Working-age people across Dumfries and Galloway who are living with sensory loss will benefit from a new community-based project aimed at helping them achieve personal goals and remain independent, after Visibility Scotland received a three-year funding boost.
Funded by the Dumfries and Galloway Health and Social Care Partnership, the new service aims to enable people with sight and/or hearing impairment to adapt to life with sensory loss and maintain and build independence.
Visibility Scotland will provide both emotional and practical support at what can be a very challenging time to help individuals find practical solutions to living with sight loss.
Staff can provide information on eye conditions, strategies to make the most of remaining vision, equipment and assistive technology demonstrations, a listening ear and direct referrals to other organisations and services.
Allison McCourt, Community Worker for Visibility Scotland in Dumfries and Galloway, said: “We’re so pleased to be able to continue working with younger people across the region who are living with sight or hearing impairments and finding ways to support them to reach their goals and maintain independence.
“Sensory loss impacts people in different ways, and we are dedicated to working closely with each individual to provide them with support to help them reach their own goals and maintain their independence. The Dumfries and Galloway Community Sensory Support Services for Working Age project will provide a service that is personalised, offers flexibility and choice and work towards outcomes to enhance and improve social inclusion, focusing on any employment, training or education opportunities available to them.
“This funding will enable us to build on our existing services for people with vision and hearing impairments across the region and build connections within communities. We are fortunate to have strong links and existing relationships with colleagues at Dumfries & Galloway College, Dumfries and Galloway Council and the Health and Social Care Partnership, so we’re well placed to deliver an exciting multi-agency approach for people locally.”
The service is available to anyone with sight and/or hearing loss aged 16 to 64, and their families and carers. Staff and volunteers will provide support to develop skills for carrying out day-to-day tasks like cooking independently and engaging with leisure activities; and training in utilising equipment and digital technology for independent living.
Laura Walker, Chief Executive of Visibility Scotland, added: “Visibility Scotland provides life-changing support with innovative and person centred services to people living with a sensory impairment across the region. We are absolutely delighted to work in partnership with Dumfries and Galloway Health and Social Care Partnership. Visibility Scotland have designed and delivered services for people living with sensory impairment across Dumfries & Galloway for more than a decade and we are very excited to continue this work.”
To find out more about the service, contact Allison McCourt on 01387 267 131 or email dumfriesandgalloway@visibilityscotland.org.uk