CITY & HACKNEY LOCAL SERVICES

Support Organisations – Hackney

Please click on the link below for information on support organisations for visually impaired
and disabled people in Hackney

Sight Loss Pathways

Stage 1
Local eye health campaigns promote eye-health awareness and encourage people to visit their local Optician.

  • GP’s in the local area (www.nhs.uk/ServiceSearch/GP/LocationSearch/4)
  • Local Opticians (includes domiciliary) (www.mylocaloptician.co.uk)
  • Enhanced eye checks for people with Learning Disabilities: SeeAbility
    T: 013 7275 5066   E: myeyecare@seeability.org
    Information on opticians that monitor specific eye conditions and low vision. Local Optical Committee (LOC) T:  0208 776 5000
    E: admin@elcloc.org Website: elcloc.org
  • Local Optical Committee Support Unit (LOCSU) (www.locsu.co.uk)Stage 2
    An individual, family member or carer raises concerns about a person’s sight,
    Optometrist (optician) notes abnormality during regular eye test, OR
    GP suspects loss of vision.

Stage 3
Wherever possible the optician treats and/or monitors the eye condition, or a professional refers the person to an Ophthalmologist who diagnoses the eye condition or community low vision clinic for advice on low vision aids.

  • Community Care Advice: T: 0208 356 6262 (Information and Assessment Team, London Borough of Hackney), E: access@hackney.gov.uk
  • Hospital Low Vision Clinic/Ophthalmology Dept.: T: 020 7253 3411
    E. info@moorfields.nhs.uk

Stage 4
Treatment is administered if appropriate. Most sight loss is treatable and preventable. Early treatment can make the difference.
If significant sight loss is permanent the Consultant Ophthalmologist should offer to issue a Certificate of Vision Impairment (CVI) appropriate to the level of vision. This will indicate whether the person can be registered as Sight Impaired or Severely Sight Impaired with the Local Authority.

Stage 5
A member of the Eye Clinic staff refers the person to meet the Eye Clinic Liaison Officer (ECLO) who guides them through the process of certification.
The ECLO advises the person, the carer, or advocate on support available outside the Hospital and how to access it.
Moorfields ECLO/CVI Team: T: 0207 566 2718

Stage 6
The CVI is sent by the Hospital to the Local Authority.
The Local Authority contact the person to confirm that they want to be included on their register and offer a sensory assessment of need.

  • Registration: The benefits of registration: 0303 123 999 (RNIB Helpline) (www.rnib.org.uk/livingwithsightloss/registeringsightloss/pages/registration_benefits.aspx)
  • Payments and Benefits Advice Service: JobCentre Plus –
    T: 0845 604 3719 Website: jobcentreplus.gov.ukStage 7
    The person’s sensory needs are assessed (specialist assessment of Visual Impairment).
  • Adult Sensory Team: T: 0208 356 5645 or
    E: sensory.team@hackney.gov.uk
  • Children’s Sensory Services. T: as above E: as aboveStage 8
    The person begins rehabilitation with local sensory team, if appropriate. A community care assessment can be offered if there are additional needs and Carers can be offered a carer’s assessment.
  • Carer Support Service: T: 020 8533 0951 E: info@hackneycarers.org.ukStage 9
    The person is enabled to live an active, independent, and fulfilling life.
  • Local user led support and activity group – East London Vision (ELVis) T: 0203 697 6464 E:enquiries@eastlondonvision.org.uk
  • RNIB Sightline Directory – a comprehensive online database of VI services. Enter postcode and it lists services in the area: (www.sightlinedirectory.org.uk)Created by London Visual Impairment Forum (LVIF) – (JAN 2014)
    T: 07875 541155 E: Sharon.schaffer@lvif.co.uk
    Updated for local information January 2015, Judith Scott, London Borough of Hackney Sensory Team T: 0208 356 5645

Wider Avenues of Support for Vision Impairment

Thomas Pocklington Trust
020 8995 0880    info@pocklington-trust.org.uk
Housing and support for people with sight loss, including Research, Tele, Email & Link-Up Befriending schemes.

SeeAbility
01372 755 000   enquiries@seeability.org
Provides support for people who are visually impaired but also have other disabilities, such as mental health problems, mobility impairment or learning disabilities.

Sense
0300 330 9256 or 020 7520 0972 info@sense.org.uk
Textphone: 0300 330 9256 or 020 7520 0972
A national charity supporting and campaigning for deafblind people

RSBC (Royal Society for Blind Children)
0303 123 9999   helpline@rnib.org.uk
Offers a telephone counselling service for those having difficulties coming to come to terms with their sight loss, as well as a wealth of practical information for parents, carers and the visually impaired people,

RLSB (Royal London Society for Blind Children)
020 7808 6170
enquiries@rsbc.org.uk
Focuses particularly on supporting the education and skill development of blind and partially sighted young people in London.

Partially Sighted Society
0844 477 4966   info@partsight.org.uk
Provides equipment (such as magnifiers) and information (on matters such as lighting) for individuals to make the most of their remaining sight.

Macular Society
01264 350 551   info@macularsociety.org
Offers support and information on macular disease and central vision loss, and has branches throughout UK

Guide Dogs (inc. Blind Children UK):
0118 983 5555   guidedogs@guidedogs.org.uk
Organises and trains dogs for the visual impaired, as a charity their primary interest lies in enabling the mobility of the visually impaired.

Deaf Blind UK
Tel/Textphone: 01733 358 100 info@deafblind.org.uk
Specialises in supporting those experiencing dual sensory loss, in particular in enabling deaf blind individuals to communicate and express themselves to the wider world.

Blind Veterans UK
020 7723 5021/0800 389 7979  information@blindveterans.org.uk
www.noonealone.org.uk
Provides physical and emotional support for ex-service men and women to enable them to live as independently as possible.

Blind Children UK
0800 781 1444  services@blindchildrenuk.org
Helping children and young people with visual impairment

BlindAid
020 7403 6184  enquires@blindaid.org.uk
Home visiting service, telephone befriending and annual events for people with a visual impairment in the 13 inner London boroughs.

ACTION for Blind People
020 7635 4800   helpline@rnib.org.uk
Provides practical information for people with visual impairment, as well as information and the contact details for local groups and services. It is part of the RNIB Group.