A charitable organisation caring for the blind and partially-sighted people in the Metropolitan Borough of Bury.

The Bury Blind society was founded in 1922, we aim to enhance the quality of life for all visually-impaired people in the Metropolitan Borough of Bury.

Bury Blind Society offer:

• A resource centre
• Advice and information
• A befriending service
• A hospital information service
• Library services
• Information in accessible formats
• Daily living skills
• Newsletter
• Regular social activities
• Comprehensive home assessments
• Eye Talk Support Programme
• Awareness Training and Sighted Guiding Qualification

The Resource Centre

We have specialised items and adapted equipment available for sale to help the visually impaired with everyday living, both in and away from their homes.

These items range from talking alarm clocks and watches to day light lamps and talking microwaves. We are also a ‘try before you buy’ centre for BT Big Button Phones.

Comprehensive Home Assessments

In conjunction with Bury Adult Care Services, we provide a comprehensive home assessment service. This involves our Assessment Officer visiting clients in their own home to discuss services and equipment offered by Bury Adult Care Services, Bury Blind Society and other agencies in the area. The assessment may result in equipment being left with clients at the visit, or referrals to other services being made on their behalf and provides the opportunity to improve client’s independence and prevent isolation. 

Befriending Service

We have a team of dedicated volunteers who provide a befriending service for clients. This involves visiting clients, generally at home, for a couple of hours a week, to chat, read post, and perhaps go on short walks or visit the local shops. These activities help clients regain their confidence and helps to alleviate feelings of loneliness.

Clients are paired with befrienders who have similar interests and all volunteers are fully police checked and given training before they are matched with a client. 

Advice and Information

Advice and information leaflets are freely available at the Resource Centre; they cover many issues surrounding visual impairment. Many are available in both large print and audio formats. Our staff are also available should you need help with a particular subject.

Hospital Information Service

Learning from an Ophthalmologist at the Hospital Eye Clinic that you have an eye condition and may lose your sight can be an overwhelming and confusing situation, but a word of reassurance from one of our Hospital Information staff can help alleviate any concerns. They are on hand to provide reassurance and to point people in our direction so that we can be of help.

Library Services

All Public Libraries in the Borough of Bury contain a facility for visually impaired people and the main branches in Whitefield and Bury have more of these services than those in rural areas.

Whitefield Library in Bury contains a facility with resources for anyone suffering from sensory loss, including an extensive range of talking books and specially trained librarians to help you find what you are looking for.

At the Blind Society we also have a selection of talking books belonging to Bury Libraries, which clients can borrow for the standard 3 week period if they are members of the library.

Daily Living Skills

Newly registered blind and partially sighted people may find it difficult to perform everyday tasks in their home. Our aim is to help people to adapt and cope with these daily tasks so they can maintain their independence. We can help by providing training in how to use equipment such a liquid level indicator- which makes making a hot drink possible again

Social Activities

Research has shown the onset of visual impairment usually results in the loss of social contact, leading to isolation very quickly. The Bury Blind Society is constantly asked for help with this problem.

Bury Blind Society organise weekly and monthly gatherings and a wide range of special events throughout the year including restaurant trips, themed parties, BBQ’s and tea parties,  providing visually impaired people and their families or carers with the opportunity to socialise and enjoy themselves.

Eye Talk Support Service

Eye Talk is a short course run by the Society for anyone who has recently been diagnosed or who is coming to terms with having a sight problem. The free course is run by Lynn Cowley, a visually impaired member of staff, and informs attendees of the help they can get from Social Services and The Society, Benefits that they may be eligible to apply for and aids and equipment that can be useful in day to day living. The course also provides a support group structure and an informal chance for attendees to share their worries, concerns, and helpful hints and tips with one another.

Awareness Training and Sighted Guiding

At Bury Blind Society we provide training in Visual Impairment Awareness and Sighted Guiding. This course is accredited by Guide Dogs UK and teaches people about the various causes of sight loss, ways that a person can assist someone with a visual impairment and the proper technique for guiding someone.

Feel free to get in touch if you would be interested in us providing training for your organisation. There is a small charge for delivering this accredited course.

Fundraising

We run a wide range of different fundraising events throughout the year, from Car Boot Sales to Fashion Shows, Race Nights to Candle Parties, and our annual Craft and Gift Fair.

For more information on upcoming please see our events listed in the tab above, visit our website www.buryblindsociety.org or contact the office on 0161 763 7014. If you would like to help us with our fundraising work, get in touch with our volunteer co-ordinator, Jane Deakin, on the above number.

Donations

To maintain and improve our services we depend very much donations and legacies from our supporters, as well as their support at fundraising events.

If you would like to enquire about making a donation or leaving a legacy in your will please contact us. There is also plenty of information on our upcoming events on our website www.buryblindsociety.org

Registered Charitable Organisation Number

1102525

 Company Number

4815165

Bury Society For Blind And Partially Sighted People

Wolstenholme House

4 Tenterden Street

Bury

BL9 0EG

Telephone - 0161 763 7014