If you need advice about losing your sight speak to your GP. There is advice about the health support available on the NHS website, including NHS eye tests and different types of low vision aids.
NHS: Blindness and vision loss.
Sheffield Royal Society for the Blind provides support, friendship and services to blind and partially sighted people in Sheffield, helping them to achieve whatever they wish to do and be whatever they aspire to be.
SRSB has a wide range of services for children and adults, delivered in the community and at their Mappin Street Centre (off West St in the city centre). They support over 3,600 visually impaired people in Sheffield and over 300 people access their services at the Mappin Street Centre each week.
Community Support includes:
- Seven Community Advice Officers who offer a comprehensive support and advice service to clients in the community.
- Telephone contact every 6 to12 months.
- Tele-friends service and befriending visits for people who feel isolated.
- Hand in Hand service for carers.
- Driving/escort/taxi service.
- Computer support.
Centre support includes:
- Café
- equipment store
- activities centre
- computer training room
- cookery group
- craft room
- health and beauty treatments
- home demonstration room
- singing group
- DeafBlind group
- Thursday activities (trips out on the centre’s minibus)
- Inbetweeners club, for people who can’t attend activities at the centre during the day.
There’s a drop in at the centre on alternate Mondays.
Sheffield Royal Society for the Blind.
Call: 0114 272 2757.
Email: info@srsb.org.uk.
The Royal National Institute for the Blind is the leading charity for people with vision loss. RNIB give advice about coping with sight loss and how equipment can help. They also have an online shop.
RNIB: coping with sight loss. RNIB online shop.
RNIB helpline: 0303 123 9999.
Email helpline@rnib.org.uk.
Equipment, gadgets and smart technology.
If you’re having difficulties with your vision, there are lots of ways you can use equipment to support you. You can find out more about the types of equipment available from our equipment advice.
Equipment solutions for a specific condition.
Social care support.
The Council has a team that provides adult social care support for people with a sensory impairment.
The team will assess your needs and agree a support plan to meet your needs. They can also give you advice about local community organisations and groups you can join to meet similarly impaired people and learn new ways of doing familiar tasks.
Sheffield City Council: Sensory impairment support.