Halifax Society for the Blind’s new services helping people to overcome isolation

The Charity, which is based on Clare Road, Halifax, is continuing on a phone basis, with longer opening hours, and new services, including Friends on the Phone befriending, and phone-based Social Room group activities.

These new services activities will help with isolation have received funding via a grant from Calderdale Community Foundation’s Resilience Fund.

Additionally, the charity has secured access to crucial help like shopping, and patient transport to critical sight-saving eye care appointments.

The reconfigured service provides much needed information and practical support like home delivered sight aids, help to get talking books and newspapers, befriending, social activities, online exercise routines, peer groups, and can link in with partners to arrange shopping, tips on social distancing, patient transport or urgent referrals to Calderdale Council.

Talking about the impact of Coronavirus, Pete Hoey, the Charity’s Chief Officer said: “People who previously led socially active and independent lives, are finding these normal things impossible to do safely. Social distancing on busses, in supermarkets, and even on pavements has become impossible for many. That’s why we’ve re-shaped our services, and started new activities, like befriending. If people contact us, we can help.”

Sue Mort, the Charity’s Chair, said: “I would like very much to thank the Team. Their response to the challenging circumstances has been immediate and flexible, ensuring Members have a service that they can rely on for continued guidance and support.”

Steve Duncan, CEO of Calderdale Community Foundation, said: “I’m glad to see local charities like Halifax Society for the Blind creatively adapting in such difficult times. By using our Community Resilience Fund to develop new and accessible activities we can connect local people with sight loss, and support them through this crisis.”

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