Seescape in the community

Kirstie Henderson from Seescape outlined the charity's work.

Fife Society for the Blind (FSB) was founded in 1865 to teach blind people to read in Braille. In September 2018 they changed our name to seescape to reflect our aims - enabling people with sight impairment lead as independent life as possible.

Seescape hold the register for people in Fife who are diagnosed by the NHS as sight impaired or severely sight impaired. Seescape’s 4 core functions: Sight Support, Access Technology, The Optician and Community Engagement.

Visual impairment includes

Some eye conditions that are hereditary or acquired through injury or illness. With increasing age, our sight deteriorates. Common conditions are - Age-Related Macular Degeneration, Glaucoma, Cataract & Diabetic Retinopathy.

Neurological visual impairments often involve the loss of central vision, one side of the visual field, or a loss of the entire visual field.

The Optician can provide
 •Free NHS eye tests
 •Eye tests carried out by an optician who specialises in low vision
 •Products for more complex conditions which includes hands free magnification and medical filters
 •Latest scanning technology including 3D imaging of the eye
 •Low vision clinics (NHS)

Fundraising
• seescape delivers services on behalf of Fife Council for which they receive grant funding.
• Health and Social Care Partnership.
• They need to raise additional funds to maintain and develop their services e.g. Trusts & Foundations, Corporate, Community, Legacies & Individual donations

Community Engagement
Social Groups in Cupar, Glenrothes, Leven, Kirkcaldy and Dunfermline
Befriending - individual clients all over Fife
Volunteering – supporting above services.
Community Activity Pilot

Emotional Impact of Visual Impairment
Grief & trauma can comes with loss of vision.
Unable to do the things they used to i.e. their driving licence means a big loss of their independence and increased reliance on others
Loss of independence unable to do the things they used to do
Social isolation and loneliness – around two-thirds of people with a visual impairment experience loneliness.

Kirstie explained the importance of volunteers. 
•Volunteers are vital to seescape and their clients.
•Volunteers are welcomed from all ages and all walks of life
•Approx.  40 Volunteers who are involved with Groups, Befriending services, as well as supporting admin and fundraising activities – they are part of the seescape team.
•Training depending on role may include: Sight Awareness, Guide Techniques, etc.
•Volunteers are highly valued and respected by all for their dedication and commitment.

Social groups 
•Meet on a weekly/fortnightly basis.
•Value in bringing people together - offering mutual support and friendship.
•Offers a range of activities for example: guest speakers, access technology updates, singers and musicians as well as outings to various places that the group are able to access.
•Run by volunteers.
CEC monitor/develop groups - Kirkcaldy.

Befriending
•Befriending at home or within the local community, distance/telephone befriending.
•Support to engage in interests, hobbies, provide connection and company.
•The befriender may be the only company the client has all week
•Helps to reduce isolation and loneliness
•Can lead to increased confidence and well-being as well as making and re-establishing connections