About

What we do

We are a local Charity working with people who are blind, partially sighted, Deaf or hard of hearing on their journey to independence. We make sure people have choice and control over their lives and help others better understand the impact of sensory loss.

Over 11,700 people live with sight loss and over 1,800 are registered blind in South Tyneside and Gateshead. Over 65,500 adults in this area are deaf or hard of hearing.

We deliver early intervention, crisis prevention and integrated social activities to reduce preventable sensory loss, maintain independence and mental wellbeing and reduce social isolation. Our interventions help people;

Live more independently
Feel less socially isolated
Feel more confident and empowered
Experience improved wellbeing

Our unique integrated Pathway to Independence makes sure we provide the right support at the right time for individuals. We provide specialist Counselling, Enablement Assessments, Rehabilitation, Social and Peer support, Employment, Welfare and Advocacy and Digital support.

Why we are different

At Vision & Hearing Support we work with you to design a plan that is bespoke to you and your needs. We will listen carefully to understand what matters to you and how we can best help. Our experienced Team can provide a range of interventions at the time they are most needed, from help in performing daily tasks, to peer support and social groups, to an optometrist led low vision service.

Our integrated approach streamlines your journey through our different services ensuring you get the right help at the right time with minimum fuss.

We are a collaborative Charity and seek to work with other organisations and services in the best interest of our clients. If we cannot directly provide a service, we will facilitate an introduction to one of our partner organisations who will be able to help. This could include other Charities such as Age UK, ACTS or BlissAbility or public services including hospital eye services and adult social care. Our qualified Team will follow up external referrals to make sure your expectation has been met.

We contribute to the Sight Loss Charity sector through Visionary UK and have signed up to the national Sight Loss Charter to support good partnership working. We actively contribute to national discussions, sharing ideas and learning from others. Our Chief Executive Chairs the regional Visionary group that brings together colleagues from Newcastle Vision Support, Sunderland & Durham Royal Society for the Blind, Hartlepool Vision Support, Northumberland County Blind Association, NE Sight Matters and Useful Vision alongside national Charities RNIB, Blind Veterans, Guide Dogs UK, the Tyne and Wear Sight Loss Council and the Macular Society.

About

What we do

Why we are different

What our service users say

Meet our team of experts

Meet our Trustees