How quickly this year has gone by. It’s summer already and we’ve been rushing to get in some activities for you before the schools break up!
🌳 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. There are still a few places left, so contact us to book and pay in advance.
🌿 Wonder in Nature – nature connection activities | Our next session is at West Smethwick Park | Monday 1 June from 1.30pm
Sessions are once a month until October. 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. Refreshments will be available to buy from the West Smethwick Park Pavilion café.
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. Please contact SVI to sign up for the walks.
☕ Tea and Toast, the first Wednesday of the month | 10.30am – 12noon
Come along for tea, toast and a chat with SVI friends. In June and July we are pleased to welcome the following guest speakers.
On Wednesday 3 June, we have Arfan from the Let’s Talk Service at Black Country Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust. Let’s Talk support anyone who is feeling isolated or lonely in the Black Country. Arfan will talk to us about their services and about the volunteering opportunities available.
On Wednesday 1 July, our speaker is PJ from the Sight Loss Council, Thomas Pocklington Trust. They want to hear about the access issues that are important to you as blind and visually impaired people, including environment, health services, transport and so on.
💻 Let’s Talk About IT | Monday 8 June| 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. Barrie Lane, IT wiz from Beacon will be with us for the next few sessions to share his knowledge. Contact the SVI office to book your place.
👥 Men’s Group | Wednesday 17 June | 10.30am to midday at the SVI office
Join the men for a social get-together. A chance to chat and set the world to rights! With table top accessible games, like dominos, if you want to have a go. We want more men to join our Men’s Group and welcome ideas of what we could do in the future and where we could go.
🎤 SVI Rocks next session on Wednesday 10 June | 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. SVI Rocks sessions will also be on 24 June and 8 July leading up to a performance at SVI’s open meeting on Monday 13 July. Contact us to book your place.
🚶 🚶 Dartmouth Park walks are back…starting on Thursday 11 June
Summer’s definitely here when the SVI park walks come back. And from the second Thursday in June, walks will take place each week. Meet us by the Dartmouth Park War Memorial, from where we will take a leisurely walk around the park and Sandwell Valley, stopping off for refreshments. Please tell us you are coming so we can make sure we have enough sighted guides.
🍽️ Active 60 breakfast brunch at the Interceptor | Monday 15 June 10.30am to 12.30pm
Back due to popular demand, we are having another breakfast/brunch get together at the Interceptor, New Square West Bromwich. Join us to enjoy a full English, a tasty snack or even an early lunch. Please let us know that you are coming and we can reserve the table – you can just order and pay on the day.
🚍 SocialEyes trip to Stourport-on-Severn with boat trip | Monday 29 June
Bring your family and friends to enjoy a good old fashioned day out, including a trip on the ‘River King’. We will meet at West Bromwich Bus Station at 9.30am for a 9.45am departure for Stourport, arriving at about 11am. We will take a short river boat cruise returning for free time for lunch at a café or pub. Or why not have fish and chips sitting by the river, or even a picnic. The cost will be £22 per person. This includes coach travel and a one hour boat trip, with tea and coffee. We expect to be back in West Bromwich by about 5.30pm. Booking and payment in advance is required.
🍰 SVI Women’s Group coffee and cake afternoon | Wednesday 8 July, 1.30pm to 3.30pm in the SVI Common Room
Enjoy tasty sweet treats while chatting about anything and everything important to women. From the serious stuff to the social, tell us what you would like to do over the next few months – it’s your group, so do please join us and share your views on topics such as ‘should men be allowed to come to some women’s’ group events’.
🎶 SVI Summer Open Meeting | Monday 13 July | 1pm to 4pm| West Bromwich Town Hall Council Chamber
For our summer open meeting we welcome you all to the Town Hall where you will be entertained by our very own SVI Rocks choir. We will give you an update on the latest SVI funding situation and our actions as a result of our ‘Unlocking Potential’ discussions. We hope to have a council representative at this meeting to answer your questions about our funding. Refreshments will be available, travel expenses will be met and we will have a raffle to help with SVI fund
🌟 Unlocking Potential ‘getting more involved’
We will have more workshops and training sessions coming up over the next six weeks. We will send these out to you in a separate letter when we have confirmed all the details.
☀️ Active 60 Summer Afternoon Tea | Monday 20 July | 1.30pm Halesowen Golf Club, The Leasowes, Halesowen, B62 8QF
Join us to indulge in a traditional afternoon tea in the idyllic countryside surroundings of Halesowen Golf Club. With sandwiches, quiche and sausage rolls, scones and cakes, there’s something for everyone. Posh frocks and smart suits optional. Cost will be £20 per person plus travel. Call us to book your place now for this bit of summery indulgence.
🏋️ 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!
🌊 Aquafit every Wednesday lunchtime between 1 – 2pm | Portway Lifestyle Centre
Get summer body ready! Aquafit has restarted and there is still plenty of time to sign up – so come and give it a try. This gentle toning activity in the water is suitable for everyone, with expert instructors Alison or Karen. Contact SVI if you are interested.
🏓 Showdown | every Tuesday afternoon at 2pm and Thursday morning 10am to 12 noon | Portway Lifestyle Centre
Following the success of our team’s first competition experience, we are holding more Showdown sessions. 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.
