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Sight impairment charity in Jersey | EYECAN

EYECAN supports Islanders of all ages in Jersey, Channel Islands, with sight impairment. Previously known as Jersey Blind Society.

Jersey Eisteddfod Success for EYECAN!

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EYECAN Success at the Jersey Eisteddfod

EYECAN’s members meet every Wednesday at the Westlea Centre at St Martin and enjoy a day of art and crafts that takes on many different forms from water colour painting to mosaic work.

This year again EYECAN entered the Jersey Eisteddfod and many members were delighted to have their work competing alongside other artists. Their success showed when the certificates were awarded!

EYECAN members came away with 4 Golds, 4 Silver and 16 Bronze certificates!

Some of the work is pictured below.

Liberty Bus Raise £1758.40 for EYECAN by Baring All!

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Liberty Bus Raise £1758.40 for EYECAN by Baring All!

Very many thanks to everyone at libertybus for raising the magnificent sum of £1,758.40 for EYECAN through the sale of your calendars.

The cheeky calendars was a brilliant initiative and we are really most appreciative that you selected EYECAN to benefit from proceeds.

The money raised will be put to very good use  enabling this charity to better support islanders with sight loss through rehabilitation services, Day Centres, and much more besides.

libertybus inspires with its supportive approach to islanders with disabilities, demonstrating just what can be done to provide the island with an accessible, inclusive and responsive bus service.

EYECAN is proud to be associated with libertybus.

Healthy eating for healthy eyes, 6 tips for 2019

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Healthy eating for healthy eyes, 6 tips for 2019

Don’t take your eyes for granted. Follow these six healthy eating for healthy eyes tips.

1. Eat Well
Good eye health starts with the food on your plate. Nutrients like omega-3 fatty acids, lutein, zinc, and vitamins C and E might help ward off age-related vision problems like macular degeneration and cataracts. To get them, fill your plate with:

Green leafy vegetables like spinach, kale, and collards
Salmon, tuna, and other oily fish
Eggs, nuts, beans, and other nonmeat protein sources
Oranges and other citrus fruits or juices
Oysters and pork
A well-balanced diet also helps you stay at a healthy weight. That lowers your odds of obesity and related diseases like type 2 diabetes, which is the leading cause of blindness in adults.

2. Quit Smoking
It makes you more likely to get cataracts, damage to your optic nerve, and macular degeneration, among many other medical problems. If you’ve tried to kick the habit before only to start again, keep at it. The more times you try to quit, the more likely you are to succeed. Ask your doctor for help.

3. Wear Sunglasses
The right pair of shades will help protect your eyes from the sun’s ultraviolet (UV) rays. Too much UV exposure boosts your chances of cataracts and macular degeneration.

Choose a pair that blocks 99% to 100% of UVA and UVB rays. Wraparound lenses help protect your eyes from the side. Polarized lenses reduce glare while you drive.

If you wear contact lenses, some offer UV protection. It’s still a good idea to wear sunglasses for an extra layer.

4. Use Safety Eyewear
If you use hazardous or airborne materials on the job or at home, wear safety glasses or protective goggles.

Sports like ice hockey, racquetball, and lacrosse can also lead to eye injury. Wear eye protection. Helmets with protective face masks or sports goggles with polycarbonate lenses will shield your eyes.

5. Look Away From the Computer Screen
Staring at a computer or phone screen for too long can cause:

Eyestrain
Blurry vision
Trouble focusing at a distance
Dry eyes
Headaches
Neck, back, and shoulder pain
To protect your eyes:

Make sure your glasses or contacts prescription is up to date and good for looking at a computer screen.
If your eye strain won’t go away, talk to your doctor about computer glasses.
Move the screen so your eyes are level with the top of the monitor. That lets you look slightly down at the screen.
Try to avoid glare from windows and lights. Use an anti-glare screen if needed.
Choose a comfortable, supportive chair. Position it so that your feet are flat on the floor.
If your eyes are dry, blink more.
Rest your eyes every 20 minutes. Look 20 feet away for 20 seconds. Get up at least every 2 hours and take a 15-minute break.

6. Visit Your Eye Doctor Regularly
Everyone needs a regular eye exam, even young children. It helps protect your sight and lets you see your best.

Eye exams can also find diseases, like glaucoma, that have no symptoms. It’s important to spot them early on, when they’re easier to treat.

