Expanding Horizons

Outreach Service

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Scottish War Blinded’s Outreach Service provides a lifeline of free support to veterans of the Armed Forces who have a visual impairment, no matter when or how their sight loss has occurred.

Veterans that we support range from ex-service men and women with medical conditions which cause sight loss, to those injured either whilst serving or after service.

The many benefits of this free service are available to anyone living in Scotland who has previously:

• served in the Armed Forces including National Service or

• been in the Reserves or

• been in the Merchant Navy under Navy command or

• served in the Queen Alexandra’s Royal Army Nursing Corps.

The Outreach Service

Derek McDonald, National Service veteran

‘‘I didn’t realise Scottish War Blinded was for someone like me, as I’d lost my sight long after I served, but their support has changed my life”

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Each member is matched with an Outreach Worker based in their local area.

The support facilitated by our Outreach Team is led by the needs of each individual member.

Assisting Independent Living From providing members with specialist equipment and training to assist with poor vision, to facilitating adaptions to the home for safer living - our team provide individualised support to help members maintain and improve their quality of life at home.

Outreach Workers will support members in a range of ways including;

• Helping members learn how to best use their remaining sight, if possible, by facilitating simple changes like better lighting and magnifiers or specialist training

• Individual assessments on financial aid for items which would improve quality of life

• Support on how to access and fund home modifications to allow members to continue living safely at home

• Help to get local access to other services such as personal and respite care

• Support when members are facing challenges of any kind

• Building links with people in similar situations.

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Our Outreach Team supports veterans in re-learning vital skills and adapting to sight loss by providing equipment and training to make tasks such as reading, using public transport and cooking at home manageable.

Our support includes:

• Ensuring our members’ right to priority treatment for service related conditions is upheld when appropriate

• Providing advice about relevant services available from the wide network of visual impairment organisations and veterans’ support agencies.

The team can also provide information and support on a range of topics including:

• Accessing financial support, benefits and grants

• Property and housing

• Opportunities to improve health and well-being in the local area.

Building Confidence

Mick Kelbie, Gordon Highlanders veteran

Robert Reid, Royal Scots Borderers veteran

“I would encourage anyone who is eligible to join because it is a safety net-which tightens around you and supports you. I now know that if I need advice my Outreach Worker will be at the end of the phone, and will help me if I’m struggling over anything in particular.”

“My Outreach Worker knew that after I was medically discharged from the Army, I found it difficult to acclimatise to civilian workplaces as I missed the military work ethic which I’d been used to. The charity’s backing took a lot of pressure off me. Their support enabled me to buy and make a success of my own business doing something which I enjoy.”

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Our Outreach Workers regularly facilitate informal opportunities for veterans to get together and many develop long term friendships with like minded veterans at our events. An annual calendar of reunion lunches is organised across Scotland to promote local bonds between members.

Supporting Families Our support and advice can help members’ families and we can assist members in keeping in touch with family members further afield. We recognise the impact that a loved one’s visual impairment has upon a member’s partners and family. So invitations to social events are extended to the member’s partner and close family.

Social Opportunities

Mick Kelbie, Gordon Highlanders veteran

“I would compare the spirit of Scottish War Blinded’s social gatherings to the ethos of the military hospitals which I attended in the past - there is a strength of camaraderie amongst members and the staff who really understand the benefits of improving well-being by bringing military men and women together.”

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Across Scotland, members can be supported by their local Outreach Worker to take up new pursuits and pick up old hobbies. We assist our members to enjoy experiences that they never thought possible when they lost their sight.

For many, being active and enjoying sports despite their sight loss helps build confidence.

Sports and Recreation

Susan Dunham, Royal Navy Reserves veteran

“Carole’s helped me keep active. Once a week we go swimming. I wouldn’t be able to manage this on my own due to my sight loss and issues with my balance, but we pick a quiet time and Carole guides me as we complete our laps of the pool. “

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Our Young Members Group is aimed at supporting our members to be active and build new friendships whilst trying out a range of pursuits.

An annual calendar of events is organised and activities include – but are not limited to:

• Motor biking

• Abseiling

• Gliding

• Tank Driving

• 4 x 4 driving

• Talks and discussion groups.

No Obstacle Too Great

Tom Boal, Royal Navy veteran

“Taking part in activities with the Young Members Group has boosted my confidence in living with a visual impairment - recently I’ve competed in Rat Race Dirty Weekend - the World’s largest assault course - 20 miles and 200 obstacles of mud, water and more mud!”

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• Are you a veteran experiencing sight loss? Simply contact us, or ask someone you know to do so on your behalf.

• Do you know a veteran with sight loss? Please suggest that they contact us, or ask their permission and contact us with their details.

• It’s free to join Scottish War Blinded and all of our services are provided free of charge to members

• Please phone us on 0800 035 6409 or email enquiries@scottishwarblinded.org

An outreach worker will make contact to arrange a visit. At this initial assessment at home the outreach worker will discuss the ways we can help and the ways you can get involved.

A friend or relative is welcome to be present and can be included in the planning of our support. The support agreed upon can be reviewed at any time by a member or by a member’s family member.

Becoming a Member

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“I was aware of Scottish War Blinded but my perception was that they helped soldiers injured in wartime and that my time spent in the Royal Navy Reserves didn’t qualify me to become a member.

Many years after my sight loss, I heard that I was eligible for membership - I had no idea and this was a pleasant surprise.

My outreach worker Carole supports me to find solutions to stay independent in my home. She has helped me immensely by devising a filing system for my paperwork with stickers which allows me to access the papers I need without help.

I would say to anyone who is unsure if Scottish War Blinded is for them to get in contact with their staff to find out more - the support is tailor made to each individual, and my outreach worker’s help and friendship has been of huge benefit to me so far.”

Susan Dunham, Royal Navy Reserves veteran

Susan’s Story

Scottish War Blinded is the operating name of the Scottish National Institution for the War Blinded, Scottish Charity Number SC 002652.

ScottishWarBlinded.org

Are you or do you know a National Service or Armed Forces Veteran with sight loss?

It’s free to access our Scotland-wide outreach service.

Head Office and Enquiries 50 Gillespie Crescent Edinburgh EH10 4JB Tel: 0131 229 1456 Email: enquiries.warblinded@royalblind.org