Virtual School Sensory Support - vision impairment

04/11/2024

Dear All,
Happy Monday, everyone! Thank you to all those that attended the CYPF events over the half term, it was wonderful to see so many of you. Below are some future events with spaces remaining:

NEW – Thursday 14th November 7pm – 8pm – Online parent forum
This is a great opportunity for parents to connect, share experiences, and support one another in a welcoming and understanding environment. Whether you're seeking advice, resources, or simply want to talk with others who understand your journey, this forum offers a safe space for open discussions. We look forward to seeing you there and continue to build a supportive community.

Saturday 14th December 10am - 2pm - CYPF Christmas Party
This is now full but I can add you to my reserve list.

NEW - Thursday 20th February 10:30am – Roarr! Dinosaur Park
Join us for an unforgettable adventure at the Dinosaur Park! Explore life-sized dinosaurs along the trails, tackle exciting adventure playgrounds, and experience a day packed with fun, learning, and discovery for the whole family. Don’t miss out on this dino-tastic day—it's sure to be a roaring good time! Places are limited so please contact me to book your spaces.

If you want to book on to any events or you have any questions about anything, please drop me an email on [email protected] or [email protected]

There is no charge for any of our family events unless stated. There is a pay and display car park next to our building on Edward Street and we can reserve parking, on site, for a limited number of wheelchair users if we are notified in advance.

Don’t forget you can follow us on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and on our Website.

Kindest Regards,
Josh

29/10/2024

The article below follows a joint event with Virtual School, KLM International Aviation Academy and Wensum Trust. Just a brief insight into the type of "preparation for adulthood" type of events we can do to support vision impaired children and young people. If ever you have thought "I wonder if I could..."? why not ask VSSS or call 01603 704040 or leave a comment here?

Pupils from Wensum Trust schools with visual impairments have been given aircraft experience during a tour of KLM's training centre.

16/01/2024

From April 2024, changes are coming to the 15 and 30 hours of childcare support.
All eligible working parents of 2-year-olds can access up to 15 hours a week of funded childcare from the claim period* after their child's 2nd birthday.
From September 2024, all eligible working parents can access up to 15 hours a week of funded childcare from the claim period* following their child turning 9 months.
The offer will be rolled out in full from September 2025, with eligible working parents of children aged 9 months and above able to access up to 30 hours a week from the claim period* following their child turning 9 months.
* Claim period start dates 1 April, 1 September and 1 January.
If you are an expectant parent and/or a parent with children under 3, we would be grateful if you could take a few minutes to complete our consultation survey https://ow.ly/waFC50Qqqb1 to help us understand how we can best meet the childcare needs of families across Norfolk.
If you would like to read more about the changes to the early years funding, click on the link to the Childcare Choices website https://ow.ly/RLqc50Qqqb2 or contact the Family Information team [email protected] Tel: 0344 8008020

04/01/2024

World Braille Day today...despite all the technology, if you want it, you should have it. Read this from John Mulka:
It's 4 January, the anniversary of Louis Braille's birth. Every year at this time, I like to reflect on a man who was a teacher in his lifetime, and who in the years after his death has taught us lessons of empowerment, resilience, and self-determination.
Every day, I am grateful for the gift of literacy he gave me and millions like me who are blind. In the last year, I have benefited from that gift by labelling and identifying items.
I have referred to copious notes in meetings as part of my job as a CEO. Also in that role, I know that if I take the time to proof a document with Braille, it will be accurate all the way down to picking up extraneous punctuation that I might miss with text-to-speech.
It has helped the global community of blind podcast listeners as I read aloud with fluency the many contributions that come into my Living Blindfully podcast. One of the most wonderful things about that podcast is when I hear from people who were denied Braille as a child, or who became blind later in life, who have told me that my reading Braille on the podcast has encouraged them to embark on their own Braille reading journey.
I've delivered presentations to audiences around the world, some of those were large audiences, and read my speech notes in Braille.
Best of all, Braille allows me to read stories for my granddaughter, just as I read to my own children when they were little.
My life would be very different, and very much the poorer, without it. And my story is not unusual. The data are clear that blind people who know Braille have a far higher chance of finding employment.
The story of the Braille code shows us that the best people to develop solutions for blind people are blind people ourselves. Louis Braille designed, then refined his code, and taught it to other blind people. There was a period where the books containing his code were burned. The Braille code was driven underground because some sighted people felt threatened by its otherness. They insisted that blind people should conform and read raised print, even though it was inefficient. Thankfully, the Braille code prevailed. That lesson is just as applicable today.
Some think Braille is no longer necessary because blind people have talking books and talking computers now. This view is wrong and harmful. To people who say these things, I say we'll give up Braille when sighted people stop reading print and use audio exclusively too. Braille is our equivalent to print. When something is under my fingertips, I remember it more clearly. It is the same as being a visual learner.
And Braille is more vibrant than ever, thanks to an exciting range of Braille displays. It is also a tool of profound significance for those who are DeafBlind, for whom audio isn't an option.
So once again, a toast to Louis Braille the man, and Braille the code which in New Zealand we capitalise to always remember his genius and his sacrifice.

21/12/2023

All the VI/MSI Team wish you a very happy Christmas holiday and peaceful 2024. The service is closed until 03 January 2024 but if you have any concerns please call the Norfolk County Council Helpline 0344 800 0800. Thanks to all the families, schools, nurseries, colleges, voluntary sector colleagues and services we work with for all the support during 2023. Shall we do it all again and more next year? It's World Braille Day on the 4th January so that's a start. (picture below shows an image of white braille saying "world braille day" on a dark background)

02/11/2023

https://www.netflix.com/gb/title/81083008

"All the Light we Cannot See" premieres tonight on Netflix. The actress in the lead role is "legally blind" as they say in the USA. The book is excellent.

In the final days of WWII, the paths of a blind French girl and a German soldier collide. Based on Anthony Doerr's Pulitzer Prize-winning bestseller.

31/10/2023

These comments ring true on a daily basis

12/10/2023

Between the ages of two to five years old, there will be lots of changes as your child moves away from babyhood to being able to manage a lot more on their own. Your child may be spending a lot more of their time with other people, going to preschool and nursery. This is a big change for young children.

There are new skills to learn, like potty training and speech and language. These new skills will be learned through play.

Enjoy this special time together - remember you are your child’s first teacher!

If you have any questions about your child's emotional development, call and speak to a health professional at Just One Number on 0300 300 0123.
Source: JustoneNorfolk

29/09/2023

Driver/Support part time post with VSSS.
Permanent contract | 15 hours per week, 38 weeks per year | £7,009 per annum (Grade B) | Norwich and countywide

VSSS are seeking a Driver/Support Worker to provide transport and limited support for a Vision Impaired member of staff In the Virtual School Sensory Support.

In this role, you will enable the staff member to travel around Norfolk and support vision impaired Children and Young People as well as those who support them.

This is a part-time post of 15 hours per week and is Term Time only.

We will require you to use your own vehicle (HMRC rates apply) to transport the member of staff and any necessary equipment to homes, schools and other establishments across Norfolk. This is a job-share as someone else already provides 15 hours per week support as part of this role. It is envisaged that these hours will be undertaken on Wednesday and Thursday each week.

For an informal discussion about the post, please contact John Rous Milligan (Team Leader) on 01603 704040 or email [email protected] indicating that you are interested in this role.

You must have a full driving licence allowing you to drive in UK as well as appropriate car insurance. You will need an enhanced DBS or be willing to acquire this. You must be willing to undertake training and able to be reasonably flexible with your time.

25/08/2023

Super Mario, Oppenheimer or a screening of Hamlet...
Did you know that if your child is 5 years or older and registered as sight impaired or severely sight impaired, you can apply for a CEA card? The CEA card is a national card scheme developed for UK cinemas which allows the cardholder to get one complimentary cinema ticket so that one person accompanying them will get in free!
You can apply for a card online or by post and will need to provide proof of eligibility, a photo and payment of £6. The card will then be issued, which will contain:
• Photo and name of cardholder
• Expiry date
• Unique card number – to allow validation when pre-booking tickets
• Location notch - a tactile clue to help identify and line the card up
• Reflective holofoil CEA emblem
• A braille label can also be requested
Please click on the link below for more information about the scheme, frequently asked questions and to apply.
https://www.ceacard.co.uk/
You can also apply if you are in receipt of Disability Living Allowance, Attendance Allowance or Personal Independence Payment.

24/07/2023

This morning's Monday mentions from Josh...we will sort out the weather for the school holidays later (smile)

Happy Monday everyone! With the summer holidays now starting, it means the start of all the wonderful events over the break! I have started to reduce the amount of detail on the activities to make it easier. If you would like further details then please contact me via the details below:-
Future events with spaces remaining -
Wednesday 26th July 10.30am-12 noon – Norwich Preschool Group
Bradbury Activity Centre. Meet other families with vision impaired pre-schoolers. Sighted siblings also welcome.

NEW - Sunday 30th July 11am - Teenager Pizza Making
This event is for anyone aged 12+ that would like to come and join us for a pizza making session at Pizza Express. I have 9 spaces for this event.

Monday 14th August – Lab media 1pm-3pm
This was a great event back in February, using iPads and kits to create our music! The day is being held at Bradbury Activity Centre, Edward Street, Beckham Place, Norwich NR3 3DZ. This is in our Norwich Hub.

Tuesday 15th August 11am – 12pm – Great Yarmouth Ten-pin Bowling
I have 3 spaces available for a great game of bowling, leaving no pin standing at Wellington Bowl, Behind Wellington Pier, Marine Parade, Great Yarmouth, NR30 3JF. This is for any age and siblings are welcome to join in to if there is space.
NEW - Thursday 17th August 11am – Hunstanton Sea Life Centre
Come and immerse yourself in the wonderful world of our seas at the Hunstanton Sea life Centre. This event are for those aged 0-11, other family members are also included. If you would like to be booked onto this event, please email me how many people will be attending.
Monday 4th September 10.30am-3.00pm - Gressenhall Activity day Preschool to Year 2
This annual activity day is being run by Virtual School Sensory Support and brings families together to take part in activities on the farm including working with all the animals. This is day for families with preschool children and children in Reception, Year 1 and 2 but the whole family are welcome. Gressenhall Farm and Workhouse, Gressenhall, Dereham, NR20 4DR.

Tuesday 5th September 10:30am – 3.00pm - Gressenhall Activity day Years 3 to 8
There will be activities such as river dipping and owl pellet dissection! This is for children in year groups 3-8. Gressenhall Farm and Workhouse, Gressenhall, Dereham, NR20 4DR. This is also being run by Virtual School Sensory Support.
Other information
- CYPF Questionnaire link

https://forms.office.com/e/dBsDWJ7b1p
If you want to book on to any events or you have any questions about anything, please drop me an email on [email protected] or [email protected]
There is no charge for any of our family events unless stated. There is a pay and display car park next to our building and we can reserve parking for wheelchairs if we are notified in advance.
Don’t forget you can follow us on Facebook, Twitter and on our Website.
Kindest Regards,
Josh

Joshua Bartholomew Vision Norfolk
Children Young People and Families Coordinator
01603 573000 Ext. 505
[email protected]
Bradbury Activity Centre, Beckham Place, Norwich, NR3 3DZ
www.visionnorfolk.org.uk

You are invited! Online

29/06/2023

https://tpff.org.uk/

The Powell Family Foundation provide grants to organisations and young people with vision impairment. Applicants must be permanent residents in the UK and their grants are designed to improve emotional and physical well-being, increase knowledge and skills and support independence. Separate applications are available on the website for organisations and individuals.

The Powell Family Foundation was set up by Rodney Powell, and is funded by the generous legacies of Rodney and his mother Pat. The Powell family has had a long connection with the world of vision impairment, going back nearly a century.

If you think this may be something to explore, colleagues from VSSS will be happy to help with your application if needed.

We provide grants to blind and vision-impaired children, young people and adults aged 25 and under. We welcome your grant application