North & West Cumbria Sight Loss Directory
Hello
,
Welcome to the North and West Cumbria sight loss directory, which we hope will be a valuable resource for you.
Sight loss
Are you experiencing a problem with your vision, or have you been diagnosed with a sight loss condition and are wondering what happens next?
Information
Would you like more information about your eye condition?
Support
Does your vision cause you difficulty carrying out everyday tasks such as reading, cooking, driving, getting around, working, education or hobbies? Would you like to know more about what help and support might be available to you, and meet other people who understand what it is like to have vision impairment?
Health and mental wellbeing
Would you like to speak to someone about your eye condition and how it is making you feel?
If you have answered yes to any of the above questions, then please read on.
This leaflet contains the contact details of sight loss organisations operating in North and West Cumbria who provide a wide and varied range of services, including:
Advice and information
Low vision aids and equipment
Low vision assessments
Using technology
Support groups
Social groups and activities
Daily living and independence
Telephone befriending
Talking newspaper
Reading
Home visits and support
Hospital support
Benefits advice
Supporting children and young people
Supporting people of working age
Health and wellbeing
Drop in centres
Signposting to other sources of help and support
Local sight loss charities and support groups
Carlisle Sight Support (Carlisle Society for the Blind)
9 Brunswick Street, Carlisle, Cumbria, CA1 1PB
Telephone: 01228 593 104
Email: carlisleblindsociety@gmail.com
Eden Sight Support
The Resource Centre, Sandgate, Penrith, Cumbria CA11 7TP
Telephone: 01768 891 724
Email: info@edensightsupport.org.uk
West Cumbria Society for the Blind
22 Lowther Street, Whitehaven, Cumbria. CA28 7DG.
Telephone: 01946 592 474
Email: sightloss.lifeline@hotmail.co.uk
Lakes Vision Services (Technology Support)
Steve Hyde – Dryden. Tel: 07360 091312.
Email: info@lakesvisionservices.org.uk
Macular Society Carlisle Support Group. Tel: 0300 3030 111
Email: help@macularsociety.org
Macular Society West Cumbria Support Group, and Skills for Seeing training. Tel: 0300 3030 111
Email: help@macularsociety.org
Glaucoma Carlisle Support Group (c/o) Carlisle Sight Support)
Tel: 01228 593 104
Email: carlisleblindsociety@gmail.com
Local services
Adult Social Care - Visual Impairment Services for Cumberland Council area (Carlisle and West Cumbria)
Third Floor, Cumbria House, 107-117 Botchergate, Carlisle CA1 1RD.
Tel: 0300 373 3732
Email: customerservicesASC@cumberland.gov.uk
West Cumbria House, Jubilee Road, Workington CA14 4HB. Tel: 0300 373 3732
Email: customerservicesASC@cumberland.gov.uk
Adult Social Care - Visual Impairment Services for Westmorland Council area (Eden Valley)
Westmorland and Furness Council, County Offices, Kendal LA9 4RQ.
Tel: 0300 373 3301
Email: customerservicesASC@westmorlandandfurness.gov.uk
SEND-Teaching Support Team for school aged children
Qualified Teacher of the Vision Impaired
For Carlisle and West Cumbria
Email: SENDSubmission@cumberland.gov.uk
For Eden Valley
Email: inclusion@westmorlandandfurness.gov.uk
NHS Services
Eye Care Liaison Officer (ECLO)
Room 8, Ophthalmology Department, Cumberland Infirmary, Newtown Road, Carlisle CA2 7HY.
Tel: 07521 871 713
Emai: Karen.townsend@rnib.org.uk or karen.townsend@ncic.nhs.uk
Low Vision Clinic
Ophthalmology Department, Cumberland Infirmary, Newtown Road, Carlisle CA2 7HY.
Tel: 01228 814 791
Email: ophthsecs@ncic.nhs.uk
Department of Ophthalmology
Cumberland Infirmary, Newtown Road, Carlisle CA2 7HY. Tel: 01228 814 791 or 01228 523 444 (ask for eye clinic)
Department of Ophthalmology
West Cumberland Hospital, Homewood Road, Hensingham, Whitehaven CA28 8JG. Tel: 01946 693 181 (ask for eye clinic)
Cumbria Diabetic Screening Service
Tel: 0345 0500 109
Email: retinalscreeningbooking@nhs.net
Patient Advice Liaison Service
Cumberland Infirmary, Newtown Road, Carlisle CA2 7HY
Tel: 01228 814 008
Patient Advice Liaison Service
West Cumberland Hospital, Homewood Road, Hensingham, Whitehaven CA28 8JG.
Tel: 01946 523 818
Patient Services (for information in alternative formats)
Communications, Park House South, Baron Way, Kingmoor Park, Carlisle CA6 4SJ.
Tel: 01228 603 890.
Email: communications@ncic.nhs.uk
National Support Organisations
Blind Veterans
Peter Osborne, Community Support Worker, Cumbria and North Lancashire. Tel: 07568 132 946.
Email: peter.osborne@blindveterans.org.uk
Deafblind UK
Tel: 0800 132320
Text 07903 572885
Email: info@deafblind.org.uk
website: https://deafblind.org.uk/contact-us/
Glaucoma UK
Woodcote House, 15 Highpoint Business Village, Henwood, Ashford, Kent TN24 8DH. Tel: 01233 648 164
Email: helpline@glaucoma.uk
Guide Dogs
Phone: 0800 781 1444
Email: information@guidedogs.org.uk
Macular Society - Crown Chambers, South Street, Andover SP10 2BN. Tel: 0300 3030 111.
Email: help@macularsociety.org
Retina UK
Helpline Tel: 0300 111 4000. Email: helpline@RetinaUK.org.uk
Royal National Institute of Blind People (RNIB) Grimaldi Building, 154A Pentonville Road, London N1 9JE. Tel: 0303 123 9999.
Email: Helpline@rnib.org.uk
Eye tests
Do you go to the opticians for regular eye tests?
Everyone needs to see an optician for an eye health check at least every two years. You can go to any optician you choose.
You may need spectacles, but the examination will also give early signs of eye disease which may be treatable such as glaucoma, and wet macular degeneration. It can also signal diabetes.
For more information about local optometry services contact: northcumbrialoc@gmail.com
Struggling to read print?
If you have been to an optician in the last six months, where any spectacles prescribed but still struggle to read or see the television you could benefit from an assessment at a low vision clinic. This is funded by the NHS and is free to everybody.
At the clinic you will be assessed for magnifying aids and provided with what you need on loan. You will also get advice and support on remaining independent.
The clinics are run by a team that includes a low vision specialist and a representative of the local site loss organisation. Contact the low vision service on 01228 814 791.