Wiltshire Sight

22/07/2025

Could technology make life easier for someone you care about?
Smartphones and tablets can do so much more than many people realise, from reading out letters to helping you stay in touch with family. But learning new tech can feel daunting, especially if you are living with sight loss.

That is why we are offering free Digital Skills courses this autumn, designed to help people build confidence step by step. Sessions are small, friendly, and run by Mark, our Digital Skills Advisor, with support from trained volunteers.

Courses cover practical skills like
• Navigating a touchscreen
• Making video calls
• Reading audiobooks and using screen readers
• Using voice assistants
We also offer one-to-one support before and after the course, so no one is left struggling on their own.

Beginners courses run in September and Improvers courses in October at locations across Wiltshire: Devizes, Salisbury, Trowbridge and Swindon.

Call 01380 723682 or email info@wiltshiresight.org to find out more or book a place.

If you are reading this and living with sight loss yourself, we would love to support you too, just get in touch.



Image description: An older man is smiling while using a tablet device at a group session. The text on the image reads: “Do you know someone who struggles with tech? We can help” alongside the Wiltshire Sight logo.

16/07/2025

Feeling lucky? Your £1 ticket could turn into £500!
Our Summer Raffle is now open and you could win one of our great cash prizes – including a top prize of £500.

It’s a fun way to support Wiltshire Sight’s vital work across the county – helping people with sight loss stay independent, informed and connected.

Buy your tickets here: https://buy.stripe.com/fZe5mCbbLgKc9na6os

Prizes:
• £500 top prize
• £100 second prize
• Plus 9 other chances to win

The raffle is run by Sight Support West of England. It is run jointly for the benefit of our three charities, and all proceeds are split between Insight Gloucestershire, Sight Support West of England and Wiltshire Sight. The charity is registered with Wiltshire Council to operate the raffle, Licence No. LC202406-13308.



Image description: Animated raffle graphic for Wiltshire Sight. Text reads:
“Feeling lucky? Your £1 ticket could win £500! RAFFLE. 1st prize £500. 2nd prize £100. Runner-up prizes: 4 x £25, 5 x £10.”
The background is white and dark blue with colourful stars and bright sparkles flashing across the image. A yellow raffle ticket graphic appears near the top.

11/07/2025

We’re now offering dedicated digital skills support in Wiltshire!

Mark, our new Digital Skills Advisor for Wiltshire Sight, is now settled into his role and ready to help people across the county get the most from their smartphones, tablets, and other devices.

Mark has spent over 20 years working in education, supporting young people with learning and communication difficulties. He brings a calm, patient approach and a strong understanding of how to tailor support to each individual.

Our new Digital Skills Support Service is here to help people with sight loss feel more confident using technology. Mark works alongside trained digital volunteers to offer one-to-one support at our hubs and resource centre, helping people stay connected, informed and independent.

This month, Mark is visiting our social hubs to demonstrate the latest wearable smart technology – Meta glasses. So if you’re curious about how this tech works and what it can do for you, do come along for a chat!

Looking ahead, he’ll also be running friendly group sessions including:
• Smart Discovery Sessions (August)
• Beginners Course (September)
• Improvers Course (October)

Whether you're completely new to technology or just want to do more with your device, we're here to help, one step at a time.

Call 01380 723 682
Email info@wiltshiresight.org to find out more.



Image description: At the top text reads ‘Digital Skills Support Service;. Below is a smiling portrait of Mark, the Digital Skills Advisor, with the text “Meet Mark, your Digital Skills Advisor.”

30/06/2025

Fancy giving bowls a go?

A relaxed, friendly taster session is being planned at Pewsey Vale Bowls Club this July – especially for people living with sight loss.
• Pewsey Vale Bowls Club, SN9 5AQ
• Provisional date: Tuesday 22 July
• 10am – 12 noon
No experience needed – all equipment is provided, and volunteers will be on hand to help.

