Thomas Pocklington Trust supports people across London who are living with sight loss. To enable vision impaired residents across Hammersmith and Fulham, Kensington and Chelsea and Westminster,
Thomas Pocklington Trust has established a local working group;Central West London Vision (CWLVis). This group will increase thenumber of services available and will signpost you to support and
activities across the three boroughs.
As part of the work CWLVis will be doing, we aim to keep you informed of it by bringing you a newsletter each season. This newsletter is divided into three sections: help and support, out and about, and socialise and learn. On a quarterly basis we will compile a set of events you might like to take part in. If you want to try something new, develop an existing hobby or to keep up to date with what is going on in your borough, this newsletter is just the ticket. If you know of any activities, or have an article you would like to contribute, please send the details to leah.boylan@pocklington-trust.org.uk or phone07580 977 336. We will
publish this every three months starting from May. The submission deadline will be the second week of the previous month. For example, the deadline for August will be 11 July 2016.
Help and support
Kensington and Chelsea Sensory Impairment Team–The Town Hall, Hornton Street, London, W8 7NX. Contact number: 020 7361 2968
Hammersmith and Fulham Sensory Impairment Team– H&F Advice, Ground Floor, 145 King Street, London, W6 9XY. Contact number: 0845 313 3935.
Westminster Sensory Needs Services –64 Victoria Street, London, SW1E 6QP. Contact number: 020 7641 5426.
Blindaid– An organisation offering support for vision impaired people across the three boroughs to include home visiting, supplying radio and audio equipment and a telephone befriending service. Please phone 0207403 6184 to find out more.
Action for Blind People– The resource centre for London and the South East provides the opportunity for blind and partially sighted people to find out more about local services and to try out or buy specialist assistive equipment. It is not necessary to make an appointment but please call 020 7391 2151.
Hammersmith and Fulham Action on Disability–A wide range of accessible services are delivered for members to include peer support, adisability forum and an employment service. To find out more, please telephone the team on 020 7471 8510
Action Disability Kensington and Chelsea-This organisation is run by disabled people in the borough and provides support to enabledisabled people to live independently and campaigns for an inclusive society. Activities include advice groups and an internet café. If you would like to see more of what they do, please contact 020 8960 8888
Dial-a Ride – This service is operated by Transport for London and is available for those who are disabled and unable to use public transport. To become a member please contact 0343 222 7777 to request an application form. Once approved you will be able to make bookings.
Disabled Person’s Railcard–This card is for those who find travelling by train difficult because of their disability. It allows holders to receive 1/3 off standard and first class tickets for themselves and a friend. It costs £20 a year. If you would like to get in touch with the team please call:0345 601 0132
Healthwatch Central West London– This is an independent charity and membership organisation working to ensure your voice counts when it comes to shaping and improving local health and care services. If you would like to find out more, please contact 020 8968 7049.
Citizen’s Advice Bureau.–There are branches in each of the three branches. Please find their contact details below:
- Kensington– 2 Acklam Road, W10 5QZ. Contact number: 0208962 3485
- Chelsea–Old Town Hall, Kings Road, SW3 5EE. Contact number: 0844 826 9708.
- Hammersmith and Fulham–7 Northend Crescent, London, W14 8TG. Contact number: 020 73851322.
- Westminster–21a Conduit Place, W2 1HS. Contact number: 08444 771 611
Action Disability Kensington and Chelsea– An information and advice project is available to offer disability related help and support. For more information about ADKC, please call 020 8960 8888
Hammersmith Diabetes Group–This support group affiliated with Diabetes UK holds a support group on the second Wednesday afternoonof the month at the White City Community Centre at 1.30–3.30. If you
would like to attend please call 07944 995 376
Fulham Diabetes Group–This educational groupgives members the opportunity to meet others with diabetes and share experiences of how to manage the condition. The meeting is held on the second Monday of
each month at 6.00 pm–8.00 pm at the NHS Walk-in Centre on Parsons Green. The group is free and there is no obligation to return. Please phone 020 7736 0044.
Out and about
Westminster Abbey – A touch tour is available for visually impaired visitors in large print or Braille. Tours with a volunteer can be pre-bookedin advance. Please phone 020 7222 5152 for further details
Victoria and Albert Museum – regularly host tours for people with avision impairment. The theme for March is Europe 1600–1815 and it will take place on 15 March. Please phone 020 7942 2000 for all enquiries.
The Science Museum– Free audio described tours of the spirit collection are available on request. To find out more about these tours please contact 0870 870 4868
Metro Blind Sport–This London based charity aims to open doors to sport for blind and partially sighted people of all ages and sporting abilities. For further details about opportunities in your area please call 020 8255 7788
Hammersmith Community Garden Association– This local environmental charity manages several community gardens across theborough. They provide health and wellbeing projects and training
schemes. If you would like to take part, please contact 07890 514 050.
Socialise and learn
Kensington and Chelsea talking newspaper-The local newspaper is recorded on a fortnightly basis onto audio tape for visually impaired and disabled people. For more information about how to be referred to the service please contact 020 7376 2245.
Hammersmith and Fulham Open Age– A programme has been devised for January to March 2016 to include a monthly film club, line dancing, painting and smart phone tuition. Please contact 0208 9624141 for more information.
Hammersmith and Fulham University of the Third Age– The main group meets on the second Tuesday of the month at 10.30 am–12.30 at St Mary’s Church Hall on Edith Road. There is a small charge of £1.50. In addition to the monthly meetings there are regular discussion and learning groups to help you develop new hobbies and interests. If you would like to go along, please contact 020 7370 2306.
Royal Academy of Arts– For visitors with a visual impairment, large print gallery guides are available and trained volunteers are on hand to offer one-to-one descriptive tours of exhibitions. This service needs to be booked two weeks in advance. For more information please contact 020 7300 8028.
Age UK Hammersmith and Fulham: Every Monday at 12.30–2.30 a visually impaired social group is on offer involving talks, presentations, day trips and tours. Above all, it provides friendship and a welcoming attitude to people with a visual impairment in the borough over the age of 50. Tea, coffee and snacks are available. Transport to and from the venue costs £2. The group meets at 105 Greyhound Road. If you would like to attend, please ring Peter on 020 7386 2657.
Age UK Food and Friends– These lunch clubs in Kensington and Chelsea take place in various locations across the borough on a regular basis. For further information about this project please call Deirdre
McCarthy on 020 3181 002 or email dmccarthy@aukc.org.uk.
The Macular Society– The Kensington Macular Society Support Group meets on the second Tuesday of the month from 2 to 4pm at Earls CourtHealth and Wellbeing Centre, 2b Hogarth Road, Earls Court, London, SW5 0PT. Please contact Stella Black 01306 644 908
The Abbey Centre–Based on Great Smith Street, the Abbey Centre hosts a wide range of activities and events. For further details about their calendar, please phone 020 7222 0303.
Eyes for Success–This new organisation aims to provide support andsocial opportunities to groups of visually impaired people and theirfamilies. If you would like to join, please contact 07730 410 738
