Radnorshire Association offer
grants to Radnorshire residents to help towards the cost of equipment to help people with a
visual impairment.
The group offers
advice about services in the area, a Christmas meal and free summer
trip.
Greenhill Community Centre, Chapel Street, Swansea, SA4 4DT. 1.00pm to 2pm, last Friday of every month.
Council page on library services in RCT.
RCT Council has a member of staff qualified to provide mobility
training to
vi children in a school environment.
A Vision
Rehabilitation Specialist (VRS) assists someone regain skills they may have lost through sight problems and helps them re-learn to do things they could previously do for themselves. Note: RCT's VRS only works with
vision impaired adults.
Sight Life RCT Young at Heart Social group (ages range from approx. 30 – 60) which offers peer support and regular Zoom and face to face meetings fortnightly on a Friday morning between 11 – 1pm. It is very welcome and inclusive of new members. Activities on Zoom have included baking, arts and crafts, quizzes, and bingo etc. We have had picnics, taken part in Archery, accessible cycling, and bushcraft sessions. We also welcome guest speakers to the group.
A free confidential support line on 0808 196 3651 for
advice on loneliness support.
There are five regional officers. One each for North Wales, Mid Wales, West Wales, Central South Wales and Gwent areas. Contact details are given at the web page below.
Our
rehabilitation officers are specially trained to help veterans like you adjust to living with sight loss. Our care is tailored to your individual needs, so your rehabilitation programme is just that – yours. Our team assess how you cope with carrying out day-to-day tasks. They will work with you to identify what you need help with and what your goals are. Your rehab programme will be based around what you need, and continually assessed during your time with us.
Rehabilitation officers can give people with sight problems the skills and confidence that they need to stay independent, including help getting about, communication, lighting, using magnifiers and special equipment in the home.
Reinecker offer a wide range of products and individual solutions. This includes optical and electronic magnifiers, desktop
video magnifiers, transportable camera systems, vocal systems and
magnifying Software for PC and MAC. They also offer individual consulting and
training.
RP helpline is operated by volunteers all directly affected with a genetic eye disorder, who genuinely understand the issues faced with
daily living.
Retina UK volunteers run a number of Local Groups in towns across the UK. The also run an online group for 'Wrexham and Wales'. These enable people with
RP to socialise and support each other as well as raise funds and run events on our behalf.
For people who prefer a regular call from someone who is affected with inherited sight loss and can offer a listening ear, provide information, hints and tips.
Direct Payments enable people assessed as requiring
Social Care services to purchase their own care and support. Agency used: Dewis CIL
SIDS meets every 1st and 3rd Friday of the month between 10.30 am to 12.30 pm at The Hapi Hub, Masefield Way, Rhydfelin, Pontypridd, CF37 5HQ. This is not a Sight Life service but you can contact Barbara Protheroe via Carys Groves below.
For people who would like to meet other people living with a
vision impairment in their local area. This group has a fantastic programme of events and activities. It meets every fourth Wednesday of each month from 10:30am to 12:00pm at The ASK Centre, 9 - 11 Water Street, Rhyl, LL18 1SP.
A social group that meets locally and enjoy talks, activities, speakers,
outings, refreshments and other entertainment. The group meets on alternate Wednesdays at the Dan-y-Graig Church between 1.00 – 3.00pm.
RNIB Bookshare supports those who are unable to access print with a vast collection of accessible textbooks and materials to support the UK curriculum from early years to adult education. This free service, which can be accessed by teachers, students, and parents, has a range of accessible formats so books can be read electronically or adapted to suit personal reading needs, giving students the same educational opportunities as their peers.
RNIB's Connect Facebook groups are a supportive space for people affected by sight loss to talk to others in a similar situation about topics that matter to them, ask questions and share tips and stories. The group for Wales is given in the link below.
Offering telephone and online counselling to people impacted by sight-loss. Counselling through the medium of Welsh, as well as English.
