Relaunch - Devon in Sight

Devon In Sight (formerly known as The Devon County Association for the Blind was established as a charity in 1925 and exists to provide to visually impaired people across all areas of Devon. Its main base is at Station House, Topsham with a satellite office at the Optima Low Vision premises in Totnes where low vision clinics are regularly held.

The charity has reached a very exciting stage in its development, which began when Martin Pallett was appointed Director of Services last year. The charity are re-launching itself this summer with a new logo and website and officially opening the new bigger Resource Centre at Station House in Topsham. There will be a larger and better equipped Resource Centre plus two multi-purpose rooms, which can be used for low vision clinics and other activities. The centre will have extended opening hours, currently Devon In Sight opens four days a week Tuesday – Friday. After the formal opening in July the centre will be open five days a week 10.00am – 4.00pm, which will enable even greater support for more visually impaired people from the whole of Devon, their Carers as well as the local community.

We are seeking volunteers to help us continue and grow the valuable services we offer to visually impaired people in Devon. We have a wide variety of volunteering opportunities within our Resource Centre where your skills and experience would be of great benefit to our organisation and members.

If you would be interested in learning more about our volunteer opportunities please contact us on 01392 876 666 or by email on [email protected]

Our services are designed to help visually impaired people live independent lives :-

Equipment

From our resource centres based in Topsham and Totnes we sell a range of equipment which has been designed to enable people with sight problems to live  independently. These include innovative products for the home and  kitchen as well as magnifiers and computers which can all be demonstrated to you. Our experienced staff and volunteers can help you decide what is best for your needs. If you cannot travel into see us, you can contact us by telephone and place an order.

Group Activities

A range of training as well as group and social activities of interest to visually impaired people are available from our Topsham resource centre.

Information and Advice

From our resource centres staff and volunteers  can put you in touch with support and services that can best assist you. Staff are carefully trained so that they can give you up to date information about services in Devon.

Low Vision

Clinics operated by experienced staff are offered from our resource centre in Topsham and from the Optima base in Totnes. A low vision therapist provide clinics  to help give help and advice on making the best use of residual sight. A full assessment is undertaken and low vision aids prescribed if appropriate.

Voluntary Visiting service

For those currently living in Torbay and Mid Devon, our experienced co-ordinators can match you to a volunteer who may be able to visit you to provide befriending support, take you out for a specific visit or help you with  a particular task. The Service seeks to improve quality of life, maintain independence and combat social isolation. Volunteers are very carefully selected  and trained. Help can involve assistance with reading, going for walks or simply telephone conversations.

Grants

If you live in Devon (excluding cities of Exeter & Plymouth) you can apply for a grant of up to £250 for a particular need related to your sight loss. The charity will consider making contributions towards aids and equipment, computer software and other significant activities that promote independence and empowerment. To be eligible, you do need to be in receipt of a means tested benefit or have income and savings of less than £10,000.

Clubs

The Charity is linked with approximately twenty social clubs which meet on a regular basis in many of Devon’s towns.  

Magazine

An information packed magazine is sent to members of the charity quarterly. This is a really good way of keeping in touch with the charity, new services and products  as well with national eye care developments.