People living with sight, hearing or dual sensory loss across Dumfries & Galloway are being invited to sign up for a self-management course to help them come to terms with and overcome any challenges their sensory impairment presents.
Local charity Visibility, with funding from the ALLIANCE, is offering tailored self-management courses at Lockerbie Town Hall, starting on Thursday, 14th March, and at The Bruce Hotel, Newton Stewart beginning Thursday, 25th April. Running for four consecutive weeks, the course will not only be delivered by people who have a sensory impairment themselves, but it has actually been written and designed by them too.
Lindsay McDowall, service manager, explained: “The aim of these courses is for people to feel better informed as to how they can cope with their sensory loss and manage a long-term condition. There will be decades of lived experience in the room at each course and we want to share that with those in attendance so they can live their lives confidently and independently.
“By co-producing the course with local people living with sensory loss we will ensure it is developed from their lived experience, rather than from the professional perspective which is the key to the successful delivery of the courses. This will link them with others in their community living with sensory loss, and give the courses a real local flavour.”
Visibility has 20 volunteer “sensory inspirers” across Dumfries & Galloway who themselves have a sensory impairment. They have been helping staff to deliver training and talks to community groups and organisations, as well as shadowing home visits and offering their personal insight into what can help.
Lindsay added: “In the last two years we have been blown away by the willingness and eagerness of people we’re working with to share their experiences and knowledge. Who better to advise someone on how to overcome the challenges presented by losing their sight or hearing than someone who has already been through it?”
Places for this course are strictly limited and should be booked in advance. If you would like to attend, or to find out more information, please call Visibility on 01387 267 131 to secure your space.
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