and toast. Read on for details.
SVI 21st anniversary celebration on Monday 21 July at the Portway Lifestyle Centre
Whether you have been an SVI member from the start or have joined us very recently, you are warmly invited to our celebration afternoon tea party. We will have entertainment, tasty goodies and a birthday hamper, plus other prizes to be won. We will invite you to tell us what SVI has meant to you and what you would like us to do in the future. We will send you an individual invitation in the next couple of weeks with more details.
SocialEyes visit to Avoncroft Museum, Wednesday 16 July.
SocialEyes is a group for members of all ages, their families and friends. Join us for a visit to award-winning Avoncroft Museum, with drinks on arrival, talk, and guided tour. This outdoor museum near Bromsgrove is home to over 30 historic buildings and structures dating from the 13th century. Bring a picnic or buy your own lunch from the café. Cost £25 per person, which includes transport from West Bromwich. Payment in advance required. 9.45am departure, return by about 3pm.
Active 60 – watch this space
We are planning a boat trip for our Active 60 group. More details to come soon!
Dartmouth Park walks are back
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 a local hostelry 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.
Tandem cycling taster sessions at Dartmouth Park, Wednesday 2 and 9 July from 1.30pm to 3pm
Fancy having a go at riding a bicycle made for two. Working in partnership with the Active Wellbeing Society, we are holding two taster sessions to check out interest. There will be two traditional tandems with fully sighted steerspeople, so there’s nothing to stop you having a go. Booking is strictly by appointment as there will only be four places available for each session. Don’t delay contact the office to book.
Tea and Toast on the first Wednesday of every month from 10.30am to 12noon
This is a welcoming informal session, where we invite guest speakers with up-to-date information on a range of topics. Come along to enjoy catching up with friends over a slice of toast and a cuppa. Each month we invite someone from a local service we think you would find interesting and informative.
2 July – guest speaker is Carol Wilson from the Kaleidoscope Plus Group to tell us all about the range of better mental health and wellbeing services they offer.
6 August – guest speaker is Sid Sidhu from Serco, to update us on the new bin collections and other services they provide.
SVI Rocks
There’s still a little time to join our SVI rocks fortnightly sessions, on 25 June and 9 July from 10am to 12noon in the SVI Common Room.
Join our bunch of Misfits for more music-making sessions. Rodrigo and Sarah-Ann are having a break over the summer but will be back to nurture your musical prowess following a summer break!
Women’s Zoom meeting, Monday 16 June, 5pm to 6.30pm.
Join our friendly bunch of SVI women for a bit of lively conversation and fun from the comfort of your own home. We’ve had several ideas about what to do during the summer and autumn so please attend to give us your thoughts.
Contact the office to get the Zoom link.
SVI Men’s Group.
Some of our men have asked to have occasional speakers in to inform them about important things. On Wednesday 18 June, Nila Akram, Community Connector will be here from 10am to 10.45am to talk about cancer awareness. There will be hands on tactile aids, time to ask questions and to speak privately after the talk.
After this session, there will be plenty of time to chat and make new friends while joining in with some games. There will be accessible playing cards, dominoes and visually-impaired friendly darts. If you’ve got an accessible game please bring it along.
The SVI Men’s Group meet the third Wednesday of every month, usually from 10.30am to 12.30pm – this time we are starting 30 minutes earlier to give time for the talk.
Swimming Session West Bromwich Leisure Centre every Monday – 3pm to 4pm.
We have the pool to ourselves for a full session on Monday afternoons, but hurry these private sessions end on 30 June. So whether you are a good swimmer or just want to splash about, come and join in. SVI helpers are on hand to support you. Please tell us in advance that you are coming.
Portway Lifestyle Centre Gym every Tuesday from 10.00 am to 12noon
Fancy a gym workout with the support you need to join in? Come along to Portway on Tuesday mornings and give it a try.
Line dancing at Dartmouth Central Club on Tuesday afternoons from 1pm to 2.30pm
Ray and Jean, our welcoming and friendly line dance instructors, are very kindly volunteering their time to lead the dancing every Tuesday afternoon. Line dancing is a great way to get fit, improve your balance and coordination and meet new and old friends – don’t delay, line dancing ends for the summer on Tuesday 15 July.
Splash out with our Aquafit sessions on Wednesday afternoon from 1pm to 2pm at Portway Lifestyle Centre therapy pool
There is still a little time to join our aquafit sessions, so come along and get the benefit of exercise without putting too much pressure on your joints. It’s surprising how this type of exercise helps you keep flexible and mobile. Aquafit ends for the summer on Wednesday 16 July. Call us to book your place.
Showdown sessions at the Portway Lifestyle Centre every Thursday from 10.30am to 12 noon
Showdown is a fast-moving sport, with similarities to table tennis and air hockey. It was designed for people with a visual impairment, but anyone can play. Come along to one of our sessions and try it out for yourself. Wear comfortable clothing and flat non-slip footwear.
Sandwell Macular Group
We warmly welcome the Macular Group who meet in the SVI common room every second Tuesday of the month. They will meet here on Tuesdays 8 July and 12 August between 11.30am and 1pm. They will have guest speakers, refreshments and friendly conversation. Amanda from the Macular Society is putting a programme of activities together. So if you’re not already a member of the Macular Group, contact us to find out more.
