Supporting local people with sight loss enjoy independent and fulfilled lives
Supporting local people with sight loss enjoy independent and fulfilled lives – By Erin Snell.
Vision Norfolk has been supporting local people living with sight loss for over 200 years. They provide practical and emotional support across Norfolk with social and well-being activities for adults and children, young people and their families, daily living equipment, eye clinic support, befriending services and specialist housing.
In 2022 Vision Norfolk collaborated with Pathmakers to hold accessible walks of various lengths as part of Walk Norfolk 2022. Over 30 people from the King’s Lynn and Great Yarmouth areas came together to enjoy some fresh air and good company in Sandringham.
Penney Whitby, Volunteer Engagement Coordinator in King’s Lynn explained why the walks were so important:
“Everyone from King’s Lynn were thrilled to be out and about again walking together in the countryside. After the last few years the appreciation of being able to do things together was enormous.
The options of short or long walks at the lovely Sandringham Estate gave people the options to do as much or as little as they liked or could manage. People made new friends, walked their dogs, got plenty of exercise and had a thoroughly good time.
It was also good to encourage more people with sight loss to get out and about and take some exercise. This can sometimes be difficult as often a sighted person is needed to enable someone to do this and the walk was supported by lots of friendly and willing volunteers so it made it easy for people to take part in whatever way they wanted to.”
Edward Bates, Hub Coordinator in Great Yarmouth also joined in on the walk:
“Giving people the chance to go out on walks in the countryside is so valuable; in particular, because our clients experience sight loss to some degree, it proves to them and hopefully everyone else that you can live life independently and normally if you wish. It’s just knowing where that support is, and we hope to be able to work with Pathmakers again during the year.”
Vision Norfolk runs a wide range of creative, cultural, sports and social activities for adults, children, young people and families living with sight loss in the county. They also provide support through equipment centres, eye clinic support, independent supported housing and befriending services.
If you want to find out more about any of these services, or just want to talk to someone about sight loss, you can contact your nearest Vision Norfolk community hub, find out more on their website www.visionnorfolk.org.uk or find Vision Norfolk on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter or LinkedIn.
Norwich
Bradbury Activity Centre, Beckham Place, Edward Street, Norwich NR3 3DZ
01603 573000
office@visionnorfolk.org.uk
Kings Lynn
Unit 3 Dundee Court, Hamburg Way King’s Lynn PE30 2ND
01553 660808
kingslynnhub@visionnorfolk.org.uk
Great Yarmouth
12 Hall Quay, Great Yarmouth NR30 1HP
01493 745973
greatyarmouthhub@visionnorfolk.org.uk
