WCB RESET Project is supported by the Lottery Community Fund
"Just wanted to say how impressed I am with this at present; it is even more a helpful resource than usual. Thank you." - Rehabilitation Officer for the Visually Impaired on WCB's information service.
The restrictions brought in to reduce the spread of COVID-19 have not gone away, and seem set to remain in various forms for quite some time. We at WCB are concerned that blind and partially sighted people face additional barriers and attitudinal challenges to combat. Therefore we want to ensure that the best information gets out to people with sight loss and to people who work with them.
WCB shall produce information packs and online resources to assist people with sight loss in negotiating the measures put in place under the Covid-19 pandemic.
We shall look at a number of domains:
How you can help us.
We want to know what the specific measures are in place across the various areas of Retail, Education, Social Care, health, Employment, and Transport and, importantly, what the impacts might be for blind and partially sighted people. What adjustments are necessary to enable people with sight loss to overcome these impacts and participate fully? Do you have any stories to tell about problems faced and solutions reached?
Please contact us on 02920 473954 or email richard@wcb-ccd.org.uk.
We at WCB would like to reassure members that we are still working and will continue to provide advice and support via telephone or email.
Telephone: 02920 473954
Staff Email addresses:
Owen Williams (Director) - owen@wcb-ccd.org.uk
Rebecca Phillips (External Engagement Officer) -
bec@wcb-ccd.org.uk
Richard Bowers (Communications Officer) -
richard@wcb-ccd.org.uk
RESET Publications
1) The first publication was based on the Welsh Government FAQ on the firebreak lockdown. The won't be available here as it is no longer relevant.
4) An edition was sent out to update people on the Christmas arrangements.
6) Social care and Health [Word | PDF]
GENERAL ADVICE AND RESOURCES.
Please help us to keep these relevant and up-to-date.
On this page:
SUPPORT IN YOUR AREA.
Go here for UK and Wales-wide general sight loss and specialist organisation contacts.)
For contacts in local authorities (local community support and local sight loss organisations):
- Blaenau Gwent
- Bridgend (Pen-y-bont ar Ogwr)
- Caerphilly (Caerffili)
- Cardiff (Caerdydd)
- Carmarthenshire (Sir Gaerfyrddin)
- Ceredigion
- Conwy
- Denbighshire (Sir Ddinbych)
- Flintshire (Sir y Fflint)
- Gwynedd
- Isle of Anglesey (Ynys Môn)
- Merthyr Tydfil (Merthyr Tudful)
- Monmouthshire (Sir Fynwy)
- Neath Port Talbot (Castell-nedd Port Talbot)
- Newport (Casnewydd)
- Pembrokeshire (Sir Benfro)
- Powys
- Rhondda Cynon Taf
- Swansea (Abertawe)
- Torfaen (Tor-faen)
- Vale of Glamorgan (Bro Morgannwg)
- Wrexham (Wrecsam)
These are also available as patient booklets in Word format.
CORONAVIRUS INFORMATION AND ADVICE.
Essential food and supplies.
Welsh Government advice: https://gov.wales/getting-food-and-essential-supplies-during-coronavirus-pandemic
Vaccination.
What is vaccination and how is it being implemented in Wales? Public Health Wales provides patient information here: https://phw.nhs.wales/topics/immunisation-and-vaccines/covid-19-vaccination-information/patient-information/
Guide Dogs advice on vaccination is here (England-focused): https://www.guidedogs.org.uk/covid19/support-for-people-with-sight-loss/coronavirus-vaccine
Advice to health workers on making vaccination accessible [Word document]
Vaccination schedule for Wales.
The Welsh Government's strategy for Covid vaccination sets out three milestones:
- By mid-February 2021– all care home residents and staff; frontline health and social care staff; everyone over 70 and everyone who is clinically extremely vulnerable will have been offered vaccination.
- By the Spring – vaccination will have been offered to all other phase one priority groups (everyone over 50 and everyone who is at-risk because they have an underlying health condition).
- By autumn – vaccination will have been offered to all other eligible adults in Wales, in line with any guidance issued by the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI).
People will be invited to come for a vaccination at a clinic close to their home or at one of the mass vaccination centres. Please wait until you are contacted for your turn.
More about vaccination is at the NHS Wales website:
https://phw.nhs.wales/topics/immunisation-and-vaccines/covid-19-vaccination-information/
How to book a test if you have symptoms.
Anyone experiencing these coronavirus symptoms – a high temperature and continuous cough – is able to apply for a home testing kit using the new UK online portal. For further information and a link to the booking website visit:
Alternatively, members of the public can apply for a home testing kit by phoning the free number 119.
People with hearing or speech difficulties can call 18001 119.
What is contact tracing?
Welsh Government is attmpting to map the occurences of Coronavirus in Wales and needs your help if you've tested positive for the virus. To find out more about how this is happening, go to https://gov.wales/contact-tracing-your-questions
Guidance on protecting vulnerable people (previously known as shielding).
Welsh Government guidance for unpaid carers.
https://gov.wales/guidance-unpaid-carers-coronavirus-covid-19-html
Welsh Government links to help and information in Wales.
https://seneddresearch.blog/2020/03/17/coronavirus-constituency-support/
Health and behavioural advice.
For advice and updates about the Coronavirus, visit these official websites:
- Official guidance: https://gov.wales/coronavirus
- Symptoms: Online symptom checker for Coronavirus
- Updates from Public Health Wales: latest information
- Public Health Wales and SightAdviceFAQ advice on social distancing etc.
Information in other languages.
Covid 19 videos in a number of languages (for England primarily): http://hawaherts.co.uk/covid-19-advice-in-other-languages/
Also: http://www.doctorsoftheworld.org.uk/coronavirus-information/