Dan Walsh and Jamie Carbet

We met a few of our runners after the race, Dan Walsh said:

“It was the first marathon I did in25 years, the conditions were terrible and it was the wind and the rain, more than the actual race that caused the pain! But It was worth it in the end as we raised loads of money for Henshaws!”

Rob Garner

And another runner Rob Garner, said;

“This was my first marathon for 20 years, I managed to run 26 miles in the atrocious wind and rain, It was a hard slog but I did it and raised about £1200 for Henshaws society for the blind! I feel quite proud of myself now!”

Running a marathon is such an achievement. And we couldn’t be more proud of our runners, Glen Lockett, Head of Fundraising at Henshaws was there to cheer on Team Henshaws “It’s been an amazing event, we hope that it continues year after year – all credit to the runners who completed the course in the wind and the rain, and the volunteers who cheered them on!”

We also want to thank Physio World for supplying advice and support to our runners at the end of the race, as well as ASDA for donations of food and drink – which were much appreciated by the runners.

Well done to all who took part!

If you fancy signing up for a challenge event (there are many different challenges for all interests and skill levels if you don’t want to take part in a marathon!) then visit our challenges section for more information or get in touch with our fundraising team fundraising@henshaws.org.uk 01423 814501

Richard is a keen fundraiser and loves testing himself with new adventures. He has volunteered for many international charities such as International Aid and Development and Human Rights and now he wants to raise funds and awareness a bit closer to home.

“A while ago I remember ‘accidently’ doing a fundraising bungee jump and this time I like to think I have come up with another interesting, engaging and exciting challenge!”

This autumn, Richard aim’s to travel using surface transportation only; i.e. no flying, from our Arts and Crafts office in Knaresborough to the summit of Volvan Chimborazo in Ecuador. At 6,310 metres the peak of Chimborazo is high enough, but because of the bulge of the equator it is also the highest point on the planet from the centre of the earth, meaning it is also the point in which tobe closest to space, the stars and beyond – it is literally on top of the World!

“As well as my work overseas I have always enjoyed high level mountaineering and travel in general, I celebrated my 40th birthday recently by hitching around the world on freighters and cargo ships so I am doubly excited about this challenge. A basic outline of the journey as it stands now is to sail from Europe to West Africa, on to Brazil, down the coast to come ashore proper at Buenos Aires before travelling up through the continent, acclimatizing to altitude and having adventures as I go before finally climbing Chimborazo.”

Richard hopes to complete his challenge in approximately 3 months fundraising along the way via http://www.justgiving.com/Richard-Fountain. En route he will also be publishing a blog of his progress, featuring pictures, video clips and maps of where he is up to.

All monies raised in the run up to and during Richard’s challenge will go directly to Henshaws, even some of the small administration fees justgiving charge he will reimburse himself. His target at the moment is set at £6,310, £1 per metre above sea level to the summit of Chimborazo.

Richard’s blog will be up and running soon and we will let you know when it does, in the meantime please support Richard in this amazing challenge and donate to Henshaws here http://www.justgiving.com/Richard-Fountain.

What an amazing challenge! Good Luck Richard!

Liam has suffered from poor sight since he was born, is partially deaf and was diagnosed with a rare disease Alstrom Syndrome at the age of 10. Over the years he has been supported by us through mobility training and attending holiday clubs. Recently he was accepted at the New College Worcester to study A-Levels after Henshaws wrote letters of support describing how his disability should not affect his eligibility to attend mainstream school.

Those closest to him will know him for his tenacious fundraising achievements and his wide range of skills, he supports many charities who have helped him including Alstrom Syndrome UK, Living Paintings and the Children’s Society. He began attending New College Worcester Sixth Form in January this year, studying a wide range of subjects including A-Level German using German braille. In February he was nominated by the Assistant Principal for his determination and inspirational charity work and was awarded the Young Citizen of Worcester Award by the Rotary Club of Worcester.

Liam’s Mother Liz is particularly proud of the way Liam has taken to every challenge, “Liam is amazing and the best son ever. Even at his College his teachers tell me that he creates activities and clubs for the other students, he goes out of his way to support new students. But best of all we love his witty and articulate nature, he never fails to make us laugh!”

In addition to his charitable and academic achievements, Liam knows how important it is to raise awareness of blindness and visual impairment. After completing his work experience at Cherry Orchard Primary School, he was invited back by the school to set up a programme which helps educate students and staff in main stream schools about visually impaired people and the challenges they may face, including teaching them about braille. After the summer months, Liam hopes to take this programme forward into secondary schools and more colleges.

Liam is also an aspiring poet and champion scrabble player. Liam has written many poems inspired by his love for music and everday experiences. He loves the way language can invoke different emotions. He has written two poetry books at the age of 11 and 13 which have both been published. He was also taught by the team at Henshaws how to play Scrabble using braille tiles, which he loved to do. He has set up a Scrabble club at his college and has being crowned Scrabble champion on more than one occasion! Recently he has been entered into the British Scrabble championship to be held in Bradford.

He has now turned his fundraising efforts to raise money for Henshaws and hopes to take part in the Great North Swim  and speak at our luncheon club sharing his experiences and raising awareness about the work that we do.

As we not only work with people suffering from sight loss but their families too, Henshaws has a Parent Support Group which Liam’s parents attend, Liam’s Mother says, “Whenever you ring Henshaws, there is always something or someone at Henshaws that can help. It is the staff at Henshaws that really make the charity what it is, there is no better place to go to for the support we have needed.”

You can see Liam in action below, reciting one of his poem’s he has written about being blind.

Manchester based entrepreneur James Lindemann and founder of “I put my shirt on it” developed the idea when having a chat with fellow football fans on Facebook, ”It all began when we started chatting about who we thought was going to win the Premier League, one of my friends said “Man City will win the Premier League, and I’ll put my shirt on it.” and another said, “No they won’t; Man United will, and I’ll put my shirt on it.” It was here on in that the idea grew to today’s vision; a company dedicated to bringing an extra element to sporting and non-sporting events, making money for worthy causes along the way.”

The concept is really simple and is a great way to get everyone involved, whether you are a fan of football or not, a red or a blue, wear the T-Shirt and support Man Utd or Man City to win the league over the next few weeks.

If you are willing to put your shirt on your team, then head to the website “I put my shirt on it” and buy a t-shirt for just £10 plus postage, simple as that.  All funds raised will be split evenly between the chosen charity partners - Henshaws and A School under the Tree.

