Service provision for blind and partially sighted people in Barnsley
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Healthwatch Barnsley arranged a meeting with visually impaired people to talk about the services available to them in the Barnsley area, in response to questions and concerns raised by several individuals, who had been newly diagnosed, and had expressed concern regarding lack of services in general for Blind and Partially Sighted people living in Barnsley.
This report highlights the issues for some of the Blind and Partially Sighted people living in Barnsley.
Initially this piece of work had intended to focus on the provision of social activities available in Barnsley. However, following discussions with service users and a number of organisations it became clear that there were other issues that it was important to capture.
Subsequently the report reflects what Healthwatch Barnsley learnt, and is intended to prompt further discussion.
The services for Blind and Partially Sighted People in Barnsley are limited, and those that are available appear to be underfunded and stretched beyond their capacity. People in Barnsley are accessing IT training and social groups by going to the Sheffield Royal Society for the Blind or Sight and Sound in Rotherham. The concern however, is for those people who are isolated from the community as a result of a lack of local provision (a) Because there is a waiting list for a Social Services Assessment and (b) A Visual Impairment Assessment (c) The people that Healthwatch Barnsley talked to tell them that when a visual impairment assessment takes place the waiting list for general support is so long that they, and to their knowledge other people are suffering with mental health issues.
Following on from a joint visit to Sheffield Royal Society for the Blind including: Healthwatch Barnsley, Barnsley Blind and Partially Sighted Association, a BMBC Commissioner and service users, the CEO of Sheffield Royal Society for the Blind stated that if BMBC could offer them a level access building in the town centre they would look at what services they could get started working with partners.