Support for the newly sight impaired

Posted on 23rd Jul

People who are newly registered as sight impaired or severely sight impaired need signposting to key sources of support and information in order to move forward with their lives. This support will be offered through a new course which is being developed for the Autumn at the Guilds Hearing and Sight Centre (HAS). This fast track response to the issues around sight loss and how it affects people is a first for Plymouth.

Maggie Paine the Guild Assistant Director said “We are delighted to develop this course, with Social Services funding, that enables its citizens to move easily along the patient pathway after registration as visually impaired or severely sight impaired. We will provide information, help build confidence after registration and promote an environment of mutual support. We will also include carers in the programme as part of the holistic approach to the care pathway.”

Courses will run for 6 weeks and topics will include:
• Introduction to Visual Impairment
• Managing Reduced Vision
• Leisure and Independence
• Out and About With Confidence
• Living Your Life
• Finding Your Own Way.

Grace Mole HAS Manager is keen to meet a number of objectives Through the Courses, among them:
• To ensure that newly registered people are fully informed, at an early stage, of the key services and options available to them.
• To ensure that they are confident about their individual needs so that they can access these services and build support networks.
• To enable newly registered people to maintain their independence.
• Encourage individuals to participate to developing future services.

More information will be available on these courses later in the Summer.