Our Services
Sight Loss MOT
Low Vision Assessment
Living With Sight Loss
Social Groups
Our Resource Centre
Products For Sale
Training Packages
EYE Health
causes of Sight Loss
Sight Loss MOT
Our Sight Loss MOT helps us assess your needs if you are living with sight loss. This helps us understand what support may be right for you. This can either be done in our Bank Street office or in the comfort of your own home. One of our team will have an in-depth chat with you (and any family members and carers). During the meeting we will let you have information that may help you and suggest other support that might be available to you.
To book a Sight Loss MOT either use our Contact Us form or call our office to book an appointment.
Understanding your sight loss
Making best use of your sight
Health and well being
Managing at home
Getting out and about
Your finances
Work, learning and having your say
Having someone to talk to
Low Vision Assessment
We offer a free of charge low vision assessment service.
This service is run on behalf of the charity by a qualified optical professional. The assessment will help you make the most of your existing sight and may suggest aids to help you do this.
The clinic runs on a monthly basis and you can book an appointment by contacting us.
We are grateful for the support of UCLAN and the Eric Wright Charitable Foundation for their support in delivering this service.
Living Well With Sight Loss
Many people say that losing their sight is or has been the most difficult event in their life. The fear of the unknown of going to wake up one morning in total darkness, the anxiety of not being able to safely cross a road and the most common concern, not being able to read, can be traumatising. There is a lot of information available depending on the needs of an individual and this can often be quite overwhelming.
In partnership with the Royal National Institution for the Blind (RNIB), we have designed a one day course on how to live well with sight loss. We offer these every few months at our Resource Centre. These courses feature speakers from ELVIN, Eye Clinics, Social Services and the RNIB, and focus on everything you need to know about sight loss. If getting to our Resource Centre is an issue, the RNIB can also offer a 4 week course over the phone which gives you similar content.
Our Resource Centre
Our Resource Centre has many items which may help your independence at home, in the workplace and socially
Train Station
0.3 Miles Walking Distance
Accrington Train Station
Bus Station
0.3 Miles Walking Distance
Accrington Bus Station
Products For Sale
Magnifiers
When spectacles are no longer effective in correcting vision, magnifiers may enhance text and objects for a person to see them better. Getting the magnifier which is right for you is an important step. Our experts can help you select one from our range that works for the task you are trying to achieve.
Lighting
Having the correct lighting can enhance vision for those experiencing sight loss. We have a range of lamps where we can show and help you find out if they are beneficial to you depending on the task you are planning to do. This can range from reading a letter to threading a needle.
Talking Clocks/Watches
Telling the time is how we plan our day and keep appointments, socialise and many more activities. Our independence is reduced If we cannot tell the time. We have a range of gadgets including large faces, high contrast hands and talking clocks and watches to help keep track of time.
Kitchen Equipment
Sight loss can make even the most basic daily tasks such as preparing food or even making a hot drink challenging. We believe that with the right equipment and support nothing should be impossible for you around the home. We have a display of various items ranging from simple bump-ons to mark buttons on appliances through to talking microwaves and weighing scales. We can order many of these items for you or advise you on where they can be bought.
Eye Shades
We all love a sunny day, the warmth it supplies and the clarity of the surroundings. For people with a visual impairment, the sun may affect how well they can see around them. Anti-Glare Glasses, also known as eye shades can help vision in blocking out different colours of light and help protect your eyes from harmful rays. We have a range of different coloured lenses and sizes for you to try at prices to suit everyone.
Assistive Technology
Recently we have all become more familiar with using technology in our everyday lives. People living with sight loss can often benefit greatly from using electronic devices. This can range from using accessibility features on a standard smart phone or tablet through to equipment specifically designed for visually impaired people. We have a Tech Studio with many devices and software demos which are available for you to try.
Training Packages
Members of our team can help you and your organisation support customers and staff living with sight loss better.
Depending on your individual circumstances we can tailor a training package so that it meets your needs.
We are happy to support community and faith groups, other charities, colleges, and businesses.
A fee may be payable for this service depending on the organisation receiving the training and the exact nature of the package/support provided.
Please get in touch using the Contact Us form or by calling our offices to discuss your needs.
Eye Health
Look After Your Eyes
Most sight loss is preventable. You can read about how to care for your eyes here.
read more
Sight Tests
Getting regular sight tests is a great way to check on your eye and general health.
read more
Vision Matters
All you might want to known about your eyes and vision. Read more here.
read more
Common Causes Of Sight Loss
Macular Degeneration
Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) involves damage to the macula and affects central vision.
read more
Glaucoma
Glaucoma is the name given to a group of eye conditions in which the optic nerve is damaged where it leaves the eye.
read more
Diabetic Retinopathy
Diabetic retinopathy is a complication of diabetes, and causes damage to the blood vessels in the retina.
read more
Retinitis Pigmentosa
Retinitis pigmentosa (RP) is an inherited eye condition that affects the photoreceptor cells responsible for capturing images from the visual field.
read more
Cataracts
A cataract is clouding or opacity of the lens inside the eye. It causes gradual blurring of vision and often glare.
read more
After a Stroke
A stroke is a serious life-threatening medical condition that happens when the blood supply to part of the brain is cut off.
read more
Social Groups
Hyndburn Sight Support Group
Our Hyndburn Sight Support Group meets on a Tuesday morning between 11:30am and 2.30pm.
This group meets in our Sight Resource Centre at Bank Street in Accrington.
This group provides an opportunity for people to meet over a brew and chat with others living with sight loss. We often welcome guest speakers who share information about various topics. To find out more visit ‘Our Events’ page or contact us.
Hyndburn Sight Support Group meets at the Sight Resource Centre, 32 Bank Street, Accrington BB5 1HP
Pendle Sight Support Group
Our Pendle Sight Support Group meets on a Tuesday morning between 10:00am and 12:00pm.
This group meets in the community room at ASDA in Colne.
This group provides a place for people living in the Pendle area to meet and chat with others living with sight loss. We often welcome guest speakers who share information about various topics. To find out more visit ‘Our Events’ page or contact us.
Pendle Sight Support Group meets at the Community Room, ASDA, Unit 1, Swinden Retail Park Corporation StreetColne BB8 8LU
VIEW – Working Age Group
Our VIEW – Working Age Group meets on the first Saturday of every month.
This group meets in various locations across Lancashire.
This group provides a supportive space for people of working age living with sight loss to meet up. Meetings are held in different venues across East Lancashire and meetings are followed by coffee, lunch or attending an event of interest. To find out more visit ‘Our Events’ page or contact us.
The working age group meets at different locations throughout East Lancashire.
Train Station
0.3 Miles Walking Distance
Accrington Train Station
Bus Station
0.3 Miles Walking Distance
Accrington Bus Station
Train Station
0.9 Miles Walking Distance
Colne Train Station
Bus Stop
0.2 Miles Walking Distance
Spinning Mill Bus Stop
Train Station
Various
Meets Nearby
Bus Station
Various
Meets Nearby