Places are limited, so if you’re interested, get in touch with Jenny Spencer here at Wiltshire Sight to register your interest:
jenny.spencer@wiltshiresight.org / 01380 723682
We’ll confirm the date soon but don’t wait to let us know you’re keen!



Image description: Two photos of people playing bowls on a green at Pewsey Vale Bowls Club. In the top photo, a group of four men stand together smiling, with one about to bowl. In the bottom photo, two men are focused on playing, with bowls scattered on the green. A text box reads: ‘Give bowls a go! Pewsey taster session for people with sight loss’.

24/06/2025

Holidaying with sight loss, tips and inspiration for your next adventure

Going away for a break can take a bit of extra planning when you’re living with sight loss, but that doesn’t mean it can’t be enjoyable and accessible.

Whether you’re heading to the beach, the countryside, or somewhere further afield, our Knowledge Hub has lots of practical tips to help make your holiday run more smoothly – from using travel apps and checking accessibility in advance, to simple ideas like tying something to your hotel room door handle to help you find it more easily.

You’ll also find ideas for specialist holiday providers, accessible travel companies, and grants that may be available to help with the cost.

Explore our two holiday articles:
Tips and tricks for holidaying: www.sightsupportwest.org.uk/resources/tips-and-tricks-for-holidaying/
Are we nearly there yet? Holidaying with sight loss: www.sightsupportwest.org.uk/holidaying-with-sight-loss/

If you’ve found a great travel tip or accessible destination, pop it in the comments, we’d love to hear your ideas! 😀

Going on holiday can be accessible and enjoyable to those living with sight loss. 15 tips to help you navigate some of the potential issues.

19/06/2025

Could wearable tech help with everyday tasks? Come and find out at your local hub this July.

Our Digital Inclusion Officer will be bringing Meta Ray-Ban Smart Glasses to hub socials across Wiltshire this month. These glasses can read text aloud – from bus timetables and food labels to use-by dates, they can even answer questions about what you're looking at.

It’s a great opportunity to explore how technology like this could support daily life with sight loss. You’ll be able to try them out, ask questions, and chat with us in a relaxed, friendly setting.

Your Community Sight Loss Advisor will also be there, offering the usual support and information during the session.

Check your local hub dates at:
https://www.sightsupportwest.org.uk/events/
Or call us on: 01380 723682



Image description: Image showing a pair of black Meta Ray-Ban Smart Glasses on a white background. Above the glasses is the text: “Could smart glasses support your daily life with sight loss? Try them out at a hub this July.” The Wiltshire Sight logo appears in the bottom left, and the top half of the image has a navy background with curved yellow and green stripes.

13/06/2025

Explore our Resource Centres
Did you know our Devizes, Salisbury and Trowbridge resource centres are packed with tools to support everyday life with sight loss?

From magnifiers and talking watches to accessible games and kitchen gadgets – you can try a wide range of equipment for yourself.

Your local Sight Loss Advisor will be on hand to offer advice, answer questions, and help you find what works best for you.
Visits are by appointment only:
• Devizes on Wednesdays
• Salisbury on Tuesdays
• Trowbridge on Fridays

To book, call 01380 723682 or email info@wiltshiresight.org

https://www.sightsupportwest.org.uk/events/



Image description: Two collages of photos.
The collages show equipment available at Wiltshire Sight’s Devizes Resource Centre. Includes kitchen scales and utensils, a range of tinted glasses, talking clocks and watches, handheld electronic magnifiers, accessible games and a desktop computer set up with accessible software.

09/06/2025

Even if your vision seems fine, diabetic eye screening can detect changes you can’t see or feel. We’re sharing this important reminder from NEC Care : Banes, Swindon & Wiltshire Diabetic Eye Screening - to help raise awareness that attending your screening could help prevent sight loss.

