Sensory Services

I very much enjoy being part of the team that delivers sight services to the Highlands and Islands. I am dedicated to helping people with visual impairments live full and independent lives.

A chartered physiotherapist, I left the NHS after 19 years and started on a temporary six-month contract with the Visual Impairment Services Highland and Islands (to become Sight Action) in 2005. Nineteen years and a retirement from the post of Executive Manager in 2023, I still do some Support Worker hours for Highland BlindCraft Sensory Services.

When we get referrals for our services, my job is to make up files, send out paperwork to the clients and add them to allocations for the CEO to view. I take phone calls and also attend to clients when they come into the office. When we have mailshots, e.g. newsletters, I have to photocopy these then send them out to all our clients.

I look after the volunteer services side of the charity, so dealing with our various groups, putting volunteers in touch with clients who need help and attending events to promote our small but superb team, while bidding to potentially attract new faces. I also source and organise fundraising opportunities for the charity.

I speak to clients on the phone and in the office to help with understanding their eye condition, and provide advice on living skills, or refer them to the Rehabilitation Officer. I provide low-vision assessments, magnifiers and electronic magnifiers. I help people understand and use accessibility features on tablets, computers, and phones. I also let people know what equipment is available to help them live independently.

We both started in the centre in June this year. We help people coming into the centre, offering them support and advice, equipment and hearing aid battery replacement.

  I do home visits or provide help to any Support Worker level allocations in Caithness and North Sutherland, assessing for equipment to assist in daily living. I also support the two sight loss groups in Caithness. We provide a holistic service so I also can signpost to other agencies and provide hearing aid maintenance.