Visual Impairment Service
- Location: Marylebone Library
- Price: Free
Please note, this service is not available outside Age UK Westminster - Head Office's catchment area.
Email: enquiries@ageukwestminster.org.uk
Telephone: 02030 045610
A specialist service which delivers support to older people in Westminster who have a visual impairment.
Visual Impairment Advocacy Service
The Visual Impairment Advocacy Service provides an appointments only weekly outreach session, and home visits for those who are housebound. The service is aimed at individuals who are aged 50 and over who have been diagnosed with some form of visual impairment.
The service includes:
• Supporting individuals to Communicate i.e. using telephones, computers, magnifiers, etc.
• Completing welfare benefit checks and applying for benefits.
• Helping clients to apply for discretionary grants when appropriate.
• Helping to arrange adaptations needed to clients’ homes so they can live independently.
• Writing letters on the client’s behalf and advocate in situations where clients are unable to speak for themselves.
• Applying for holistic services such as the freedom pass, taxi card and blue badge.
• Assisting with housing and social care enquiries
This service will also educate people to notice the early signs of sight loss and inform on how changes made to their lifestyle can delay or prevent further health/eye conditions which can lead to sight loss or visual impairment.
To find out more follow the below link to read our leaflet.
Befriending Project specifically for the Visually Impaired
If you have a Visual Impairment are living alone or feeling socially isolated, a helping hand and a listening ear can make a huge difference.
Age UK Westminster can help you by providing a specifically trained Befriending Volunteer who will come and visit you at least once a week.
This Befriending service takes a personal approach by focusing on offering support to older people with visual impairments.
Our Befriending Volunteers can assist with the following:
• Reading letters/newspapers/books to the clients.
• Accompanying on short walks or accessing other physical activities/sports.
• Everyday living skills such as labelling systems to help identify items, pouring liquids etc.
• Identifying hazards within the home and assisting with mild decluttering to prevent tripping or falling and offer solutions.
• Supporting clients to use their devices more effectively – record appointments and to talk to their phone.
• Emotional support through listening and offering advice.
• Signposting/referring the client to other Age UK Westminster services or external services that could be of benefit.
• Speak to community groups – raising awareness and promoting the service.
• Organising activities/events that clients are able to attend.
Please contact us to book an appointment or to register for a Befriending Volunteer:
Email: enquiries@acwestminster.org.uk
Telephone: 0203 004 5610 (Mon-Fri 10am to 2pm)
Visual Impairment Advocate 020 3004 5617
Sight issues as we grow older
Looking after our eyesight is important. Our eyes can get us through our whole lifetime if we look after them. Our eyesight deteriorates as we age and we are more likely to use glasses or contact lenses. To look after our eyes, it is recommended that everyone has an eye check every two years or more frequently if they have a condition which affects their eyes.
Follow the below link to find out more.
https://www.ageuk.org.uk/westminster/our-services/visual-impairment/sight-issues-as-we-grow/