CamSight

What to expect

CamSight offer a number of services. Please email [email protected] or phone 01223 420033 to find out more about any of these.

Information & Advice

They provide information, advice and relevant links on their website and operate a telephone service between 9am to 4pm on weekdays, enabling service users to access signposting, referrals and information on a range of topics including eye health, welfare benefits, NHS partners and other local services.

Support & Advice

Their Support & Advice team help their service users to access, where eligible, a range of welfare benefits and concessions and grants, including Attendance Allowance, Personal Independence Payment, Universal Credit, Carer’s Allowance, Pension Credit, Blue Badge applications, discounted TV licences and bus passes.

In addition to advocacy support, they also refer and signpost to other specialist services or partner with them as appropriate.

Equipment and Accessibility

The Equipment and Accessibility team carry out comprehensive magnification and lighting assessments and demonstrate a range of other low vision equipment including phones, kitchen aids, clocks, watches and UV protection sunglasses. If the equipment is shown to be beneficial, the team will discuss the various external referral, loan or purchase options available. They can also advise on accessibility features on smart phones, tablets and computers. This is delivered via their mobile service in homes and within the community.

Emotional Support

Their sight loss counsellors are registered members of the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP) and are accredited by the RNIB. They provide emotional support and counselling to service users who are struggling with the emotional impact of their sight loss.

Support may include information, signposting and referral to other mental health services where appropriate.

Befriending

CamSight volunteer befrienders provide companionship and a listening ear to service users. They do this by visiting them at home, making regular telephone calls or accompanying them out and about.

This is a bespoke service, with each befriender selected from a pool of volunteers and matched to an individual based on their location, personal interests and availability.

Peer Support Groups

Monthly groups provide a reassuring space for service users to discuss their daily challenges and share ideas on how to manage them. Members are kept updated on CamSight services and guest speakers from other local and national organisations are often invited. Carers and family members are welcome too.

They provide light refreshments, and try to arrange transport for those in need.

Sports and Leisure Activities

CamSight supports people to access community-based sports and leisure activities. They also offers an internal programme of activities in partnership with local providers. Click here to find out more.

More information

Volunteer with CamSight

CamSight have a range of volunteer roles available across Cambridgeshire and Peterborough.

CamSight believes in professional standards in volunteering, creating a supported experience where your time is given to a meaningful activity.

They hope you will find satisfaction in your role, whether that is helping to drive a blind or visually impaired person to their monthly support group, or as a befriender visiting a person in their home.

If you are interested in Volunteering for CamSight, you can find opportunities to volunteer with them on the GO-ViP volunteering platform. You can also complete an expression of interest form through their website, or email [email protected] to see what roles they have available.

There is no cost for their support.

CamSight can advise on equipment and then source, should you choose to purchase something.