Press Release issued: 4 February 2011.
Two leading Scottish charities are joining forces today to launch a raft of new services supporting people with sensory loss across Tayside.
Public Health Minister Shona Robison will formally launch a pioneering partnership between the Royal National Institute of Blind People Scotland and RNID Scotland in Dundee.
The new service will provide vital support and encouragement to help reduce the loneliness and isolation experienced by hundreds of people living with sight or hearing loss, including advice on using hearing and vision aids to make life easier.
Shona Robison, MSP for Dundee East, said: "I am delighted to be here opening this new service, a service that will offer a range of services for people with a sensory impairment. I am also delighted to be able to say that the Scottish Government has supported the setting up of the service through the £100,000 funding we provided to both RNIB and RNID Scotland.
"This new service will ensure that all users are treated as individuals and have care plans tailored to meet their needs. Ultimately it will provide the best care and support to an individual, allowing them to live their lives to the full and become active members of society."
Ann-Marie Boyd from RNIB Scotland said: "This is a great opportunity to extend our services at grassroots level across Tayside. Our 'Looking Forward' programme will help people come to terms with losing their sight and to go on to lead fulfilling lives. We will support those in work retain the jobs they're in or find new ones. We are also keen to support those with learning disabilities and other complex needs whose sight loss might have gone undiagnosed. Our specialist team can offer practical advice and help."
Delia Henry, director of RNID Scotland, said: "RNID Scotland's 'Hear to Help' project will provide life-changing support for NHS hearing aid users and help reduce demands on the local audiology departments for post-fitting rehabilitation services. Getting used to a hearing aid can be difficult and takes time, and this service will prove invaluable.
"Our committed team of volunteers is looking forward to running community drop-in sessions that will help build the confidence of hearing aid users. It's amazing to see the tremendous impact a hearing aid can have in transforming a person's ability to hear and live a full and active life."
The service has been funded by the Scottish Government and the 'Hear to Help' project is also supported by the Co-operative.
Peter Marks, group chief executive of the Co-operative Group and a vice-president of RNID, said: "We are delighted to be funding a 'Hear to Help' project to reach people who have become isolated due to hearing loss. The incredible fundraising achievement of the Co-operative in raising £3.7m for RNID means this is just one of over 20 new projects across the UK. Overall, these projects will benefit 20,000 people who are deaf or hard of hearing."
* For information about the services offered by the project and drop-in sessions taking place in your community, contact Suzanne Swinton at RNID Scotland on 01382 596998 or suzanne.swinton@rnid.org.uk. Ann-Marie Boyd at RNIB Scotland can be contacted on 0790 8571837 or ann-marie.boyd@rnib.org.uk.