Depending on your eye health needs, you can see one of two types of doctors:

Ophthalmologists are medical doctors who specialize in eye care. They can provide general eye care, treat eye diseases, and perform eye surgery.
Optometrists have had 4 years of specialized training after college. They provide general eye care and treat the most common eye diseases. They don’t do eye surgery.
A comprehensive eye exam might include:

Talking about your personal and family medical history
Vision tests to see if you’re nearsighted, farsighted, have an astigmatism (a curved cornea that blurs vision), or presbyopia (age-related vision changes)
Tests to see how well your eyes work together
Eye pressure and optic nerve tests to check for glaucoma
External and microscopic examination of your eyes before and after dilation
You might also need other tests.

 

Reference: https://www.webmd.com/eye-health/good-eyesight#1

Mobility Scooter Campaign

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Mobility Scooter Campaign

EYECAN has recently led a multi-agency response to reports of accidents involving mobility scooters and pedestrians with hidden disabilities. The Group developed a free guidance DVD, and an Assessment form and Code of Conduct for use by scooter retailers. We hope this initiative will boost the confidence of scooter users, promote safe travel and raise awareness of hidden disability.

 

Mobility Scooters

The Road Safety Panel are supporting the Mobility Scooter User’s group’s new safety initiative aimed at promoting the safety of mobility scooter users and those they interact with.

This really useful package has been produced with the expertise of Shopmobility, The Department for Growth, Housing & Environment, Jersey’s Occupational Therapy Department & Liberty Bus.

This fantastic resource will really help anyone, whether an experienced scooter user or someone totally new to the world of mobility scooters.  If you are a family member thinking of buying a scooter for a loved one, this package is a MUST watch.  It’s incredibly easy to make an expensive mistake when buying a scooter.

The package consists of a guidance DVD, a leaflet to support the DVD and a series of interviews with pedestrians, who have hidden disabilities, explaining why they may not be able to move swiftly out of the way of an approaching scooter.  There is also a programme aimed at helping Retailers to ensure that islanders wanting to buy a scooter make the right choice.

The Guidance Video


This video (with subtitles) provides guidance about purchasing and using a Mobility Scooter and advises prospective scooter purchasers of important considerations when choosing a scooter.  It also covers things like the Law, getting to know your scooter (all the controls), how to safely use and manoeuvre the scooter when out and about in a variety of different environments as well as how to travel on the bus with your scooter.

Pedestrians with Impaired Sight


This video helps scooter users to understand the needs of sight impaired pedestrians.  There are several different types of sight impairment all of which make manoeuvring through busy environments and crossing roads potentially dangerous.

Pedestrians Who are Deaf or Hard of Hearing

This video helps scooter users to understand the needs of people with a Hearing Impairment who may not hear a scooter approaching them.

Pedestrians with Slower Response Times


This video helps scooter users consider the needs of people with head injury, stroke, or any other disability which may delay reaction time.  The man in this video was hit by a mobility scooter.

Witness to an Accident


Hear this ladies account of what it was like when she was witness to an accident which resulted in a serious injury, and her advice to any scooter operator who may get into difficulties when out in the community.

Locally Approved Retailers; ‘Code of Conduct’

‘Locally Approved Retailers’ who are supporting this scheme, have signed a Code of Conduct.  Retailers will ensure new staff will be supervised until they are trained to sell a scooter.  They will also make sure anyone thinking of purchasing a mobility scooter is properly assessed to ensure they are cognitively and physically fit enough to use a scooter, and that the scooter they purchase is suitable for their needs.  A leaflet and guidance DVD will be given free of charge to anyone considering the purchase of a scooter as well as guidance and practical experience on how to use the scooter.

The following are approved Retailers:

Guardian Medical Supplies, Saville Street, St Helier Tel 732335

Lloyds Pharmacy, 7-8 The Parade, St Helier Tel 722862

Mercury Medical Jersey, Augres Garage, La Route de la Trinite Tel 610055

Technicare, Rue a la Dame, Five Oaks, St Saviour Tel 888975

Thinking of Visiting Jersey and Need to Hire a Mobility Scooter?

Shopmobility Jersey, is a scheme which provides mobility scooters, power and manual chairs and other equipment for the use of disabled people. It is based in the lower ground floor of the Sand Street car park and has reserved parking for those using its services. It is open from 10 am to 4.30 pm Monday to Saturday inclusive and closed on Sundays and Bank and Public holidays. Equipment can be hired for the day or delivered free to hotels or private addresses for longer term hire. Other items include shower stools, raised toilet seats on frames, tri- and quad-walkers (Rollators) etc.

