On Wednesday 13th September, the Island’s oldest working charity, Sight for Wight, will be teaming up with Wight Sense, the Island’s Sensory Support Service, to welcome Islanders who are living with all levels of Sight and Hearing Loss to join them at the 1st Newport Scouts Hall, Woodbine Close from 11am to 3pm.
The event, held in March this year attracted over 110 local people living with both reduced hearing and sight and chatted with 16 other organisations to gain one to one help support and advice. They were given the chance to trail equipment first hand.
Keeping it local
The event on 13th September will offer the same but with a difference.
This time the theme of the event has been kept very local.
Hollyhead: Each stand has been carefully selected
Lisa Hollyhead CEO of Sight for Wight said,
“We have reduced the number of equipment suppliers this time, significantly, as our aim is to ensure Island residents have a chance to meet as many other Local Charities and organisations who offer help as possible. Each stand has been carefully selected to ensure visitors to the event can speak with as wide a range of service as possible.
“We are offering a one stop shop for on the spot advice, equipment demonstrations and signposting for support any Islanders living with sight or hearing conditions.”
The feel of the day will be Coffee cake and one to one, no hard sell of expensive items just genuine people who have dedicated their working lives to people.
Hollyhead: I understand firsthand how important it is to receive the right help at the right time
Lisa goes on to say,
“As someone born legally blind but also someone who is losing their hearing rapidly, I understand what having both a congenital lifelong sensory loss is like and what acquired second sense also brings. I understand firsthand how important it is to receive the right help at the right time, so this open day is doing just that.
We, as a charity, cannot provide everything, but we can understand you, as an individual, and point you in the right direction when we cannot help directly. Our aim here at the Charity is to help people live safely, independently, and confidently.”
What is Sight for Wight?
Sight for Wight offer a wide range of services, activities and events for their members including Weekly groups, a befriending service, drop in IT accessibility advice, Audio Library and weekly Talking News service as well day-to-day advice, support, and reassurance to those who need it.
Wight Sense offer home visits for one-to-one assessments to look at your individual needs, offer equipment loans, mobility training and daily living skills.
Everyone is welcome with homemade cakes on offer.
See the Sight for Wight Website for more information.
News shared by Chris on behalf of Sight for Wight. Ed