Keep your eye on the ball follow their progress on twitter – @iputmyshirtonit and like their facebook fanpage!

The event will begin with bacon sandwiches in the morning with a shotgun start at 10:15am to begin play. Teams will be competing for prizes as well as taking part in a number of fun events, and a BBQ will be provided afterwards with a prize giving.

Entry fee for teams of four is £250.

For more information contact fundraising@henshaws.org.uk or call Faye Wilson on 0161 786 3693.

Tracey who has struggled with her eyesight since she was a child wants to share her story and express how Henshaws has helped her in her adult years.

At the age of 8, Tracey lost her sight for 2 years due to cataracts in both eyes; she then had an operation to remove the cataracts when she was 10 years old and unfortunately lost her sight in her left eye. Since then she has regularly suffered from setbacks and lives week by week travelling to and from the Royal Eye Hospital in Manchester for procedures.

Tracey has been visiting Henshaws’ Manchester Resource Centre since August last year after she had further operations to try and stabilise her sight. As well as learning to read Braille, Tracey is now embarking on the Skillstep course, which has already enabled her to meet new people and build her confidence. She is currently the only person that visits the centre with the combination of eye conditions she has, which she says makes it difficult to talk to people about it.

However, from meeting with people that also go to Henshaws, Tracey has been slowly building her confidence and now feels more comfortable talking to people about her experiences. She has a passion for fitness, particularly running and can’t wait to put her training into practice by running the Blackpool Half Marathon.

Before her eyesight began to deteriorate, Tracey ran the Race for Life and really enjoyed the challenge, now because she has been supported by Henshaws she is confident that she can run harder and further with the help of a friend to guide her. She is currently training at the Winton running track for a warm up run – the Bolton 10k – in preparation for the half marathon.

“I can’t say enough good things about Henshaws, and the difference the support and services has made to my life. I am now feeling more and more confident every day and some people have said it is like a light has switched on in my personality, that they can see the old Tracey again. Doing this run makes me believe I can be me again, despite my sight conditions!”

Good luck Tracey!

Guests were greeted with a champagne reception and Nick Marr, Henshaws CEO, started off the birthday celebrations with an inspirational welcome speech featuring a few highlights from 1837, the year Henshaws opened its doors.  In the same year Henshaws opened in Old Trafford as an ‘Asylum for Indigent Blind’, Charles Dickens published Oliver Twist and Queen Victoria ascended to the throne. A fact particularly notable is that the charity is older than the invention of the first car!

“I am delighted with the success of the celebrations on Saturday night, and the impact it has had.  As well as having the opportunity to cultivate relationships with potential corporate partners, I found Andrew Rose’s story particularly moving.  He shared his experiences of becoming blind in today’s world, and how being helped by Henshaws has now put him in the right place to help others who need support.” Nick Marr, Henshaws Group CEO.

Coronation Street star Paula Lane also helped get the celebrations in full swing by singing the Frank Sinatra classic ‘Somethin’ Stupid’ with The Rat Pack Vegas Spectacular; the evening’s entertainment. Solo artist Maria Jordan and BBC’s Becky Want and Mark Edwardson also supported the evening’s events which also included a live auction and chances to win other prizes.

Glen Lockett, Head of Fundraising said of the night “I am absolutely delighted that the efforts put in by the fundraising team turned into an amazing event.  The night brought together past, present and new supporters who will now endeavour to ensure that Henshaws gets the opportunity to celebrate in another 175 years. We’ve already started planning next year’s event!”

Well done and thank you to all involved, the Henshaws team can’t wait for the next year’s event!

Held in Newcastle on Sunday 16th September, we have been lucky enough to secure 25 places for the 13.1 miles run. Entry fee is £48 and minimum sponsorship is £300.

The ballot will be called this Friday 30th March, so don’t miss out, register your place by downloading this form and sending to Hannah Saxon Great North Run Entry Form 2012 or contact her on (01423) 814501 /  hannah.saxon@henshaws.org.uk

Tom Clark and Dave Stanley

When local Business owner Dave Stanley wanted to do something for charity after reading the story of three year old blind Oscar in the Advertiser, he thought about what skills he could provide and came up with the idea of offering annual maintenance and repair for our Manchester Resource Centre Mini bus at his Garage, DP Stanley Specialist Cars.

He got in touch with Tom Clark, legacy manager at Henshaws, who suggested he could use his skills to service the Renault 14 seater mini bus, which is used to transport people to and from groups at our Old Trafford resource centre.  Tom said “I’m always telling my friends about the work that Henshaws does, and when Dave mentioned he wanted to help in some way, I thought we could really use his skills, as our mini bus was looking a bit tired”

Dave said “This is the first thing I’ve done through my business for charity, and I’m really pleased that I’m able to help.  I see this as a longer term partnership, as I know that the mini bus plays a huge part in allowing people to access services.”

As part of this fantastic partnership, Dave will continue to work with us, by providing an annual safety check, maintenance and repair, servicing, MOT, paint & body work as well as cleaning and valeting – to ensure that it gets people to our services safely and saving us over £1500 a year at the same time!

If you or your business think you might be able to offer your skills to Henshaws, please get in touch on 0161 872 1234 or info@henshaws.org.uk

After the discovery of a tea chest with artefacts and objects pertaining to the legacy of the charity, the team at Henshaws knew that we had to share share the history and interesting stories found in an all-sensory exhibition. The display will trace the story surrounding Thomas Henshaw’s legacy and the rich history of Henshaws. It will explore the charity’s history and the history of visual impairment as well as commissioning new contemporary artworks. It will feature the fascinating stories from people who have been part of Henshaws throughout the years.

The exhibition is planned to open at Gallery Oldham later this year and will then tour regionally. By touring the exhibition we will be engaging with a much wider audience in the legacy, sharing our history and fostering a greater understanding amongst sighted people of the challenges faced by those with visual impairment.

You can read more on some of the interesting stories and history about Thomas Henshaw and Henshaws here. We will be keeping you all up to date with our progress, but do keep an eye out in the press and media!

This spring on 24th March, we are hosting a Henshaws’ Anniversary Ball, featuring a fabulous stage show performance from The Rat Pack Vegas Spectacular!

For one night only, you are invited to enjoy an evening of live swing music performed in the intimate dining room at the Radisson Edwardian Hotel, Manchester where, in the company of no more than 200 guests you will help us celebrate our 175th Birthday.

