British Wireless for the Blind Fund win funding to help beneficiaries in North West England.
British Wireless for the Blind Fund (BWBF) has confirmed it has won a grant award for its Lifeline to the World – North West England project. This has been made possible by the generosity of Ørsted and organised through Grantscape.
The project is to recruit and train volunteers to assist with providing free specially adapted audio equipment to people living with sight loss in Copeland, Barrow in Furness, South Lakeland, Lancaster and Wyre. Our radios are designed and adapted to be easier to use for people living with sight loss. They contain special features and functions that allow independent use of a wide variety of functions. The volunteer will set up the radio, provide full instruction on the many features and support the recipient to access a variety of different listening options. If a home visit is required, we will provide appropriate PPE to the volunteer. If a home visit is not required by the recipient, we will post out the equipment using our BWBF Connect Service. BWBF Connect provides a doorstep delivery of our equipment and a follow up support call provided by the volunteer.
Referrals will come through Barrow & Districts Society for the Blind, Cumbria County Council and N-Vision, our many agents in the region and through individuals contacting us directly. Part of the project will be to promote our service in places our recipients are likely to engage, for example GP surgeries, libraries and daycentres.
The project will benefit 30 Recipients of our equipment. 5 volunteers will gain invaluable experience of working with people with a visual impairment. To qualify for a radio, recipients must have sight loss, and be in receipt of a means-tested benefit
Steven Poole Regional Development Manager for BWBF said, “This is great news for our beneficiaries in the North West of England, who need a radio to help them feel less isolated and to stay connected. The project will make a huge impact on the lives of the people who need our help and support.”