Open Meetings for all Benefits
Date: Thursday 10th October
Time: Afternoon: 2pm till 3:30pm – Evening: 7pm till 8:30pm
Venue: Leeds Deaf Centre, St Marys Street, Leeds LS9 8DP
Sheffield Deaf Advice Team will give a talk about
Universal Credit and also give 1-2-1 advice
6 August 2019
Source: UKNEHS
UK’s first vision and hearing survey aims to capture vital data on UK issues
A lack of accurate data is contributing to a £58billion bill for vision and hearing loss in the UK, according to a report published today that calls on the Government to support the first ever national survey of the UK population’s sensory needs.
It is estimated that around 2 million people in the UK are affected by partial sight loss, and this is expected to rise to 2.4 million by 2024. The number affected by hearing loss is estimated at 11 million, and this is also rising.
These issues cost the UK economy £58billion in total every year. This takes into account, medical costs, for example falls and fractures caused by visual impairment, an increased risk of dementia due to hearing loss, service costs, and reduced employment. Around 50 per cent of all sight loss is believed to be preventable.
Researchers and charities have now come together to campaign for the first ever UK National Eye-health and Hearing Study (UKNEHS). The data generated by a detailed survey will help cut the cost to the economy and better inform policy makers and service providers, with a focus on prevention.
Professor Sir Michael Rawlins, Chair of the Executive Board of the UKNEHS said “The UK has not invested effectively in collecting population data for vision and hearing loss. The UKNEHS is of vital importance to current and future generations if we are serious about providing quality, evidence-based services in these areas.”
The case for investment, published today by Vision UK, which works with organisations in the eye health and sight loss sector, outlines the details of the study. It would see 25,000 participants undergo an eye and hearing examination and complete a standardised general questionnaire.
Lord Colin Low, co-chair of the All Party Parliamentary Group on Eye Health and Visual Impairment, stated: “If the UK is serious about reducing the levels of preventable visual impairment and hearing loss, then we must have the data that the UKNEHS will provide.
“If we don’t fund this kind of research we are saying that we accept that people living in the UK will lose their vision and hearing due to preventable causes, and that it is OK for them to live with hearing and vision loss that is treatable.”
The study will determine the prevalence and causes of vision impairment, blindness and hearing loss in the UK population aged 50 and over.
The study will also measure the detection and treatment coverage rate of major eye diseases and associated conditions, such as diabetes, in order to understand the effectiveness of current services.
Professor Rupert Bourne of Anglia Ruskin University (ARU), Chief Investigator of the UKNEHS, said: “Growing demand from an ageing population and increasing incidence of long-term conditions will exacerbate existing issues in the system. However, policy makers are completely in the dark about the scale of the problem because no comprehensive survey has ever been done in this country.
“Other countries across the world regularly survey their populations, allowing them to make informed decisions about care and treatment, identify trends and take action.
“We know the costs – to the NHS and the UK economy – of these issues runs into the tens of billions of pounds every year, so it is imperative that we understand more about our eye and hearing health, so that we can better address people’s needs and reduce costs.”
The UKNEHS brings together a number of partners including ARU, The Thomas Pocklington Trust, The Royal College of Ophthalmologists and the College of Optometrists.
The report has been submitted to the UK Government. The UKNEHS needs the public to ask their MPs to support the project – e-mail contact@UKNEHS.org.uk to find out how.
Ends
Notes to Editors
ARU is an innovative global university, brimming with ambition. Students from 177 countries gain qualifications with us in four continents. Students, academics, businesses and partners all benefit from our outstanding facilities; we’ve invested £100 million over the last five years and plan to invest a further £91 million over the next five years.
ARU’s Research Institutes and four faculties bridge scientific, technical and creative fields. We deliver impactful research which tackles pressing issues and makes a real difference, from saving lives to conserving water. Our academic excellence has been recognised by the UK’s Higher Education funding bodies, with 12 areas classed as generating world-leading research.
We are ranked in the world’s top 350 institutions in the 2019 Times Higher Education World University Rankings, and in 2016 we featured in a list of the 20 “rising stars” in global Higher Education compiled by strategy consultants Firetail.
