Henshaws Society for Blind People
Key Facts
Location
Project Criteria
Project funding
£219,000
Funding round
We were set up in 1867 as a charity in the North of England for blind people and our Family Service was established in Manchester in 1993. Today, we support the families of 288 visually impaired children with a comprehensive package of support, practical advice and information.
Henshaws is using the Parenting Fund to develop a support network for the parents of families affected by visual impairment in Merseyside, North West Yorkshire and the North East.
In each region, a dedicated Family Service Team Leader will support local parents in their parenting role in the following ways:
- networking and the development of existing and new referral routes
- working with other voluntary organisations, Visual Impairment Teams, Social Services, Education and Health Authorities, GPs and other health professionals
- a Parent Information Group/ Forum, held out of normal working hours, with childcare facilities, to enable parents to meet informally and share their own experiences, and gather information on a diverse range of topics
- a VIPAR Group that will provide support to visually impaired parents, again enabling them to come together and share their own experiences, and gather information on a diverse range of topics
- a regional specific version of Henshaws 'Handy Guide for Families' information binder will be developed providing comprehensive information on a range of subjects relevant to families affected by visual impairment
- support for health and education professionals and other organisations and agencies through professional development days and conferences that help them understand the impact of visual impairment in children and families
- four family-oriented events for children, siblings and parents
- a Toy Tape Library Resource. Play is vital in the development of children affected by visual impairment and such a managed Resource will give parents the opportunity to develop new skills.
The Family Service Team Leader will undertake, where possible, one-to-one home visits. These visits will give parents the chance to talk about their own unique needs in familiar surroundings, and get the information they need about such topics as education, healthcare, local services, toys, and benefits.