Mobility scooters and manual chairs are also available at Jersey Zoo.

The prices are on the web on www.shopmobility.org.je and enquires can be made either by telephone, +44 (0) 1534 739672 or by writing to office@shopmobility.org.je

Christmas Eve Raffle Results

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Christmas Eve Raffle Results

Christmas Raffle winners:

 

1st prize £1000 ticket 0176

2nd prize £200 ticket 0042

3rd prize £50 ticket 0148

 

Drawn on Christmas Eve at EYECAN’s Westlea Centre.

Congratulations to all of the winners who have all been contacted and have collected their prizes.

World Diabetes Day

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WORLD DIABETES DAY

Today, Wednesday 14th November is World Diabetes Day, it’s a day when millions of people around the world come together to raise awareness of diabetes.

This World Diabetes Day we are raising awareness of eye conditions related to diabetes. All of which, if caught early can be prevented!

Diabetic eye disease can affect many parts of the eye, including the retina, macula, lens and the optic nerve.

Diagram of the eye, depicting all of the different areas

 

Diabetic eye disease is a group of eye conditions that can affect people with diabetes.

  • Diabetic retinopathy affects blood vessels in the light-sensitive tissue called the retina that lines the back of the eye. It is the most common cause of vision loss among people with diabetes and the leading cause of vision impairment and blindness among working-age adults.
  • Diabetic macular edema (DME). A consequence of diabetic retinopathy, DME is swelling in an area of the retina called the macula.

Diabetic eye disease also includes cataract and glaucoma:

  • Cataract is a clouding of the eye’s lens. Adults with diabetes are 2-5 times more likely than those without diabetes to develop cataract. Cataract also tends to develop at an earlier age in people with diabetes.
  • Glaucoma is a group of diseases that damage the eye’s optic nerve—the bundle of nerve fibers that connects the eye to the brain. Some types of glaucoma are associated with elevated pressure inside the eye. In adults, diabetes nearly doubles the risk of glaucoma.

All forms of diabetic eye disease have the potential to cause severe vision loss and blindness.

 

How can you reduce the risk?

You can reduce your risk of developing retinopathy, or help to stop it from getting worse, by:

  • Controlling your blood glucose level (also known as blood sugar level).
  • Tightly controlling your blood pressure.
  • Controlling your cholesterol levels.
  • Keeping fit and maintaining a healthy weight.
  • Giving up smoking. Nerve damage, kidney and cardiovascular disease are more likely in smokers with Diabetes. Smoking increases your blood pressure and raises your blood sugar level, which makes it harder to control your Diabetes.
  • Getting regular retinal screening. The most effective thing you can do to prevent sight loss due to diabetic retinopathy is to go to your retinal screening appointments. Early detection and treatment can stop you from losing sight. If you’re pregnant and have gestational diabetes, you will have retinal screenings more often during your pregnancy and after your baby is born.

 

If you, or anyone you know have diabetic eye disease, we are here to help support you.

Press Release: EYECAN launches corporate accreditation scheme in response to Disability Legislation

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EYECAN launches corporate accreditation scheme in response to Disability Legislation

 

EYECAN Accreditation Logo

In response to the introduction of the Discrimination (Disability) (Jersey) Law, Jersey’s leading charity supporting blind and sight impaired Islanders has launched the EYECAN accreditation scheme for Jersey businesses of all sizes. Successful completion of the accreditation will give employers, businesses and staff the knowledge and skills to comfortably engage with people who are living with blindness or sight loss and ensure they meet the requirements of the new legislation.

EYECAN is committed to changing the perception of sight loss to give those affected by it more opportunities and support, while increasing the inclusiveness of work and public places Island-wide. The new accreditation scheme is a key pillar of this commitment, providing a framework for Jersey’s business community to engage with.

Central Vision Loss Representation

“One in five people over the age of 65 has sight loss and this ratio increases significantly with age.

Businesses are highly likely to encounter a member of staff, customer, or client who suffers from sight loss or impairment,” says Jane Vincent, Operations Director at EYECAN. “Our new corporate accreditation scheme will help local businesses improve their accessibility and service for those with sight impairment and give people with sight impairment the confidence that their additional needs can be catered for and met by that organisation.”