For more press information please contact:
Jon Green on t: 01245 68 4717, e: jon.green@anglia.ac.uk
Jamie Forsyth on t: 01245 68 4716, e: jamie.forsyth@anglia.ac.uk
This exciting new free to attend event in our annual calendar will be held on Friday, 27 September at the Kent’s Hill Conference Centre in Milton Keynes. Registration opens at 9.00am with the welcoming address at 10.00am. We expect the event to end at 3.30pm.It is a one-day conference aimed at education, health care and social care professionals and volunteers supporting those with inherited sight loss conditions. This will include Eye Clinic Liaison Officers (ECLOs), Rehabilitation Officers for the Visually Impaired (ROVIs), Qualified Teachers of the Visually Impaired (QTVIs), Mobility Officers, Clinicians, nurses and other medical professionals.
The Conference will allow you to:
Kents Hill Park Conference Centre is an easy-to-access central location about five miles from Milton Keynes Central Train Station and close to the M1 Motorway. There is also accommodation and free parking available on site.
If you have any questions or would like to speak with us about this event, please don’t hesitate to contact us at info@RetinaUK.org.uk or call us on 01280 821334.
Sponsored by:
Retina UK recently published its unique insight into the experiences of those living with inherited retinal conditions.
Almost 1,000 people completed a survey earlier this year to help the charity understand the real-life experiences, challenges and expectations of those living with these conditions. Over half (53%) say their sight loss has a severe or very severe impact on their quality of life and loss of confidence, anxiety and stress are the biggest emotional or psychological impacts of sight loss.
Tina Houlihan, Chief Executive, said: “We are an organisation entirely focussed on people living with inherited retinal dystrophies; to make the biggest difference for our community and have the right priorities we need to constantly learn more about real-life experiences, challenges and expectations of families living with these conditions.”
Luxturna is currently undergoing appraisal by the National Institute for Health & Care Excellence (NICE) and the Scottish Medicines Consortium (SMC), which provide guidance to NHS England and NHS Scotland about which treatments they should fund. (Wales and Northern Ireland are likely to follow England’s lead.)
Retina UK is actively involved in this process; we are working hard to make sure that our community’s voice is heard and that NICE and the SMC fully understand the enormous difference that an effective gene therapy could make to the lives of young people with inherited sight loss.
We expect NICE to publish their formal guidance on NHS funding in December 2019. If the outcome is positive, the NHS will need to establish a pathway for treatment and commission a small number of specialist treatment centres. All being well, Luxturna may be available on the NHS from spring 2020.
Retina UK is excited to be holding our first ever conference specifically for professionals who support our community on Friday 27 September 2019. You will hear the personal stories of those living with inherited retinal conditions, gain an insight into the latest research including genetics, and learn about the psychological impact of a diagnosis.
Our Retina UK Local Peer Support Groups enable individuals and families to get to know each other
and engage with Retina UK.
Group meetings are scheduled in Oxford (12 September), Edinburgh (28 September), Merseyside (30 September), Glasgow (5 October), Isle of Wight (2nd Monday of each month), Taunton (12 October) and London (26 October).
Find out more and register to attend.
Our final information day of the year is coming to Belfast on Thursday 24 October 2019 (10.00am – 4.00pm). Amongst many other speakers we have Professor Peter Humphries, a leading researcher of genetics of degenerative diseases of the retina joining us. This event is a great opportunity to find out more about Inherited Retinal Dystrophies (IRDs); the latest research, to put your questions to the experts, meet other people and engage with the charity.
Retina UK offer a free telephone and email service to those living with inherited sight loss, their family and friends, employers, and health, social care and education professionals.
They can provide information and/or signposting on employment matters, mobility aids, benefits or technology to allow you to better support your clients?
Retina UK’s helpline team all have personal experience of inherited sight loss conditions.
