Clubs and Special Groups
Clubs and Support groups
NCBA has branch clubs in various areas of Northumberland, including Ashington, Blyth, Hexham and Prudhoe. There is also an Activities Club, a Reading Group and a Women’s Group, all of which are available to those with sight loss.
Updates of Clubs and Groups are detailed in our NoISe Newsletter, sent to all volunteers (unless otherwise requested).
The Voluntary services team are:
Francesca Smith (Volunteer Co-ordinator)
Jane Craske (Volunteer Administration Assistant)
NEW SERVICE
SocialEyes Northumberland
SocialEyes Northumberland is our newest service set up to combat social isolation felt by many vision impaired people as a result of sight loss. Social groups are being set up throughout the county.
With the help of funding from BIG Lottery, SocialEyes groups are being formed throughout the county. Their aim is to provide vision impaired people with support to enable them to meet with other partially sighted people from their own community, in their own community. The groups are self-funding and self-motivating, supporting members to maintain independence.
Anyone with sight impairment can join whether registered or not. Carers, friends and relatives are also welcome to attend to offer support and encouragement.
SocialEyes clubs usually meet once a month and members decide where they want to go, what they want to do and who with. Venues might include restaurants, pubs, theatres or gardens.
Activities are agreed by members according to weather, personal interests and abilities. The clubs are run by members for members with support from NCBA and its volunteers where necessary.
A small subscription may be payable at some venues and this is agreed by members. Other costs depend upon on the proposed activity and may include shared taxi fares to venues, refreshment costs and entrance fees.