0141 620 1800
January naturally brings with it a new start, the chance to reflect on past achievements and challenges and the opportunity to look ahead and plan for the future. With recent changes in the focus of the Jewish Blind Society due to evolving demands for support, the Society has decided to widen its scope of financial assistance that it can offer to the community in the year ahead.
The Jewish Blind Society (Scotland) was originally established in 1962 to provide care, entertainment and outings for members of the Jewish community with visual impairment. Since 1998, the Society moved into the Walton Community Centre where we remain today, working more closely with Jewish Care Scotland and Chai Cancer Care to meet the needs of the community.
Due to advances in medical science, there has been a welcome reduction in the number of clients suffering from severe sight related conditions and a subsequent reduction in demand for these services.
Whilst the care of those with visual impairment continues to remain at the core of its ethos, the Society is also very keen to improve the quality of life to those within the community who suffer from a physical disability and are non-ambulant, or who have a chronic or terminal illness, or who have age-related needs through grant aided support.
We are offering targeted financial grants to improve the lives of people in the community, to those who might benefit from the purchase of items to make their day-to-day lives at home a little bit easier. Small changes or adaptations such as walking aids, lift and recline chairs, or even a stairlift can make a big difference to someone’s mobility, independence and can vastly improve their quality of life.
With the reliance on technology in our daily lives increasing, people with visual impairments, physical disabilities or those with age-related needs can be disadvantaged. But the Society believes there could be some benefits to using technology for everyday tasks and hobbies to maintain people’s standard of living.
The Society is reaching out to those who might benefit from grants to purchase technological items such as smart speakers that could be used to help set reminders or to play music easily, interactive doorbells that would allow vulnerable people to confidently check who is at their door before allowing them entry, or even audiobook subscriptions for those who are no longer able to pick up a book but who miss being able to while away the hours with their favourite authors.
This project will be supported by Jewish Care Scotland who, through their Digital Wellbeing Project, can offer assistance and support to set up these devices to ensure users benefit as much as possible.
We hope that by offering these grants and assistance, the Society can make a positive difference to the lives of people in the community, not only those with a
visual impairment, but we might inspire people to reach out, to get in touch to allow the Jewish Blind Society (Scotland) to support them to see life differently.
Jonathan Lewis
Chairman of The Jewish Blind Society (Scotland)
If you or someone you know could benefit from support from The Jewish Blind Society (Scotland) please get in touch to have a confidential, informal discussion about how they can help.
W: https://jbsscotland.org.uk
T: 0141 620 3339
E: info@jbsscotland.org.uk
27/01/2025