On arrival you will be greeted with champagne and canapés followed by a three course dinner served in the Radisson’s elegant ballroom. After dinner our celebrity compere will host an auction featuring a wide selection of exclusive lots. The evening’s celebrations will climax with a stunning Vegas Spectacular performance from The Rat Pack, certain to get you all on the dance floor!

Established in 1837 by Oldham businessman Thomas Henshaw, we thought it only fitting to celebrate our 175th Birthday in style by hosting this celebration in the city where we were founded.

Tickets are available at just £75 per head, giving you the chance to join us on what promises to be a glorious night of entertainment and celebration.

We also have other packages and sponsorship opportunities available. For tickets and further information please contact Faye.wilson@henshaws.org.uk or call 0161 786 3693.

]]> http://www.henshaws.org.uk/north-west/news/2012/02/29/anniversary-ball-with-the-rat-pack-vegas-spectacular/feed/ 0 http://www.henshaws.org.uk/north-west/news/2012/02/16/henshaws-volunteer-set-to-retire-after-16-years-of-service/ http://www.henshaws.org.uk/north-west/news/2012/02/16/henshaws-volunteer-set-to-retire-after-16-years-of-service/#comments Thu, 16 Feb 2012 10:22:46 +0000 Tori http://www.henshaws.org.uk/?p=2445 Dedicated Henshaws volunteer, Ann Urmston is retiring from her role as leader of one of our social groups after 16 years of service. Ann, who worked for the Health Service for over 40 years came to Henshaws in 1996 after seeing an advert for volunteer drivers for social groups meeting at Henshaws.

Ann’s commitment didn’t stop there, after deciding that she wanted to get more involved with the groups she was helping to transport to Henshaws, she was asked if she would like to take over the lead role in organising the groups and the activities.

“After working for the Health Service for most of my career, I knew that I would need something to not only occupy my time but which would also be helping others too, that’s why when I saw the advert in the local paper for Henshaws Volunteer Drivers I decided to apply.”

The group, which gives members an opportunity to meet and find out more information about the kinds of support they can access for their visual impairments, it is also a great opportunity to learn from each other’s experiences peer to peer.

Ann will be sad to leave her post, but retiring will mean that she has more time to dedicate to her family and endure less of a commute to Henshaws every week from Sefton. This won’t however, stop her from visiting the group, “It’s the members of the group that keep you coming, I’ve made some great friendships over the years and will be sure to pop in every now and again to see how they are getting on. Some of the group members only venture out once a week for this opportunity and really look forward to it, an

Nick Marr, Henshaws Chief Executive, said: “We are shocked that someone would steal from a charity.”

Detective Constable Stephen Mathias, said: “It is shocking to think that burglars would go to such lengths to steal computers which that play a vital role in the education of blind children.”

If you or a company can help Henshaws replace these invaluable pieces of equipment so we can continue in our work to support people with visual impairments, then please contact us on fundraising@henshaws.org.uk or call 0161 872 1234.

Henshaws was recently announced as one of the charity partners for the brand new Greater Manchester Marathon in Trafford, Manchester’s first marathon for more than a decade, alongside local charity The Christie.

The race will take place in Trafford on 29th April  2012 and will start and finish in Longford Park in Stretford. The five thousand runners expected to take part will pass iconic landmarks such as the Old Trafford football and cricket grounds and Dunham Massey Park over the 26mile course.

To be one of the first lucky 6 to gain free entrance to the Manchester Marathon (normally £48!), minimum sponsorship is £500, contact Hannah.saxon@henshaws.org.uk or call 01423 814501.

Good luck!

Many people suffering from RP do not become completely blind until late on in life, however, Andrew is one of the unfortunate few who, now at 37, no longer has his sight. Retinitis pigmentosa (RP) is one of the most common forms of inherited eye disease with approximately 25,000 people in the UK suffering from it, there is, however, currently no cure.

Andrew’s Journey
When Andrew first learnt of his condition he had just completed his University degree and his unbelievable strength and determination is the only reason he has made it to where he is today, he was told that he would eventually lose his sight but could not be told how long it would be so he decided to take every opportunity he could, “I wanted to do my Accountancy qualifications, so I did, I wanted to travel the world, so I did, I wanted to help others in my situation so I did, I didn’t think I was invincible, I just realised how much I had taken for granted previously”.

After Andrews’s last travelling expedition 2 years ago he returned with almost no sight. He had already given up his job working at Cotrills as Head of Finance, which was a tough decision to take, and had to start facing the fact that normal everyday tasks were going to be a struggle. “I always knew this day would come but i hadn’t really thought about it all that much up until this point”. Andrew had to look for help from others and, after speaking to several organisations and not getting the type of help he needed, his mum suggested Henshaws.

How Henshaws helped Andrew
Andrew enrolled himself on the Skillstep course, a 12 week programme teaching all basic skills from IT to cooking. Andrew then went on to do an advanced IT course and has just started to learn how to read Braille. “I have to admit that the advancements in technology do help immensely, I’m a techno junkie and I like to keep ahead of the game when it comes to innovative new gadgets”.

The achievements he has made from first being diagnosed 16 years ago right up until today are inspiring. He has never let his situation get him down and he owes a lot of this to the people and the support network offered at Henshaws. “The staff at Henshaws would bend over backwards for anyone in need of their help and the people you get to interact with on a daily basis help to make you come to terms with the way your life will change and even offer some helpful tips for day to day life. Without their strength and support i could not have managed to get through this extremely difficult period in my life”.

Get in touch
If you need advice and support to cope with sight loss, please get in touch with us on 016 872 1234/ 0151 708 7055/ 0191 2759417

David has supported Henshaws since the death of his mother, Constance Burt, in 1996. Constance was a staunch supporter of Henshaws for over 40 years and left a £1000 legacy for Henshaws in her Will. He wished to continue her good work and since her death has been a regular supporter of Henshaws himself, donating over £500 over the last 15 years and now, in her memory, has created the cast copper piece. The sculpture, which he has named ‘Helping Hands’ was created to reflect the spirit and values of Henshaws and features images of people who have used Henshaws services, is accessible and tactile and features the name of the piece in Braille at the bottom.

David says of his sculptures “Creating relief sculpture is a journey which sustains my spirit and gives me the feeling that I am leaving a creative expression of my feelings about a subject, which will be my thumbprint in a hundred years.”

