Barnet

Barnet Support Services Coordinator: Jo Adams can be contacted via our Head Office on 02084235141 (local rate).

The Barnet Association for the Blind (part of the MAB) is a registered charity working locally to provide support to blind, partially sighted and deafblind people throughout the Borough of Barnet. Our staff and trained volunteers work together to provide a range of high quality services, information, advice and training, all aimed at assisting the visually impaired to lead independent lives.

We offer the following services in Barnet

• Computer Training We offer IT training at Barnet Independent Living Service, The Concourse, London NW9 5UX.
• Visual Awareness Training
• Resource Centres
• MidSight Hospital Information points The Barnet Association for the Blind works in partnership with the Eye Clinics at Barnet and Edgware Hospitals to provide invaluable information and support to patients of diagnosis of their eye condition.
• Home Visiting Service offers additional support and companionship to any visually impaired person.

  One example is Marjorie who is partially sighted due to Macular Degeneration. In 2004 she celebrated her 21st birthday as she was born on the 29th February! She worked, for many years, as a beautician and still considers her appearance as one of the most important aspects of her life. Her monthly shopping trips to buy health and beauty products with Tina, our support worker, are therefore essential dates on her calendar.

Volunteering

Volunteers are always needed to help blind people in Barnet.

At the moment we have 20 people like Edith & Gordon on our waiting list hoping to get some help from a volunteer from the community. So if you can spare one or two hours a week/fortnight to help a person with a visual impairment, then please visit our Volunteering section.

The Barnet Association for the Blind is a registered charity and all of our activities are dependent upon contributions and donations.

The Tate Modern Curator gives a talk to members of Barnet Association for the Blind.

Please do not hesitate to contact us if you would like further details or to put your name on the list for training.

Useful local contacts:

• Occupational Therapy and Rehabilitation Team phone: 020 8359 5000; email: socialcaredirect@barnet.gov.uk (sens-imp.team@barnet.gov.uk)
• Barnet Borough Sight Impaired 020 8359 3750
• Barnet Talking Newspaper - a weekly local news on audio tape for people who are blind or partially sighted and live in the London Borough of Barnet. It is completely free and delivered by post. Contact Peggy Berry on tel: 020 8445 3922.

Barnet Association for the Blind is part of Middlesex Association for the Blind (MAB), registered charity No. 207007.

With support from

MAB Home Page