In this Issue:
iSite
New Chief Executive for Royal Blind Group Page 1
Paisley services open for business Page 2
Scottish Braille Press acquires new building Page 10
Winter 2017 RoyalBlind.org
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Therapy Ponies – a big hit with Braeside House residents iSite Magazine Winter 2017
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Royal Blind is Scotland’s largest visual impairment organisation. We care for, educate and employ blind and partially sighted people from across the UK.
Royal Blind Group welcomes new Chief Executive
Royal Blind supports people of all ages - from babies and toddlers at our pre-school playgroup, children at our school and after school club, young adults through our supported accommodation and respite care, and older people in our care homes. We also run the Scottish Braille Press, a leading UK provider of accessible media.
A graduate of the University of Edinburgh, Mark’s last position was as the Chief Executive of Chest, Heart and Stroke Scotland. He is a former Deputy Director in health and social care at the Scottish Government and has held senior positions at the Scottish Ambulance Service and MS Society.
Visit www.royalblind.org to find out more
Mark O’Donnell has taken up the role of Chief Executive of Royal Blind and Scottish War Blinded following the retirement of Richard Hellewell. “I’ve really enjoyed meeting staff, service users, Trustees and also starting to engage with some of the external networks and organisations that are most relevant to us. There’s been an optimism and determination everywhere and such a strong sense of dedication and professionalism amongst the staff.”
Mark joined the Royal Blind Group in July during a period of significant expansion following the creation of 150 jobs at the Group’s new services in the West of Scotland (see page 2).
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Looking to the future, Mark hopes to give Royal Blind Group a stronger voice on the issues that matter. He said: “This role is a huge privilege. I’m most looking forward to helping the organisation build on its many successes and continually He said he was attracted to the strive for better or different ways Royal Blind Group after learning to meet the needs of people with about its long and impressive history. visual impairment in Scotland.” “It has been a great start and such a warm welcome everywhere I’ve gone,” he commented.
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Royal Blind is a registered charity SC017167 Scottish War Blinded is a Scottish charitable incorporated organisation charity number SC047192
In July staff across the organisation bid a fond farewell to outgoing Chief Executive, Richard Hellewell. Richard led Royal Blind and Scottish War Blinded for 10 years and saw the two charities through a period of significant growth and development
He oversaw the development of several new Royal Blind services – Kidscene, Forward Vision, Allermuir and the Learning Hub – as well as significantly modernising Scottish War Blinded. During the last decade, our veterans’ charity expanded its remit to be able to support veterans who lost their sight subsequent to their service in addition to those injured as a result of conflict. The outreach service was established across Scotland and the Linburn Centre was built. Richard also commissioned our two new services in the West of Scotland – the Royal Blind Jenny’s Well Care Home and the Scottish War Blinded Hawkhead Centre. We wish Richard all the best for his retirement.
Jenny’s Well is designed to be a ‘homefrom-home,’ the specialist facility is spread across four inter-connected pavilions which have a sensory garden at its core. Jenny’s Well Manager, Stewart Whyte said: “ I am delighted to welcome all of our new residents to Jenny’s Well. I feel passionately about making care for older people right, and know that all of us together can make the very best it can possibly be to both live and work in.”
The Hawkhead Centre is fully accessible and has been designed to enable Scottish War Blinded’s members to easily navigate the building. Facilities include a sports hall, specialist arts and crafts workshop, an IT suite, a rehabilitation room, and a peaceful garden room to promote relaxation. Hawkhead Centre Manager, Sally Ross, added: “ It is a privilege to manage a new service at such an amazingly well equipped and beautiful new building.”
