Despite the current situation, the good news is that I am still working hard offering advice and support to anyone living with sight loss; it doesn’t just disappear in a lockdown. Unfortunately, I cannot visit clients in their home setting, which can be a crucial visit for face-to-face support.
However, I am keeping in contact with clients over the phone or if required via a video link; the response from clients has been terrific and as well as the support the opportunity to chat is always welcome just now.
This means I am assessing clients’ needs, offering emotional support, referral pathways and giving essential extra help during this difficult time. I am also able to refer to Fife Voluntary Action’s ‘Helping Hand’ to help anyone struggling to access the essentials they need such as shopping and medication. Along with this, I can check to see how clients are managing cooking, reading, and feeling safe inside and outside of their homes.
I am, with the support of the team, still able to send out appropriate visual aids from liquid level indicators to reduce scalding, magnifiers to help with reading, bumpons to highlight buttons on appliances and symbol canes to maintain independence. We can also refer to external organisations such as Fife council for community alarms so clients can feel safer at home.
I am also working remotely with our community engagement coordinator offering over the phone befriending service to reduce the feeling of isolation.
So overall despite the situation we are very much open and we can continue to help and deliver services to our clients; which is fantastic. As a team we remain in touch with each other with group WhatsApp calls and team video calls, we have both work and social calls it is important to stay connected.
If you need any support or advice please contact the team at info@seescape.org.uk or call 01592 644979. #StayHome #StaySafe