Visits to new referrals
Our staff will visit someone who may just have lost their sight or whose sight has grown worse to offer early support and information on all the help, locally and nationally, which is available to them.   New referrals also now receive a follow up call where appropriate, followed by a visit where required, to check if they have any other concerns or needs.

Information Helpline
Our information database contains details of local and national organisations which can provide all sorts of support for visually impaired people and their carers.

Rehabilitation Training
This is a five day course, funded by local health and social services, to promote independence and build confidence. The course includes daily living and kitchen skills, mobility, low vision aids and communication. Carers are encouraged to join in to learn how to guide safely.

Cookery Courses

A new five day cookery course is now being delivered in partnership with the East Sussex Food and Health Partnership to improve independence, safety and health.  Carers are also involved on the last day, enjoying a good meal prepared by our visually impaired participants and learning how to enhance the independence of the person they care for.

Resource Centre/Aids and Equipment
Aids and equipment designed to make every-day tasks easier are on display, including talking clocks and watches, reading aids, lighting, kitchen equipment, and CCTV's.   Computers with large screens and keyboards, with special software for visually impaired people, are also set up for trying out and training.

A new three year funded project started in July 2005 to encourage more people to visit the Resource Centre and to take aids and equipment out to people in their own homes where they are particularly isolated or have difficulties getting into the Centre.  

Social Groups
Our 15 monthly Social Groups help to build confidence, bring people together with similar problems to share their experiences, and provide an enjoyable regular social event for people who may find it difficult to get out and about. Transport, entertainment, outings, theatre trips and Christmas lunches are all organised by enthusiastic local volunteers who also carry out local fund raising.

Benefits
We can provide help and advice on how to access benefits, whether through our own benefits volunteer team or other local organisations.

Audio & Video Library
This free service is run entirely by volunteers who distribute books on tape or CD and audio described videos.  Thanks to a legacy from a member who enjoyed the service for many years, we have been able to expand audio books on CD and the film library on both video and DVD.

British Wireless for the Blind
The Association is an agent for British Wireless for the Blind, providing free loan of radio, tape and CD equipment for people who are registered blind or partially sighted.

ESAB Bulletin
This newsletter is sent free of charge to members, volunteers and other supporters, in large print, on audio tape or via e-mail.  The latest issue is also on this web site.

Home Visiting in Brighton and Hove
Volunteers make regular home visits to help blind and partially sighted people living in Brighton and Hove to help with tasks such as correspondence, sewing, a shopping trip or visit to their doctor, and to provide companionship. 

Vision Awareness and Disability Discrimination Awareness Training
These one day courses help carers, volunteers and paid staff to understand the needs of people with sight loss, the requirements of Disability Discrimination legislation, and how to guide safely.   Courses can be designed to meet the individual needs of different organisations if required, with courses delivered to the East Sussex Fire and Rescue Service and to District Councils recently.

The advantages of registering as blind or partially sighted

If you choose to register as blind or partially sighted, this may help you to get more practical support, concessions and benefits.  It will also help the Local Authority to plan services if it knows how many people are affected by sight loss locally.  Contact us to find out more about the advantages of being registered and how to register.  There is however no obligation to register if you do not wish to do so.