Call: 0845 123 2354
Email helpline@RetinaUK.org.uk
Open 9.30am to 9.30pm Mon to Fri
Over 70 people gathered in Birmingham for the largest meeting of families living with Usher syndrome in the UK. Retina UK and Sense supported Usher Kids UK to hold its first family event in June.
Retina UK’s Matt Carr, said: “It was a really positive event and a fantastic example of how Retina UK works with other groups to make the biggest difference for our community.”
Retina UK would like to engage more closely with the professional community and to enable us to do that most effectively, we’d like you (our existing professionals’ community) to tell us how we can best support your work. That might be holding more information days, providing information and leaflets or something else entirely. Please get in touch with Matthew Carr and Denise Rawden, our Regional Services Managers to let them know services@RetinaUK.org.uk.
Expressions showcases the exciting work of talented disabled dancers from across the UK. The only event of its kind in Yorkshire, Expressions takes place over three relaxed shows, with diverse performances from professional and community groups.
We are proud to co-commission TIN Arts’ new work Invisible Kisses which will première at Expressions, alongside Anjali Dance Company who return to Leeds with two short dance pieces, Unicorn and The Reflection. Northern Ballet’s In Motion and Ability dancers will join other performers from Leeds to present their own trailblazing work.
For the full line up of each performance, please visit the Stanley & Audrey Burton Theatre website.
Land’s End to John O’Groats (LEJOG)
Two Deaf men have captured the imagination of the Deaf community by setting out on a walk from John O’Groats to Lands End to raise money to support treatment for Deaf people with mental health problems.
Mark Hodgson and Daniel Dorney are walking to raise £10,000 for Deaf4Deaf and SignHealth to support their work to give Deaf people services like counselling in BSL. They are accompanied by support driver Christopher Potts.
To support them, give money on the Crowdfunding page here!
At the time of writing, they have already raised £6,480, which suggests the final sum they raise may be more than their target sum.
Mark and Daniel have set up a Just Giving page, and you can donate here.
When: Saturday 13th July
Time: 11am till 4pm
Where:
Here!
The Leeds Society For Deaf and Blind People
The Centre
St Mary’s Street
Leeds
LS9 7DP
Contact: contact@dex.org.uk
We are looking for brides-to-be to be part of an exciting new series.
If you would like to find out more, please click on the link below and it will take you through to a short application form. We can’t wait to hear from you!
Apply Now
Alternatively, if you would prefer to send us a direct email, please get in touch via brides@truenorth.tv
Good luck!
The Casting team
By applying you are accepting the True North’s Privacy Policy
A hearing aid is a small and sophisticated piece of equipment and like any other electrical item it can require repair, maintenance or adjustments. This should be carried out every 6 months.
Aftercare and repairs are available at the following health centres by appointment only:
| DAY | CLINIC | POSTCODE |
| Monday | St James Hospital (1st Floor Chancellor Wing) Wharfedale Hospital (Lower Ground Floor) |
LS9/8/7/6/14/17 LS21/29 |
| Tuesday | St James Hospital (1st Floor Chancellor Wing) Holt Park Medical Centre |
LS9/8/7/6/14/17 LS23/25/14/22 |
| Wednesday | St James Hospital (1st Floor Chancellor Wing) Thorpe Park (Park Approach) |
LS9/8/7/6/14/17 LS15/14/25/26 |
| Thursday | St James Hospital (1st Floor Chancellor Wing) Armley Clinic (Town Street) |
LS9/8/7/6/14/17 LS12/13/28 |
| Friday | St James Hospital (1st Floor Chancellor Wing) Hunslet HC (Church St) Wetherby HC (Hallfield Lane) Yeadon HC (South View Rd) Pudsey HC (Mulberry St) |
LS9/8/7/6/14/17 LS11/10/26/27 LS23/25/14/22 LS19/20 LS28/13 |
If your hearing aid requires a new tube or you require new batteries you can call in to the hearing aid clinic at St James’ Hospital (1st Floor, Chancellor Wing) and the receptionist will be happy to help you.
Hearing aid batteries are available from the clinics above or can be collected from the drop-in clinics on the next page
Batteries will be provided on a 6 monthly basis
Please ensure you bring your battery card when collecting batteries.
