This Saturday, 11th March, the Isle of Wight’s oldest working charity, Sight for Wight, will be teaming up with Wight Sense, the Island’s Sensory Support Service, to welcome Islanders who are visually and hearing impaired to join them at the 1st Newport Scouts Hall, Woodbine Close, Newport PO30 1AE.

The event, cancelled last September due to the sad passing of HRH Queen Elizabeth II, will be held between 10:30am and 3:30pm.

Sight for Wight, who support more than 6,000 visually impaired Islanders have been working with Wight Sense to invite and welcome sixteen national and local organisations to the event.

It will be a one-stop-shop for on the spot advice, equipment demonstrations and signposting for support any Islanders living with sight or hearing conditions.

Lisa Hollyhead, CEO for both Sight for Wight and Wight Sense explains,

“As someone born legally blind but also someone who is losing their hearing rapidly, I understand what having both a lifelong sensory loss is like and what losing a second sense also brings.

“I understand firsthand how important it is to receive the right help at the right time, so this open day is doing just that.

“We, as a charity, cannot provide everything, but we can understand you, as an individual, and point you in the right direction when we cannot help directly. Our aim here at the Charity is to help people live safely, independently, and confidently.”

Sight for Wight offer a wide range of services, activities and events for their members including Weekly groups, a befriending service, drop in IT accessibility advice, Audio Library and weekly Talking News service as well day-to-day advice, support, and reassurance to those who need it.

Wight Sense offer home visits for one-to-one assessments to look at your individual needs, offer equipment loans, mobility training and daily living skills.

There will also be a chance to meet volunteers from Dress for Less, the Sight for Wight dress agency from which all profits support the work of the Charity.

Everyone is welcome with homemade cakes on offer to everyone.