To find out more about the services, or to enquire about places, visit www.royalblind.org/paisley
Jenny’s Well and Hawkhead Centre open for business Royal Blind Group’s brand new services for blind and partially sighted people in the West of Scotland are officially open. Royal Blind has constructed Jenny’s Well, a specialist 54-bedroom residential care home for visually impaired older people in Hawkhead Road, Paisley. And Scottish War Blinded has built the Hawkhead Centre, a state-of-the art activity centre for veterans of the armed forces with sight loss on the same site. The £17m project has created around 150 new jobs in Paisley. Nearly 100 veterans have already signed up to use the Hawkhead Centre and the first residents of Jenny’s Well have settled into their new home. Mark O’Donnell, Chief Executive of Royal Blind Group, said: “We are delighted to open Jenny’s Well and the Hawkhead Centre. 2
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“ This has been a unique project for the Royal Blind Group as it is the first time that we have constructed a Royal Blind service and a Scottish War Blinded service side by side, and they will be our first centres in the West of Scotland. We have recruited a fantastic team of talented, knowledgeable and hard working staff, and I am confident they will make these much-needed services a success. “ We never forget that it is only with the help of our supporters that we are able to provide education, care, support and employment to blind and partially sighted people across Scotland, and I am extremely grateful to everyone who has helped make this project a reality.”
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Happy Birthday Allermuir Staff and residents of Royal Blind’s home for visually impaired adults celebrated the service’s first birthday. Allermuir opened its doors to residents in August 2016 to provide a home for life for its four residents, following the success of its sister service for young adults, Forward Vision. Allermuir provides permanent housing with 24-hour care for adults with visual impairment and additional disabilities.
Residents are able to take advantage of facilities at both Royal Blind and Scottish War Blinded services including the hydrotherapy pool at the Royal Blind School and woodworking classes at the Linburn Centre. The residents enjoy regular activities including horse riding and iMuse music therapy and now staff are planning a trip to Center Parcs next year.
Looking back on the past 12 months, residential care worker Leila Williamson, who has been with Royal Blind for more than 12 years and at Allermuir since it opened, said: “This is a lovely quiet community and we have just fitted in. There are lots of walks to do and places to go and our neighbours are lovely.
“Our young people are very busy and have lots of activities. One resident goes up to Stirling to Rebound once a week for a special massage which helps with balance and posture, and someone else does horse riding,” said Leila.
“ There is a real sense of community here and we have just become a part of it. We got lots of Christmas cards from residents, which was lovely.
“ We try to ensure everyone has tailored activities to meet their individual needs and this is always discussed with parents and family.
“ It is good to be out here and to be able to use the facilities Royal Blind have to offer. It gives the young people a sense of independence.”
“ We have a good balance between activities and local walks and down time. Everyone needs downtime.”
Three of the residents at Allermuir have complex needs as well as visual impairment.
“ This is a home for life for the young people here and that is how it feels,” said Leila.
There is a high staff to resident ratio, with three to four members of staff working at any time, as well as skilled volunteers and student nurses who take part in seven-week placements at the home.
“We have very positive feedback from the families of the young people and we know the residents are happy here – they would let us know if they weren’t!”
‘ Caring & Respectful’: Allermuir and Forward Vision rated by Care Inspectorate.
The Care Inspectorate has praised the ‘positive and happy atmosphere’ of Royal Blind’s new residential service after its first ever inspection of the home. Allermuir was rated as 5 (very good) across the board after an inspection of its quality of care and support, environment, staffing and management, and leadership in July. The report said: “We saw that staff knew the young adults very well and responded appropriately to their wishes and needs. We found that the service had a very positive and happy atmosphere, with a purposeful rhythm to daily life.”
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Forward Vision was also rated 5 (very good) following a visit by the Care Inspectorate in June. Parents and carers were consulted as part of the inspection, praising the service as ‘excellent’. One parent said: “The quality of care provided can only be described as excellent - this is an excellent service which meets the individual outcomes of their service users extremely well. I would find it difficult to identify areas for improvement as this is a first class service.”
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Exciting new role for Royal Blind School
Therapony is a big hit with care home residents
The Royal Blind School has been awarded the contract to deliver East Lothian Council’s vision impairment education service for the next three years.
Residents of Royal Blind’s Edinburgh care home for blind and partially sighted older people, Braeside House, were paid a visit by a special four-legged friend in September.
It is the first time that the Royal Blind School has delivered specialist education and support to visually impaired pupils for an entire local authority.