The artwork, which he generously donated to Henshaws, is now on display in the Manchester resource centre for service users and staff to enjoy.

“We want to thank Mr Burt for creating such a unique sculpture for Henshaws. Both he and his mother have offered us great generosity over the years, of which we are immensely grateful.” Nick Marr, CEO of Henshaws

A marathon is a great goal to work towards, and of course a great way to raise money for Henshaws.

This is Manchester’s first marathon for over a decade and as Henshaws was chosen as one of the charity partners for the event, we’d love you to run for us!

The race will take place right on our doorstep in Trafford and will start and finish in Longford Park in Stretford (5 minutes away from our Manchester resource centre) You will be joining the 5000 runners expected to take part and will pass iconic landmarks such as Old Trafford football and cricket grounds and Dunham Massey Park over the 26 mile course.

There’s still plenty of time to start your training for the marathon – Coach Julie Fairclough has put together some fantastic training plans for everyone from beginners to experienced runners. Even if you have just a little experience in running, Julie is confident her training plans will help you to complete the marathon in a good time. http://www.greatermanchestermarathon.com/training/training-plans

We have a limited number of places available, but they’re going fast. If you want to take part in this landmark event and run for Henshaws, please book your place by contacting Hannah.saxon@henshaws.org.uk 01423 814501

Be part of this historic event and run for Henshaws!

The thought of losing your sight is terrifying, but learning that your child suffers from sight loss is indescribable. Our specialist Children and Families team help families to overcome the barriers that sight loss can cause. 

If you want to help, now is the time to do it, as this year for our Christmas appeal, we are teaming up with the Big Give to take part in their annual challenge. If you donate to us between 5^th and 9^th of December online The Big Give will

DOUBLE YOUR DONATION!  

If you can help us reach our target of £4,000 by donating during challenge week, the total will be doubled to £8,000 

This will allow us to provide 695 hours of specialist support and care to visually impaired children and parents, and without this support; many families would not know where to turn. 

If you donate £40 we will get £80

This will pay for a family with a VI child to join one of our day activities – which give families with visually impaired children the much needed support to enable them to do activities they wouldn’t ever think were possible 

If you donate £125 we will get £250

Which would pay for a volunteer to be recruited and trained to support our children and families team in the valuable work they do. 

The more you give the higher the final amount will be, so please consider making a donation to help families in need of support. Please visit our project page on the Big Give Website between the 5th and 10th of December to make your donation. 

Your money will help families like Kait’s recive the support they need

“I can’t thank Henshaws enough for what they’ve done for Oscar and our family. Oscar is a wonderful little boy, so full of life, interest and adventure. I know things aren’t always going to be easy for him but we’ve learnt how we can support him and I’m confident that he has a wonderful future ahead.”

Kait Hughes, whose son Oscar is blind.

Save the date!

Remember, your donation will only be doubled if you donate here between 5th and 9th of December – so add the date to your diary and the web address to your bookmarks or please email – fundraising@henshaws.org.uk if you would like to recieve a reminder email on challenge week.

Thank you for your support.

Taking place at the beautiful Manchester Cathedral on  Wednesday 14th December from 7:30pm, we are inviting you all  to join us in what promises an evening of magical performances,  mulled wine and mince pies.

In addition to traditional Christmas Carols, there will be performances from Chethams School of Music, Manchester University’s – The Cosmo Singers, Loreto Preparatory School, Soloist Jess Bennett and inspirational words from our service users and special guests to name a few.

Tickets are now available to buy for this year’s event and are priced at £10 for adults and £7 for concessions and OAPs. To book please call 0161 872 1234 or email fundraising@henshaws.org.uk

We look forward to seeing you there!

The sessions last for 2.5 hours.  And as well as taking place at the Manchester and Merseyside Henshaws resource centre, take place in the following community venues;

Merseyside:

• Bootle Library, Stanley Road, Bootle, on Monday morning
• Birkdale Library, Liverpool Road, Birkdale on Wednesday morning and afternoon
• Knowsley (Bradbury Centre until New Year) Yuens Way on Thursday afternoon
• Ashville Lodge, Ashville Road, Birkenhead  on Thursday morning
• St Helens Millennium Centre, Corporation Street, St Helens,  on Tuesday morning and afternoon and Thursday morning and afternoon

Greater Manchester:

• Oldham Link Centre, Union Street, Oldham  On Wednesday morning and afternoon
• The Action for Blind people Centre, Albert Street, Eccles on Friday morning
• The Walkden Link, Smith Street, Walkden  Centre on Friday afternoon
• The Methodist Centre in Oldham Street Manchester City Centre on Thursday morning and afternoon
• Atherton House, Talbot Road, Old Trafford on Tuesday morning and afternoon and Friday afternoon

Bill Milner, Merseyside Area Manager, says the courses are great for people who are visually impaired, even those who have never used a computer before. “Being able to use a computer and surf the web is just as important for blind and partially sighted people as it is for anyone else. Whether it’s to look for a job, shop online or keep in touch with friends by email, these sessions will give people all the skills they need to use their computer with confidence.”

Anyone interested in booking a place or finding out more, can do so by phoning Neil Kynaston, Henshaws I.T. Training Manager on 0151 708 7055.

 The campaign which is a year-long event,
 encourages staff, community organisations and schools to don  their brightest clothes to raise money for Henshaws.  

Many businesses across Manchester and Yorkshire arranged events to coincide with World Sight Day on 13^th October, and defied the weary autumn weather by dressing in their brightest clothes.

Specsavers in Sale lit up their branch with vibrant wigs and fluorescent tutus whilst Manchester insurance company CBG donned pink feather boas and balloons. Julia Hamer from Specsavers said: “The best thing about this event is not only are you raising money for a good cause, it is so easy and simple. We found the more creative you are with your outfits the more staff and customers alike can’t help but donate!”

Money has been flooding in and these donations have already made a huge difference so we can continue their work to provide advice, services and support for visually impaired people.  CBG representative Vania Burnell said: “It is great to be involved with something so simple and fun, and for such a good cause as well. It not only raises money but it’s great for team spirit, everyone felt more positive and cheerful. We will definitely be doing it again!”

In Yorkshire alone we have raised over £1019.75 with huge donations from Hunters Estate Agents, Hookstone Chase Primary School and the Christ Church Youth Group.

