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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.

Volunteer Recruitment

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Volunteer Recruitment

We are recruiting volunteers to help at our busy centre. If you are interested in one of the roles detailed below please contact us via email info@eyecan.je or by calling 864689 and speaking to Kirsty or Jane.

More information about volunteering at EYECAN can be found here.

General Volunteer

We need a person who can help us occasionally with the putting up and the taking down of our advertising banners (a few times a year). We also need a little help with our recycling and also some ad hoc handy jobs.

Activity Day Helper

On Wednesdays some of our sight impaired members come to our centre to do arts and crafts and gardening Our numbers are growing and we need extra help to support our art specialist in helping our members.

Social Club Helper

The role is to serve tea, coffee & lunch and assist with the bingo, raffle and any activities.

Volunteer Drivers

The role is to collect and return sight impaired clients who attend our Social Club lunches at Westlea Centre, St Martin.

Mental Health Awareness Week – 13th – 17th May 2019

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Mental Health Awareness Week – 13th – 17th May 2019

All Week Events

OrganisationActivityTime(s)Venue
EYECANInteractive display and sight loss awareness materialsLibrary opening hoursJersey Library "The Lounge"
Jersey Adult Mental Health Service alongside Jersey Recovery College​Art and poster ​exhibition11am to 2.30pm​Ex Beghin's store, King Street, St Helier
Jersey LibraryReading Well collections on supporting themes: Body Language, Empowerment, Resilience and AcceptanceLibrary opening hoursJersey Library
​Youthful Minds​Information board on body image​Brook office opening hours​Brook office, 7 Nelson Street, St Helier

Daily Events

DateActivityTimeVenue
​Monday 13 May 2019Mindful Mondays: Focus on body image​9am to 1.30pm​Coffee bar / chapel, Communicare Centre, St Brelade
Monday 13 May 2019Craft and Cake: Paper Flower Making12pm to 2pm​Room 1, Jersey Library, St Helier
​Monday 13 May 2019Jersey Recovery College: Lunchtime Lecture

Contact: Siobhan Poingdestre to reserve a place		​12.10pm to 12.50pm
​Room 2, Jersey Library, St Helier
​​Monday 13 May 2019Dr Miguel Garcia Lunchtime Lecture​1.10pm to 1.50pmRoom 2, Jersey Library, St Helier
Monday 13 May 2019Jersey Sport: Pilates2.30pm to 3.30pmMillennium Park,

St Helier
Monday 13 May 2019Concordia Choir6.30pm to 7.30pmGround floor, Jersey Library, St Helier
​​​Tuesday 14 May 2019Jersey Sport: Body Fit​9.30am to 10.30am​Communicare Centre, St Brelade
Tuesday 14 May 2019LINC: Help 4 Healthcare

Open for anyone working in healthcare

Book to reserve a place (Ticketed event)		11am to 2pm​LINC Offices, 24 Beresford Street,

St Helier
​Tuesday 14 May 2019​Jersey Sport: Introduction to
Ballroom		4.30pm to 5.30pm​All Saints Church,

St Helier
Tuesday 14 May 2019LINC: Curry and Chat

Book to reserve a place (Ticketed event)		7pmTrinity Parish Hall, Trinity
Wednesday 15 May 2019Jersey Recovery College: Drop in stand8.30am to 4pm​Jersey Central Market, St Helier
​Wednesday 15 May 2019Jersey Sport: Nordic Walking​10am to 11amWaterfront Car Park (green area behind The Bar)
Wednesday 15 May 2019Your Library: Closer to Home10am to 12pm​Communicare Centre, St Brelade
Wednesday 15 May 2019LINC: Community Group11.30am to 2pmTrinity Parish Hall, Trinity
Wednesday 15 May 2019​My Voice: Lunchtime Lecture​12.10pm to 12.50pmRoom 1, Jersey Library, St Helier
​Wednesday 15 May 2019​​Craft and Cake: Beading​2.30pm to 4.30pmRoom 1, Jersey Library, St Helier
​Thursday 16 May 2019Pain Clinic: Open Session​10.30am to 12pmPain Clinic, Overdale, St Helier
Thursday 16 May 2019Just Sing: Recital of songs and music reflecting Mental Health Awareness Week11.30am to 12.30pmBeresford Street Kitchen, St Helier
​Thursday 16 May 2019​Youthful Minds: Mental
Health Awareness and
Tackling Stigma		12.10 to 1.30pmRoom 2, Jersey Library, St Helier
Thursday 16 May 2019​LINC: Help 4 Healthcare
Open for anyone working in healthcare

Book to reserve a place (Ticketed event)		12.30pm to 1.30pm​LINC Offices, 24 Beresford Street,
St Helier
Thursday 16 May 2019Jersey Sport: Dance Fit​1pm to 2pmAll Saints Church,
St Helier
Thursday 16 May 2019​St John’s Ambulance:
Carers Support Group
Lunchtime Lecture		1.1.0pm to 1.50pmJersey Library,

St Helier
​Thursday 16 May 2019
​Barclays: Accessibility Awareness

Book to reserve a place (Ticketed event)		​6pm to 8pm​Eagle Lab, First floor, Jersey Library,
St Helier
Thursday 16 May 2019​Brook Jersey: Information and Advice
for Young People		​6.30pm to 8.30pm​St Brelade Project Youth, St Brelade
Thursday 16 May 2019​Mindful Hatha
Yoga Taster with
Sara Hevingham

Ticketed event		6.30pm to 8pm​Children's Library, Jersey Library,
St Helier
​Friday 17 May 2019Jersey Sport: Park Work Out​10am to 11amPeople's Park, St Helier
​Friday 17 May 2019​Wild Shinrin-Yoku Walk with Amanda Bond

Book to reserve your place (Ticketed event)		​10am to 1pm​Toad Sculpture,
Waterworks Valley
Friday 17 May 2019​Craft and Cake: Card Making​10am to 12pmRoom 1, Jersey Library, St Helier
​Saturday 18 May 2019​Wellbeing Workshop:
Dealing Effectively with
Overwhelm and Stress		​10am to 12pmRoom 1, Jersey Library, St Helier

 

Voisin’s Pennies Campaign

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Voisin’s Pennies Campaign

EYECAN have been shortlisted to the Voisin’s Pennies Campaign, but we need YOUR help and votes!

Pennies is one of the fastest growing fintech charities in the UK. Voisin’s customers have the option to give money when making purchases in store and the donations go towards the Pennies fund.

A shortlist of 12 charities has been put out to a public vote, the top 4 charities will be chosen by the public to be benefactors from the monies raised in store.

Voting closes at the end of March so please click on the link below and help us become one of the Voisin’s Pennies Campaign recipients!

https://www.voisins.com/article/225-vote-for-your-pennies-charities-in-2019

 

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.