Club news 2010
4 January 2010 Services for people with visual impairment
On a cold winter’s night Beckenham Soroptimists gathered for the first meeting of 2010 to hear from Dick and Margaret about local services for people with visual impairment. Margaret was accompanied by her guide dog, Brian, who predictably was the star of the evening. Their experience of visual impairment is different as Margaret’s sight was impaired by oxygen levels in a baby incubator in the late 1940’s whilst Dick was registered blind 7 years ago after a long career with the Met police. Both explained how we can help with reminiscences that were amusing as well as salutary. Margaret who worked as a physiotherapist talked about falling off railway station platforms and recovering herself safely………. They also showed us examples of new technology that whilst expensive is of considerable assistance.
What can we do? Get involved in a service users’ campaign to improve services, especially for those older people who are not in touch with services. Never assume what people with visual impairment can or can do- never be afraid to ask how much the person can see. Offer help, especially on busy roads- guide dogs users need help to cross safely- and offer an elbow, don’t try to take control. Be aware of the dangers in the street for people who can’t see- street furniture of all kinds!
18 January 2010 Bromley Camera Club
Three members of Bromley Camera Club joined us to show us their wonderful photographs and the way that they have taken advantage of new technology. So we saw not only admirable ‘still’ images but also saw a slide show and enjoyed the accompanying music
1st May The role of NHS charities
Jane Miles came to talk to us about fundraising and giving charitable help to the NHS, often in a pump priming way so that research and development can be sustained. We were surprised as most of us had not heard of such good work before and pleaed to hear that enterprise is being undertaken.
26 May International Evening
An annual event to offer food, entertainment and a different view of the world whilst we raise money for international projects. Pam Kemp showed her slides of a journey along the Silk Road whilst the chef at Bencurtis Park excelled himself with exotic food. £363 was raised.
5 July Women’s Aid- speaker meeting
Sandy McGarey, founder member of Bromley Women’s Aid, established in 1975, spoke about policy changes and updated us on their remit and practice. Sandy started off her talk by handing out a short quiz (attached to notes of meeting) on domestic violence which highlighted the frightening statistics, eg a woman is assaulted on average 35 times before seeking help. There are 200 women’s refuges in England, but 1500 animal sanctuaries. BWA do all they can to help a mother’s desperate need but it is usually a complex situation sometimes involving children at school where they can be traced. It is a huge step for a mother to acknowledge the need and make the move to a refuge. There are separate units for those people who find community living too hard. BWA helped 106 women and 92 children last year, and received 200 telephone calls in six months. Whilst it can be a very depressing picture, an area of success is a 12 week programme where mothers attend once a week for two hours to learn how to protect themselves from harm, increasing their ability to take control of their lives, thus being able to remain as a family unit.
10 July Auction of gifts and promises
The combination of offers of service (even ironing!), gifts and tasty food led to £1000 being raised for Beckenham club’s projects including support for Bromley Women’s Aid. President Alison Driscoll led the project, supported by club members and friends from Bromley Methodist Church.
25 September Macmillan Cancer Support
Connie held her, now customary, coffee morning and raised £101 by providing coffee and good company at her home
15 October Curry evening and raffle
Our Curry Evening Friday, 15th October at BromleyMethodist Church, College Road, BR1 3NS was arranged in partnership with the Beckenham and Bromley Methodist churches. 70 people enjoyed a truly tasty hot supper. Our speaker was Water Aid’s Stephen Turner who used a themed table quiz to both educate and entertain us. £500 was raised and will go towards our 60th Anniversary projects in Mufundi, Tanzania – providing water to a school, orphanage and clinic - see elsewhere on this website for more information.
Our thanks to Bromley Methodist church for allowing us to use their premises free of charge, and to the wonderful family, who not only cooked all the food, but donated it as their contribution to the project.
The quilt raffle was drawn with special permission from the Minister. £800 has been raised for the Mufindi project. The winners were as follows-
1st prize: quilt- Susan lee
2nd prize: photograph- Madeline Stack
3rd prize: bracelet- Mrs Ryde
1 November Bromley LINk
Sam Paice, Community Development Officer outlined the role of LINk and its activities in Bromley. LINk has statutory responsibilities and powers in respect of the development and performance of the local NHS and social care services. More information is available on www.bromleylink.org.
Sam described the many planned changes in the NHS due to take place in April 2012 and the possible implications for Bromley- although much of the detail is as yet unknown.
Bromley LINk is looking for volunteers to help with its work and for local people to become involved in many ways.
Club members wore pink as a recognition of National Breast Cancer week- here’s the result-