Faye Wilson, Fundraiser at Henshaws, said: “Wear Bright for Sight is a fun way for everyone to get involved in supporting the work we do at Henshaws, and the campaign is a vital element of our fundraising drive.  The great thing about Wear Bright for Sight is that it is really easy to get involved and, of course, you can hold events at any time of year – not just October. You can fundraise in almost any way imaginable too, such as chest waxes, baby photo competitions or a cake bake.”

If you, your colleagues, friends and family would like to wear bright for sight then contact the fundraising office at Henshaws 0161 872 1234 fundraising@henshaws.org.uk or visit our get involved page.

As part of the research phase, we are having a consultation session at Henshaws in Manchester at Atherton House (5 mins from Old Trafford Metro station) next Wed 26th October from 10-2:30pm (lunch provided!) Please come along and share with us stories about Henshaws and visual impairment, your connections/experiences and what you would like to see in the exhibition. Even if you have never heard of us but like the sound of the exhibition, we’d love your input!

If you're interested then give Tori a call on 0161 786 3661 or email tori.moore@henshaws.org.uk

Best care worker, Ruth Bates, for her dedication to our residents at Yew Tree Lane since it opened, Best newcomer, Patrick Dixon – who changed careers to come to us and has developed some real innovative therapeutic ideas, and Best Team Overall, in particular for pulling together during the serious illness of a resident and working as a team to do their best for the people in their care.

Kerry also nominated the mother of one of our residents Jean Ashworth, as best unpaid carer and Jean also won a finalist award. Jean has worked tirelessly for many years to get the best for her daughter and has not been afraid to take on officialdom when she’s needed to.

Well done to Kerry and to the team.  The awards are well deserved and it’s fantastic that Yew Tree Lane have done so well at this national event.

 Kalpna has dedicated her life to community and voluntary work. She set-up Harmony in 1996 after being inspired by her daughter, Leena; who suffered a breakdown caused by girls bullying her at school. Harmony breaks down social and cultural barriers through the medium of music and dance.

Kalpna's workshop with our parent and toddler group included music with Jembe drums and a Sitar along with traditional dance. Children and Families Team Leader, Fiona Berry says “We are so pleased that Kalpna chose to mark her impressive 15 year milestone with our Parent and Toddler Group. The children really enjoyed playing all the different instruments she brought with her. On behalf of Henshaws we want to thank Kalpna and Harmony for supporting the work we do and wish them a Happy 15th Birthday!”

 Ben only lost his sight a year ago when his Glaucoma became  unstable and inoperable.  As a result Ben had to relearn all his  subjects using Braille techniques in just 12 months. But he  achieved an incredible score of A*, 4 A’s, 3 B’s, 3 C’s & 3 other certficates at NVQ Level 2 passes. Ben said “I am extremely pleased that I have managed to pass. I have eye conditions Aniridia and Glaucoma that I was born with and my sight began to deteriorate when I was 12. It has been extremely hard to study as I had to relearn everything not only schoolwork but also daily living tasks. This put extra pressure on me in my studies.”

Whilst awaiting his results this summer Ben trained with his first Guide Dog Len , and is now ready to go onto college independently. When asked if he was proud of his results he replied “ I am proud of my results but mostly proud of passing partnership with my dog Len. It has been a great summer.”

Ben who attended mainstream school – St Edmunds Arrowsmith High. Is now enrolling at the Royal National College for the Blind in Hereford to study A level Media, ICT, Btec National Diploma in Radio Production alongside Braille Technology.

Joe who is also registered blind and suffers from the same conditions also suffers from severe Eczema /Cellulitis. Despite being in and out of hospital due to his conditions he achieved  an A*, A, 5B’s, 3C’s, and 3D’s. 

Joe is going on to the local college to study Travel & Tourism. He said “ I am really pleased with my results especially gaining a B in Maths. I found it hard work but I just pushed myself. I am going to a different college to Ben and it will be hard not being with my brother, but we are going on to do different things. Whilst awaiting my results during the summer I have been on the National Challenge Scheme (3 week course), a PGL scheme and attended the Children & Family Services at Henshaws, so it has been a good summer for me too.”

Proud Mum Wyn, who is also a regular attender of the Children & Family service and a member of Henshaws VIPAR (Visually Impaired Parents And Relatives) group and has done much volunteering for Henshaws over the years. “I am so proud of them as they have both had disruptive learning due to medical reasons. So even if they had gained all C’s I would have been pleased. But for Ben to have produced A’s when he had to relearn everything in Braille as well as cope with the emotional trauma of losing his sight ie exceptional. Their hard work and determination paid off; they are amazing.”

Henshaws would like to pass on their congratulations and wish them further success in their futures.

Tuesday 20th September 2011

Registration from 11:30am

12 noon start, followed by a buffet lunch.

The meeting will take place at our Manchester Office:

88-92 Talbot Road, Old Trafford, Manchester, M16 0GS

Please let us know if you're planning to attend by:

Email: cristina.oreilly@henshaws.org.uk

Phone: 0161 872 1234

 We are looking for volunteers to take part in this fantastic event  with just a small registration fee of £20 and raising the  suggested sponsorship of £100.

No previous experience is required and with a bit of training the 5km or 10km distance should easily be within your capabilities. The spirit of the event is 'taking part' not 'winning' so you can run, jog, walk or hop -you decide!

With only 20 places available you should book early to avoid disappointment! Call our lovely Community Fundraiser Hannah Saxon for more details and how to register:- 01423 814501 or hannah.saxon@henshaws.org.uk

We now have 50 places available for just £41 entry fee and a minimum sponsorship of £500. If you would like to run with Team Henshaws and be part of the return of the Manchester Marathon, please contact Hannah Saxon for details, hannah.saxon@henshaws.org.uk or on 01423 814 501.

The race will take place in Trafford on 29th April  2012 and will start and finish in Longford Park in Stretford. The five thousand runners expected to take part will pass iconic landmarks such as the Old Trafford football and cricket grounds and Dunham Massey Park over the 26mile course.

 Cameron wanted to work for the charity after seeing Oscar on  the news and in the press. Cameron was so moved with what he  heard and saw, he decided that he wanted to become an ambassador for the charity.

Glen Lockett, Head of Fundraising at Henshaws, commented, “We’re thrilled to have Cameron on board to help us boost the profile of Oscar’s Appeal – being the world’s youngest works rally driver he’s a remarkable young man himself, so I think he really connected with Oscar’s story and the campaign”.

