Association of Blind Asians Leeds

Service User Consultation - let us know your views

2014-10-15T13:56:00.002+01:00

To help us plan for the future, ABA is seeking the views of its service users.

We've been talking to sevice users at our regular events in Leeds, but if you weren't able to contribute to the consultation that way, you can complete an online form below.

Drop-in sessions for basic English skills

2014-02-13T11:47:00.000+00:00

We'll be running a series of sessions for people who want to improve their basic English - to help them with everyday conversations.

When: Thursdays from 20th February to 27th March. Between 1pm and 2:30pm.

Where: Mary Sunley House, Banstead Street, Roundhay Road, Harehills, Leeds LS8 5RU.

These sessions are open to our service users, carers and anyone else who want to improve their English. Come along with your questions.

Two people who use the My Guide service

2014-02-12T11:09:00.000+00:00

The My Guide project trains volunteers and connects them with people whose visual impairment is limiting their ability to get out and interact with their community. We aim to build confidence and independence.

Case study 1:

Mr A has diabetes and suffers from poor eyesight and bad blood circulation in both his legs and therefore lacks mobility. With age his condition has worsened and now he is heavily dependent on others and confined to his home. The My Guide Project Coordinator approached him and explained the project’s aims he immediately showed his interest and soon after a volunteer was matched up with him.

Mr A started using the public transport from his house in Pudsey to the city centre and the bus drivers on the route got to know of his condition and thus could help him if he needed any help. He got his confidence back and because he was going out he was less depressed and no longer felt lonely.

Case study 2:

Mr B has got number of physical disabilities besides very poor eyesight and is heavily bound in his wheel chair. He is very lonely and loves to keep in touch with his community and lacks the confidence and doesn't have any idea whom to contact. The My Guide Coordinator introduced him to a volunteer who befriended him and started taking him out to community centres, shops pubs and a even a day out.

Mr B was very happy once again that he was being taken out to places where he could stay in touch with his community and introduced him to local pubs and shops. He felt happy after going to such places after a long time.

Drumming at Luncheon Club

2014-02-11T13:00:00.000+00:00

On Thursdays till 6th March, we'll be running drumming sessions at the Luncheon Club in Headingley.

These are fun sessions for everyone - a chance to make music together.

Luncheon club runs every Thursday 11am at Muir Court, Sagar Place, St Michael's Road, Headingley, LS6 3AP.

There is a small cost of £3 to cover the cost of lunch and activities.

Roshni Project case study - helping clients with multiple needs

2014-02-04T14:24:00.000+00:00

Mr Y is 56 years old and was a self employed taxi driver. During the last 3 years Mr Y started to lose his vision due to Diabetic Retinopathy. Mr Y also suffers from Type II Diabetes with severe end organ damage and chronic kidney disease which requires dialysis 3 times a week. His main carer is his wife.

Mr Y was referred to ABA by a Rehabilitation Officer at Leeds City Council. A joint visit was made to Mr Y by ABA’s Support Worker and the Rehabilitation Officer and an assessment was carried out.

Mr Y stated that he was struggling and very worried about not being able to get up and down the stairs and was sleeping downstairs at night due to fatigue and pain. When attending hospital appointments, Mr Y needed assistance to walk as the exertion made him breathless. His wife accompanies him everywhere to avoid danger.

A claim was made for Employment Support Allowance as well as Disability Living Allowance to help them financially. ABA’s Support Worker told the client about the Blue Badge Scheme to help with parking when they are out and about, especially when attending hospital appointments. An application form was completed and within two weeks the service user had received a Blue Badge. Mr Y’s carer is now able to park close to where they need to go to make it easier for Mr Y.

As the couple were not entitled to any means tested benefit due to their personal circumstances, Mr Y was paying for his medication. The Support Worker advised them to complete a FP92A application form and to get his doctor to sign to confirm his condition to entitle him to medical exemption certificate. Mr Y had a permanent fistula and was Diabetic and so was entitled to free prescriptions.

