Articles of Interest

Blatchington Court Trust

In addition to providing grants to individuals and organisations, Blatchington Court trust offers Family Support, Advocacy and support and advice in Information Technology to vision impaired and multi-disabled vision impaired children and young people under 31 years of age living throughout Sussex . Referrals are made to the Trust on a regular basis from the Local Education Authority's (LEA's) Specialist Teachers for the Visually Impaired, Social Services Rehabilitation Officer's for the Visually Impaired (ROVI's), Consultant Ophthalmologists, schools, parents, Social Workers and a variety of other sources. In order to qualify for help from the Trust an individual has to have a recognised vision impairment. It is not essential for the individual to be registered as either blind or partially sighted, they just have to have a level of vision which would enable them to be registered if they so wished.

All new referrals should be made direct to Alison Evans the Client Services Manager. Once the referral has been made, Alison will contact the individual or their parents in order to arrange a home visit. During this visit Alison will check that all correct benefits are being received and that parents and individuals are aware of their benefit entitlement. Alison will also ensure that they are aware of the specialist teachers and also the ROVI's. Alison will discuss the various ways in which the trust can offer assistance and more often than not arrange for an individual to undergo a full assessment of their computer needs with a view to the trust providing them with a suitable home computer system. Unfortunately the trust is unable to provide any equipment for school use until the young person enters further or higher education. All computer assessments are carried out by either AbilityNet or Neil Sleight. Should applications for equipment be successful then equipment will also be purchased from these two sources and be provided for the individual on a permanent loan basis.

In November 2001 the Trust ceased to provide direct support in the field of Employment though they are still able to offer guidance and advice on employment matters and opportunities. In situations where the Trust are unable to provide any direct support, clients are referred to other agencies such as the RNIB Employment Advisors with whom the Trust has a good joint working relationship. The trust continues to offer practical and financial support to students wishing to enter further and higher education and where necessary will work with the person's chosen educational establishment in order to ensure that their needs are fully met.

John Werner continues to be kept very busy in his role as Advocacy Officer, assisting parents with various aspects surrounding their child's educational needs. Though the Trust's main geographical area is Sussex , John works as part of a forum of Advocates serving Kent , Surrey and Hampshire as well. John works closely with all other agencies involved in a child's education and any parent with concerns should contact Alison Evans. John will also offer support to young people wishing to gain a place at a specialist college for students who are visually impaired.

The Trust is also able to offer practical help and advice on benefit matters. The trust's Benefit's Advisor is available to assist parents and individuals in completing their benefit forms and in particular making an application for Disability Living Allowance.

Grant requests continue to come in on a regular basis with many of the applications being for computer equipment, sensory toys and other similar items. The Trust may also consider assisting with the cost of some educational trips, additional nursery support, Perkins Brailler's etc.

The Trust endeavours to work closely with all the agencies involved in the field of vision impairment and has a good relationship with all the 3 Sussex LEA's and Social Services, LOOK Sussex and a variety of other voluntary and statutory groups. The Trust values these relationships and seeks to maintain them in order to provide a more holistic service to all vision impaired clients.

If there is something you feel the trust could help you or your child with whether it be in the form of direct support, general advice or financial help then please do not hesitate to contact Alison. The Trust's main aim is to assist all vision impaired and multi-disabled vision impaired individuals within its age remit, to the best of its ability. For further information please contact Alison Evans, Client Services Manager, Blatchington Court Trust , Ridgeland House, 165 Dyke Road, Hove, BN3 1TL, Tel (01273) 727222, Fax (01273) 722244 or E-mail enquiries@blatchington-court.co.uk.

Article supplied by Alison Evans, Client Services Manager

October 2003

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