A leading West Midlands charity is expanding its services in the Stourbridge area after taking on another organisation’s operations through mutual agreement.
Sight loss charity Beacon has absorbed the facilities and services formerly run by the Thomas Pocklington Trust at Hagley Road in the town.
Arwyn Jones, chief executive of Beacon, said: “The Thomas Pocklington Resource Centre provided a variety of information, advice and support services to people with sight loss.
“Following a change of focus for the Thomas Pocklington Trust, activities will now be delivered under the Beacon umbrella, allowing us to develop new programmes which build upon the previous good work done at this centre, coupled with the exciting developments Beacon is already doing.
“This amalgamation of operations will enable us to provide consistently high standards of practical support and resources to service users across the Black Country.”
Housed in the Mary Stevens Centre on Hagley Road, the resource centre offers local people with sight loss the opportunity to learn new hobbies and make friends in a friendly and supportive environment, helping to reduce social isolation. A range of advice and information services are also available.
Beacon provides facilities and support to visually impaired people across the Black Country, including a mix of re-ablement and health, sporting, advice, residential, day care and community services. Beacon now also offers a full optician service available to anyone at its Sedgley site, with appointments available by calling 01902 886794.
More than 3,000 people in the community receive support from a team of dedicated support workers, and social groups can meet at the Sedgley centre to participate in arts and crafts, music, fitness and IT sessions. The charity also works with technology developers to help them bring new and exciting products to market that can better support independent living with sight loss.
Beacon charity shops across the West Midlands deliver much-needed funds through sales of quality donated items and a selection of new goods. The Halesowen store incorporates a coffee shop where customers can relax and enjoy some refreshments.
To find out more visit www.beaconvision.org