The key areas encompass: access to learning through mediums such as Braille and large print, technology, independence, social skills and transitions.
Residents were delighted to meet Wilson, a miniature Shetland pony from Therapy Ponies Scotland, as part of the home’s innovative activities programme.
Pupils with vision impairment between the ages of three and 18 are benefiting from the new service provided by the Royal Blind School. The service provides a wide range of support to pupils, staff and families in a range of settings across East Lothian.
Elaine Brackenridge, Head Teacher at the Royal Blind School said: “We are delighted to have been awarded the contract to deliver vision impairment services for East Lothian Council. We are enjoying working collaboratively with our colleagues in East Lothian to facilitate inclusion for children and young people with vision impairment and to ensure that their potential is maximised.”
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The service is being delivered by Qualified Teachers of Children and Young People with Vision Impairment (QTVIs) and other staff who have extensive experience in Braille. Fiona Robertson, Head of Education at East Lothian Council, said: “East Lothian Council is committed to developing strong partnership working with the Royal Blind School to deliver an excellent service that will meet the needs for our children and young people with visual impairment.”
The specially trained ponies offer therapeutic benefits to people including those with co-ordination and mobility challenges, learning difficulties, depression, anxiety and dementia. Wilson was a hit with residents and staff alike, bringing huge smiles as he was taken around the home visiting residents in their rooms and in living area – even catching a lift to the top floor.
He said: “It was a fantastic experience for both the residents and the staff. The residents were absolutely delighted to meet Wilson. He was very calm and well natured and there were happy smiling faces all round.”
Braeside House Activities Team Leader, Barrie Simcock, said the residents were ‘over the moon’ with the visit.
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Residents create their Playlists for Life Music is a powerful force. It can affect the way we think and the way we move. It can also bring back treasured memories, and this is why staff at Braeside House have joined forces with Playlist for Life (PFL), a charity which supports the creation of personal playlists to enhance memories in people with dementia. Staff have received training from PFL to become ‘music detectives’ and track down residents’ special songs. They have already helped 21 residents to create their very own playlists. Serena Allan, Braeside House Manager, said: “Music has such an impact on people’s lives and can bring back so many memories. “ One of our residents, Maisie, says that the music makes her happy. She can’t see anything, but is settled and relaxed when her music is on. Another resident, Millie, used to be a singer in a band. She doesn’t remember this but she does remember the music.”
“ People have a great sense of musical pride and the memories that are brought back through the music gives them a sense of belonging.”
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Barrie Simcock, Activities Team Leader at the home, said: “With the help of Playlist for Life the activities team has built up a knowledge on how to be music detectives and how to find everyone’s special playlist. “ The project has been very positive, it hasn’t been as easy task, but is very worthwhile. Some people have found it difficult, as music is very powerful and immediate. All it takes is one song to bring back a thousand memories.” Barrie said the music on the playlists has been very varied and include Lena Zavaroni, Vera Lynn, Johann Strauss, Hank Williams and the Royal Scots Dragoon Guards. “ People have a great sense of musical pride and the memories that are brought back through the music gives them a sense of belonging,” he said. Serena said: “Another of our residents, Jean, used to be a pianist and hasn’t played for years. She really enjoyed getting her past back and this project has got her back to playing again.
“ While another resident, Helen, suffers from Charles Bonnet syndrome and has great difficulty sleeping. Her playlist calms her down in the middle of the night.” The music detectives in the activities team have worked with relatives and friends when possible to draw up playlists and everyone feels they now have a better understanding of the residents through sharing their music. Barrie added: “Mary, who is 97 and always keeps us right, has a wonderful playlist which includes the Bay City Rollers, Gordon Macrea and Simon and Garfunkel.”
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The PFL programme has been shared with all staff and families of residents and creating individual playlists will be a part of the admission process for people coming to Braeside House in the future.
With our annual fundraising and awareness campaign, Royal Blind Week, fast approaching why not enter our raffle and be in with a chance of winning one of these fantastic prizes?
Braeside House has been awarded a PFL plaque and is now officially a Playlist for Life establishment.