The
helpline can assist you with information on any aspect of RNIB's many services.
The RNIB Library is the largest of its kind in the UK, and it's completely free, with over 60,000 items in the collection. This website is your gateway to the entire collection in one place: Audio,
Braille,
Music - there is so much to access, borrow and enjoy.
We deliver more than 200 popular and best-selling publications, in a format to suit you. There are popular high street titles, specialist publications,
children's magazines and the major daily and weekend papers.
A digital download library, allowing subscribers to download talking books, talking magazines and podcasts directly to their computer, tablet or
smartphone.
RNIB Shape and Share events bring
children and
young people with a
vision impairment and their families together for peer support, to share experiences and take part in fun activities virtually via Microsoft Teams.
Products that help you live independently and enjoy everyday activities. Visit the RNIB Shop Window where they highlight some of the latest articles written by the RNIB Shop team, who have lived experience with sight loss, and have been researching the high street options so you don't have to.
This provides opportunities for you to socialise in small groups by phone to build friendships and get peer support with other people in a similar situation. We match individuals together for conversations based on age and group preferences. Trained volunteers or RNIB staff facilitate the groups. Talk and Support
befriending groups meet on the same day, at the same time, each week. Each group runs for 55 minutes. Facilitators help the group chat together and keep the conversation flowing.
RNIB is working with her Majesty's Revenue and Customs (HMRC) on a project to support blind and partially sighted people with tax and benefit issues. Our service is free and confidential.
If you want to feel empowered and knowledgeable about the world of
technology, then join our Accessible Technology sessions. Our Senior Accessibility
Advisor Alex can provide support with using a wide range of devices such as
smart phones, computers, tablets,
braille readers and much more. They can also offer support in how everyday devices can be used to support blind and partially sighted people in areas including
travel, finances, wellbeing and fitness, independent living and school. You can arrange a personal session online with Alex, designed just for you, or you and your family.
We also run a range of group workshops online. All sessions last between 1 and 1.5 hours and can be arranged at a date and time of your convenience.
RSBC’s “Futures” service is a bespoke service for
young people 13-25 and there to support you as you start to make
plans for your future. You may already know what you want to do in the future - seeking paid employment, becoming a volunteer, running your own business, taking up an apprenticeship, going onto further or higher education, or perhaps you aren’t sure yet what you’d like to do? At RSBC our “Futures” service can be your side to guide and support you as you start to make those plans. RSBC has links with partners that mean you have the best possible opportunities to build your own skills, knowledge, experience and of course confidence. Perhaps you need support with really practical things such as
Access to Work (link), mobility for your route to work or college, or applying for
Personal Independence Payment (PIP). We can help with these areas too, which can sometimes feel confusing and hard to find support for. You may be a family member of a young person trying to access some information or support alongside your young person. We understand that sometimes information about the support available for blind and partially sighted young people can be difficult to access. Through the Futures service you can access one to one session with our team, get support and share ideas with other young people, get practical support with CV writing, work placements or experience and really build your confidence to take the next steps in your future. We will make sure that we support your personal aspirations and look after your wellbeing. So, whether you are making choices about your GCSE subjects, starting to think about your next steps in education, or planning your career or volunteer role, our Futures service can help you reach your goals and aspirations.
The RSBC youth forum is a group of blind and partially sighted
young people aged between 16 and 25. We are committed to creating positive change and championing the voices of blind and
visually impaired young people, as well as influencing all areas of work across RSBC. The youth forum works to raise awareness and challenge perceptions of visually impaired young people. We aim to represent their views and opinions, highlight the issues that affect them, and make sure we’re doing our best to influence those who can push for change and bring about improvements in services at both RSBC and external organisations. The youth forum meets online and in person, and meets regularly with trustees and staff across RSBC, to ensure that the voices of blind and visually impaired young people are at the forefront of driving the charities services and engagement.
