East Sussex Association for the Blind, established in 1921, is a local registered charity for blind and partially sighted people, providing information and support, building confidence and helping people to be less isolated and more independent.

The Association works across the rural districts of East Sussex and in Brighton and Hove.Our staff of nine and 254 volunteers provide a wide range of services to nearly 1500 members, the majority of whom are elderly. 286 new referrals were visited by staff in 2006/7.  It is known that 6,765 people are registered as blind or partially sighted in East Sussex and Brighton and Hove, 79% of them over 75 years of age.  Many others will not be formally registered.  We are striving to both reach more of those in need and develop the resources to help them.

Our services currently include:

• A home visit when a person first loses their sight or if their sight has grown worse to assess need and provide support and information. 
• An ongoing, comprehensive information service/telephone helpline at our Resource Centre
• Access to an Independent Living Skills/Rehabilitation Course which aims to promote independence and build confidence
• Cookery courses to promote healthy eating and increase independence
• Access to aids and equipment at our Resource Centre
• Home visits for those people who are most isolated to help them find the best aids and equipment for their needs
• Social activities, through one of our 15 locally run Social Groups which help to build confidence and reduce social isolation
• A Home Visiting and Befriending service in the Brighton and Hove area
• Advice on benefits and practical help in accessing benefits
• An extensive free audio and audio-described video library
• Free loan of radio, tape and CD equipment through British Wireless for the Blind
• A free Newsletter provided in large print, on tape or via e-mail
• Training for carers, volunteers and professionals around vision awareness and disability discrimination awareness.

New Developments

In April 2007, a grant of £5,000 was received from the National Lottery Awards for All.  This will enable us to purchase aids and equipment for visually impaired people for display in our Resource Centre, new computers to support volunteer co-ordinators and outreach workers, and the expenses of a volunteer advertising campaign and survey.

From April 2007, ESAB is working on a special one year project with the Warm Front Team, a government funded initiative, to help members to access grants of up to £2,700 to make their homes warmer, healthier and more energy efficient.    It can be hard for agencies to reach visually impaired people to tell them about this type of opportunity but it is anticipated that the involvement of the Association will increase take up locally, helping members to be warm and safe in their homes.

In September 2005 a new five-day Cookery Course for visually impaired people was developed and piloted with the East Sussex Food and Health Partnership.  Since then funding has been secured for more courses, making a great difference to the lives of those taking part who have all enjoyed and benefited from the training.

October 2005 saw the start of a new three year joint project, funded by the Big Lottery Fund and involving East Sussex Association for the Blind and  4-Sight in West Sussex.  ESAB is the main beneficiary and lead organisation of the project which will enable it to reach out to more visually impaired people and their carers, make contact with out-of-touch members, gather information on local need, provide more out-reach worker time and create a new senior co-ordinator role, improve staff and volunteer skills, develop new partnerships, improve the Association's fundraising and awareness raising function, and work closely with 4-Sight in West Sussex to share skills and experience and develop services which might benefit their respective members.

Another new three year project, an Aids and Equipment Outreach Service funded by the Henry Smith Charity and others, started in July 2005.  This helps those people most isolated by their sight loss or other disabilities by taking advice and samples of equipment to them at home or bringing them into the Resource Centre.  The latest thrust of this project in 2007 is to provide opportunities for people to try out computer software designed for the visually impaired.   Two special computer work stations, fitted with different types of software, have been set up for this work in the Resource Centre and a large screen laptop will enable us to demonstrate helpful software in people's homes. 

Services for children

The Association does not currently deliver services specifically for children and young people.  However, we can signpost parents and carers to other organisations who do, including voluntary organisations, Local Authority Education and Library Departments, and carers' organisations. 

Patron: Lord Lieutenant of East Sussex, Mrs Phyllida Stewart-Roberts, OBE
Vice Patrons: Mr Julian Avery, Mr Norman Baker MP, Mr Gregory Barker MP, Mr Peter Field, Mr Simon Hume-Kendall, and Mr David Tate