Sight loss
There are a number of local and national, specialist services available for people who are partially sighted or blind, deaf, hard of hearing or deafblind.
Some of the services and some frequently asked questions are listed below.
How do I register as sight impaired?
“Registration” means being on your local social service’s register of people who are either severely sight impaired (blind) or sight impaired (partially sighted). The registers are voluntary and confidential.
If you are having problems with your sight, visit a high street optician or your GP for an initial check-up. If necessary, they will then refer you to an eye clinic for an appointment.
If your ophthalmologist judges that you can be certified, they will complete a Certificate of Vision Impairment (CVI) with the results of your eye examination.
After receiving a copy of your certificate, Enfield Adult Social Care will contact you to ask if you wish to be included on its register of blind and partially sighted people.
What are the benefits of registering as blind or partially sighted?
There are a wide range of benefits and concessions that may be available to you.
Sensory Impairment Services - Adult Social Care
Specialist rehabilitation officers can provide information, specialist equipment and training (including independent living skills training and mobility training) to support people with sight loss to remain as independent as possible.
You can request services from Enfield Sensory Impairment Team by emailing adultsocialcare@enfield.gov.uk or by telephone on 020 8379 1001.
Drop-in service
Enfield Vision and Middlesex Association for the Blind run a drop-in service every third Thursday of the month, except for December. Blind and partially sighted people can try equipment and socialise. A rehabilitation officer from Enfield’s Sensory Impairment Team will also be available to provide advice. The service is from 10:30am to 12:30pm at:
Park Avenue Resource Centre
65c Park Avenue
Enfield
EN1 2HL
For more information, contact the Enfield’s Sensory Impairment Team by emailing adultsocialcare@enfield.gov.uk or by telephone on 020 8379 1001.
Organisations
Enfield Vision
Enfield Vision is a registered Charity determined to improve the environment and to reduce the everyday problems of blind and partially sighted people living in Enfield.
Enfield Vision provide a wide range of services including holding regular drop-in services and Enfield Visually Impaired Bowls Club. They can also provide information on the Enfield Talking Newspaper.
For further information contact 020 83736260
or email information@enfieldvision.org.uk
Middlesex Association for the Blind
Middlesex Association for the Blind provide support to people with a visual impairment to help them lead full, active and independent lives. They offer a number of services including drop-ins, a mobile resource centre and an information help desk at North Middlesex Hospital.
For further information contact 020 84235141.
Macular Society – Enfield Support Group
A local self-help support group run by people with macular disease for people with macular disease. The group meet regularly and offer practical and emotional support.
For more information contact 0300 3030111.
Royal National Institute for the Blind (RNIB)
The RNIB is a national charity offering information, support and advice to visually impaired people in the UK. They can provide information on advice on a wide range of issues including benefits, technology (including Apps), employment, equipment, talking books and emotional support.
For further information contact the RNIB Helpline 0303 1239999.
Royal Society for Blind Children (RSBC)
The RSBC support blind and partially sighted children, young people and their parents in a number of key service areas. They provide a Family Support Service that offers practical advice and emotional support to parents. They can also provide support with education, sports and getting young people job ready.
For further information contact: 020 3198 0210 or email: enquiries@rsbc.org.uk
Blind Veterans UK
Blind Veterans UK offer lifelong support to Armed Forces and National Service veterans - no matter what the cause of their sight loss, and regardless of how long they served. They support blind and vision impaired ex-Service personnel in regaining their independence. They provide a range of rehabilitation training, run leisure activities and clubs.
For further information contact 0300 1112233.
Guide Dogs
If you have a visual impairment, a guide dog can help you become more independent and mobile. Guide Dogs can provide training to support you in navigating any mobility challenges you may face. Guide dogs are a great way to get you out and about with confidence.
Guide Dogs also provide a range of other services including family support.
For general enquiries contact 0345 1430229.
Calibre Audio (Talking Books)
Calibre Audio is a national charity lending free audio books for anyone who has difficulty or an inability to read printed material.
For further information contact: 01296 432339.
Hearing loss
Sensory Impairment Services - Adult Social Care
Specialist rehabilitation officers can provide information and specialist equipment to people who are Deaf or Hard of Hearing, and have difficulty staying safe and socially independent at home.
If your hearing loss is permanent, we can assess your needs at home and if eligible provide:
- environmental equipment
- information and advice
- support with registration
The team run a drop-in service on the first Wednesday of the month for people who are D/deaf, deafened and hard of hearing (including people who use British sign language) offering advice, information and equipment.
