Our Winter 2018 newsletter is now available for viewing by clicking HERE. The newsletter is also available in printed form, by email, on disc or USB stick, and in Braille. If you’d like to be added to our distribution list, please contact the office.
NEW SERVICE LAUNCHED!
Tech Mate: a digital inclusion skills and assistive technology project.
The internet and technology are transforming the way we live our lives and have
enormous potential to help people with sight loss with how they shop, keep in
touch, access information and entertainment, and more.
Feedback from our members shows that they’d like to get online or explore
options to digital technology in a way that would help them feel more connected
to their families and the wider world, but feel confused by the options and lack
the skills and confidence to do so.
We are pleased to announce the launch of Tech Mate, a new service designed to
help our members with technology, regardless of their current level of
knowledge. Our Tech Mate Project Leader, Neil Newton, is sight impaired himself
and is here to support you if you don’t know where to begin, have a specific
problem or query, or simply want to try something new on your mobile phone or
tablet computer.
Neil’s normal working days will be Wednesdays and Thursdays. He is running a
drop-in service from our Outwood office on Thursdays between 10am and 12.30pm.
Just turn up, or you can make an appointment by calling 01924 215555 or emailing
techmate@wdsa.org.uk. Neil is also able to visit you at home and provide
technical advice and support over the phone. Please get in touch to find out
more.
Our 2017 Impact Report, which summarises what we do and the difference
our work made during last year, is now available. You can download a copy
HERE, or contact the
office to request a copy in an alternative format.
Co-op Local Community Fund raises over £5,400 for us!
Members of the Co-op who shop at the Woodlesford store have raised a whopping
£5,411.54 for Wakefield District Sight Aid as part of their Local Community
Fund. We will be using the money to expand our social and information events for
visually impaired people across Wakefield. Thank you so much for your support!
Pictured are volunteers and former CEOs Margaret Dodd and Pam Walters at an
in-store celebration event on 25th November 2017.
Appointment of a new Chief Executive Officer
Wakefield and District Sight Aid, the local charity supporting local visually
impaired people, is delighted to announce the appointment of a new Chief
Executive, Hayley Grocock.
Click HERE for
more details.
Our Winter 2017 newsletter is now available for viewing by clicking HERE. The newsletter is also available in printed form, by email, on disc or USB stick, and in Braille. If you’d like to be added to our distribution list, please contact the office.
2018 diary and seasonal recipes
Our Board member and service user Norman Waddington Ph.D has put together a 2018
diary in Word format HERE
for people who may find it easier to use than a paper diary or smart phone app.
To accompany the diary is a selection of seasonal recipes
HERE, one for each month. Many thanks to
Norman for his work in putting these together. We are always glad to receive
your feedback so please let us know if you find these documents helpful and how
we could enhance them in future years.
Braille Transcription Services -
We are delighted to announce that the Braille Transcription Unit at HMP Wakefield is able to offer a free service to anyone who needs 'mostly anything’ transcribing into Braille. Transcribing things like; letters, books (novels), instruction booklets (for white goods; e.g. cookers) and name badges.
Note – this is not for commercial use.
Dave Hughes at the Braille Unit is very happy to take enquires by email or phone. His details are below.
David.hughes20@hmps.gsi.gov.uk
Tel 01924 612246
We now have our very own charity wristbands for sale – only 
£1 each – you can purchase one by calling in at the office.
A stylish new addition to your collection!
Gift Aid - if you are a UK Taxpayer, complete the Gift Aid section to make your donation worth more.
Sponsorship – we have specific projects which would benefit from local business sponsorship – all of which can be credited on our website, in our newsletter and on our facebook page. Our newsletter, demonstration days, information leaflets are just 3 examples. Premises – our rented premises from the local church would benefit from a bit of smartening up – if you have some free time and decorating skills or just want to donate the paint, please let us know.
Exciting new development – we now have our own Facebook Page and Twitter
feed! Find us on social media:
Follow @WDSightAid
Legacies – this is potentially the biggest source of income to support us in our work. We have
developed a legacy information pack and accompanying leaflets. Please visit our
legacy page for further information.