Cameron said, “Chevrolet is a brand built on family values and when I saw little Oscar I wanted to get involved and help Henshaws promote Oscar’s Appeal.  I am very lucky to be driving for Chevrolet UK and I just wanted to give something back to the community. I am really honoured to be an ambassador for Henshaws Society for Blind People – Oscar is such a great kid and I am really looking forward to helping to raise awareness and funds for the Appeal”.

To donate to the campaign please go to http://www.justgiving.com/helphenshaws

For more information on Cameron go to http://www.sgelitesports.com/Drivers___Teams.html

 Last month the fundraising team hosted a launch event for their  latest fundraising campaign the Henshaws 500 Challenge, the  event was aimed at engaging local businesses and raising the  profile of Henshaws in the Old Trafford area. After a successful  turnout, The Beauty Bar based in Sale, Cheshire is the latest  company to sign up to the challenge!

 The Beauty Bar will kick-off with one of two exciting events  planned for their challenge in September with a Massage Roadshow. Between 10am and 1:30pm every Thursday and Friday, businesses in the Altrincham and Old Trafford area will benefit from a 5 minute stress relief tension massage to the sounds of relaxing music. The massages will be performed fully clothed in a massage chair offering workers a perfect break in their day for a minimum donation of £1. The second event, planned for November, will be an event that will give the staff at The Beauty Bar the chance to show off their other talents in an evening showcasing ‘Beauty Bar’s Got Talent.’

Established 9 years ago in Sale, The Beauty Bar aims to be a friendly and caring salon, where clients can feel at home. Manager of the salon, Deborah Bond, says “we wanted to be different from the usual salons, providing a quality service at affordable prices with top salon brands. The core of our business is to care and in our sensitive industry to listen.”

The Beauty Bar has chosen to support Henshaws after reading about Oscar Hughes, our ambassador for the ‘Helping Henshaws’ campaign run by the Advertiser Newspaper Group. Deborah says, “I remember Henshaws from my school days particularly as I have lived in the area most of my life. As a business we wanted to really show the local community how we care and Henshaws’ 500 Challenge was the perfect opportunity to do this. The team really appreciate life is challenging in many ways and we felt that supporting people, like Oscar, with visual impairments would educate our team and clients about the needs and difficulties that some people have. We are fully embracing this challenge to not only support Henshaws but to bring our team together and show we are more than your average salon!”

The London Marathon  enters into its 31st year on 22nd April 2012, so be part of the team  and run for us!

By choosing Henshaws you'll be helping to support blind and visually impaired people across the UK to develop the skills and independence they need to lead lives that are as full as possible.

There are limited places for this event so to secure your place all  application forms need to be in by the 21st October, entry fee is  £100 plus VAT and we are asking all participants to endeavour to  raise £2000. In the first instance please contact our Community Fundraiser Hannah Saxon on 01423 814501 or email hannah.saxon@henshaws.org.uk 

You can also download the application form by clicking here and send to hannah.saxon@henshaws.org.uk or post to Hannah Saxon, Henshaws, Bogs Lane, Harrogate, North Yorkshire, HG1 4ED  

Good Luck! Go Team Henshaws!

Neil Splaine 42, from Worsley, who died in a tragic motorcycle accident in January, was honoured with a celebrity football Match in aid of Henshaws Society for Blind people, on Sunday 14^th August at AFC Monton in Worsley.

His family and friends wanted to raise money to support a charity after his death and as Neil lost a

sister a few years ago to diabetes and his other sister, Valerie, is going blind through the same disease, it was his family’s wish that the money would go towards helping blind people.  They also decided to donate his corneas to medicine, and four people have already benefited from this thoughtful decision.

His family and friends have been raising money for Henshaws since January, and the football match which was played between AFC Monton and the Celebrity ALLSTARS – a team made up of Celebs from Coronation Street, Emmerdale, and Hollyoaks as well as ex Professional Footballers – was their latest effort to support Henshaws vital services for blind people in the North of England.

The day was a great success despite Monton FC losing 10-1 to the ALLSTARS and Neil’s family and friends managed to raise a massive £1015 for Henshaws.

Neil’s sister Valerie, who helped out on the day said,

'I've really enjoyed helping out today, I suffer from impaired sight and it means a lot to me that we managed to raise so much for Henshaws, I think Neil would be proud'

Three-year-old blind Oscar O’Sullivan Hughes, an avid football fan and the face of Henshaws latest fundraising campaign, kicked off the match and he and his family met some of their favourite celebrities on the day.

Kait Hughes, Oscars mum said “We were really proud to be involved in this fantastic event to help honour the memory of Neil, as well as raising money for a cause so close to our hearts”

Faye Wilson, from Henshaws who helped out on the day said;

'The day was a huge success, Monton AFC and the ALLSTARS teams played a fantastic match, and we were delighted that Neil's friends and family raised so much money for Henshaws'

 Linsey, Customer Service Leader for Terminal 3 reports “We all  had great fun yesterday with everyone wearing orange t-shirts or  our own bright tops, we had till displays and members of staff  around the store with buckets. We also had a pimms tastings, a  cake/card sale, and raffle prizes from which the surrounding stores  took part in. They even turned the music up slightly to enhance the atmosphere.We had great fun & hopefully raised some money!”

This is just one of many events the World Duty Free in Terminal 3 are planning as part of their 6 month fundraising campaign. They are also in the planning stages to take part in our 500 Challenge, but they are keeping it under wraps at the moment.

Keep an eye out if you do go through Terminal 3 at Manchester Airport this summer, you may be in for a surprise.

Everyone involved had a great time, particularly Jonathan Lowe, who lost his sight to MS when he was only 9 years old and has been a Henshaws regular ever since, He sang “I believe I can fly” as he zip wired his way across the Quays from the IWMN to the Lowry.  Other people who undertook the daring feat included Chief executive of Henshaws Nick Marr, many Cargill and Henshaws employees and Pete Hughes, the Grandad of three-year-old Oscar, the face of our latest fundraising campaign.

Jonathan said “I felt on top of the world – like I could fly! When you can’t see how high you are or what’s below you there’s nothing to be scared of!”

So far the total raised is over £3000 but we are hoping that when the final amount comes in the adventurous lot have raised much more.

Glen Lockett, participant and Head of Fundraising said of the day “Although the rain tried to put a dampener on the day, all participants braved the conditions and turned up with their families. It was an amazing turnout and I believe the rain pelting in your face just added to the fantastic experience.”