 

The EYECAN Accreditation has been specifically designed, based on the requirements of the new Discrimination (Disability) (Jersey) Law. The training explains the relevant areas of the law in jargon-free terms to the participants. Through audits and workshops, it provides useful specifics on how each business can enhance the experience of sight-impaired clients, employees or customers in realistic and achievable ways. Participants will also gain a valuable understanding of the impact that inaccessible information and environments have on people living with sight loss. Businesses who have completed the accreditation will be awarded the EYECAN Accreditation Marque certificate and stickers to display on their premises making them easily recognisable as an organisation well-equipped to cater for the needs of sight impaired islanders.

EYECAN has ambitious targets for 20 local businesses to be accredited in the next 12 months. Further information about the EYECAN Accreditation scheme can be found at www.eyecan.je.

Recruitment: EYECAN Part Time Administrator

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EYECAN Part Time Administrator

 

The role is to support the day to day running of the charity.

This will be a varied role which will involve working as part of a great team supporting sight impaired islander of all ages.

 

The ideal candidate should have:

 

  • Previous experience in an administrative role
  • Strong organisation skills
  • Excellent Communication skills
  • Flexible and adaptable to change
  • Friendly and empathic manner

 

Competitive salary package offered

 

www.eyecan.je/candidate-policy

 

Please send CV and a covering letter to:

Jane Vincent, Operations Director, EYECAN,

Rue Du Huquet, St Martin, JE3 6HU or jane@eyecan.je

 

Closing date Friday 7 September 2018

Tickets now for sale for EYECAN’s quiz of the year!

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EYECAN’s Quiz of the Year!

Come test your general knowledge at EYECAN’s quiz. A pub quiz without the pub, but you can BYOB!

This is no ordinary quiz, with two rounds and some food in the interval this quiz is aimed at challenging those brain cells while having some fun and raising money for one of Jersey’s oldest charities.

Held at our centre in St Martin, the quiz has room for 62 people with a maximum team size of 6. Don’t have 6 people in a team or think that the brain power of 4 is better than 6? You can still enter!

Teams need to be either 6 people per team or 4 people per team.

Tickets at £15 per person and there will be a raffle at the end of the night.

Timings for the night:

Doors open at 6.30pm

Round 1 of the quiz starts at 7.00pm

Food Served at 8.00pm

Round 2 of the quiz starts at 8.45pm

Raffle at 10.00pm

Winners crowned victorious at 10.15pm

Sign up now, tickets for the best quiz EYECAN has ever held, will sell out quick!

Food options are selected when purchasing tickets, please also ensure you know the name of the team you wish to join at the time of purchasing your ticket.

For more info please visit: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/eyecan-quiz-night-tickets-49088730715?aff=EYECANWeb

List of Raffle Winners from Horse Show

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RAFFLE PRIZES

1st Prize Horse & Carriage Ride Mike Wright (5014)
2nd Prize Old Forge Welding £100 Voucher Jane Churchill (5118)
3rd Prize Longueville Manor Lunch For 2 Vicky Hooper (5119)
4th Prize £60 Voucher – Greencliff Zoe Bisson (5005)
5th Prize Fencing Centre £50 Voucher Chris Hamon (5108)
6th Prize Bonny’s Garden £60 Voucher Mr Lee (5115)
7th Prize 5 x Bottles of Wine Nessie Bekusch (5705)
8th Prize 1hr Riding Lesson Hack Louise Le Monnier (5022)
9th Prize Family Aeriel Trekking Voucher Peter Drummond (5029)
10th Prize 4 x Free Entry Vouchers J. Schmidt (5001)
11th Prize 4 x Rounds Mini Golf Sharon Harland (5121)
12th Prize KNEX Remote Control Swing Ride Pauline Bulteel (5120)
13th Prize Ransoms £25 Gift Voucher Alexander Chapman (5029)
14th Prize 2 Hours Painting & Decorating Dulcie Chandler (5721)
15th Prize 2 x Cuddly Toys Izzy Hoffard (5296)
16th Prize Pets Paradise £20 Voucher Lucia Sharon (5034)
17th Prize Bobby’s Florist £15 Voucher Sandra (5009)
18th Prize Horse Glitter & Plaiting Set Haydn Phillips (5724)
19th Prize Breakfast For Two (Tasty Bite) Megan Hughes (5003)
20th Prize Gooey Brownie Bites & Granola Bronwen (5206)
21st Prize Picnic Set Sarah St George (5018)
22nd Prize Cat Bed Cheryl Kineely (5106)
23rd Prize Teddy Daniel Riley (5021)
24th Prize Murphy’s Clothing £10 Voucher Sophie Tanguy (5000)