Photos from "Your RNIB" event January 2014

42 people attended this event which ABA and RNIB put on in partnership. RNIB's staff, volunteers and members talked about RNIB's work and the benefits of membership. We also had workshops on mobility, assistive technology, Bollywood dance and healthy eating.  

Photos from craft sessions at the Luncheon Club

Recently we ran a series of arts and crafts sessions in partnership with Better Leeds Communities for service users at the weekly Luncheon Club.

Photos from our 2013 AGM

Our AGM took place on 7th December at Swarthmore Education Centre in Leeds. Around 35 people attended and their was lively discussion of the annual report and ABA's services.

Thanks to all the volunteers who helped on the day - preparing the space and serving lunch for everyone.

Photos from My Guide training

We recently held a training session for new My Guide volunteers. The training helps volunteers to understand the obstacles that a blind service user can experience and shows how to assist people in a friendly and effective way. Volunteers who complete the training are then able to participate in the My Guide project, helping blind or partially sighted people to regain confidence and access community facilities.

This training is also available for companies and charities who would like their staff and volunteers to be more aware of how to improve accessibility to their services and premises. Contact ABA for details.
 

Nia session from National Eye Health Week

ABA recognised by The Duke of York's Community Initiative

Photos by Simon Kench

On Thursday 10th October, two of ABA's service users and two of our staff went to The Spa theatre in Bridlington to receive an award from the Duke of York's Community Initiative on ABA's behalf.

The Community Initiative was founded by HRH Prince Andrew, The Duke of York to recognise the work of voluntary organisations in Yorkshire who do exceptional work to meet the needs of their local communities.

Awards were given to 40 organisations from across the region. Other award winners from the Leeds area included The Growing Zone in Kippax, Leeds Mencap, Friends of PHAB, St Andrews Pantomime Group, Gipton Together and Canopy Housing.

The award is a recognition of the hard work and commitment from ABA's members, volunteers and staff.

The citation for ABA stated that "Association of Blind Asians started in Leeds in 1989 and it is the only service of its kind in the UK. It supports people who have (or are at risk of) visual impairment, and who are mainly but not exclusively from the South Asian community. ABA is an exemplar of how an activity initially created to meet a 'single issue' demand can grow and develop into a comprehensive support system for people of all ages, and increasingly all communities. ABA turns people's lives around and gives them independence in their own homes."

Photos from National Eye Health Week

Thanks to the 50+ people who came to our National Eye Health Week event. David and Amanda from Nia Yorkshire led a lively seated exercise session and Touchstone Dementia Service and Care and Repair Leeds both ran stalls. We had a selection of literature from National Eye Health Week to distribute (if you missed out, you can download posters and leaflets from their website).