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Social activities for people with sight loss, in the Brighton and Hove AreaArgus Charity of the year 2008 |
The list below is just a sample of some of the activities we do, Click on the headings to read more
Tenpin Bowling Places of interest Barbecues & Picnics
For most people with a vision impairment the speed of traffic especially in a busy city like Brighton & Hove makes it difficult to use a cycle to get around, The purchase of a tandem in the summer of 2004 offers City Synergy members an opportunity to enjoy the pleasures (and pain) of cycling
Picture above shows Paul and Mick with the Tandem in Preston Park
In order to ensure the safety of members (and fulfil insurance requirements) a set of rules for the hire of the bike have been drawn up. Any member interested should contact Paul (see the contact page for details
We have also used the bikes which were available from Lifecycles in Preston Park, Brighton, Generally this was within the park, where some of us who do not normally have the opportunity to ride a cycle can do so with confidence on a couple of occasions we have done group trips out to the seafront with the support of our volunteers and Ben Skerrett the organiser of Lifecycles
Paul is pictured above taking aim during an outdoor session at St Dunstans
We have enjoyed a couple of sessions at St Dunstan's in Ovingdean, Brighton with some members going on to attend a course run by County Oak Archery Club, Some of us attend a monthly evening for disabled people at Lewes Leisure Centre organised by Sussex Wasps
The bowlplex at Brighton Marina is a regular meeting place for City Synergy, In April 2003 it was the venue for a sponsored bowl that raised £500 and helped significantly to get us going as a group. The bowlplex is situated next to a pizza hut which is extremely useful
Picture above shows Keith preparing to bowl a strike off 5 cushions
Getting out into the countryside or visiting places of historic interest, we regularly arrange outings or walks, whether it is a stroll by the Cuckmere or a visit to the Working museum at Amberley, a stroll up to the Devils Dyke or a visit to the historic fort at Newhaven, of course many of these finish at the local watering hole, trips in 2007 included Seaford, Bramber, Littlehampton, a walk from Ditchling Beacon to Lewes and a day out at the Portsmouth Historic Dockyard and in 2008 Hastings, Fishbourne, Wakehurst Place, Stanmer Park, London (Southwark & Greenwich including a cruise up the thames), and a walk from Ditchling to Jack & Jill Windmill walk
Pictured above, Members aboard the little train at Hastings
Pictured above, members listen to a talk at Fishbourne Roman Palace
We enjoy regular picnics and the occasional barbecue, of coourse these depend a lot on the weather, a memorable picnic in 2007 at the height of "summer" became knwon as the arctic picnic
Food and Drink play an important (even primary) part in our activities, we regularly meet for meals of all sorts
Katy Wheatland, Chris & Jonathan Dutton at Hangleton Manor in October 2002
Brighton and Hove is a great place for entertainment with plenty to serve every taste, by subsidising ticket prices City Synergy gives an opportunity for its members to attend shows that some may not otherwise have been able to afford
We have attended a number of shows at the Theatre Royal including Fame - The Musical and See You Next Tuesday starring Nigel Havers and Ardel O'Hanlon (of Father Ted fame), Lady Salsa, The Rat Pack, Jungle Book and Stomp
We have also been to pantomimes (Oh yes we have!) at the Theatre Royal and the New Venture Theatre as well as shows and comedy evenings at the Komedia
There are many opportunities for water sports in the Brighton and Hove area, City Synergy has enjoyed using the sailing facilities at Hove lagoon
Love of sport can often be frustrated for vision impaired people by difficulties in seeing the ball or other object, Blind Cricket allows inclusion by small adaptations to the rules, we use a size 3 ball (a little smaller than a football) and those with no sight are allowed two bounces when batting and to catch off one bounce
For more Information about the game and details about the Sussex Sharks Vision Impaired Cricket team click here
Click here for the page about junior membership including an exciting project called Sport 4 Choice
Goalball was an important part of City Synergy when it began in 2002, however, it was decided in June 2006 that The sport should be run as a separate organisation,
