Adults with Sight Loss: Support while you wait

While you wait...

Did you know...

There are many services available to help you with your sight loss. It is advisable that you contact these before you have a visit from the Visual Impairment Team.

• Eye Clinic Liaison Officer (ECLO)

RNIB helpline: Tel: 03303 123 9999

Based in local hospital eye clinics. Provide practical, emotional and information support to people living with a sight condition, their families and carers. Contact via RNIB helpline.

• Low Vision/Magnifiers Service Wales

You can self-refer for this NHS service at your local opticians. Can provide magnifiers, table lamps and anti-glare glasses free of charge.

If your opticians does not provide this service, please contact us and we can advise of your local low vision service.

• RNIB Living With Sight Loss Courses

Tel: 0303 123 9999

Free, information phone groups discussing services, support options and organisations which can be helpful when living with sight loss.

• Care & Repair Agency

Tel: 01686 620760

Email: enquiries@crpowys.co.uk

Helping older people (60+) or people with disabilities remain living independent e.g. by improving lighting/ providing handrails.

• Fire Service:

Tel: 0800 1691234

Contact for a free Safe and Well home safety check.

• Blind War Veterans:

Tel: 0800 389 7979

If you have a Certificate of Vision Impairment (CVI) and a Service Number you may be able to access free support and services.

• Wales Council for the Blind

Tel: 0292 047 3954

The umbrella organisation for vision impairment in Wales.

Request their weekly news bulletin on services locally and nationally, by phone or emailing bec@wcb-ccd.org.uk

• Benefits Advice

Support can be obtained from

Age Cymru: Tel: 0300 303 44 98

and

RNIB Tel: 0303 123 9999

Talking Books/Newspapers

• RNIB: Tel: 0303 123 9999, Email: Helpline@rnib.org.uk. Free Talking Books on USB or download/ via smart speaker.

• Calibre Audio Library: Tel: 01296 432 339, Email: enquiries@calibre.org.uk. Audio library for the visually impaired as well as people who have other disabilities. Includes 'one off' joining fee.

• Powys Library Services: Contact your local library for large print book loan, talking/ downloadable books available free of charge.

• Local Talking Newspapers: Tel: 01938 553085, Email: powystn@gmail.com. A free weekly service for local Powys newspapers on USB.

Equipment Catalogues:

Free catalogues can be requested from the following. Please note: we advise that you do not buy any magnifiers or mobility aids.

• RNIB: Tel: 0303 123 9999, Email: helpline@rnib.org.uk

• Colbolt Company: Tel: 01493 700 172, Email: sales@cobolt.co.uk

• Edward Marcus: Tel: 01302 852679, Email: sales@edwardmarcus.co.uk

Specific Eye Condition Support

• International Glaucoma Association: Tel: 01233 64 81 70, Email: info@iga.org.uk

• Macular Society: Tel: 0300 3030 111, Email: info@macularsociety.org

• Diabetic Retinopathy/Diabetes UK Careline: Tel: 0345 123 2399

• For all eye conditions including cataracts, contact the RNIB sight loss advice service: Tel: 0303 123 9999, Email: helpline@rnib.org.uk

Local support groups

Please contact PAVO, Email: info@pavo.org.uk, Tel: 01597 822 191