what we do :: Hertfordshire Society for the Blind

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What we Do

Equipment and Services

The Society runs a Resource Centre in The Woodside Centre, Welwyn Garden City where there is a selection of equipment and gadgets to help visually impaired people with their daily living needs.

'You are most welcome to come and visit the Resource Centre which is open on Tuesday and Thursday from 10.00 to 1.00. Visits are by appointment only, so please ring and book an appointment on 01707 324680 .

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; 4^th Tuesday in each month; 10.30 - 12.30
Stevenage: Stevenage Resource Centre, Chells Way; 3^rd Tuesday in each month; 10.00 - 12.00
Hemel Hempstead: Social Centre for the Blind, Alston Road, Boxmoor; 2^nd and 4^th Monday in each month; 10.00 - 12.00
Ware: Ware Road Day Service Unit, corner of Ware Road/Stanstead Road; 4^th Wednesday in each month; 10.00 - 12.00
St Albans: St. Albans Library, upper level Maltings Shopping Centre; 3^rd Wednesday in each month; 10.30 - 12.30
Letchworth: Hertfordshire Multiple Sclerosis Therapy Centre, 30 Campus Five, Letchworth; 2^nd Wednesday in each month; 10.30 - 12.30
Watford: Stanborough Centre, 609 St. Albans Road, Garston, Watford, WD25 9JL; 3^rd Friday in each month; 10.00 - 12.00
Royston: Royston Library, Market Hill; 1^st 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.

Supported by the National Lottery through the Big Lottery Fund.

Our Sight information Point and Equipment Exhibition services are supported by the Big Lottery Fund.

Home Visiting:

We have around 65 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 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 operates from 10.00 to 1.00 Monday to Thursday and the number is 01707 324680 .

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