Services
Befriending and emotional support
Talks to community groups and businesses
The Community Support Project team are available to provide a range of practical support services for all visually impaired people in Tameside, as well as their carers.
If the staff can’t help directly, then they will recommend contacts where appropriate support may be available.
All TBA’s services are listed in an information pack which can be sent to you along with an audio tape if you call (0161 343 4090/6903).
Advocacy
Advocacy is about helping visually impaired people to have a voice.
TBA can support you if you need help to deal with any kind of agency, bureaucracy, statutory or voluntary service, supplier of goods or services, etc.
The staff can write letters or make phone calls on your behalf and can visit you in your own home to discuss any issues.
Befriending and emotional support
People who have a visual impairment can often feel isolated by their loss af sight and their inability to participate in social activities.
TBA can help by matching you with a suitable volunteer who can call on a regular basis and hopefully build up a mutually rewarding friendship.
All volunteers will have undertaken training in visual impairment awareness and have been checked by the Criminal Records Bureau.
Digital TV and radio
The new digital technology radios and televisions offer significant benefits to vision impaired people.
Radios can announce what programme you are tuned to and give information such as programme content. Televisions can provide Audio Description (AD), an additional sound commentary covering scenery, action taking place and expressions offering a huge boost to television enjoyment.
If you have Sky digital services then you can already receive Audio Description.
Some new digital television sets come with built-on Audio Description facilities (check before you buy, or contact TBA). You can buy a set-top box to convert your television to digital channel reception with Audio Description. Contact TBA for the latest information about these products.
The North West Television region will be converting to DIGITAL ONLY operation for television signals in 2009. Everyone will need to convert their television sets at that time and special help services will be available to manage the change for registered blind or partially sighted people, including provision of set-top boxes for television.
If you have any queries, please contact TBA.
Guiding
A guiding service is available for visually impaired people who need to attend an outpatient appointment at Tameside Hospital.
Volunteers who have been trained by the Community Support Project in visual impairment awareness, including guiding, can meet you on arrival at the hospital and stay with you to act as a guide to the appropriate clinic.
The Association can also offer help to individuals who need a guide for a specific occassion such as:
- Doing some "special" shopping.
- Visiting the doctor/dentist/optician etc.
- Going on a day trip.
Information
TBA can provide information on all aspects of living with a visual impairment, for example:
- The process of being registered as blind or partially sighted.
- Particular eye conditions.
- How to access benefits and entitlements.
- Opportunities to participate in leisure activities.
- Educational classes or access to employment.
- Aids and adaptations for independent living etc.
If the team haven’t got the information they may know someone who has and will signpost you in the right direction.
Newsletter
The Community Support Project staff produce a quarterly newsletter titled "News and Views" which is circulated free, in various formats, to over five hundred visually impaired people in Tameside. The newsletter includes news of local and national campaigns, new technology, views on local services, helpful information plus an insight into the lives of people living with a visual impairment.
If you are not currently on the mailing list, but would like to receive regular newsletters please let the Community Support Project staff know.
Rhona, the Editor, says she welcomes contributions to the newsletter in the form of articles or thoughts about future content; give her a call to discuss your ideas.
Odd jobs
TBA can provide volunteers to carry out minor household tasks, such as changing light bulbs, replacing batteries in smoke alarms, changing curtains, reading electricity/gas meters, tuning televisions, etc..
The aim is to try to help with the jobs most householders would generally do for themselves – not tasks that would need a skilled tradesperson.
All volunteers will have been checked by the Criminal Records Bureau.
Shopping
Volunteers are able to accompany a vision impaired person to shop for one-off items such as electrical equipment, mobile telephones or personal items.
Volunteers will have been trained by the Community Support Project in visual impairment awareness and in guiding techniques and will have been Criminal Records Bureau checked.
Talks to community groups and businesses
The Association is constantly trying to raise awareness of vision impairment issues across the community.
TBA staff give awareness talks to local community groups and businesses, which are informative, practical and (hopefully) entertaining. The talks can include training in guiding and demonstrations of equipment and techniques.
If you know of any group or business that could be interested in these sessions (during the day or evening) then please let the Community Support Group staff know.
Volunteering
Opportunities to volunteer
Tameside Blind Association values the involvement of volunteers.
Could you help someone with sight loss?
Many of the services the Association provides, such as befriending, escort/guiding, walking group, odd jobs, social activities and Young Person’s Group rely on the help of volunteers.
People with a vision impairment are welcome to get involved with any aspect of volunteering and may also be interested in campaigning, fundraising and promotion of the Association.
Training and support is provided and out-of-pocket expenses can be reimbursed.
Walking Group
Once a month (usually the first Tuesday) TBA organises a short walk for people with a vision impairment. The walk takes approximately two hours and includes a break for a sit down and refreshment.
Trained volunteer guides accompany walkers and assist as and when needed.
Transport is available if required to the start of the walk and a donation to cover mileage costs is collected.
Young Persons’ Group
Who are they?
A group of young people (OK some of them are not that young!) who all have visual impairment and in some cases other disabilities.
Where are they based?
The group meets at Tameside Blind Association’s office at 4 Wellington Parade, Dukinfield every Friday afternoon.
What do they do?
Members like to do all kinds of activities such as, bowling, cycling, walking, going to the pub, meeting up with friends, etc.. They are also ambitious and are always up for trying new things.
