2023 is going to be a significant year for Eastbourne Blind Society as it celebrates 100 Years as a charity serving Visually impaired residents of the Eastbourne community!!

How times have changed over the 100 years  since the charity was born to aid thoes brave soldiers returning from World War 1 blinded by injury or gas but our purpose has not. EBS continues to be here to give advice, support,guidence and provide activities for those who are experiencing sight loss and for those who support them.

Throughout 2023 EBS will be holding a number of events to celebrate this humongous milestone and we hope you will be able to join us. Our aim continues to be the same,to make sure that we use every opportunity to inform people about the work of the charity and to continue to give everyone who needs our support the chance to learn about and join us.

 

The office is open as normal:

Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday – 9am to 4pm

Wednesday – 9am to 1pm

Saturday & Sunday – Closed

 

Contact details

Telephone: 01323 729511

Email: info@eastbourneblindsociety.org

Website: www.eastbourneblindsociety.org

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/eastbourneblindsociety/

 

Welcome to EBS Website

We have designed our Website to make it easy for vision impaired people to access information using screen readers and magnifiers such as the Guide and Supernova software programmes. We have deliberately avoided a complicated design and layout.

 

What is Low Vision?

Typically “Low Vision” is the term used to describe significant visual impairment that can`t be corrected fully with glasses, contact lenses, medication or eye surgery.

There are numerous causes of low vision which include eye diseases, hereditary conditions and traumas. The development of low vision can be sudden or it can evolve over longer periods of time, and it can trigger a wide range of reactions including loss of confidence, frustration, depression and a loss of independence.

Statistics show that in the UK 250 people a day become affected by sight loss and 1 in 5 people will experience sight loss at some point.

Eastbourne Blind Society supports people on an individual basis, working with them to establish the help that is needed and the best way to access it.

 

CAN WE HELP YOU?

Membership of Eastbourne Blind Society is open to all who have any degree of sight loss and who live in the Eastbourne area. You do not have to have been registered as sight impaired or severely sight impaired to join us and benefit from the support we offer. There are no membership fees.  

EBS encourages independence, providing many different opportunities for people to feel less isolated and more confident. We provide a wide range of modular courses including kitchen skills, keep cooking, low vision aids and safety in the home. More details on these courses can be found on the Services page of this website.  

If you, or anyone you know of, think you might benefit from our services, please contact us.

This is what Loretta had to say about the support received from EBS. She is very happy to talk with anyone who feels they might benefit from a conversation with her about parenting a visually impaired child. Contact us for her details.

I would like to take this opportunity to thank you and the Society for the warm wlecome and help and support you offer to Callum. 

The Sound Tennis is a huge part of his week and the opportunity to regularly participate in this has been a great influence on his self-esteem and general wellbeing.

Although he does not regularly visit the Centre or get in touch, being part of something is very important to him and your support makes him feel a valuable member of the Community.

With very best wishes and thanks for all you do. 

Loretta (Callum`s Mum)

We are here to talk to anyone who would like further information.

The EBS Team

We have a dedicated team of staff and an absolutely essential team of volunteers and trustees. 

Grace, one of our volunteers, told us why she volunteers. She said `I got involved with the group because I wanted to contribute something, but somehow I always seem to come away with more than I bring to the group! This includes fun and laughter, warmth and wisdom and wicked humour, and a pooling of ideas by a great team of staff and volunteers.` 

Brenda, with a huge chuckle, said she volunteers because she is `masochistic!`

Jenny was volunteered by her husband, but now she is part of the team she `loves it!` 

Philip, one of our volunteer minibus drivers, said that he `wanted to give something back...`

If you think volunteering is something you might be interested in then please contact us for an informal chat about the opportunties available. We are very keen to hear from you.

 

Donations

As an independent local charity, we rely on donations, legacies and fund-raising to cover the cost of providing the services we offer to our members. Gift Aid donations are especially helpful because we are also able to claim back income tax, thereby significantly increasing the value of your gift.