To get involved in future challenges, contact the fundraising team on fundraising@henshaws.org.uk or 01423 814501

Based around a beautiful 17th century farmhouse, in the heart of the Cheshire countryside, The Children’s Adventure Farm offers adventure breaks and activities to children who are disadvantaged by illness, disability and poverty, from all over the Northwest. 

The holiday is suitable for children between the ages of 9-14 years and is a great opportunity for VI children to develop independence, meet new people, build friendships and develop teamwork skills away from parents and siblings.

A full team of Adventure Farm and Henshaws staff will deliver activities over 5 days and 4 nights including adventure play, sensory, arts, music, sports and nature trail, and safety is paramount with an active child protection policy in place.

If you would like to express interest in a place or discuss it further please contact Fiona Berry, Lorraine Hall or Zahida Khan on 0161 872 1234 or email info@henshaws.org.uk

Tony has worked with all ages of people, from young babies (6 months old) to the elderly (102 years old) He knows that there are people in our communities that need all types of support from Henshaws, and he helps by getting them to and from that support.  Tony is delighted to be nominated saying “I’m so pleased with the nomination, I just wants to help as many people as possible get to Henshaws, as they do such good work” 

We are keeping their fingers crossed for the results of the award, Tony deserves it! 

The race will take place in Trafford and will start and finish in Longford Park in Stretford. The five thousand runners expected to take part will pass iconic landmarks such as the Old Trafford football and cricket grounds and Dunham Massey Park over the 26mile course.

Councillor Jonathan Coupe said it was great news that the area has been chosen to host such a fantastic event.

“It will be a real legacy for Trafford that will grow in the coming years, bringing local people together and attracting people from right across the northwest and beyond”

We are delighted to be chosen as a charity partner, and we’re looking forward to the event.

We still have places available for just £41 entry fee and a minimum sponsorship of £500. If you would like to run with Team Henshaws and be part of the return of the Manchester Marathon, please contact Hannah Saxon for details, hannah.saxon@henshaws.org.uk or on 01423 814 501.

Annie Berrington, one of our Swimmers said of the event “I really enjoyed the experience, we were in the first wave of swims when the rain was chucking it down, but it didn't really matter as we were getting wet anyway!”

Henshaws were pleased with the turnout, despite the event being cancelled last year.  Hannah Saxon, Community Fundraiser said “We were delighted to have so many people swimming for us, and for them to raise almost £4000 is just fantastic, the feedback we’ve had from our swimmers has been so positive, and we hope that many more people will consider taking part next year.”

Many people had their own personal reasons for taking part, Anne said,  “I was pleased to be able to raise some sponsorship money for Henshaws.  My niece, who was born blind, has benefited from your independent living courses in the past.  In fact now she has left school and doing a year out teaching English in Germany so raising this money is my tribute to her determination to live life to the full.”

Visit http://www.henshaws.org.uk/get-involved/ or contact fundraising@henshaws.org.uk 0161 872 1234 to see how you can take part in future challenge events.

 Assured by a high standard of hospitality in a comfortable setting  and at affordable prices, the training restaurant has produced  some delicious 3-course meals over the years for the delegates,  followed by coffee and petit fours and entertainment from a guest  speaker selected by Henshaws.

Now in it's 17th year, the event organiser and one of Henshaws' long standing members of the fundraising team Cristina O'Reilly is ecstatic at the club's success; “..words cannot express our gratitude to all of our delegates and their continuing support of Henshaws which is so very much needed.”

She extends special thanks to Jean Clark for running the raffle and raising over £2000 to date! To all the delegates for contributing to the raffle prizes, buying Christmas Cards and donations. To John, Dorothy, the Chefs and all the students at the College for their dedication and hard work.  
Cristina also wanted to thank her friend and fellow host Hazel who has now retired as a volunteer for Henshaws. “I am so very grateful to hazel for all her help and support she has given me over the years running the luncheon when I was unable to attend. The contribution of our volunteers at Henshaws is invaluable.”

The club runs from October to June, usually on the second Thursday of the month. This season has now drawn to a close but if you would like to join this very enjoyable lunch next season starting in October please ring Tori Moore for further details on 0161 786 3661 or email tori.moore@henshaws.org.uk.

 Recently awarded 2 AA Rosettes, Room, is a unique and modern  restaurant located on King Street. The event will be black tie and  include a three course meal and wine tasting, with a sommelier matching the wines to each course.

Tickets cost £65 per head – includes a drink on arrival, three course meal and a glass of wine per course, with the option to buy the bottle afterwards. There will also be an auction and raffle taking place on the night, with all money raised going towards Oscar’s Appeal.

Recent supporters of the campaign, Coronation Street’s Paula Lane and BBC Broadcaster, Mark Edwardson, will also be attending on the evening.

To book your ticket and for more information on this event, please contact Faye Wilson: faye.wilson@henshaws.org.uk or 0161 786 3693

 Our first activity on Wednesday 1st June, 11-1:30pm, is a  lovely Teddy Bears Picnic at Gorse Hill Park. Bring a packed  lunch and a blanket and spend the day taking part in activities or  playing on the children's playground there. This is absoloutely free, so don't  miss out on the fun. The park is located on the M32 on Talbot Road and is a short 10 min walk from Henshaws. Don't forget your teddy bear!

On Friday 3rd June 10am-2pm we will be returning to the Trafford Wheelers after a very successful trip there during Easter. Based at Longford Park Athletics Track, this day will give everyone and anyone an opportunity to try out their cycling skills, from bikes, trikes, tandems and carts, rickshaws, wheelchair access and hand propelled bikes too! There is definitely something there to suit everyone and offers the chance to get out in the open air whatever the weather! Cost is £2 per person so book your place soon! Longford Park Athletics Track is based on Ryebank Rd, (off Edge Lane) Chorlton-cum-Hardy, Manchester M21 9TA.

There are two more exciting additions to our Parent and Toddler Group Programme of activities. Baby Splash at Stretford Leisure Centre onThursday 16th June, 10:15am-12pm is a fun open swim session for Under 5’s held in the small pool and  there is a swim teacher/ life guard on hand to offer parents advice  and support around helping their little one in the pool. They provide lots of water toys and activities for the kids to enjoy while in the  pool.

