Richard Bounds -immediate-past Team Leader of the Sensory Services in Bolton has sent this piece for the readers of Silver Surfers.

I think a brief resume of this very necessary and important service will be extremely useful.

************************** Services for people with a visual impairment in Bolton It is quite common for people to find their eyesight becomes less reliable as they get older. Some people of course have a visual loss much earlier in life or from birth. Older people with a deteriorating eye condition find that they may begin to struggle with certain everyday tasks. They would often not consider themselves as “blind” or even “partially sighted” but still, their sight problems impact on some of the things they can and cannot do.

If you find this is the situation for you or for someone you know, it is a good idea to make contact with local services. High Street Optometrists or Opticians, or your GP of course, are good places to start. They can determine if the problems with your eyes can be corrected with spectacles or are an indication of a more significant condition. If necessary, they can pass you on to an eye specialist at the hospital as well as other useful agencies.

At the hospital’s eye unit, it is possible that you could receive some treatment to improve your vision. Some conditions cannot be corrected medically and you may find other organisations are of use – the hospital should put you in touch.

A very useful service to know is the Council’s Visual Impairment Team. Their workers will come and visit you at home and discuss what problems your sight is causing you in your everyday life, whether it be getting around, reading and writing or making drinks and meals for yourself. They can show you techniques and issue equipmpent that will make it possible for you to carry on with these tasks independently. Their number is 01204 337900.

They will also put you in touch with other useful agencies, notably Bolton Society for Blind People who run a wide range of groups, classes, activities and outings to suit all tastes, ages and abilities, from social tea/coffee afternoons, art and literature groups, to outdoor activities and fundraising events including sky-diving! Their number is 01204 337896.

Another popular choice for anyone who is finding the newspaper difficult to read is Newstalk, Bolton’s Talking Newspaper. Contact either of the above numbers to find out more.

Please do get in touch if you think these services may be of use to you. You would begin with a very informal chat about what you may need and just take it from there. Even if you find they’re not appropriate for you at the moment, it may be useful to know about them in the future