We support people to continue to live independently and create peer and social networks to reduce isolation.

We believe that sight loss shouldn’t stop people reaching their full potential.

Access to support and services

Equal and timely access to support and services should be available to everyone newly diagnosed or living with sight loss in the West of England.

We know that the provision of services can be complex.  So we work with people affected by sight loss to navigate the system.  We work to join up health, social care and community services.

We will always try and work with others to provide the best possible support. These partners might be professionals in the health, social care and education sectors. They might be other charities and, critically, they will include people living with sight loss.

Strategic Objectives

Our strategy is defined by the views and needs of people with sight loss, and our services will reflect what they identify as important to them.

Key Strategic Objectives:

1. Ensure everyone living with sight loss in our region know where they can find support relevant to them.
2. Improve the sight loss pathway so that everyone has equal, timely access to the services and support they need.
3. Provide a range of good quality, high impact services guided by the views and needs of people living with sight loss.
4. Increase awareness of the importance of eye health and the prevention of sight loss.
5. Build a strong and sustainable organisation which adds real value, can demonstrate its impact and has the confidence of the people and organisations we work with. An organisation resilient to external challenges, agile enough to exploit opportunities and able to adapt to the changing needs of our service users.

Our Outcomes

Those directly affected by sight loss (including children) will:

• Understand their eye condition, and what it means for them
• Remain as independent as possible, able to look after themselves and their family
• Be part of their community and play an active role in it if they wish
• Be aware of, and able to use, resources and technology that is relevant to their needs
• Understand how to make the most of their remaining sight

We will make sure that people have:

• Influence over the services which affect them and others living with sight loss
• Support to improve their health and wellbeing
• Access to the right benefits, and be able to maintain control of finances and plan for the future
• Opportunities to make connections with others living with sight loss
• Volunteering opportunities and employment support

Finally, we aim to make sure that everyone affected by sight loss has someone to talk to who will understand and listen.

Families and carers

Families and carers of people affected by sight loss will have:

• Access to support, advice and guidance in how to support people with sight loss
• A greater understanding of the challenges faced by people with sight loss and the resources available to overcome these challenges

Working in partnership

Local authorities, health service and other providers in the West of England will be supported to:

• Understand and address the needs of people living with sight loss in the provision of effective statutory services
• Work together to ensure greater consistency, good practice and reduced duplication of services for people living with sight loss

Across the West of England

Finally, we will work to ensure that sight loss is a priority across the West of England.  We will ensure that communities, businesses and the general public in the West of England have a greater awareness of:

• The importance of eye health, regular eye checks and other action to prevent sight loss
• Challenges faced by people living with sight loss, and are supported to remove barriers that inhibit participation and inclusion