Referral to Adult Social Care for an Occupational Therapist Assessment was made. A banister rail was put in on the stairs to help with getting up and down and an assessment for a walk-in shower was also agreed. Mr Y has now been granted with a stair lift which will enable him to be free and independent when accessing the stairs and using the bedroom and bathroom facilities upstairs.

We made a referral for low vision aids and Mr Y has been loaned magnifiers to help him read. A white walking stick was provided by the Rehab Officer and gadgets, including liquid level indicator for the kitchen was provided to help him when making a drink for himself when his carer was not about.

Mr Y said that he had given up and thought he was dependent on family for the rest of his life, but with the help and support received from ABA it has given him hope and confidence to keep going.

Find out more about the Roshni Project...

Photos from "Your RNIB" event January 2014

2014-01-23T10:42:00.000+00:00

42 people attended this event which ABA and RNIB put on in partnership. RNIB's staff, volunteers and members talked about RNIB's work and the benefits of membership. We also had workshops on mobility, assistive technology, Bollywood dance and healthy eating.

Your RNIB - bringing us together

2014-01-14T09:53:00.000+00:00

ABA, in partnership with RNIB, would like to invite our service users to a free fun and informative day which will give you the opportunity to find out what RNIB membership can do for you.

Tuesday 21st January, 10am to 4pm at St Columba United Reformed Church, 70 Headingley Lane, Headingley, Leeds LS6 2DH.

Lunch, refreshments and transport provided. Limited places are available - book a place through your support worker or call the office on 0113 210 3347.

If you, someone you know or someone you support has sight loss RNIB can help.

RNIB is hosting an event in the heart of your community, why not come along and mix with other blind and partially sighted people, learn something new such as easy cooking skills, armchair exercise or self defence.

TRY RNIB MEMBERSHIP FOR FREE for 9 months.

During that time you will get the opportunity to receive benefits such as the award winning Vision magazine, our Easy Pay instalment plan to spread the cost of equipment, a personal transcription allowance to have books and materials produced in audio, large print or Braille, regional member forum events, free telephone book clubs and discounts at Vision hotels

Being a member of RNIB

Keeps you up to date find out about products and hear from other members with our award winning Vision magazine.
Gives you the opportunity to enjoy exclusive offers and discounts for example you can spread the cost of purchasing a product with our Easy Pay instalment plan. Easy Pay allows you to pay for any product costing £150 or more in 10 monthly instalments. There's no interest and no charges.
Transcribes up to the equivalent of 300 print pages a year for FREE
You can connect with other blind and partially sighted people. Come and meet other members and help to shape the work of RNIB at regional member forum events or share your love of reading and discover best-selling books from the comfort of your own home with our FREE telephone book clubs.

There will also be the opportunity to have a private ‘one to one’ chat with one of RNIB’s Welfare Advice workers on the day.

Who needs a TV Licence and who qualifies for a discount?

2013-12-23T12:27:00.000+00:00

You need a TV Licence if you wish to watch or record television programmes in the UK as they're being shown on TV. The cost of a Licence is lower if you're registered blind or free if you're aged 75 or over.

You need a TV Licence if:

You are watching programmes on television.
You are using an internet service such as IPlayer to watch programmes at the same time as they are being broadcast on television.
You are using a DVD/VHS recorder or other recording device to record television programmes to watch later.

You don't need a TV Licence if:

You have a digital box that has been set up only for sound - i.e. it can't display TV pictures.
You only use online services to watch programmes AFTER they have been shown on TV (usually called catch-up TV).

People who are registered as blind or severely sight impaired can get a 50% discount on their Television Licence. This applies even if there are other people living in the house who also watch the television (though the Licence has to be in the name of the person who is registered blind or severely sight impaired).

The discounted rate is £72.75 per year if you have a colour TV or £24.50 per year if you only have a black and white TV.

