What’s On? August – November 2017
A guide to classes, events and groups for people of all ages living with sight loss in Glasgow and the west of Scotland.
Join our new mascot Vizzy-Bee as she buzzes around Glasgow Central Station at one of our upcoming bucket collections. Could you lend a hand for an hour or two on 30th August, 11th October or 13th December? Call Sarah on 0141 332 4632. You don’t need any experience, just a friendly smile!
A-Maisy-ing Fundraiser!
MaisyDacre is a little girl, with a huge heart. For her first communion, she raised £2,249.50 for Visibility by asking people to make a donation to our charity, instead of friends and family buying her gifts. After a talk at her school, she was inspired to raise as much money as she could for young people with sight loss. Maisy got to meet some of the families who attend our toddler group to find out how her money was helping others. Maisy is an incredible young girl, and a fantastic fundraiser – we want to say a massive thank you to her and all of those who supported her and donated to her gift swap. If you’re inspired by this story and would like to do your own fundraiser to change lives, contact Sarah on 0141 332 4632.
Fit at 90!
Retired physio, John, from Stranraer has been an integral part of Visibility’s Support Group in the town. When a planned speaker for the group fell through, John offered up his services to provide a talk to members on keeping fit in older age… 0141 332 4632 visibility.org.uk After inspiring fellow members with his first hand experiences about going to the Royal Blind School in Edinburgh, traversing the country for work in Perth, Scunthorpe, London and Stranraer, John’s talk on keeping fit was interesting and informative, and peppered with humorous anecdotes. John was then asked if he would like to deliver talks to some of Visibility’s other groups in Dumfries & Galloway, and was more than happy to oblige.
John, 90, added: “I discovered recently that for most of my life I have been suffering from glossophobia, fear of speaking in public, now it doesn’t bother me at all, certainly on an informal basis. Thank you very much for a great day, I really enjoyed myself!” He also explained how after decades of confidently navigating around the town and his workplace without sight, it was when he started to lose his hearing in his mid-60s that stunted his ability to be independent and mobile: “You rely on your hearing more for getting your bearings and getting around when you can’t see. When my hearing began to go, I just didn’t trust my instincts anymore, so I retired a year or two early. I was given a hearing aid at the time, although to be honest it sat in a drawer for the first while. It’s not the same, and you hear things a little different, but I wear both of mine all the time now.” If you’d like to get involved with our groups like John, or share your experiences with local community groups to raise awareness of Visibility, call us on 0141 332 4632. All of our upcoming groups can be found on our website at
Events and Extras
Come along to our information days in Motherwell and Hamilton! Meet representatives from 14 local organisations, find out what services are available, and get tips on living with sight loss.
Wednesday 6th September Drop in from 10am until 3pm at Dalziel St Andrews Church, Merry Street, Motherwell
Wednesday 13th September Drop in from 10am until 3pm at St John’s Church, Duke Street, Hamilton
For further information contact Audrey on 0141 332 4632
Celebrating early – A Whisky Tasting for St Andrew’s Day
On Thursday 23rd November we are holding a Whisky Tasting at Sloans Bar in Glasgow. Tickets cost £30 and we are thrilled to have entertainment from Scottish comedian Jamie MacDonald.
There will be canapes served with a selection of Scottish Whiskies provided by Oddbins who will be delivering the tasting. So come along, test your tastebuds and help raise funds for Visibility! Tickets available by calling us on 0141 332 4632 or visiting
All the pennies add up!
We’ve produced some new cardboard Home Money Boxes which are available now for free, to anyone who would like to collect their spare change for Visibility. It’s an easy way to support our work, and an amazing 93p in every £1 that you save will go directly to our services. To request a box, simply write to us, email your details to or call us on 0141 332 4632 and we’ll post one out.
Don’t forget our groups!
Annan Sensory Support Group: The Bruce, Gracie’s Banking on the third Tuesday of every month from 1:30pm to 3:00pm
Castle Douglas Sensory Support Group: Community Centre, Cotton Street on the third Wednesday of every month from 2:00pm to 3:30pm
Cumbernauld Support Group: Muirfield Centre, South Muirhead Road on Wednesday 6th September and the first Wednesday of every month thereafter from 12:30pm to 2:00pm
Dalbeattie Sensory Support Group: Craignair Health Centre, Port Road on the last Friday of the month from 10:30am to 12noon
Glasgow Peer Support Group: Visibility, 2 Queens Crescent on Thursday 14th September and Thursday 9th November
Hamilton Support Group: St Johns Church, Duke Street on Thursday 7th September, Thursday 5th October and Thursday 2nd November, from 1:00pm to 2:30pm. Please call Susan on 0141 332 4632 to find out more.
Helensburgh Support Group: Meeting Place, United Reformed Church, 35 West Princes Street on Friday 11th August and Friday 13th October Kirkcudbright
Sensory Support Group: Greyfriars House, St Cuthbert Street, on Thursday 5th October and Thursday 7th December from 1:00pm to 3:30pm
Lockerbie Sensory Support Group: Kings Arms Hotel, High Street on the first Monday of every month from 12:30pm to 2:00pm
Newton Stewart Visual Impairment Group: Cinnamon Café, Victoria Street on the last Monday of every month from 2:00pm to 3:30pm
Oban Support Group: The Gallery Room, Kilmore and Oban Church Centre, Glencruitten Road on Wednesday 2nd August and Wednesday 4th October
Stranraer Sensory Support Group: Burns House, Harbour Street on the first Tuesday of every month from 2:00pm to 3:30pm
Up 2 Us Dumfries Sensory Support Group: The Usual Place, Academy Street, on the last Tuesday of every month from 11:00am to 1:00pm
If you need to contact us Telephone 0141 332 4632, email or send mail to Visibility, 2 Queens Crescent, Glasgow G4 9BW for our Glasgow office. You can also contact our Dumfries office via post at Visibility, Nithbank, Dumfries DG1 2SD, by Telephone 01387 267 131 Text 07508 685 262 or email
Our website is and you can follow us on Facebook or twitter @wearevisibility