COVID-19 RESPONSE:
Still taking new referrals and providing support to clients/carers: referrals@berkshirevision.org.uk
Launched new Remote Activities programme - all activities accessible by phone and instructions can be found on the linked calendar of activities in Related content. Activities include social events and exercise sessions.
Last updated: 24/06/2020
Berkshire Vision
Berkshire Vision (formerly Berkshire County Blind Society) is a local independent registered charity with over 100 years of expertise and experience in the provision of services, advice and support to over 2000 visually impaired people residing in Berkshire. Adults living in central Reading are supported by the Reading Association for the Blind (RAB). However, children living in central Reading are welcome to join our Children’s Department which supports members aged from birth to 18 (or up to 25 if they have a learning disability).
Advice and Support
Berkshire Vision produces a newsletter called Insight which contains information about our services and articles relating to visual impairment which can be sent out to members in large print and several other formats including braille. Information Desks in the eye clinics at larger hospitals are manned by our Eye Clinic Liaion Officer to provide advice. We also offer a home visiting service.
Social Activities
Berkshire Vision organises regular outings and activities throughout the year for all of our members. These include theatre and concert trips, meals out, visits to garden centres and places of interest for example. We are able to collect/drop off members using our mini-buses.
Handicraft classes are held across the county and act as a social occasion and therapeutic activity.
Eight social Clubs for our more senior members meet monthly across the borough, offering companionship as well as entertainment and some outings.
Our Children and Family Support Manager organises a comprehensive timetable of outings and activities for the 100 children registered with us and their immediate families.
Our “Get Active Sports Club” organises regular sporting activities, including blind tennis, football, martial arts, athletics, bowls, goalball, riding, archery, sailing, tandem cycling, cricket, swimming lessons and belly dancing.
Tel: 0118 987 2803 Email: sports@berkshirevision.org.uk
Children and Family Support
Our Children’s Department offers advice on benefits, products and services relating to visual impairment. We also organise a comprehensive timetable of outings and activities which take place throughout the year for our young members and their immediate families. Many are heavily subsidised or even free of charge. These have included regular coach outings to see West End Shows with special pre-show touch-tours, group holidays, coach outings to places such as zoos, Harry Potter World, Cadbury World, theme parks and the seaside. We also organise educational activities, animal encounters, workshops, craft classes, cookery opportunities and parties in the summer and at Christmas time.
Members age 6+ will also be invited to join our “Get Active Sports Club” which runs regular sporting sessions supported by specialist coaches and Berkshire Vision staff. These include swimming, goalball, archery, horse riding, rock climbing, blind tennis, cricket and even skiing.
Berkshire Vision own two Deluxe Mobile Sensory Units. One is on loan to members to use in their own home for up to six months at a time and the other is available for members to use at our offices in Reading. Members can also borrow our children’s tandem bicycle and i.pad.
Membership is £10 per year
Contact Amanda McDonnell 0118 987 2803 Email:Amanda.McDonnell@berkshirevision.org.uk http://www.berkshirevision.org.uk
Berkshire Vision, Middleton House, Erleigh Road, Reading, RG1 5LR