The service is from 10am to 12pm at:
Enfield Civic Centre
Silver Street
Enfield
EN1 3ES
You can request services from Enfield Sensory Impairment Team by emailing adultsocialcare@enfield.gov.uk or by telephone on 020 8379 1001.
British Sign Language interpreting service
The Council offer a face to face British Sign Language interpreter at the Enfield Town Library on the first Friday of every month from 9am to 3pm.
The British Sign Language interpreter can contact Enfield Council staff on your behalf to help with any enquires you may have. Although we will try to provide the same interpreter, this is not always possible.
Acquired Hearing Loss
Hearing loss can be temporary or permanent. It often comes on gradually as you get older but can sometimes happen very suddenly.
You should always seek medical advice for any significant change in your hearing.
For further information, visit NHS UK - hearing loss.
Organisations
Action on Hearing loss
Action on Hearing Loss support people across the UK to manage their deafness, tinnitus and hearing loss. We provide useful information and community-based care and support services, develop technology and treatments, and campaign for equality.
For further information contact 0808 8080123 or Text/SMS07800 000360.
British Tinnitus Association
The British Tinnitus Association are an independent charity supporting thousands of people who experience tinnitus and advise medical professionals from across the world. We are the primary source of support and information for people with tinnitus in the UK, facilitating an improved quality of life. We aim to encourage prevention through our educational programme and to seek effective treatment for tinnitus through a medical research programme.
For further information contact 0800 0180527 or Text/SMS 07537 416841.
Jewish Deaf Association
The Jewish Deaf Association are an independent, national charity offering professional support services, information and a range of social, cultural and educational programmes, including lip reading, to the Deaf community, people with all levels of hearing loss, people experiencing Tinnitus, their friends, families and carers.
For further information contact 020 8446 0502 or Textphone 020 8446 4037.
Hearing Link
Hearing Link is a team of staff and volunteers who deliver group and one-to-one support for people with any level of hearing loss, and their family and friends.
For further information call or text/SMS 07526 123 255.
National Deaf Children Society
National Deaf Children Society is national organisation that gives expert support on childhood deafness, raise awareness and campaign for deaf children’s rights, so they have the same opportunities as everyone else.
For further information call 020 7490 8656 or fax 020 7251 5020.
Royal Association for Deaf people
Royal Association for Deaf People is a national organisation that provides services to Deaf people in their first language, usually British Sign Language (BSL) and supports mainstream providers to be more accessible to Deaf people.
For further information call 0300 688 2525 or Textphone 0300 688 2527 or Text/SMS 07851 423866.
Emergency SMS
The Emergency SMS service lets deaf, hard of hearing and speech-impaired people in the UK send an SMS text message to the UK 999 service where it will be passed to the police, ambulance, fire rescue, or coastguard.
Relay UK
Relay UK offers text-speech and speech-to -text translation services. A relay assistant is a call centre acts as an intermediary, enabling people with hearing or speech impairments to communicate with other people over the telephone.
For further information call 0800 7311888 or Textphone 0800 500888
Deafblind
Sensory Impairment Team, Adult Social Care
We can provide services, following a specialist deafblind assessment, to people who are deaflbind, or have a dual sensory loss, to support them in maximising their independence. This can include enabling people to access the community, equipment loan or the provision of information on other services.
We can register you as deafblind, in Enfield, if you meet the criteria. The registers are voluntary and confidential.
You can request further information on services from Enfield Sensory Impairment Team by emailing adultsocialcare@enfield.gov.uk or by telephone on 020 8379 1001.
Organisations
Deafblind UK
Deafblind UK support people with combined sight and hearing loss to live the lives they want. They can provide support to get you back on your feet after a diagnosis, a helping hand to help you do the things you love, someone to turn to when you’re feeling low or some information, advice and guidance.
For further information email: info@deafblind.org.uk or
Telephone: 0800 132320
Text: 07950 008870
Text relay: 18001 then 0800 132320
Facetime: helpline.dbuk@deafblind.org.uk (Not BSL)
Sense
We believe that no one, no matter how complex their disabilities, should be isolated, left out, or unable to fulfil their potential.
Our experts offer personalised support through our centres, holidays and short breaks, or in people’s own homes. We are here for everyone who needs us, for as long as they need us – providing early intervention for children, helping young people access education, and supporting the transition into adulthood and beyond.
In addition to practical support, we also offer information to families, and campaign for the rights of people with complex disabilities to take part in life.
For further information email: info@sense.org.uk
or telephone or text relay (not SMS) 0300 3309256
Useful links
Advice for blind and partially sighted people during coronavirus (COVID-19)