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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.
Free swimming lessons for vision impaired children in South Wales
The Royal Society for Blind Children (RSBC) have been working with Halo Leisure to provide swimming lessons for VI children, who live in Wales. Halo have pools based in Bridgend, Merthyr Tydfil, Tondu and Pontypool.
These 4 FREE 30-minute sessions are designed specifically for children aged 4–12 with any level of visual impairment, who lives in Wales. This includes partial blindness (low vision), congenital blindness, complete blindness, and legal blindness. Children will experience:
- Small Group Sessions - To allow efficient support for children with sight loss and other learning difficulties.
- Specialist Instruction - Lessons are delivered in small groups by instructors trained in adaptive techniques for swimmers with sight loss.
- Block Lessons - A block of 4 thirty-minute lessons (first 4 lessons are funded by RSBC)
- A Supportive Environment - Parents are encouraged to enter the pool with their child if additional support is needed to help them feel secure.
Local Action Group for Powys
The Powys local action group will be meeting on 5th August, 10am - 2.30pm at the Metropole Hotel, Llandrindod Wells.
This is an opportunity to have your voice heard around health and the experiences you have good or bad in accessing various aspects of health services. It is also an opportunity to find out what else is developing in the Powys area and give your view on what services you think would benefit the area. Lunch and refreshments will be provided. To find out more and to register your attendance, contact Anita on 029 20 473954 email anita@wcb-ccd.org.uk
Pathways in Practice: Supporting People with Sight Loss Across Wales - Events for the sight loss sector
Join Wales Council of the Blind and partners for a series of practical, interactive events across Wales, bringing together eye care, health, social care and third sector professionals to strengthen local referral pathways and improve support for people living with sight loss. You will learn about signposting through the electronic referral system; what the third sector can offer your patients; what a vision rehabilitation specialist does; support for children with sight loss; and the role of the Eye Clinic Liaison Officer. You’ll leave with clearer connections, better signposting options, and a shared understanding of who does what - so people can access the right support at the right time.
Who should attend? Optometrists and Dispensing Opticians, Vision Rehabilitation, ECLOs, Third Sector organisations, Managing Better workers, and Qualified Teachers of the Vision Impaired. Two interactive CPD points are available for Optometrists and Dispensing Opticians. Times: Registration from 5.30 pm – food and refreshments served from 6.00 pm – presentations and group discussions will run from 6.30 pm – 8.45 pm.
Spaces may be limited - please reserve your place below:
- Cardiff & Vale on Tuesday, 2nd June, at Holland House Hotel Cardiff By Sunday, book here.
- Cwm Taf Morgannwg on 9th June at Heritage Park Hotel, Pontypridd, book here
- Aneurin Bevan on 11th June at Mercure Hotel, Newport, book here
- Powys on 18th June at Metropole Hotel, Llandrindod Wells, book here
- Hywel Dda on 2nd July at Ivy Bush Royal Hotel, Carmarthen, book here
- Betsi Cadwaladr on 7th July, at The Kinmel Hotel, Abergele, book here
- Swansea Bay on 14th July at Grand Hotel, Swansea, book here