To have fun splashing around join us at 10:15am in the main reception to get changed ready for Baby Splash at 10:30am. The cost of the session is £4 for one child and one adult. If any parents do not want to go in the pool one of us will be happy to go in with your child, just let us know before hand! Stretford Leisure Centre is on Greatstone Road (M32 0ZS) just down the road from Henshaws, Atherton House and is well signposted.

The second, Theatre Tots on Thursday 7th July, 11am-12pm, offers unique drama workshops for Early Years Foundation Stage and children with special needs. The sessions are specially designed for the early years and focus on imagination, creativity and sensory work. They use drama as a means to build confidence, promote creativity, flexibility and imagination and develop language and social skills. The sessions encourage active participation and interaction between children in a fun and relaxed manner. The costumes and props they use really help to engage the imagination which includes games, mimes and imitation, tongue twisters, costumes, stories, characters, sock puppets, props and songs.

For children’s centres, nurseries and playgroups they have programs for the 0 -2’s.  Parents and carers are very welcome and encouraged to join in the fun! The session will be for one hour based at Henshaws, Atherton House and is £4.

To book on any of the above events and activities please contact Fiona Berry fiona.berry@henshaws.org.uk or Zahida Khan zahida.khan@henshaws.org.uk or phone us on 0161 872 1234

To see even more Children and Families Activities, click here to go to our activities section.

We are hosting our annual charity golf day at 2 prestigious venues this year:

Friday 17th June

De Vere Heron’s Reach, Lancashire

Thursday 7th July

Harrogate Golf Club, Starbeck, Harrogate.

Teams of 4 have the opportunity to play at either (or both!) of these impressive venues, competing for an attractive prize table. Both 18 hole courses will provide golfers with the chance to work on their form as well as take part in a number of fun events to raise funds for visually impaired and disabled people. The day will be rounded off with an evening barbeque.

For more information click here to view the flyer.

Louise Ashton, marketing and communications manager at Henshaws, said: “Last year’s golf day raised £4,500, so we hope to hit over that target this year. Henshaws relies heavily on charitable donations and the money raised at the golf day will help Henshaws continue its work across the North of England providing facilities and support to people with visual impairments and their families.”

To sign up for the Henshaws golf day contact the fundraising team on 01423 814 501 or email fundraising@henshaws.org.uk.

The group had the chance to handle some unusual items, ranging from beaded bags and belts from the 1920’s, to mini skirts and platform shoes from the 60’s & 70’s.

 Items were carefully chosen to be tactile and colourful, to enhance the experience for the visually impaired members of the group. Staff talked about each item, leading conversations with the group about the items, and their memories of times gone by.

For more information on our groups in the North West click here or for other regions, visit the Yorkshire or North East pages.

The garden, featuring tactile, brightly coloured and scented plants was designed especially for people with sight loss, and was officially launched by Martin Douglas, the General Manager of Cargill Manchester.  The residents and staff were delighted with the finished garden and Jamie, a Yew Tree Lane Resident said of the garden, ‘It’s beautiful!’  

Annalisa Jackson, Plant and Cost Accounting Manager at Cargill, who has led the project, said “We feel it’s important to make a difference in our local communities and we felt that working in partnership with Henshaws would be an opportunity to do this. Around 20 of our employees have contributed to the Sensory Garden and feedback from them all has been really positive.”

Cargill staff have also benefited hugely from the scheme, Jen Gadd, HR Analyst said;

‘Not only was it a privilege to be part of a such a worthy project but it was also a joy to be able to interact with the residents whilst planting and watering in the garden and to see how much enjoyment they got out of helping us.’

Kerry Ryan, Supported Living Manager at Henshaws said, “This project has been a fantastic experience, the residents are really excited and can’t wait to spend time out there, the work that the Cargill staff have put in is incredible, and we can’t thank them enough.”           

 In progress: October 2010           Jan 2011                                       April 2011: Finished Garden

We really value our partnerships with local businesses and we’re always looking to develop more links with the corporate sector – if you’d like to get your company involved, please get in touch 01423 814500 fundraising@heshaws.org.uk

The award exists to highlight and celebrate innovation and excellence across health and social care and judges said of the house 'a fantastic place for young people with complex needs, the staff team are very skilled and obviously adore their jobs and the service users and Yew Tree Lane is a very homely place with very varied activities'

Kerry Ryan and Lynsey Easdale were presented with the award at the ceremony on 25th Feb at Manchester town hall.

Congratulations to everyone involved, they deserve it!

The event was a chance for local professionals to see what Henshaws can offer to blind or visually impaired people in the Merseyside area, as well as officially opening the new premises.  We have plans to continue outreach and development work in Liverpool and are hoping to start new groups such as a film club (so people can enjoy audio-described films) launch a home visiting service, extend voluntary activities and actively pursue links with minority communities who experience proportionately more sight loss.

Howard Cockeram, Henshaws Chair, spoke about Henshaws legacy in Liverpool and thanked Lord Storey for his support and Nick Marr, Group Chief executive said of Henshaws ‘The VI community and the people in it have a lot to offer.  Henshaws is about trying to give people the skills to get what they want out of life.’

Bill Milner, who is visually impaired himself, first came to Henshaws when he participated in the Skillstep to Success course, and is now the Merseyside Area Manager, said ‘The new centre is fantastic and we’re delighted that Lord Storey has been kind enough to officially open the centre up to the people of Liverpool.  We hope that this is just the beginning and we will continue to provide our vital services to people who need them, with the aim of helping people to move into meaningful work’.    

Held on Sunday 18th September, we have been lucky enough to secure places for the half marathon, with an entry fee for participants of only £46.

For a chance of a place, participants are asked to commit to raising £300 in sponsorship (as a minimum – of course we'd be delighted with anything more!)

Entry forms need to be returned by 25th March 2011. Runners who successfully secure a Henshaws spot will then be contacted for the entry fee.

Click here for the entry form.

For further information, please call Hannah Saxon on (01423) 814501 or email  hannah.saxon@henshaws.org.uk

 The Great North Swim is the UK’s biggest swimming event. You can experience the thrill of a 1 mile open-water outdoor swim, safe in the knowledge that expert kayakers and safety boats are with you every stroke of the way. 

For further information click here to download our flyer.

To join Team Henshaws, click here for an application form.

You can contact Hannah Saxon in our Fundraising Team on (01423) 814501 or email  hannah.saxon@henshaws.org.uk 

If you already have a place, but you would like to raise money for Henshaws, get in touch and we will send you a fundraising pack and a snazzy orange t-shirt!

Good luck!