METRO
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Metro Newsletter - Mid Monthly Issue - November 2016
To all Metro members and friends,
Now that the fireworks and bonfires are out of the way and we lead into Christmas and the New Year, I hope you can find something of interest to fire you up and get you out and about over the next few months.
I hope to see many of you at the Metro AGM on Friday 25th November 2016. The bar is open from 18:00 - 23:00 at the Union Jack Club, Gascoigne suite, Sandell Street, Waterloo, SE1 8UJ (Tel:0207 902 6060) 2 minutes from Waterloo station. Hot food will be served to everyone who has confirmed.
This is a great opportunity to network, meet the trustees, sports leads and staff and your opportunity to tell me what should be included in the January edition.
Make sure you let me know you are coming no later than the 21st November 2016 and your dietary requirements.
Yours in sport,
Roy
Email:
Help Metro by Voting for us at the Aviva Community Fund by the 18 Nov!
Metro Blind Sporthas the opportunity of winning between £1,000 and £25,000 from the “Aviva Community Fund – Show you care”. But we need YOUR help by going to this link: voting for Metro Blind Sport.
The closing date is the18th NOVEMBER 2016.
So, we need your help by voting NOW as the more votes we secure the better our chances of success.'
Carol McFetridge,Fundraising Officer
You can use the search box to find the charity of your choice, to find Metro, just type in Metro Blind Sport. It will then show you ourevent, which we hope to help fund - Metro Athletics Open!
You have to register to vote, but you get 10 votes to use how you want. You can give all your votes to one project or spread them across up to 10 projects.The choice is yours!
1. Cycling
Tandem Front Rider Training Opportunity
This great opportunity is for pilots who would like to develop their own cycling techniques and support others in getting active to come and build up their tandem cycling confidence, techniques and fitness in preparation for supporting a visually impaired stoker in the future.
When: Sunday 27th November 2016.
Time:10:00- 12:00
Where: Lee Valley Velopark – Closed road circuit.
For more information and to register your interest, please contact Rob Mace- British Cycling:Phone: 0161 274 2078
Email:
Cycling Sub-Committee Meeting
Following the announcement in the last newsletter of the formation of the new cycling subcommittee, we will be meeting for the 1st time at the : Pocklington Hub, Entrance D, Tavistock House South, Tavistock Square, London WC1H 9LG on the 08 December 2016 at 18:30.
Places are still available for members and cyclists to join, please let us know by the 01st December. Agenda will be sent out to all those who have confirmed their attendance.
2. Hockey
Adapted Hockey – How Its Played
East London hockey club has adapted hockey for VI players by using audible cricket balls (hard plastic) which rattle when hit/moving.
They have also started to use floor lacrosse sticks which have a cage at the end of the stick so that players can trap the ball and then choose to pass or release it. Trapping the ball helps control the ball without the worry of losing it if they lose control/sight of it.
They are also in the process of making adaptations to hockey sticks to have a tactile “brail rail” so that players can feel which way round they should be holding it. So why not try Hockey and go along to their launch day.
East London Hockey Club - Flyerz Sessions
Flyerz Hockey is an inclusive hockey for those with any disability, impairment and/or additional need. All abilities welcome, all equipment will be provided.
When: Every Sunday (Launches Sunday 13th November 2016)
Time: 10:00 - 11:30Cost: Free
Where: Mile End Leisure Centre, Astro Pitch, E3 4RR
Click here to signup:
For more information and to register your place, please contact Adam Thomas:
Phone: 020 7993 9883
Email:
Website:
3. TENNIS
Doubles Tournament - Islington 2017
To all metro tennis players, we will be holding a doubles tournament at the Islington tennis club. We have booked 3 courts for this event. We will provide a packed lunch and drinks.
When: Sunday 05th February 2017
Where: Islington Tennis Centre (ITC), Market Road, London, N7 9PL
When: 10:00-18:00.
Please make a note in your next year’s diary. Invitation and registration form will follow in December for all Metro players only. We will be looking for umpires and volunteers to support this event.
VI Regional TennisTournaments 2017
The dates & locations for next year’s VI regional tournaments have been released as below.
18 February 2017 - Loughborough - Jonny Rudge
Contact: / 07903 975 211
9 April 2017 – Birmingham - Simon Lancaster
Contact: / 07946 469 506
13 – 14 May 2017 – Northumberland - Steve Trewick
Contact: / 07889762580
15 – 16 July 2017 - Cambridge - Fiona Musgrove
Contact: / 07564910651
26 August 2017 – Sutton - Luke Mulvihill
Contact: / 07734 468 660
3 – 4 September 2017 – York - Andy Crockett
Contact: / 07926172939
The entries are accepted on a first come, first served basis.Get the dates in your diary now! For more information contact: Kirsty Thomson
Phone: 0208 4877068
Email:
4. CRICKET – VI Awareness Day
Surrey county cricket club would like to invite you to their VI awareness day. On the day participants, will learn skills through game based scenarios and then match play/tournament - attending the day will give all participants an insight into all the options available around VI Cricket.
