Sight loss charity Outlookers – previously known as the Kirklees Visual Impairment Network – has launched a roadshow for local communities to find out more about the organisation and discuss any concerns they have about their sight. 

The charity were kindly donated a van by Elland-based specialist vehicles provider Terberg DTS UK. This has allowed them to create a mobile sight loss centre which Outlookers plan to take out onto the streets of Kirklees. 

This follows on from the Community Champions project Outlookers embarked upon. This joint project with Kirklees Council used Outlookers staff and volunteers to help people with a disability access the Covid-19 vaccine.

Outlookers recognise the importance of talking to people in familiar surroundings, so have announced a series of key dates and locations that the Sight Loss Centre will be visiting over the next few weeks. The road trip locations include:

  • Wednesday August 18: Asda, Mill St West, Dewsbury WF12 9AE
  • Tuesday August 24: Morrisons, Penistone Rd, Waterloo, Huddersfield HD5 8QW
  • Tuesday August 24: Morrisons, Station St, Meltham, Holmfirth HD9 5QR
  • Tuesday August 31: Greenwood Centre, Huddersfield Rd, Ravensthorpe, Dewsbury WF13 3JR 
  • Wednesday September 1: Co-op, Market St, Holmfirth, HD9 7AX
  • Tuesday September 7: Mullaco, Mullaco Retail Park, Slaithwaite Road, Dewsbury WF12 0AA
  • Wednesday September 8: CMCLC, Moorfield Shopping Centre, 15 Park Rd West, Crosland Moor, Huddersfield HD4 5RX

Outlookers is run by people who themselves are blind or partially sighted. They offer peer and technology support to people who are impacted by sight loss. The organisation specialises in ensuring everyone with a visual impairment has access to technology that can help them retain their independence. 

Volunteers run one-to-one tuition that is tailored to work at an individual’s own pace. This may be helping someone access free talking books or showing them how to adapt their smartphone to allow them to use apps. Often, small changes to their phone will make a huge difference to their independence, mobility and confidence.

Christine Stephen, CEO at Outlookers, said: “The charity has a wealth of knowledge about technology which people can easily learn to use to benefit themselves, so we want to ensure that residents throughout Kirklees have the access to any support they need throughout their sight loss journey.

“In December 2020, we approached the team at Terberg, who very kindly donated a beautiful vehicle that will allow us to do just that. We are so thrilled to be able to meet as many people as possible throughout the summer.”

The charity’s website can be found HERE.