Essex Sight has been providing information, support and advice for people with sight loss and their families/carers for almost a century. Formerly Essex Voluntary Association for the Blind, the charity was established in 1920. Our community staff, who are based at our centre in Colchester, provide support for visually impaired people of all ages throughout Essex. We also provide residential care for the elderly at our purpose-built home in Frinton on Sea (Read House).
Many people who are newly diagnosed with sight loss are often in need of emotional support to help them come to terms with their condition, as well as practical information about their eye condition and equipment that may help them to retain their independence. Our staff have a wealth of experience to help them when help from the statutory services may not be available.
From our centre in Colchester we run a network of drop in ‘sight centres’ throughout the county where information and advice is available from trained volunteers and/or staff, and where we can demonstrate equipment to help people with sight loss retain their independence. Our centre in Colchester maintains a large stock of more technical equipment including electronic magnifiers, specialist lighting etc. so that people can ‘try before they buy’.
We offer support at eye clinics through our Sight Loss Advisors, so that people newly diagnosed with sight loss can get the support they need at the time of diagnosis.
We accept referrals for support both from the statutory services and directly via our telephone helpline.
Our care home is one of the few specialist homes for people with sight loss in the east of England.
