Vision Impairment Support & Resource Centre

About

Vision Impairment Service – St Helens Council

What is a vision impairment?
A vision impairment is when a person has sight loss which cannot be corrected using glasses or contact lenses.

Services

How can we help?
The Vision Impairment team is part of the adult social care service within St Helens Borough Council. Our main role is to promote independent living. We can undertake an assessment of your needs, which will include asking about how your vision impairment affects the things you do every day. The assessment may take place in our Resource Centre, in your own home or across both settings. The assessment will cover areas such as:

Reading and Communication – we can provide low vision aids to support reading, this may include optical magnifiers or training in smart technology such as mobile phones, tablets or computers.

Orientation and Mobility – we can help build confidence to move around safely both indoors and outdoors.  We provide specialist training in the use of mobility aids and support with planning routes in specific areas e.g. teaching the route to the shops. 

Daily Living Skills – we can demonstrate techniques and provide specialist equipment to support with preparing food and pouring drinks safely. The team support with finding strategies to manage household tasks, such as laundry, cleaning and personal care including applying make-up or shaving.  Specialist low vision aids, smart technology and/or supported formats can be explored to manage personal finances and taking medication appropriately.

Advice and Information – we provide advice on many issues surrounding vision impairment. We can offer emotional support for you and your family and the team have direct links with other health and social care professionals such as Eye Clinic Liaison Officers, Opticians, Social Workers and Occupational Therapists. We can also put you in touch with many other useful local and national support services.

Groups

Social Group – meets every Wednesday 1pm to 3pm within our resource centre (First Floor Millennium Centre) which is an opportunity to meet other local people with sight loss.

Technology Information Sessions – these sessions run throughout the year and provide an opportunity to learn about the latest technology for people with a visual impairment, such as the Meta Glasses and accessibility features on mobile phones.