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What we Do
Equipment and Services
The Society runs a Resource Centre in Leahoe House, Hertford where there is a selection of equipment and gadgets to help visually impaired people with their daily living needs.
The equipment ranges from video magnifiers (CCTV's) through to talking clocks and watches, daylight lamps to kitchen aids and lots of items in between.
You are most welcome to come and visit the Resource Centre which is normally open from Monday to Thursday. It is important however that you ring and book an appointment first on 01992 588145 so that we can make sure there is someone here to help you make the most of your visit. In this way we can serve you better.
Sight Information Points:
These are held at 8 locations once every month to give information on:
- support services to people with low vision
- equipment to assist with daily living
- information on benefits and concessions
- social and educational opportunities.
No booking necessary, just come along. The locations are:
- Cheshunt: Wolsey Hall, Windmill Lane; 4th Tuesday in each month; 10.30 - 12.30
- Stevenage: Stevenage Resource Centre, Chells Way; 3rd Tuesday in each month; 10.00 - 12.00
- Hemel Hempstead: Social Centre for the Blind, Alston Road, Boxmoor; 1st Tuesday in each month; 10.00 - 12.00
- Ware: Ware Road Day Service Unit, corner of Ware Road/Stanstead Road; 4th Wednesday in each month; 10.00 - 12.00
- St Albans: Jubilee Day Centre, St Albans; 2nd Monday in each month; 10.00 - 12.00
- Hitchin: Nightingale Day Centre, Nightingale Road; 2nd Wednesday in each month; 10.00 - 12.00
- Watford: Social Centre for the Blind, Cross Street; 3rd Monday in each month; 11.00 - 1.00
- Royston: Royston Library, Market Hill; 1st Wednesday in each month; 10.00 - 12.00
Equipment Exhibitions:
There are 4 - 5 exhibitions per annum at various locations. Times and locations advertised as necessary. See latest information on the News and Events page.
Our Sight information Point and Equipment Exhibition services are supported by the Big Lottery Fund.
Home Visiting:
We have around 100 volunteers who visit blind, partially sighted or deaf and blind people in their homes to help with daily living needs, such as small practical tasks (e.g. reading, responding to mail, paying bills etc) or just providing some welcome social contact. This service can be invaluable in reducing the social isolation of a vulnerable group of people.
Hospital Information:
We service Information Points including upkeep of information trolleys, through staff and around 17 volunteers, in 6 eye clinics in the county (Lister, QE2, St Albans, Hemel Hempstead, Hertford County and Watford). We also provide information to the Herts and Essex Hospital. The purpose of the service is to assist patients in eye clinics with support and information and to help eye clinic staff with activities.
Sight Line:
The Sight-Line is a help/advice line for blind and partially sighted people, their families and/or carers, as well as health and other professional staff. It can give information about equipment and HSB services as well as signpost callers to other sources of information and help. The Sight Line takes about 5000 calls per year and the number is 01992 588145.
We sum up our services as follows:
- Social activities via clubs and college courses
- Information via our Sight-Line and Newsletters
- Gadgets - demonstration and supply of specialist equipment to assist daily living
- Home visits by staff & volunteers/Hospital service providing support in eye clinics
- Training for those who come in contact with the visually impaired