Drop in session for anyone with poor vision. Held at The Angel Cafe 10.30am – 12 noon. 23/9 21/10 18/11 16/12 Information, advice and support. Call 07927 197455 or email angeleyeslangport@gmail.com

Somerset Sight is a charity which has been established for over 100 years supporting people with visual impairment through a number of different services. In 2019 the charity was proudly awarded the Queens Award for Voluntary Service.

As a charity we are dependent upon our volunteers for the provision of our many services, one of which is our prestigious befriending service.

Volunteers provide much needed regular company and conversation, help with reading and correspondence and often take people out for a walk, and a cup of tea. This can develop into a firm friendship that often lasts for a number of years.

New volunteers are fully trained and police checked after meeting the local co-ordinator. The volunteer will then be matched to a local sight impaired person for regular visits. All reasonable expenses will be paid.

If you would like to join our friendly team, please contact us for an informal chat.

My Guide is a free service offered by Guide Dogs that enables people with a vision impairment to get out of their homes and into the community. With a volunteer as your sighted guide, you can overcome challenges presented by unfamiliar places or crowded areas, enjoy exploring your surroundings and ultimately become more independent.

Somerset County Council Sensory loss teams are trained to work with people with sight loss. Workers can visit the home and arrange to provide support to keep independence. Services include provision of equipment, rehabilitation, and advice and information.

Available to everyone affected by sight loss. Whether you’re losing your sight, blind or partially sighted, our practical and emotional support can help you face the future with confidence. Services include talking library books, specialist education for children young people and learning disability support. Services such as e-Learning courses are also provided to businesses, support workers and individuals to help understand and accommodate people affected by sight loss.

Somerset Sight is the only local organisation providing specialist immediate support for people with sight loss.

A wide range of magnifiers lighting, low visual aids including kitchen gadgets, talking clocks and watches, radios and much more are available for demonstration and purchase. Practical advice and information, emotional and technology support, peer support and support designed for the newly diagnosed.

You can discuss practical and emotional difficulties faced with those with lived experience.  A volunteer visitor may be able to assist you with getting out and about or your correspondence. We offer activities and cookery classes and opportunities to socialise. Our Mobile Advisory Service travels the length and breadth of Somerset bringing our services to your local community, please see our website for locations and dates.

Our resource center in Taunton is open daily Monday to Friday with no appointment needed.

Adult Social Care supports adults of working age and older people who have disabilities, mental health problems, a sensory loss or general frailty.

Enjoy a regular chat with a telephone befriender who shares your interests, experience or type of macular condition. Telephone befriending is free, everything can be set up over the phone.

The Macular Society is the only charity determined to beat the fear and isolation of macular disease with world-class research, and the best advice and support.

With the help of our members and supporters, we:

·        Fund new research into a cure so that future generations won’t suffer from sight loss caused by macular disease

·        Continue to help people of all ages adapt to life with sight loss, by supporting them to regain confidence and independence so they can take back control of their lives.

The Yeovil Macular Support Group meets on the third Thursday of each month, from 1.30-3.30pm, at South Street Centre, South Street, Yeovil, Somerset BA20 1QE.

You can borrow talking books free of charge, if you are registered with a visual impairment, are unable to hold or use printed material due to a physical disability or if you are dyslexic.