To get your discount, you will need to complete an online form (or call TV Licensing to ask for a paper form) and send TV Licensing a photocopy of a certificate from either your local authority or your opthamologist stating that you're blind or severely sight impaired.

The discount is not available for people who are partially sighted or sight impaired.

In most parts of the UK, people aged 75 and over are entitled to a free TV Licence - you can find out more on the TV Licensing website.

Visit TV Licensing website

Call TV Licensing: 0300 790 6130

General information about TV Licensing is also available in several languages including:

Annual Report from ABA Luncheon Club 2012-2013

2013-12-20T11:00:00.000+00:00

Our weekly Luncheon Club is funded by Leeds City Council. This year we served 426 meals - helping people to have access to healthy food, as well as providing social opportunities and information and activity sessions.

The annual report for 2012-2013 is now available. Click here to download it or view the report below.

It appears your Web browser is not configured to display PDF files. No worries, just click here to download the PDF file.

Photos from craft sessions at the Luncheon Club

2013-12-19T11:00:00.000+00:00

Recently we ran a series of arts and crafts sessions in partnership with Better Leeds Communities for service users at the weekly Luncheon Club.

Photos from our 2013 AGM

2013-12-18T11:00:00.000+00:00

Our AGM took place on 7th December at Swarthmore Education Centre in Leeds. Around 35 people attended and their was lively discussion of the annual report and ABA's services.

Thanks to all the volunteers who helped on the day - preparing the space and serving lunch for everyone.

Photos from My Guide training

2013-12-17T11:00:00.000+00:00

We recently held a training session for new My Guide volunteers. The training helps volunteers to understand the obstacles that a blind service user can experience and shows how to assist people in a friendly and effective way. Volunteers who complete the training are then able to participate in the My Guide project, helping blind or partially sighted people to regain confidence and access community facilities.

This training is also available for companies and charities who would like their staff and volunteers to be more aware of how to improve accessibility to their services and premises. Contact ABA for details.

Celebration Dinner

2013-12-12T09:42:00.000+00:00

ABA will be marking the end of the year and celebrating the achievements of service users, staff and volunteers with a dinner at Bradford's Aagrah Midpoint restaurant on Thursday 19th December.

Dinner costs £10 and transport (if needed) is £3 per person.

Any service users or volunteers who want to join us, please let us know. You can call the office on the usual number 0113 210 3347.

It's been a busy and productive year for ABA, so we hope you'll join us to celebrate with some good food and good company.

ABA Newsletter Autumn/Winter 2013

2013-12-11T15:21:00.000+00:00

Our latest newsletter covers:

Award from Duke of York's Community Initiative
National Eye Health Week Events
A recipe from one of our volunteers
Courses for service users
Photos from our Summer day trips
Meeting with Guide Dogs' Chief Executive to mark the success of ABA My Guide

Click to download

It appears your Web browser is not configured to display PDF files. No worries, just click here to download the PDF file.

Annual Report 2012-2013

2013-12-10T13:38:00.001+00:00

Our annual report for the financial year April 2011 - March 2012 covers:

feedback from service users
Roshni project
Service User Forum
Communications
Trips and events
My Guide
Luncheon Club
Summary of Accounts

Click to download

It appears your Web browser is not configured to display PDF files. No worries, just click here to download the PDF file.

Annual General Meeting - Saturday 7th December

2013-11-28T11:15:00.000+00:00

All ABA members are invited to the Annual General Meeting on Saturday 7th December at 10:30am

Venue: Swarthmore Education Centre, Woodhouse Square, Leeds LS3 1AD. [click here for a map]

This will be an opportunity to hear about our progress during this very eventful year and to have a say about the future direction of the organisation.

Lunch will be provided.

Parking is available at Joseph's Well - next to the Centre.

If you would like to attend, please contact the office on 0113 210 3347 or info@abaleeds.org.uk

My Guide Open for Business - sighted guided training for businesses and organisations

2013-10-17T12:47:00.000+01:00

Association of Blind Asians are now able to offer certified My Guide sighted guiding training to businesses and organisations in Leeds.

