Vision Northumberland - Enabling and empowering those with sight and hearing loss throughout Northumberland

Mr R’s journey

Mr R visited us with his daughter. He was reluctant to come, feeling down and wasn’t very keen to get involved in anything. At the low vision appointment, they discussed magnification and other low vision aids that would support Mr R to be more independent. Mr R purchased a handheld and stand magnifier.

During a follow up call, Mr R said the magnifiers he purchased were terrific and he could now read the paper again. Mr R now comes to our Chatter Box Cafe weekly with a volunteer driver and his daughter is really pleased that her dad is doing so well.

Mrs B’s back to baking

Mrs B is in her 50’s and has been badly impacted by early onset dementia which has affected her vision. She lives with her husband in rural Northumberland. This makes her feel very isolated as she cannot go anywhere without him or a family member. Her GP recommended she visit our Morpeth centre to see how we could help. Unfortunately, magnification was not useful to her. We discussed what she enjoyed doing that she struggled to do now; cooking and walking was her reply. She purchased some talking scales and a small talking pocket watch. She enjoys baking again and feels more confident going for a walk which she times with her watch.

Mr F’s childhood relived

“I am registered blind/severely sight impaired and live alone in Rothbury. Rural living has its benefits but without your own transport... it also has its drawbacks.

My recent visit to Bamburgh, a favourite childhood holiday destination, was my first visit, my first 'sight' of the sea and my first feel of sand underfoot for over four years. Vision Northumberland made that possible.

Losing one's sight impacts on one's confidence to undertake the activities a sighted person might take for granted... Each of the visits have been a wonderful experience and life enhancing.”