There is no specific age range however we would like as many young people as possible to attend. Although cricket is the main focus for the day, there will be talks from current VI Surrey & England coaches and players, sharing their experiences.
Participants are encouraged to bring their own lunch however light refreshments will be provided on the day.
When: Wednesday 07th December 2016
Time: 11.00 - 14.00 Cost: Free
Where: The Kia Oval, Surrey county cricket club, Kennington, London SE11 5SS
For more information:
Contact: Chevy Green -
Phone: 07738808919
5. Golf - Tee off 2017
Disability Sports Coach and The Golf Trust
Ever thought what it’s like to play golf, now here is your chance to have a drive and a putt.
On the 7th January we're hosting a unique golf day in partnership with The Golf Trust. 6 of our Community Clubs have had 4 golf taster sessions this term thanks to The Golf Trust. The Jack Petchey funded project has enabled over 80 disabled people the opportunity to try a new sport.
The goal is now to get as many club participants as possible to attend Golf Trust sessions and play the sport outside their club, recreationally or competitively. This event is open to all disabled Londoners aged 11 years and above.
When:Saturday 7th January 2017
Time: 14:00 - 16:00
Where: Willesden Sports Centre, Brent, London NW10 3QX
Cost: Free register on the day.
For more information please contact Emma Cranston
Email:
Phone: 020 7021 0973
6. Sailing – Jubilee Sailing Trust
Lord Nelson and Tenacious
Lord Nelson and Tenacious are the only tall ships in the world designed so they can be sailed by a crew with widely varied physical abilities. Whether you choose a Day Sail or a month-long passage voyage, with the JST you can get your teeth into as much or as little of the action as you feel comfortable with.
Every aspect of shipboard life is available to all, from setting the sails, going aloft and helming the ship.
Among the many features found on Lord Nelson and Tenacious are:
- Wide decks for ease of movement
- Lifts between deck levels
- Power-assisted steering
- Signage in Braille
- Guidance tracks, tactile stair strips and raised directional arrows on handrails.
For more information and a copy of the 2017 brochure or simply sign up to their newsletter visit:
Website:
Phone: 023 8044 9108
East VICruise Dates - 2017
Below are the dates for our next year's cruises for you to put in your calendar!
In the New Year application forms and deadline dates will be sent out. Please note the September cruise now runs from Friday to the following Saturday, not Sunday as in previous years.
Weekend Cruise:
Friday 12thMay to Monday 15thMay(arrive Friday evening, sailing Saturday, Sunday and Monday AM)
Push Boat Out Week: (Taster Days)
- 18thMay principally ESAB
- 19thMay principally Action for Blind
- 20thMay Saturday taster day - to coincide with 20th Anniversary of EAST
- Taster weekend:Friday 2ndJune to Sunday 4thJune(arrive Friday evening, sailing Saturday and Sunday AM)
- September Cruise: Friday 8thSept. to Saturday 16thSept.(arrive Friday evening, sailing Saturday to Friday evening - home Saturday)
As you know, we were quite short of sighted crew this year so giving you the dates this early will hopefully mean more of you, our sighted crew, will be able to join us for one or more of these cruises so we can accommodate our growing list of VI sailors. Please don't forget we also need crew for our one day trips in Push the Boat out Week.
For more information:
Contact: Anne Williams Cruise Coordinator
Phone:0786 8226604
Email:
7. Skiing - visually impaired ski week - Austria
The Ski Company in association with The Jubilee Sailing Trust have put together a week's skiing experience in the mountains of Austria for the Visually Impaired, their family, their friends and their supporters.
Having a visual impairment should not stop anybody from feeling the freedom of learning to ski. By using specialist qualified instructors and helpful volunteers, we hope to give the individual and their family the chance to experience the joys of skiing. This will we hope, build a love for the mountains and skiing that the whole family can enjoy together in the future.
The experience of learning to ski is one we hope you will never forget, and by giving people a helping hand we will explore together this environment, gain and develop new skills, make new friendships and continue the work of the JST in breaking down barriers for a better and more inclusive world.
When:19th - 26th March and/or 26th March – 02nd April.
For more information and to request a place click on the link:
Any further questions: Phone: 020 8858 9535
8. Blindfold games
Audio Games for the Blind. Do you like Playing Card Games or Racing a CAR?
Blindfold Games creates audio games for visually impaired people, with dozens ofgames for the iPhone, iPad and iPod. Enjoyed by thousands of people worldwide, the games are so popular because they are fun, appeal to all ages, and they just feel “right”.
The suite includes casino games like Blackjack and Bingo, card games like Crazy Eights and Rummy, puzzle games like Simon and Colour Crush, TVgames similar toWheel of Fortune and Word Ladder, and active games like Bowling, Pong and Pinball.
For more information visit their website:
9. VICTA
VICTA provides support to children and young people who are blind or partially sighted and their families.
They organise activities designed to improve the emotional, social and living skills of the children and young people that we support. Bringing children and young people who are blind or partially sighted together to socialise, have fun and travel whether in the UK or abroad helps them to realise just what they can achieve.