This training will help you and your staff to provide a more inclusive service to visually impaired customers and visitors. Since businesses that have successfully completed the course are listed online, it also gives those customers confidence to approach your business.

Training can be delivered as a half-day or full-day course. This will cover awareness of the obstacles faced by visually impaired people and practical skills on assisting visually impaired customers. There'll be plenty of opportunity for your staff to practice those skills.

To find out more, download the leaflet or contact the programme coordinator Runa at runad@abaleeds.org.uk

ABA recognised by The Duke of York's Community Initiative

2013-10-15T14:17:00.000+01:00

Photos by Simon Kench

On Thursday 10th October, two of ABA's service users and two of our staff went to The Spa theatre in Bridlington to receive an award from the Duke of York's Community Initiative on ABA's behalf.

The Community Initiative was founded by HRH Prince Andrew, The Duke of York to recognise the work of voluntary organisations in Yorkshire who do exceptional work to meet the needs of their local communities.

Awards were given to 40 organisations from across the region. Other award winners from the Leeds area included The Growing Zone in Kippax, Leeds Mencap, Friends of PHAB, St Andrews Pantomime Group, Gipton Together and Canopy Housing.

The award is a recognition of the hard work and commitment from ABA's members, volunteers and staff.

The citation for ABA stated that "Association of Blind Asians started in Leeds in 1989 and it is the only service of its kind in the UK. It supports people who have (or are at risk of) visual impairment, and who are mainly but not exclusively from the South Asian community. ABA is an exemplar of how an activity initially created to meet a 'single issue' demand can grow and develop into a comprehensive support system for people of all ages, and increasingly all communities. ABA turns people's lives around and gives them independence in their own homes."

A Royal thank you to Association of Blind Asians

2013-10-01T16:01:00.000+01:00

Association of Blind Asians (ABA) has been named as one of just forty recipients of a prestigious community initiative award.

The Duke of York’s Community Initiative is presented annually to a small number of Yorkshire based organisations that, having been subjected to rigorous and robust scrutiny, are deemed: “of real value to the community, well run and an inspiration to others.”

ABA was founded in 1989 to provide support services to visually impaired people in Leeds. ABA provides a range of services and also helps potentially isolated people to connect with other service providers in Leeds.

The Initiative, which was founded by His Royal Highness The Duke of York in 1998, exists to both encourage and reward innovative and inspirational community projects in Yorkshire and the Humber, and later this month representatives of ABA will travel to Bridlington Spa’s Royal Hall to attend a luncheon at which His Royal Highness will personally present recipients of the 2013 awards with their citations.

Photos from National Eye Health Week

2013-09-25T12:57:00.000+01:00

Thanks to the 50+ people who came to our National Eye Health Week event. David and Amanda from Nia Yorkshire led a lively seated exercise session and Touchstone Dementia Service and Care and Repair Leeds both ran stalls. We had a selection of literature from National Eye Health Week to distribute (if you missed out, you can download posters and leaflets from their website).

National Eye Health Week event in Leeds - 17th September

2013-08-20T12:33:00.000+01:00

As part of this year's National Eye Health Week, ABA will be running an event at the Ramgarhia Sports Centre on Chapeltown Road in Leeds on Tuesday 17th September.

The event will feature stalls from other organisations and will be a chance to find out more about how to take care of your eyesight and how to get support with existing eye problems.

We'll publish more information nearer the time.

Click image to download full size leaflet

Summer 2013 Newsletter

2013-08-01T10:16:00.001+01:00

Our latest newsletter features information on

Forthcoming days out for ABA members, their carers and families
"Living with sight loss" course, starting in September
Plans for National Eye Health Week
Our recent confidence and assertiveness course
Openings for new trustees
Northern Ballet's audio described performances
Pocklington Trust's report on avoiding falls

Click to download newsletter

Day trips for ABA members and carers - York, Bridlington and Leicester

2013-07-31T10:36:00.000+01:00

We have three trips arranged this Summer for people who use ABA services. These trips give people an opportunity to relax and socialise, as well as to explore and experience new locations. If you'd like to come along on any of these trips or find out more about them, please talk to your support worker or any member of ABA staff.

York National Railway Museum - Friday 16th August

Photo of National Railway Museum by Flickr user Ingy the Wingy

This is a free trip for people who use ABA services. We'll be leaving Leeds about 10am and returning by 5pm.

The museum has a display of historic railway engines and carriages (some going back to the earliest days of steam railways) and information about the history of the railways both in Britain and abroad.

To find out more about the National Railway Museum, visit their website.

Bridlington - Thursday 29th August

Photo of Bridlington sea front by Flickr user Sheffield Tiger

Our annual seaside trip for service users, carers and children. The trip costs £10 for adults and £5 for children. We'll be leaving Leeds at 9am and returning by 7pm.

Bridlington, in East Yorkshire, is a popular seaside resort and also an active fishing harbour.

Leicester - Thursday 3rd October

Photo of Haymarket Memorial Clocktower in Leicester by Flickr user Roger4336

This trip is for ABA service users and carers. The trip costs £3 per person. We'll be leaving Leeds at 9am and returning by 7pm.

Leicester, in the East Midlands is an historic city, believed to date back to before the Roman invasion of Britain. It's a popular shopping destination and also home to a number of museums, including the National Space Centre.

Would you like to be a trustee for ABA?

2013-07-16T13:00:00.000+01:00

Trustee Vacancies – Association of Blind Asians (Leeds)

Association of Blind Asians (ABA), a Leeds based charity for the visually impaired Black and minority ethnic population is seeking new trustees to join the Board.

We are a registered Charity in the process of applying to be a company limited by guarantee. Our vision is to promote and improve the quality of life of people from Black and Minority Ethnic communities with visual impairments within Leeds.

There are 10 trustees on the Board with three new vacancies. We are looking to recruit:
• Secretary – 1 post
• General members – 2 posts

The successful candidates should be able to demonstrate the skills, enthusiasm and passion to develop ABA further with knowledge in any of the following areas to complement existing Trustees:
~Legal
~Governance
~Commissioning
~Health &Social care
~HR
~Eye health-related
~Finance

We serve over 200 Asian people with sight loss in Leeds. We employ a small number of staff including a Manager and 5 part time staff who deliver a wide range of free services throughout Leeds, including running a luncheon club, drop-in sessions, home visits and advocacy support. We work closely with health and social care and other local and national third sector organizations.

This is an exciting and challenging time of growth and development for ABA. And this could provide you with an opportunity to use and develop your skills and make a real difference to the lives of our new and existing service users and their families.

Trustees should be able to give a minimum of 4 hours per month and attend quarterly meetings, held in our Leeds Office. Trustee positions are voluntary and unpaid, but travel expenses are reimbursed.

ABA is committed to diversity and equal opportunity in employment and service provision. Applicants should be able to demonstrate a commitment to people affected by sight loss and the aims of the Charity, and ideally be currently resident or working in or near Leeds.

Informal enquiries can be made to Dr Leena Inamdar, Chair ABA on 07813701715 or Manager Debbani Ghosh on 0113 2103347 (office) or 07748444928.

Application form and further details can be downloaded below, or requested from the office number or by email to debbanig@abaleeds.org.uk. Interested candidates should send the completed application form along with their CV to ABA Management Committee, Touchstone Support Centre, 53-55 Harehills Avenue, Leeds, LS8 4EX.

Downloads:
Application form - PDF format - Microsoft Word Format
Job description - PDF format

"Bringing the Community Together" at the Hindu Temple

2013-06-27T12:42:00.000+01:00

This event was organised by Bhojan Sangam Group at Leeds Hindu Temple on Alexandra Road. ABA attended to provide information about out services and about taking care of eye health.