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• Catalyst Annual Achievement Awards 2010 Outstanding Achievement Award..
• Wish Tokens Wish Tokens Campaign 2010..
• George Glass Celebrates his 80th Birthday George 80th..
• SociaLites outing to Windermere 2011 Windermere 2011..
• Newsletters Stockton Blind People’s Voice is a well known local charity that ..
• Local Charity Name Change Stockton Blind People’s Voice is a well known local charity that ..
• Blindvoice Pub Quiz On 31st March 2010 BlindVoice UK held a pub quiz as a combined so..
• SociaLites visit Silksworth BlindVoice UK’s social group visited Sunderland’s ski centre on W..
• Quadventure A group of 12 Socialites visited Quad Venture in North Yorkshire ..

Awards

Volunteer Fundraiser 2011

Angela Johnson - Soroptomists International of Stockton-on-Tees

Joyce Chesney - Soroptomists International of Stockton-on-Tees

Young Volunteer 2011

Emma Sunman

Volunteer

Angela Crow

Volunteer of the Year Award

2010 - Jim Callaghan

It was a lucky day when someone knocked at our door very late one Friday afternoon several months ago. It was a retired teacher who had been informed that he might find some volunteer work from the VDA which in the past had been on the ground floor but is no longer there. He was disappointed that he had wasted a journey as he was very keen to become a volunteer.

Never one to miss an opportunity I told Jim that we were looking for volunteers and gave him some literature on BlindVoice to read. It only took till the following Tuesday for Jim to make contact with us and he was impressed at the work we do. Good volunteers are hard to find and we quickly took up the offer.

Jim is an exceptional volunteer and even he is impressed with the diversity of the organisation and its activities. I think he would agree that he didn’t think that Friday afternoon that he would be going skiing with the young blind people, be quiz master at the twice weekly meeting, provide transport and guiding etc.

Jim has also proved a hit in the audio work we receive. He likes the challenge and is always looking to improve and has enjoyed doing something new. He has a great sense of humour (you have to working here) and is well liked, respected and committed.

Outstanding Dedication Award

2010 - Linda Oliver

This is the first time we have given such an award and it has been created with one person in mind.

Linda has been a volunteer for many years, but in 2008 she became a part time member of staff as well as spending many hours as a volunteer. She is passionate about removing the barriers blind people face. Blind herself, she delivers a lot of our services. Linda has had the experience of being a rehabilitation officer, a counsellor and life coach giving her the experience she needs to deliver unique VIP awareness sessions, emotional support, employment support and teaching Braille. Recently, after attending many courses and seminars, she has become an authority on Direct Payments which provide money from local authorities for blind people to be “in control” of their own money creating choice and independence. The paperwork involved and the interview procedure can take many hours especially as Linda records the answers in Braille and they then have to be transferred into print by her support worker. We hope this award will recognise the work that she does in her many roles.

George Glass Award

2009 - Justin Green

A unique programme for first year medical students at University Durham has enabled the students to work in the community gaining valuable experience on a placement in the Voluntary sector.

This project is now in its 5th year and we hope that what they learn on a placement will be remembered when they become qualified and have blind patients.

All students have VIP awareness training, overview of the organisation etc but very early in Justin’s placement it was evident that he wanted to become part of our infrastructure and wanted to do something for us not with us.

An extremely bright and personable young man with lots of life skills and experience he quickly became part of the team. He became very dedicated to our work as Champions of the UK Vision Strategy and organised an event in the local library called “Save your Sight day”. A major part of the Strategy is to raise awareness to avoidable sight loss. Justin designed flyers, coordinated volunteers and created a DVD that simulated different eye conditions. This is a notable piece of work and a resource that will be extremely useful to the charities work in raising awareness. It will soon be available on our website.

Justin will be missed as our student placement but I know he will continue to be involved with us and he will make a brilliant doctor he is such a positive and caring young man.

2008 - Monica Fletcher, Rosemary Feakes, Frances Cowley, Pearl Such & Colin Fletcher

For your kind thoughs, for your friendly support, for the many courtesies and hearty cooperation which you have given us during the past year we thank you sincerely.

