Do you, or someone you know, need to find out more about the support, services and benefits available to people in the Isle of Man with sight problems?
Manx Blind Welfare Society this week launches the first of a regular series of ‘drop-in’ open evenings, which can be attended by anyone whose life has been touched by visual impairment.
Starting at 5pm on Friday at the charity’s headquarters, Corrin Court in Onchan, the hour-long sessions will be a chance to have an informal chat about what services the Society offers and find out more about the support available from other agencies in the Island.
Whether you have a newly-diagnosed or longstanding visual impairment, and whatever the severity of the condition, you are welcome to attend the open evenings at Corrin Court.
Social and Welfare Officer Michelle Brady said: ‘We provide support and services to more than 600 people with serious sight loss in the Isle of Man, but we know there are others living with visual impairments who are not receiving the support they need.
‘Some people who have long-term conditions don’t realise there is support in place to assist them to continue living as independently as they choose, while people who have recently been diagnosed with a visual impairment, including the parents of young children with sight problems, don’t always know how to access services, assistance and benefits.
‘We have organised these open evenings, which will be held every fortnight, because we want more people to understand what is available to them through the Society, other agencies or the Government. The sessions are also open to the family and friends of those with visual impairments who want to find out more.’
She added: ‘We hope people will take the opportunity to come along, meet some of our team and ensure they have all the information they need about the services, equipment and support we offer, what our colleagues in organisations around the Island do and how they can access state assistance from the Government.’
If you are unable to attend the open evenings, but would like to find out more about the support and services available to visually impaired people in the Isle of Man, call Michelle on 674727 or email mbrady@mbws.org.im.
To find out more about the work of Manx Blind Welfare Society visit www.facebook.com/manxblindwelfaresociety.
