“About 5 months ago I was unemployed along with lots of other people. I had the skills but not much experience.
It was suggested to me to try some voluntary work – so I contacted Vision Support. The staff there were very helpful friendly and very supportive.
They allowed me to help with their group computer training for the visually impaired as well as getting some experience in the field of Web design/developing which was what I was qualified to do.
I helped out making some posters for them for distribution for awareness of Vision Support and I was also able to help out with the build of their new web site.
All this experience helped me to fill a gap in my CV and it was down to voluntary work that helped me secure a fantastic new job 5 months ago – I am now working for a web studio in Chester and really enjoying my job.
I am so grateful to all the friends I made at Vision Support and everything they have done for me and wish them all the best in the future. I would recommend voluntary work to anyone, the experience and self-confidence you get is invaluable!!”
-Service user, Chester
“I was registered blind in my mid 20’s and I am now in my 60’s. Prior to lockdown I attended IT training with Linda Bromilow at Halton Resource Centre and used a Synappitc tablet which I found a great help and was good for me to use.
I don’t have much confidence and believe if I was successful and got a Synapptic tablet it would greatly improve my emotional wellbeing and give me a wider choice of things I can do at home being independent.
I would be using the tablet for listening to music via YouTube, I love music and it’s a huge part of my life. I could also keep in touch with all my family and friends, use the calendar to not miss appointments and use the internet to keep up to date with what is going on in the world and check the weather etc.
This would impact my daily life greatly and give me a sense of achievement and purpose, allowing me to keep independent and keeping up with technology.”
– Service User, Widnes
Quote obtained from service user about the benefit of receiving a free Synapptic tablet during the Covid-19 lockdown.
“My daughter and I are shielding for the moment which has put a stop to my social activities, I now have to live under lockdown and am struggling to take part in church events and to study for my Grade 3 piano.
A Victor Reader Stream would be invaluable to me, it would enable me to access podcasts, listen to internet radio, read computer text files, listen to any new pieces that need to be learnt for my grade three examination, take down telephone numbers and notes to remind me about dates and things I have to do, listen to music for leisure and read books for pleasure.
i am a computer user but don’t have the portability of an accessible media player/recorder (such as the Victor Reader Stream) which is designed specifically for someone with no sight and unfortunately I am unable to use a mainstream product due to having no useful vision.
A Victor Reader Stream would be really beneficial and would mean I could continue with learning the piano, entertain myself along with organising my life while having to socially isolate.”
Quote obtained from service user about the benefit of receiving a Victor Reader Stream during the Covid-19 lockdown.
“I live alone and I am registered bling with Macular Degeneration and Cataracts. My daughter is my main carer, but she lives on Anglesey and visits me once a week with appropriate PPE. My daughter is visiting less often due to the Covid-19 crisis and it worries her thinking of how I manage with making drinks for myself.
I am very independent and wish to remain so for as long as I can. I attempt to make my own cups of tea/coffee but it is rather hit or miss as to how successful I am. I give myself marks out of ten when making drinks!
Filling the kettle is difficult but the main issue is missing the cup when pouring and water being spilt everywhere with risk of scalding and slipping on wet surfaces. A device like a one-cup kettle would help me greatly to independently and safely pour my drinks.
My daughter is worried that I will end up scalding myself and I would like to get a one cup kettle to keep me safe and give my daughter some reassurance regarding my safety. My daughter would assist to unpack and show me how to operate the kettle safely.”
– Service User, Rhyl
Quote obtained from service user about the benefits of receiving a free one cup kettle during the Covid-19 lockdown.
“A tablet would help me to feel more connected to people as I feel I am being left behind. I feel very isolated at the moment and having a tablet would help me to keep in contact with my family as well as helping me keep up to date on the latest news.
I feel it would also improve my confidence especially with technology. i would like to feel more independent with getting online and this would be a good goal for me to work towards to fill up my days during lockdown.
In terms of accessibility I would be using magnification, high contrast fonts and large text. It would really help my wellbeing if I was able to to keep myself informed and have access to different forms of knowledge such as what is going on locally in my area.”
– Service User, Prestatyn
Quote obtained from service user about the benefits of receiving a free Samsung Galaxy tablet during the Covid-19 lockdown.
“I am partially sighted with extremely limited vision. I have double detached retinas and I have had over 15 operations to my eyes, my left eye is very damaged and I can’t read normal sized font.
When I am at home I have to use my large screen Kindle Fire to read books with a very large print. If I need to read food or medicine labels in the house or when I am out, or read anything at all really, then I must use a magnifier which can put a strain on my eyes if the light is not good.
Having a light included in the magnifier is especially useful to me and allows me to read what I could not normally when in different levels of light.”
– Service User, Chester
Quote obtained from service user about the benefits of receiving a free magnifier during the Covid-19 lockdown.