A snippet of some of the activities that’s coming up in the New Year
When: 21 to 24 January 2017
Where: Bath, Somerset
Age: 18 to 29 years
Cost: £90 (this includes your hotel, breakfast, afternoon tea on Saturday and all organised activities.
Participants will need to pay for their journeys to and from Bath, for dinner every day and lunch every day except Saturday.)
Closing Date: 19 December 2016
More information and check out the activities they provide and sign up for email updates at:
10. Small Change, Big Difference
A new report published on 17th October by leading national charities, British Blind Sport and Women in Sport, highlight a need for providers to improve their activity offers for blind and partially sighted women.
The new report titled Small Changes, Big Difference, is the first of its kind to explore how sport and physical activity affects the lives of visually impaired women.
Read the full report here:
11. Singing
VIP Singers Group
Please join the group if you enjoy singing and have a visual impairment, no experience necessary and everyone is welcome.
When: Every Saturday (until the 17th December 2016)
Time: 10:30- 12:30Cost: Free
Where: St Thomas’s Hospital, South wing committee room, Westminster Bridge road, London SE1 7EH.
For more information:Phone: 07503 330375
Speak Out & Hear My Voice
SINGING AND COMMUNICATION WORKSHOP FOR THE VISUALLY IMPAIRED, THEIR FAMILY AND FRIENDS
Learn to sing with a professional choirmaster! Fun, easy to learn songs with lively music in a relaxed environment
When: Wednesday 14th December 2016
Time: 11:00 - 15:00
Where: Kingston Quaker Centre, Fairfield East, Kingston upon Thames KT1 2PT
Cost: Free. Sponsored by NHS South West London in collaboration with Health watch Kingston and Singing It Back.
Places are limited, to book your place and for more information contact Healthwatch Kingston Phone: 0208 974 6629 orEmail: stephenhardisty
12. illuminate freedom
Brand New FREE Christmas Taster Classes!
Learn how to improve your balance and coordination with sight loss, and enjoy the freedom of movement - New FREE Christmas Taster Classes.
- Blind Zumba
- Blind Street Dance
- Dance for Health
- Move and Express
Where: 3 locations - Sobell Leisure Centre, Finsbury Park, Finsbury Leisure Centre, Old Street or RNIB's Bradbury Oak House, East Dulwich.
When: Full details, times, days, locations and class descriptions will be coming soon. Groups welcome. Watch this space!
December's Freedom Event is our Christmas Cabaret 2016
This Christmas, we are combining our love for a Christmas party, with our love for dancing, singing and performing, by bringing you our first Christmas cabaret 2016. Hosted by Louise Dickson, founder and director of Illuminate Freedom, alongside special guests, funny man William Safo and the wonderful Ines Sudar.
Featuring music and performances from Soul Vision, Ebony Rose Dark, AKA Mickel Smithen, Adi Latif, our blind street dance group, and much more! plus raffles, prizes and the chance to join in with our big audience Christmas sing-a-long!
When: Saturday 10 December 2016.
Time:15:00Where: Platform, Hornsey Road, N7
Volunteers: We are always in need of more help, so if you would like to support us on the day by joining our Volunteer Team, we would be very grateful. Free Visual Impairment Awareness Training will be provided.
For further information or sign up for the newsletter:
Website:
Email:
Phone: 07956 632 099
13. Sense
As part of our Sporting Sense Project, Sense will be running various sporting and physical activity sessions across London in various locations and venues over a 2 year period.
All of our sessions are open to anyone over the age of 14+ who have a sensory impairment and they are not borough specific sessions; if you are happy to travel we are happy to have you come along.A précis of the sports on offer include:
Wall Ball!
These sessions are for individuals who are deafblind or have a singular sensory impairment. The sessions are fully accessible for all abilities with a range of lead up/training activities available.
When: 1st block: 28 November, 05 December, 12 December, 19 December.2nd block: 09, 16, 23, 30 January,06, 13 February
Time: 14:00 – 15:00
Where: 1 Crowthorne Road,London W10 6RP.
For more information and to book your place:
Email:
Phone: 07876 870 943 (contactable on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday)
Website:
Multi-Sports
These sessions are for individuals who are deaf blind or have a singular sensory impairment. Parents, carers and support workers are welcome to come along and join as well.
When: 1st block: 28 November, 05 December, and 12 December.
2nd block: 09, 16, 23, 30 January, 06,13,20,27 February
Time: 18:00 - 19:00
Where: New Barnet & Southgate, Learning Disability Centre of Excellence, Southgate Campus, High Street, Southgate, London, N14 6BS
Sports Themed Sensory
Sessions are for individuals who are deafblind or have single sensory impairments as well as having additional physical and/or complex support needs which may mean other activities are not as accessible for them.
Dates: 1st Block of sessions: 26 Nov, 03,10, 17 Dec. 2nd Block of sessions: 14, 21, 28 Jan,04, 11, 18, 25 Feb and 04 March
Time: 13:00 - 14:00
Venue: New Barnet & Southgate,Learning Disability Centre of Excellence,Southgate Campus, High Street,Southgate, London, N14 6BS
For more information and to book your place: