West Cumbria Society for the Blind

08/10/2025

Cross’s Coffee Shop has joined the Chatty Café Scheme, which aims to reduce social isolation by encouraging people to start conversations.

08/10/2025

Landlines are changing, and the UK’s telephone network is going digital by January 2027

For many people, the switch to digital will be simple. If you have loved ones with additional needs such as elderly relatives or someone who uses a telecare device or pendant alarm, BT’s Connected Together initiative encourages you to take a few simple steps to support them through the switch.

You don’t need to be a tech expert to help. Just understanding what’s changing – and offering reassurance – can go a long way. People will keep the same number, use the same phone, and there’s no extra cost involved.

That’s why we’re supporting through its Connected Together initiative to provide clear information and practical tools, so no one has to navigate the switch alone.

Start the conversation today.

Find out more at: www.bt.com/connected-together

Voice

How to support friends and family with the digital landline switchover

06/10/2025

Gerard is making incredible progress with his out-of-this-world cycling fundraising challenge! 🚴‍♂️🌌

If you would like to support Gerard's amazing effort, and the two charities he is fundraising for, West Cumbria Society for the Blind and Hospice at Home West Cumbria, please consider leaving a donation via the link below:

https://www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/gerard-mccarten-out-of-this-world?utm_medium=CR&utm_source=CL&fbclid=IwY2xjawNQY99leHRuA2FlbQIxMQABHpH1-2avat5LElFPGs7C0tJ3E8YV6ySqMYw-5wJLvdrEtEHtL_EtnyY8LhZ3_aem_5HVUQoX9iYqxC4yE4Ec2Zg

03/10/2025

Silent Footprints Candlelit Memory Walk is a thoughtful tribute taking place on the 15th of October 💙🩷

The Silent Footprints Candlelit Memory Walk will return to Whitehaven Harbour on the 15th of October for its second year, offering a moving tribute to babies lost too soon. Last year’s event saw over 200 people gather to remember and reflect, and organisers hope to welcome even more this time. The...

24/09/2025

Support Gerard's out of this world fundraising challenge! 🌌

Gerard is undertaking his epic challenge in memory of his wife, Margaret, and his daughter, Lesley.

Between the 1st of October and 14th of November Gerard will cycle 23km, the equivalent height of Olympus Mons on Mars, the tallest mountain in our solar system ! 🚴‍♂️

We're very grateful to Gerard for supporting West Cumbria Society for the Blind as well as Hospice at Home West Cumbria. 😊

If you would like to cheer on Gerard's amazing effort, and support these wonderful charities, please consider leaving a donation via the link below. Through your generosity, we can continue to support people who have sight loss in West Cumbria. 🏘️

Donate via the link below:

Iʼm raising money to West Cumbria Society for the Blind & Hospice at Home West Cumbria. Support this JustGiving Crowdfunding Page.

10/09/2025

Join us for an assistive technology event in our resource centre, 22 Lowther street, Whitehaven on the 26th of November !

A leading supplier of magnification products will be here to demonstrate equipment to anyone interested.

The event runs from 11am to 2pm.
No appointments needed, all welcome! 😊

For further information call: 01946 592474 📞
or email: Sightloss.lifeline@hotmail.co.uk

10/09/2025

🌟 Volunteer with TPT in Cumbria! 🌟

Volunteering with Thomas Pocklington Trust (TPT) not only helps blind and partially sighted people, but it also benefits you—bringing increased confidence, new skills, and the chance to meet new people. Thomas Pocklington Trust are seeking friendly, approachable volunteers in the Cumbria area who are confident communicators, reliable, and willing to support their work on built environment, transport, sports & leisure, and health to improve accessibility and inclusivity. Training, including sighted guide skills, will be provided, and you’ll gain valuable opportunities to network, learn more about disability, and help shape positive change in your community.

👉 To get involved, contact Jack Moffat at 📧 jack.moffat@pocklington.org.uk or 📞 07773 216814.
You can also reach the TPT volunteering team at 📧 volunteering@pocklington.org.uk

05/09/2025

How Will You Vote?

RNIB have listened to your ideas for new ways to support people with sight loss. Now we need your views on which ideas could make the biggest difference.

We want to hear from:

· People living with sight loss

· Family, friends and carers

· Health and care professionals providing support or services

The link below takes you to a quick eligibility check to make sure you are aged 18 or over, and then you will be able to complete the survey. It should take 20-30 minutes to complete and is open until Wednesday 8th October 2025.

Take part now:

24/07/2025

A huge thank you to Nicola for her incredible fundraising run!

We are truly grateful to Nicola supporting West Cumbria Society for the Blind.

If you would like to show your appreciation of Nicolas great effort and our wonderful charity, please consider leaving a donation via the link below:

https://ajbellgreatnorthrun2025.enthuse.com/pf/nicandashgnr25?fbclid=IwY2xjawLuz_ZleHRuA2FlbQIxMABicmlkETBLU1g4N3BobXFjM2NDcWxSAR7ukU_lFmJecdFHHcn__SxJm05VAVqRu-JUDnptKHjD2BEfA7ojtq5tn5h9Pw_aem_QKsDBgCpj5tVV5MtB7mXpA

We're incredibly proud of our Egremont and Sunderland colleagues Ashleigh, Dan, Emma, Lisa and Nicola who are taking on this year's Great North Run to help raise funds for two incredible charities - the West Cumbria Society for the Blind and Smart Works Newcastle

Both teams are already in the thick of their training for the big event, and we're excited to share more details on their progress in the coming weeks.

If you'd like to show your support and contribute towards the two charities' outstanding work, please consider leaving a donation for one of our teams:

NRL Egremont, fundraising for the West Cumbria Society for the Blind:
https://ajbellgreatnorthrun2025.enthuse.com/pf/nicandashgnr25

NRL Sunderland, fundraising for Smart Works Newcastle:
https://ajbellgreatnorthrun2025.enthuse.com/pf/nrl-sunderland

22/07/2025

Join us at the Cumberland Council free wellbeing festival on the 8th of August !

The event runs from 10am to 3pm at Whitehaven Rugby League Club.

Click here for more information🔎: https://www.cumberland.gov.uk/news/2025/date-announced-popular-family-festival-whitehaven?fbclid=IwY2xjawLsIhZleHRuA2FlbQIxMABicmlkETBIdlpHSmFEYm95dDZDSmZoAR5oJp0Rvh0DNA9TQcu_XReugvYThWP1yH070t0jcUlg2vB8ZyhMsQGLF1fJZA_aem_TmziHas1oVzKcjbgZ0rSzQ

05/06/2025

25/05/2025

All aboard? 🚌

Buses are vital for blind and partially sighted passengers to get to work and school, attend healthcare appointments and catch up with friends.

But a multitude of factors including cuts to services, lack of driver training, lack of audio announcements and poor bus stop design are making it difficult for blind and partially sighted people to travel by bus.

Our new research report, ‘All Aboard? Navigating bus travel with sight loss’ outlines what bus operators, traffic commissioners, local authorities and other passengers can do to help make bus travel easier, safer, and more reliable for blind and partially sighted people.

Read more, here: https://rnib.in/bus-report

[Image description: “Fewer than half of blind and partially sighted people can make all the journeys by bus they want and need to.”, in black text on a white background. The hashtag is on the bottom left in pink, and a round pink bus symbol is on the right.]