We’re delighted to announce our exciting SEE (Support, Empowerment and Experience) Programme, with one year’s funding from Sandwell Council’s Healthy Sandwell.
We have recruited two new staff to run this project. Our new Advocacy and Information Officer, Sue Bloomer, will be coordinating the project. She will be assisted by a part-time (6 hours per week) administrator, Donna Simms.
We will be delivering sessions that offer advocacy and support to members. And supporting people who have been newly diagnosed with visual impairment. Support sessions will vary from one-off to six-weekly support sessions. We’ll be working closely with the Eye Clinic Liaison Officers (ECLOs) to identify people who might benefit from the service.
We will:
- offer targeted advocacy, accompanying people to appointments and visits
- train peer volunteers to support with less complex visits
- coordinate group support sessions with guest speakers
- run a befriending service
- set up a helping hand service, where sighted volunteers will spend half an hour helping someone in their home, with things like reading, reading a letter or turning a radio dial
- offer sessions to help people to build confidence, assertiveness and resilience.
We are looking for existing members to join us in this project and new members who are adjusting to life with sight loss. We also want to hear from potential volunteers who could help as our ‘helping hands’.
Talk and Support Sessions
Sue will be running a series of Talk and Support sessions at the SVI office in Lodge Road. This will be an opportunity to share tips and tricks that make life easier, and also for emotional support. Whether you have been living with sight loss for a number of years, or have been recently diagnosed, please come along to SVI and share your experience.
Session dates are as follows:
- Wednesday 17 April, 10 am to 12 noon
- Wednesday 22 May, 10 am to 12 noon
- Wednesday 3 July, 10 am to 12 noon
- Wednesday 14 August, 4pm to 6pm
- Wednesday 25 September, 1pm to 3pm
- Wednesday 6 November, 1pm to 3pm
- Wednesday 18 December, 10 am to 12 noon
Please book these sessions in advance by calling 0121 528 4810. If no one answers your call, please leave a message. or you can email susan.b@sandwellvisuallyimpaired.org.uk.
Living with Sight Loss
On 12 and 19 June, we’ll be holding a two day ‘Living with Sight Loss’ course.
‘Being Fearless’
Later in the year, in September and October, we will be running a ‘Being Fearless’ course. This is to help build confidence and assertiveness skills.
Counselling sessions
We also plan to offer counselling sessions together with information about how to keep safe and active in the community.
Contact us
Call the SVI Office on 0121 525 4810 or email susan.b@sandwellvisuallyimpaired.org.uk if you are interested in getting involved in any of these activities, either as a participant or a volunteer.