2007 - Daniel, Scott and Steven

Stephen was nominated for this award in recognition of the outstanding achievement he has made in ICT Skills. Stephen has severe sight and hearing impairment but refuses to allow his disabilities to prevent him from learning new skills.

Ann Kallagher Award for Excellent Service for Blind and Visually Impaired Customers

2007 - Specsavers

Five-year-old Daniel's parents Julie and Chris were forced to tell their son he wasn't allowed to play on bouncy castles at leisure facilities for health and safety reasons. Sarah Capes, an optician at Stockton Specsavers came to the rescue saying she "liked a challenge". The Billingham youngster was fitted with a pair of specialist sports glasses Little Daniel Forrest was left devastated after an eye condition barred him from playing on bouncy castles with his friends. that allow him to join in the fun, with Specsavers absorbing the costs. BlindVoice UK awarded Specsavers the “Ann Kallagher Award” for “Excellent Service and Outstanding Accomplishments for Blind & Visually Impaired Customers”.

2006 - Stockton Borough Libraries

Stockton Borough Libraries were nominated for an award for their outstanding services to blind and visually impaired peoplein Stockton Borough. Trustees and staff of BlindVoice UK were unanimous in their decision. The following services were commended:

The Housebound Service and Brailling of Books with a special commendation to Pam Wilson for her support over the years and a thank you to all the staff who provide an excellent service.

2005 - Rob Tucker and Marks & Spencer

Marks & Spencer Stockton Ann Kallagher Award for Excellent Service for Blind and Visually Impaired Customers 11.00am Tuesday 24th May

The team at Marks & Spencer Wellington Square store in Stockton has been rewarded for going that one step further to make a difference to people with disabilities.

Employees at the store go that extra mile to treat their visually impaired customers well, helping with shopping and making sure a taxi is called to take them home with their purchases. Marks & Spencer also provides audio versions of their magazines, so visually impaired customers are kept up to date on special offers.

BlindVoice UK is therefore presenting Marks & Spencer with the 2005 Ann Kallagher Award for the provision of a blind friendly environment and a supportive, welcoming atmosphere. George Glass Chairman of BlindVoice UK who will present the award in memory of their founder member said, "The staff at Marks & Spencer are superb and always helpful, nothing is a bother to them, even when they are really busy. There were several nominations but Marks & Spencer received a unanimous vote from the Trustees."

Lynne Crawford, Marks & Spencer Stockton store manager said, "We are delighted to receive this prestigious award. Not only does it recognise our commitment to ensuring our visually impaired customers get the best service possible, we hope it will also encourage many more blind and visually impaired people to use our store. All they have to do is ask for any assistance they may need and we will be pleased to help them in every way we can." Wellington Square Shopping Centre manager Rob Gildersleeve said: "This award is a huge boost for Wellington Square as our retailers strive for customer excellence. As a centre, we do everything possible under the DDA (Disability Discrimination Act) and we are delighted that two stores have now won this award."

Previous winners of the award have been Asda, Boots the Chemist, Debenhams and the Sun Inn, all who won their awards for help with shopping and services.

2004 - Sun Inn

The fourth year of the Ann Kallagher Award takes an unexpected turn this year as the Award goes to the Sun Inn in Stockton.

Previous winners of the Award have been Asda, Boots the Chemist and Debenhams who won their awards for help with shopping. This time the Sun Inn has won the award for the provision of a blind friendly environment and a supportive, welcoming atmosphere.

George Glass Chairman of BlindVoice UK who will present the Award in memory of their founder member said, “ The staff at the Sun Inn are superb and always helpful. Particular tribute should be given to the Sun Inn Folk Club on a Monday night where I am often joined by younger members of the group to enjoy the weekly singarounds and guests.”

John Williamson whose family run the pub said, "We are delighted that what we regard as part of our everyday job to assist our customers has been rewarded in this way. We hope we can encourage many more blind and visually impaired people to enjoy our facilities, all they have to do is ask for any help they may require and we will be pleased to meet their requirements”

© 2010

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