Royal Blind Week raffle
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A Four Ball at the exclusive Archerfield Golf Course on either Fidra Links or Dirleton Links £50 John Lewis / Waitrose vouchers Hotel Chocolat ‘The GinCollection’ gift set A Chocolate and Love gift set iSite Magazine Winter 2017
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New building for Scottish Braille Press
Jim steps down from Scottish Braille Press
The Scottish Braille Press will move to larger premises next year as it prepares to boost its workforce.
Scottish Braille Press has bid a fond farewell to one of its longest serving employees, Jim McCafferty.
Royal Blind has secured a modern history as a provider of accessible office block in Gorgie which will formats for visually impaired people. accommodate the historic business’ “ In the past ten years we have expanding client-base and staff. helped more and more companies to meet the needs of their visually The move comes following the Press’ steady growth – with annual impaired customers by providing correspondence or documents in turnover at more than £3 million Braille, Audio and Large Print. for the first time ever in 2016/17, compared with £1 million in 2005. “Our output has now reached a point where we need a larger Profits from the business are fed premises to facilitate the growth back to Royal Blind to support of our workforce. A team will be its services across Scotland. created to plan and co-ordinate Scottish Braille Press Head of the move without any disruption Operations, John Donaldson, said: to the day to day activity of “This is a very exciting time for the the Scottish Braille Press.” Scottish Braille Press, marking a significant new chapter in its
The Scottish Braille Press currently employs 86 people, and hopes to create 13 new jobs with the move. The company is a Supported Employer and around 50% of its employees have some form of disability.
Jim joined the Press aged just 17 after graduating from the Royal Blind School. Now, more than 40 years later, he is retiring from the organisation and has been invited to become a member of the Scottish Braille Press sub-committee of the Royal Blind Board, in what Jim described as his ‘proudest’ moment of working for the Press.
The Scottish Braille Press was established in 1890 as a printing department of the Royal Blind School, in Craigmillar Park, to provide meaningful employment for pupils.
Jim is leaving the Press before it moves to its new building in Gorgie.
It expanded into a purpose-built facility – its current premises – on the same site in 1953.
“I think it’s fitting that I’m leaving before the move,” Jim said. “It’s bittersweet for me, as for as long as I’ve been with the Scottish Braille Press, we’ve been in the current building. I think it’s necessary for the Press to grow and expand. I’ve seen a lot of changes working at the Press, mainly around the types of content we’re producing and I’m retiring at a time when it’s stronger than ever.”
Jim has provided a valuable service as a Braille proofreader as well as being an active member of the visual impairment community – raising issues around mobility and accessibility, including as a Board member of the UK Association for Accessible Formats. As a teenager in 1971, Jim was invited to take part in a trial of the Sonicguide, a device designed to help visually impaired people navigate through their surroundings, by using ultrasound to sweep the user’s surroundings and help them ‘hear’ nearby objects. Jim also took a five year break from working at the Press to join Guide Dogs Scotland. Now he is looking forward to spending more time with his family and friends. He has also agreed to stand in as a proofreader for the Press on a freelance basis when needed. Scottish Braille Press Deputy Head of Operations, Sandra Wright, said Jim had been an ‘outstanding’ member of staff.
“ Jim will be sorely missed by everyone at Scottish Braille Press. We will miss not only his diligent work as a proofreader, but he is a fountain of knowledge on Braille and accessible formats. I’m pleased that he staying on with us in some capacity.” Sandra Wright Deputy Head of Operations
Scottish Braille Press 10 iSite Magazine Winter 2017
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‘ Truly inclusive’:
Kidscene – a parent’s perspective Any busy mum knows how difficult it is to get the right balance of work and childcare to achieve the very best care for your child, but for working mum Nadine Cassidy, Royal Blind has the perfect solution.
“This is the only place I have heard of which caters for both kids with complex needs and those without,” said Nadine. “It is wonderful and helps to make kids with no issues aware that there are others with real challenges.
Nadine’s 15-year-old daughter, Jessica, attends Kidscene After School and Holiday Club.
“I do not know of anywhere else that has children with the level Jessica is at alongside children who have no additional needs.
“I count myself and Jessica as exceptionally lucky that we have Kidscene,” Nadine said. “It is just fabulous.” Kidscene is an integrated service for children aged 4-16 with a range of disabilities and additional support needs and those without any additional needs.
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“It is difficult for Jessica to have close friends, so it is lovely that she enjoys being around other children and hearing their chat. All the kids are lovely with her, push her in her wheelchair and include her where possible in their games and activities.”
Jessica is registered blind and has cortical blindness, which means she only has a small amount of vision. She also has cerebral palsy, epilepsy and learning difficulties. Kidscene has care staff to support Jessica’s individual medical needs and the club has access to all the Royal Blind School’s facilities, including a swimming pool, climbing wall and sensory play areas. It also has two large play rooms. “The staff are truly inclusive,” said Nadine. “To me all the staff at the Royal Blind think outside the box. Many other organisations try to fit the child to the activity, but at Kidscene the activity fits in with the child so kids of all abilities and levels are able to do the same things. It is true inclusion.
“Everyone gets something out of it and it is wonderful, and staff are always on hand to see if Jessica needs a bit of quiet time, if she is tired or it is just getting too much for her. She is so well looked after.” Jessica is a pupil of the Royal Blind School, so Nadine knew about Kidscene when it was first established and Jessica has been attending for around five years. “It is invaluable to me as I work,” added Nadine. “It is very flexible and I am able to work things around my hours. Jessica attends after school and in the holidays. She loves it and I can go to work feeling that she is looked after and is happy.”
Pupils give Braille-iant presentation Why Braillers have fewer keys than keyboards, who invented Braille and how visually impaired people draw, were among the topics discussed at a special Braille-themed Kidscene session. Royal Blind School pupils, Lewis, Connor and Amy, dropped into Kidscene during National Braille Week to give a presentation on Braille. As well as taking questions from the children, the pupils also demonstrated how to use a Perkins Brailler, how a BrailleNote works, and how to use Braille in diagrams and pictures.
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Fundraising highlights We run a wide variety of charity events throughout the year to raise vital funds and awareness of Royal Blind. Visit www.royalblind.org/events to view our calendar of events.
Tech-savvy teachers get to grips with BrailleNote From smart phones to self-parking cars, technology is an increasingly integral part of people’s lives. And for people with vision impairment, the advances in technology can make completing everyday tasks much easier. One such invention is the BrailleNote, a compact computer with the key feature of a Braille keyboard that allows the user to read and write documents, and access the internet and apps. Now Humanware has launched a ground-breaking new piece of tech, the BrailleNote Touch – a certified Braille tablet with a touch screen. In June the Royal Blind Learning Hub joined forces with Humanware to host a seminar on using the BrailleNote Touch in a classroom environment. Humanware trainer, Andrew Flatres, said: “One of the most useful and exciting features is 14 iSite Magazine Winter 2017
an app that can almost instantly convert text into Braille. This means that if the teacher changes the lesson at the last minute, the pupil can still be included in the class.” The BrailleNote Touch has a VoiceOver feature so the user can navigate between menus and applications. Teachers can plug the device into a small monitor which will allow them to see their pupil’s work when it is used during class and information on the BrailleNote Touch is stored on a removable storage card, which can be swapped so the tablet can be used for exams. The BrailleNote Touch can also be used recreationally, with access to all of the features of an iPad or other tablet device.
Afternoon Tea with Scotland’s Crime Writers
Upcoming Seminars Free training for teachers and support staff. 25.1.18
Drama techniques, sensory stories and mindfulness
7.2.18
Communication in practice with learners at an early stage of development with VI and complex needs
20.2.18
PE and activities for pupils with VI and complex needs
7.3.18
Collaborative practice in art and Music Book your free place today! www.royalblind.org/learninghub 0131 446 3128 learninghub@royalblind.org
Celebrity Golf Day Golfers swung into action in August and helped raise an amazing £10,000 for Royal Blind. Hosted by DJ Scott Wilson, the ninth annual Celebrity Golf Day took place at the exclusive Fidra Links at Archerfield Golf Course in East Lothian. With games and mini challenges along the way and prizes for the best individual and team scores, attendees were encouraged to get competitive – all for a good cause.
Crime fiction fans feasted on a luxury tea in the company of some of Scotland’s top authors at an event in Oc tober. The Afternoon Tea with Scotla nd’s Crime Writers at Prestonfield House in Edinburgh raised around £3,000 for Royal Blind. Authors Christopher Brookmy re and Alex Gray considered the pro cess of creating a character for fiction in a panel discussion chaired by journalist turned best-selling crime writer Craig Robertson. Guests were then treated to a scrumptious afternoon tea and a glass of fizz before taking part in an auction and raffle.
A Spooktacular Halloween Ball More than 200 people attended a Halloween-themed ball for a frighteningly fun-packed night in October. Royal Blind was selected as the official charity of the Sportsman’s Charity Really Eerie Annual Magical Ball at Prestonfield House – hosted by TV personality Richard Arnold. With music from The Flavours, spooky games and a best dressed competition, guests were treated to an eerie evening of entertainment and great food and raised more than £12,000. iSite Magazine Winter 2017 15
A real high-flier:
Helen takes to the skies
As a former corporal in the Women’s Auxiliary Air Force (WAAF), Helen Gray is no stranger to aeroplanes. But it was not until after her 100th birthday that she decided to take to the skies for the first time. Scottish War Blinded member Helen joined the WAAF in 1942 and served until 1946. Working as a cook in Inverness, she never got the chance to sit in the cockpit. Then, at the age of 100, this changed thanks to Scottish War Blinded and Walking on Air, a Scottish charity which enables people with disabilities to experience flying. And in August, Helen, was airborne once more as she took her second flight in a glider from the Scottish Gliding Centre, near Portmoak, Kinross. The trip was organised by staff at Scottish War Blinded’s Linburn Centre, which Helen attends each Friday.
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Helen described the flight as lovely and said she can’t wait to do it again next year. “I would like to thank Scottish War Blinded for making anything and everything possible,” she said. “They are so good to us all. It’s good to be able to get out and not sit at home.” Scottish War Blinded and Walking on Air teamed up about five years ago and more than 50 members of the Linburn Centre have already flown in a modified glider. Both charities hope to double this number in the next five years.
“Some people who go up are quite nervous, but the people from Scottish War Blinded are always enthusiastic and up for it.”
“The gliding is very popular,” said Tim Searles, Centre Officer at the Linburn Centre. “We have had a lot of people doing it, but we run all sorts of events including 4x4 driving. People get slowly more adventurous when they come to us.” Helen was described as ‘an inspiration’ by pilot Gary Simpson, a volunteer with Walking on Air. Gary took Helen flying last year on her first gliding experience and was delighted to be back with her again.
“ I wasn’t frightened at all. What’s there to be frightened about? I enjoyed it. I will come back and do it again when I’m 102.”
After her flight Helen said: “It was lovely, just lovely. I wasn’t frightened at all. What’s there to be frightened about? I enjoyed it. I could see Perth and all over. I will come back and do it again when I’m 102.”
“ She was chatting all the way,” Gary said after the flight. “She was talking about the war, about her husband, and getting married during the war when he was in his uniform. It is all about attitude and it is her positive attitude that has kept her so fit.
Helen’s son Hamish, along with one of her two granddaughters and two of her four great grandchildren were there to watch the flight. “I have flown helicopters from work as I work in aviation, and dad was an Air Force mechanic and served in North Africa, so it is good to see mum flying,” said Hamish.
“Both mum and dad loved their time in the RAF and would have gone back at the drop of a hat. “My mum gets bored in the house and loves the Linburn Centre, she has made friends and loves the activities.”
The Linburn and Hawkhead Centres are open to all former veterans with visual impairments and offers a variety of courses and activities to instil confidence and ensure all veterans with visual impairments have the opportunity to live life to the full. To find out more visit: www.scottishwarblinded.org iSite Magazine Winter 2017 17
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