For general enquires, email: leedsth-tr.hearingandbalance@nhs.net
Email for enquires: leedsth-tr.hearingandbalance@nhs.net
Leeds Hearing & Sight Loss Service
The Leeds Hearing & Sight Loss Service volunteers provide free batteries, basic servicing and cleaning for NHS hearing aids obtained from the Leeds Teaching Hospitals (LGI, St James, Wharfedale).
Visit the Drop-In Clinics (closed on National Holidays):
| Leeds Hearing & Sight Loss Service Gallery House 5th Floor 123-131 Headrow LS1 5RD |
Every Thursday | 10am – 12:00pm & 1pm – 3:00pm |
| Otley Library Nelson Street LS211EZ |
1st Tuesday of month | 9am – 12:45pm |
| Blackburn Hall Commercial Street LS26 0AW |
1st Thursday of month | 1pm – 2:30pm |
| Rothwell Community Hub Marsh Street Rothwell LS26 0AD |
1st Thursday of Month | 3pm – 4pm |
| Crossgates Good Neighbours Station Road LS15 7JY |
1st Friday of month | 9:30 – 11:30am |
| Middleton Elderly Social Centre Middleton Park Avenue LS10 4LF |
2nd Tuesday of month | 10am – 2:00pm |
| Garforth Library Liggett Lane LS25 1EH |
3rd Thursday of month | 9:30 – 11:30am |
| Morley Town Hall – (downstairs hall) Queen Street LS27 9DY |
4th Tuesday of month | 10am – 2:30pm |
| Moor Allerton Library – Near Sainsbury’s King Lane LS17 5NY |
4th Thursday of month | 1:30pm – 4pm |
Date: Sat 22nd June 2019 Venue: Mile End Stadium, London, E14 7TW
Click here for a Metro Games Entry Form 2019
Hosted by London Borough of Tower Hamlets and GLL, supported by Carmen Butler Charities Charitable Trust and the Roden Family Foundation.
Metro Blind Sport – Welcomes athletes of all ages and experience throughout the UK to join us in our annual competition’s ‘43rd year!
The morning ‘Come and Try Coaching Session’ will once again provide those new to the sport a brilliant opportunity to try out running, jumping and throwing in a fun and relaxed atmosphere, supported by qualified coaches. If you haven’t tried an event before and want to compete in the afternoon, or are looking to improve your performance this is the place for you.
The 2019 programme will be run under UKA/IBSA rules and is open to males and females of all ages. The athletics competitions are principally for registered blind and partially sighted people.
Every competitor will receive a free t-shirt along with either a medal and/or performance certificate. Free packed lunches will be provided for all competitors, coaches, officials and volunteers. *Guide Runners may be arranged with advance notice, you will need to provide an estimate of your track times.
Guest competitors are welcome but no medals or certificates can be awarded.
Come and Try Session starts 10.00am – 11.30am, open to all ages, an ideal opportunity to access specialist coaching in track and field disciplines.
Competition starts 12.00 noon, listed below are all events grouped under the relevant age ranges. Results will be uploaded to Power of 10 as soon as possible.
Event closes after final Medal Ceremony – 5.00pm
The track (Mile End Stadium) and the accommodation (Queen Mary University) are within walking distance of Mile End Tube Station (Central and District line).
In order for as many events as possible to take place, it may be necessary to merge sight categories thereby ensuring the maximum number of individual ‘event requests’ are met. We recognise this could lead to a miss-match in functional sight levels, however our aim with the ‘Metro Athletics Open’ is to always offer the widest range of opportunities for athletes to compete. We view this as a preferable option to cancelling events with low numbers.
The closing date for Entries is Saturday 01st June 2019, if you require Accommodation the closing date is 31st March 2019.
Accommodation: This will be available on Friday and Saturday night (21st and 22nd) at the aforementioned Queen Mary University of London. Please note there is a further reduction for those under the age of 18. A separate form is available for accommodation requests, please email charlie.raven@metroblindsport.org
