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About WCB.
Wales Council of the Blind is the umbrella agency representing vision impairment within Wales. We work to campaign, lobby and support the improvement of services for people with sight loss. [Read more...]
Latest news.
Eye Connect Cymru project to give vision impaired children and young people a voice.
Wales Council of the Blind will be working with the Royal Society for Blind Children (RSBC) and the Council for Wales of Voluntary Youth Services (CWVYS) to deliver a new National Lottery-funded project 'Eye Connect Cymru'.
Eye Connect Cymru is designed to connect visually impaired children and young people (CYP) and give them a voice in their community. The project plans to achieve this in various ways, such as providing emotional well-being support, group support, practical referrals to professionals, family/CYP one-to-one online sessions, and ensuring that more children/youth-focused organisations are VI-inclusive. We will provide more information on the project as it develops.
Family Fund Grants available for families with a disabled child in Wales **Application deadline extended**
The Wales Grants Programme by Family Fund is now open. Aimed at supporting families in Wales raising a disabled child and who are living on a low income, grant items include clothing, digital devices, family breaks & more.
For full details of eligibility, Frequently Asked Questions and how to apply, click here. The closing date for applications has been extended to Monday 18th November.
Wales Eyecare Conference 2024 on 7th November
This year's Annual Wales Eyecare Conference will be held on Thursday 7th November at Glamorgan County Cricket Club, Sophia Gardens, Sophia Walk, Pontcanna, Cardiff CF11 9XR.
The conference will begin at 10am and registration will be open from 9am. For full information about the event, including a full programme and to reserve a place, click on the 'Eyecare Conference' tab at the top right hand side of this screen. If you would like to book your place by telephone, please call Wales Council of the Blind on 02920 473 954.
The conference is now fully booked, but you can still apply and will be added to the waiting list .
Are you eligible for Pension Credit?
As you may be aware, from this winter the Winter Fuel Payment will be linked to the receipt of specific means-tested benefits. As such, for many older people in Wales, Pension Credit will be the key to accessing their entitlement to the Winter Fuel Payment.
Pension Credit is a benefit for anyone who has reached the qualifying age and has a relatively low income. You may get it even if you have some savings and modest retirement income. It can be paid on top of your state retirement pension. If you have built up a pot of money through a defined contribution pension, how and when you choose to draw money out of it will affect the amount of Pension Credit you can receive.
It is estimated that around 80,000 eligible households in Wales do not receive the Pension Credit to which they are entitled. As part of its ‘Here to Help’ campaign to help people with the cost of living, Welsh Government is encouraging older people to check whether they are eligible for Pension Credit. Advicelink Cymru is a Welsh Government funded Citizens Advice service designed to help people who are most in need of advice services, particularly those who would not usually seek advice. You can call Advicelink Cymru, on 0808 250 5700 for free and confidential advice about money you may be entitled to, and they can help you apply for welfare benefits, including Pension Credit. You can find out more on the Welsh Government support website. If you need information from the Welsh Government website in a different format like plain text, braille, BSL, large print, easy read or audio recording, you should contact them via email: customerhelp@gov.wales or phone 0300 0604400, stating the web address (URL) of the information you need, the format you would like to receive and which assistive technologies you use.
Some sight loss organisations provide a benefits advice service and may be able to help. These include:
- Vision Support (for north Wales): 01244 381515
- Sight Cymru Supporting People Services (Caerphilly): 01443 864548
- Deafblind UK Empowering Support: 0800 132320
- RNIB has information on benefits, including an online calculator on its website (Their helpline number is 0303 123 9999).