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Services
4SIGHT Has a wide range of services that allow those that we support to choose how we can help them best.
Please find below details of the services we provide together with information on how to find out more.
Clubs & Hobbies
Most of the charity’s earlier work was achieved through the establishment of specialist leisure clubs situated around the County as it was recognised that isolation from communities or from mainstream services often accompanied sight loss.
Our network of specialist clubs has reached 49 in number and covers hobbies and interests including music and movement, crafts, cooking and gardening. Most clubs have their own regular programme of outings and lunches. Blind and partially sighted people are invited to contact us so that they may be put in touch with a club near to them. We also have two clubs that support the families of blind and partially sighted people. Several of our clubs are tailored to the interests of younger members.
Accessing the Latest Technology
Around ten years ago it was recognised that blind and partially sighted people found it difficult to gain access to new technology that assists independent living.
Two new services were established:
Resource Centres were launched, each housing a range of adapted equipment that could be demonstrated and tried out prior to making a subsidised purchase. Equipment ranged from mechanised needle threaders to the large and relatively expensive CCTV systems that enlarge print and alter colours to suit specific eye conditions. We now have four Resource Centres - Bognor Regis - Shoreham-By-Sea and Crawley.
A Loan Equipment Service was set up that delivered and set up equipment in the home, training users in the use of the latest technology. This facility has grown to include access to a range of black and white and colour CCTV systems, equipment that adapts a home TV into a CCTV, computers with adapted keyboards and magnifying lights.
Listening and Information Service
In response to the experiences of blind and partially sighted people at the time of medical diagnosis, our first Listening and Information Service was established in 1999 inside Worthing Hospital. Staffed by our trained staff nurses acting as Sight Care Advisors and linked to busy Eye Clinics, it has been possible to support and to guide people at the very time at which they are informed that sight loss may not be reversed.
Our Sight Care Advisors are able to access medical records
and to revisit information imparted by the Consultant in each case. It has also
been possible to reduce the waiting time for registration as blind or partially
sighted from three months to just five working days. Together with the kind
assistance of the Henry Smith Charity, we now support this service ourselves.
Foreign Language Support
During Autumn 2002 it was possible to launch a second Listening and Information Service inside St. Richard's Hospital in Chichester. Funding necessary to the security of both of these vitally important services is now being sought.
Research undertaken by us and with our partners had shown that a large population of blind and partially sighted people from ethnic backgrounds was concentrated around Crawley in the north of West Sussex. Traditional support services had reported some difficulties in engaging successfully with these diverse groups, and we decided to develop services in the area suited to their specific needs.
In 2002 funding was awarded by the Special Carers Grant that supported the establishment of the Three Bridges Resource Centre and the work of our new Development Officer for Ethnic Minority Groups Affected by Visual Impairment. In 2002 a range of information materials were translated into other languages. We also attended our 'Mela' in Crawley and launched two new clubs during March 2003. This exciting and successful new work supports the carers of blind and partially sighted people from ethnic backgrounds.
Health at Home
A series of research studies undertaken nationally and regionally during the period 1996–2002 identified the link between sight loss, isolation, wellbeing and poor health. We decided to work on ways to make new contacts with isolated people offering them support in their own home. The Dunhill Medical Trust provided us with support and in 2002 the Contact Officer, working with the Read Write project, began to provide vital support services. New Home Visitors were identified and Low Vision Assessments undertaken; individually tailored solutions to reading and writing needs were organised giving people far more freedom to enjoy life as part of the community.
Mobile Read Write Service
In order to help people access information relating to local support, services and opportunities associated with leisure, work and employment, the Read Write Service was established thanks to the SRB6 Fund and the PPP Healthcare Foundation. The new service was tested in Bognor Regis area using SRB funding prior to it being launched throughout the County during late 2002.
Participants to this project are able to access written material even when they have no remaining sight. This is achieved using a unique adapted combination kit of hardware and software, scanners and speech-assisted programmes. This is the first mobile service of its kind in the U.K., and we have been pleased to have the support of our funders and the acclaim of academic and professional groups.
The British Wireless for the Blind Fund
Our contact with the British Wireless for the Blind Fund allows us to provide radio cassette recorders to registered blind or partially sighted people.
Safe In The Kitchen
The 'Safe In The Kitchen' service supports and encourages visually impaired people to remain in their homes for as long as possible. With our expertise, training and specialised kitchen equipment we can offer support in maintaining a safe and healthy diet. Practical support and assisted training will be available in all areas associated with the cooking and preparation of food.
If you have specific problems, experienced during either the preparation or cooking of food, we will endeavor to find a suitable solution. We are also able to offer practical support in the tasks of washing, dying and ironing of clothes.
Come along and use our specialised and adapted equipment. Items available range from a liquid level indicator for use when making tea or coffee, talking scales for weighing ingredients and a talking microwave for cooking your favorite meals.
There is a vast range of equipment, we are sure that it would be beneficial to visit. The Kitchen is based at the County Office in Bognor Regis. We can accommodate on a one to one basis or for small groups. For more information on this service or to book a demonstration, please call Melanie Conrad or Monica Cook on 01243 838007.
Audio Library Service
4SIGHT has an extensive postal audio library of over 1400 titles, ranging from romance to thrillers and available in abridged and unabridged versions. To see our range of books please click the link - 4SIGHT Library List
Large Print Crossword Service
A monthly supply of Cryptic or Quick crosswords taken from the Daily Telegraph are available in large print.
For a free sample click the following links: Cryptic Quick
Large Print SUDOKU Service
A monthly supply of Gentle or Tough SUDOKU puzzles taken from the Daily Telegraph are available in large print.
For a free sample click the following links: Gentle Tough
Bringing Help to You
The challenge is not yet over. We have plans to take our mobile and outreach services to those most in need of support - blind and partially sighted people of whom we are not yet aware. We will have to work hard to identify them, as they are unknown to statutory services too.
Please contact us if we can help you or someone you know
4SIGHT (West Sussex Association for the Blind)
4SIGHT Bradbury Centre
36 Victoria Drive
Bognor Regis
West Sussex
PO21 2TE
Tel: (01243) 828555 Fax: (01243) 838003
E-Mail: enquiries@4sightsussex.co.uk
Charity No. 1075447 Company No. 3740647