A free service set up by the Beacon Centre for the Blind to ensure people with sight loss can get information, advice and guidance when they need it the most has supported more than 450 people in its first nine months. 

The charity launched its Information and Guidance Service in September last year to ensure that people could access support to help them maintain their independence regardless of what stage of their sight loss journey they were at. 
 
A team of expert sight loss advisors, some of whom have lived experience, are on hand to help people with a range of issues from ensuring they can still make themselves a cup of tea to putting on makeup. The advisors play a pivotal role in the organisation and can refer people to other Beacon services offered by the charity such as lifestyle day activities, care at home, or employment and skills advice. Beacon Centre Engagement Manager, Becky Green said:

“The pandemic has been tough for us all, but it has presented extra challenges for people with sight loss particularly if they are reliant on others to help them with everyday tasks or getting out of the house. That’s why we are delighted to have been able to support so many people through this service over the past nine months.
 
“Whatever stage of their sight loss journey someone is at we often find that they just want to talk to someone who understands what they are going through and our expert staff can do just that. 
 
“It makes such a difference when people realise they can carry on doing many of the things they love with just a few adjustments or a bit of technological help.”
 
The Beacon Centre sells a range of equipment to help people with sight loss maintain their independence, from talking clocks, phones and even microwaves to high powered specialist magnifiers which help with everyday activities such as putting makeup on. 

The charity’s expert team have demonstration equipment available at its Wolverhampton Road East base where people can be talked through how to use items in a Covid-19 secure environment.  The team have also collated some free top tips for making life easier if you have sight loss. 

If you feel like you would benefit from a sight loss assessment, want to purchase any low vision equipment, get a copy of Beacon’s free tips, or find out more about the Information and Guidance Service please call 01902 880 111 (between Monday to Friday) or email referrals@beaconvision.org.