Image description: A woman with long hair in a ponytail is looking out over a scenic view of green forested hills and blue sky. Overlaid NHS-branded text reads: “Why do I attend if my vision is fine? Diabetic Retinopathy is often symptomless. Like any other screening programme, we look for changes before they can cause lasting damage. This is why [it’s] important to attend your appointment with us. Your vision maybe seem normal while changes can occur.” Contact details and a website link appear at the bottom of the image - 01225 582300.

You may not be able to notice if you have diabetic retinopathy, changes in your eyes can occur even if your vision is fine 👁‍🗨

Please ensure you attend your diabetic eye screening appointments.

To book an appointment call us on 01225 582300

For more information visit our website: https://neccare.necsws.com/your.../banes-swindon-wiltshire/

08/06/2025

To all our incredible Wiltshire Sight volunteers – thank you.

Your time, support and care help us reach over 1,400 people across Wiltshire, offering reassurance, community and practical help. Whether you're working behind the scenes or face to face with our community we value your contribution deeply.

One volunteer shared:
“Working in the Salisbury store has changed my life for the better.”
That says it all. You make a lasting difference and we’ll keep celebrating your contribution every week of the year.



Image description: A Volunteers’ Week graphic with colourful stars and the message: “We couldn’t do it without you. Thank you for making a difference, every day.” On the right is a photo of two women in Wiltshire Sight t-shirts standing outside a stone building beside a flag that reads “Local support for people with sight loss.” The hashtag appears at the bottom.

05/06/2025

Volunteering can be life-changing, not just for those we support, but for volunteers too.

Here’s what one of our amazing volunteers had to say:
“I love volunteering at Wiltshire Sight in Devizes. I feel a part of a family. I would definitely recommend volunteering with Wiltshire Sight to anyone.”

This year we held 961 social events, from audiobook reading groups to friendly socials – that’s double the number we ran last year. 453 people joined one of our hub social groups, many returning several times.

Volunteers help us make all this possible.

Interested in finding your place with us?
https://www.wiltshiresight.org/get-involved/volunteer-with-us/



Image description: A dark blue Volunteers’ Week graphic with colourful star outlines and diagonal stripes. The main text reads: “I feel a part of a family. I would definitely recommend volunteering with Wiltshire Sight to anyone.” At the bottom are the Volunteers’ Week logo and the hashtag .

02/06/2025

It’s Volunteers’ Week and we’re celebrating our wonderful Wiltshire Sight volunteers!

This week, we’re saying a huge thank you to the people who give their time, skills, and kindness to support our work.
• 90 volunteers currently support Wiltshire Sight
• 23 are living with sight loss themselves
• 91% would recommend volunteering with us to others
• 327 new clients registered this year – an 11% increase
We couldn’t reach this many people without you.

Find out more about volunteering:
https://www.wiltshiresight.org/get-involved/volunteer-with-us/



Image description: A Volunteers’ Week graphic with colourful stars and the message: “To every volunteer – thank you. You’re at the heart of everything we do.” The photo shows a large group of people gathered in a library, seated around tables with snacks, chatting and smiling. Some are staff and volunteers, and others are service users. The hashtag appears in the bottom corner.

28/05/2025

Looking after your eye health matters – even if you already live with sight loss

Regular eye tests are important for everyone, including people who are blind or partially sighted. Eye checks can help monitor any changes to your vision and may even pick up other health conditions, like diabetes or high blood pressure.

It’s recommended to have your eyes tested at least every two years and you might be entitled to a free NHS sight test and help with glasses or contact lenses. Just ask your optician.

Taking care of your eye health is important, whatever your level of vision.



Image description: A pair of glasses is placed in front of a blurred Snellen eye chart. The letters are sharp and in focus through the lenses, while the rest of the chart remains blurry. On the left side of the image, a bright yellow circle contains the text: “Looking after your eye health matters – an eye test could spot changes you can’t see.” The Wiltshire Sight logo is shown at the bottom.