A sight loss charity is set to open its first shop and information hub in the city centre.

Wiltshire Sight is planning to open its shop on Catherine Street at the end of September.

The premises will also include a separate consultation hub, a safe environment where Sight Loss Advisors provide information, guidance and demonstrate resources.

As well as being a traditional charity shop, the store will supply some of the most-used technology and gadgets for the visually-impaired.

Wiltshire Sight, formerly Wiltshire Blind Association, dates back to 1919, set up in Devizes to support the blind and partially-sighted.

The charity exists to ensure that people with visual impairments are fully supported in living their lives independently and to the full, providing practical and emotional support.

A charity spokesperson said “Our information, advice and guidance services are delivered by a team of Community Sight Loss Advisors who are based in the community, some of whom are registered blind themselves and have years of lived experience.

"Alongside emotional support and guidance, the team can advise and train people on use of specialist equipment, and also provide training in other areas such as reading and writing, kitchen skills, getting out and about, everyday technology, and managing finances. 

"We have a central Resource Centre at our main Devizes office. 

"However, for those in the south of the county, access to our full resource centre in Devizes is particularly problematic so we are incredibly excited to be opening our first hub in Salisbury at the end of September.

"We have sourced a till system which will be accessible for use by visually impaired volunteers to encourage volunteer opportunities for isolated people. 

"We will be using the shop to raise awareness of the importance of eye health (a shocking 50% of sight loss is preventable), and of sight support services available. 

"We see this as a real win-win: a charity shop which also provides local services to people living in and around the Salisbury area.”

 

Get more Salisbury news. 

 

 

You can also like our Facebook page and follow us on Twitter and Instagram to stay up to date.

 

 

If you want online news with fewer ads, unlimited access and reader rewards - plus a chance to support our local journalism - find out more about registering or a digital subscription.

 

 

Email newsdesk@salisburyjournal.co.uk with your comments, pictures, letters and news stories.