About us
Who are Vision Northumberland?
Northumberland County Blind Association, trading as Vision Northumberland, are a local charity that offers support to individuals living with a sight or hearing impairment in Northumberland.
From our purpose-built sensory hub in Morpeth as well as outreach centres across the county, we have been providing services to the vision impaired community for over 20 years and have recently expanded our provision to support those with hearing loss.
It is estimated there are over 13,500 visually impaired and 72,000 hearing impaired people throughout Northumberland, many of whom experience feelings of social isolation and exclusion which can impact general health and well-being.
Our tailored services engage, enable and empower individuals to gain the knowledge, confidence and skills necessary to increase independence and fulfil life potential.
Our aims
Vision Northumberland is a user led organisation that aims to provide practical and emotional support services to individuals with vision and hearing loss. We are committed to developing services which address issues of sensory loss alongside our partners and beneficiaries. Our main aims are to:
Engage
- Ensure those with sensory loss residing in Northumberland and surrounding areas have access to essential services and support.
- Embrace new and existing technologies to facilitate communication with our service users.
- Develop and expand our outreach service model, targeting socially isolated rural communities.
- Foster a sense of community through peer support groups, events and activities that enhance social inclusion and well-being.
Enable
- Build confidence and self-esteem by providing a supportive and encouraging environment where beneficiaries can regain autonomy over their own lives.
- Challenge misconceptions that stifle independence.
- Provide innovative solutions to practical problems, enabling individuals to live safe, independent lives and utilise their abilities to the fullest.
Empower
- Provide practical and emotional support services that are tailored towards the needs of the individual not the disability.
- Provide information and advice in a variety of accessible formats, utilising technology to ensure sensory impaired individuals are empowered with knowledge to make independent decisions.
- Encourage and support sensory impaired people to advocate for themselves.