The Karten Project here at Vision North Somerset has been a great example of partnership working between The Karten Trust, the Royal National Institute for the Blind (RNIB) and ourselves for the past six years. Blind and partially sighted people have benefitted from one to one tuition with volunteers to enable them to use computers, tablets and iphones and it has changed their lives.
However, we know there are lots of people in rural North Somerset that simply cannot get to our centre in Weston super Mare because they cannot drive and are not able to use public transport due to their loss of sight or other health issues.
At our recent Open Day, Vision North Somerset launched four new lottery projects including a Digital Outreach Service to enable isolated, lonely people with sight loss to take advantage of all that IT has to offer. By taking our Karten Project out to people, we can ensure that they have the opportunity to be part of on line communities, stay in touch with family and friends by email, shop on line, use specialist apps which guide or support blind people or indeed, any of the other options that we all take for granted.
Jo Healy is our new Digital Outreach Worker, her part time post is entirely funded by the National Lottery. Jo said “I can’t believe how busy we were at the Open Day, people were really keen to know what was on offer and how they could be involved.” Jo has previously volunteered as a Tutor with our Karten project and has an extensive knowledge of the options available to support blind and partially sighted people. “I am visually impaired myself so I know just how isolating it can be – it’s great to be able to offer people such a great opportunity, especially people who don’t find it easy to get out and about, because they are the people that benefit most.”
Chief Executive Celia Henshall explained: “The Digital Outreach project works with Connect ME, Buddy Volunteering and a rural Outreach Service to help us reach people, connect people and involve them in our local communities. All options link in and interact to ensure that blind and partially sighted people can be involved in whatever way they choose”.
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- This article was written by the Vision North Somerset Karten Centre
- Featured in the Karten Summer 2019 Newsletter
- This article is listed in the following subject areas: Centre News