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Vision Impairment Advice
Vision Impairment Support Service
We’re proud to have a dedicated team of highly skilled professionals who support people in Surrey living with a vision impairment. Every Sensory Specialist Worker is trained to at least diploma level in Rehabilitation Studies and holds national accreditation in assessing people with combined sight and hearing loss. With more than 20 years of experience, our team offers a wealth of knowledge and expertise.
Our goal is simple: to empower people to have choice, control, and, where possible, to live as independently as they wish.
You do not need to be formally registered as having a vision impairment to access our services.
If you’d like information, advice, or to talk through your needs, we’re here to help.
How we help
Is your sight loss causing you difficulty with:
- Reading
- Pouring liquids, preparing meals or performing other activities in the kitchen
- Crossing the road
- Communicating with others
- Accessing information
- Accessing the community
We can help with:
- Information and advice
- An opportunity to talk through the effects of sight loss and combined sight and hearing loss with highly trained staff
- Professional assessment of your needs
- Everyday living skills advice
- Equipment to help you to manage at home
- Mobility training to help you get about safely
- Communication skills training
Our services are open to anyone who lives within the county of Surrey and who is blind or partially sighted or with combined sight and hearing loss.
We also provide essential information and support for friends and families of people who are blind or partially sighted.
We maintain the register of people with vision impairment for Surrey County Council.
Registration as a Vision Impaired Adult
What is the national register?
There is a national register of people with vision impairment who live in Surrey. Sensory Services by Sight for Surrey maintains this register on behalf of Surrey County Council.
How does it work?
The register is divided into two categories: people who are sight impaired (SI) (previously known as partially sighted) and those who are severely sight impaired (SSI) (previously known as technically blind).
What is the registration process?
Registration is a two-stage process, which includes an examination by an eye specialist, followed by contact from one of Sensory Services by Sight for Surrey’s staff members, who will inform you about benefits, services and equipment available in Surrey and ask you if you wish your name to be added to the register.
Registration is voluntary and you can withdraw your name at any time.
Advantages of joining the register
There are some financial and other advantages for people who are on the register, although you do not need to be registered to receive services from Sensory Services by Sight for Surrey.
Eye Clinic Liaison Officers (ECLOs)
Our Eye Clinic Liaison Officers (ECLOs) are here to support anyone diagnosed with a vision impairment in a Hospital Eye Clinic. They help people understand and access the wide range of services available through Sensory Services by Sight for Surrey and other organisations.
Hospital eye clinics provide excellent medical care, but many people also need emotional, social, and practical support — especially if they’ve recently been diagnosed with sight loss. That’s where our ECLOs make a real difference.
Where you can find us
Our ECLO team is currently based in the following hospitals:
- Ashford & St Peter’s
- Royal Surrey County Hospital (RSCH)
- Frimley Park
- East Surrey Hospital (SASH)
- Epsom & St Helier
Another important part of the ECLO role is working with ophthalmic consultants and nurses to ensure they know how Sensory Services by Sight for Surrey and partner organisations can support their patients. The more people who know about our services, the more effectively we can help those living with visual impairment.
If you’d like to find out more, please contact our Helpdesk on 01372 377 701 or email helpdesk@sightforsurrey.org.uk.
Hospital Passports
We’ve created a Hospital Passport to support patients who may need to stay in hospital. This simple guide helps hospital staff understand your needs and how best to support you.
One key feature of the passport is a diagram where you can shade the areas of your vision that are most affected. If you’d like help completing this, please get in touch with our Eye Clinic Liaison Team on 01372 377 701 or email dutyeclo@sightforsurrey.org.uk.
Hearing Loss Advice
Worried about your hearing?
The idea of losing your hearing can feel worrying, and it’s completely natural to feel unsure about what to do next. Recognising that something might have changed — and being open to taking action — is a really positive first step. The good news is that there’s plenty of support available to help you.
Seven signs of hearing loss
Did you know that 2 out of 3 people with hearing loss don’t realise they have it? Here are some common signs that might suggest your hearing has changed:
- Turning the TV or radio up louder than others prefer
- Finding it hard to follow conversations or asking people to repeat themselves
- Sounds seeming muffled, or struggling to hear in noisy places
- Missing phone calls or not hearing the doorbell
- Tilting or turning your head to hear better
- Feeling upset or defensive when someone mentions your hearing
- Becoming more withdrawn or avoiding social situations
If any of these feel familiar, it may be worth getting your hearing checked.
How the NHS can support you
Your GP is a great place to start:
- They’ll check whether your ears are clear
- If there’s a build‑up of wax, you may be given eardrops, offered ear syringing, or referred for wax removal at the hospital
- Once your ears are clear, your GP can refer you for further assessment
- You may be able to choose which local clinic you’d like to attend, and this appointment should usually happen within six weeks of seeing your GP
- If you’re over 60, you can often be referred straight to the Audiology department for a hearing test to see whether hearing aids might help
Private options
You may prefer to visit a private hearing aid dispenser instead. Just like the NHS, they will carry out a full hearing assessment before recommending whether hearing aids would be beneficial.
Living with hearing loss
Living with hearing loss can be challenging and can affect many parts of daily life. Whether it happens gradually or suddenly, losing part of such an important sense can feel overwhelming. Communication may become harder, and it’s common for people to feel isolated or less confident socially. Work, relationships, and everyday activities can all be affected. Some people may even feel unsafe or disconnected because they can no longer hear sounds like traffic, voices, or music.
Hearing Loss Advisors at Sensory Services can provide information and support to assist you to manage your hearing loss.
How our Hearing Loss Advisors can help
Our Hearing Loss Advisors at Sensory Services are here to offer information, guidance, and practical support. The team works with individuals, families, and groups to help people understand their hearing loss and find ways to stay connected and confident.
Support includes:
- Clear information about hearing loss
- Communication skills training
- Advice on equipment and technology that can make life easier
When to reach out
Hearing loss affects everyone differently. You may benefit from support if you are:
- Finding it hard to join conversations with family or friends
- Feeling isolated or avoiding social situations
- Struggling to use the telephone
- Missing your doorbell or phone ringing
- Having difficulties at work
- Finding it hard to hear announcements on public transport or in public places
Get in touch
Please contact us using one of the communication channels below
Email: info@sensoryservices.org.uk
SMS: 07860 026269
Telephone: 01372 377701
Hear Here
We also work in partnership with the Diocese of Guildford and the NHS on a project called Hear Here. This service provides community‑based hearing aid maintenance delivered by NHS‑trained audiology volunteers.
To find your nearest drop‑in session, please visit Hear Here.
Dual Sensory Loss Advice
Communicator Guides
Our Communicator Guides are specially trained in communication and guiding skills to support people who have both sight and hearing loss.
Their expertise helps reduce the isolation, confusion, and everyday challenges that can come with dual sensory loss (also known as deafblindness). They also offer helpful advice and information to families and carers.
The goal of the service is simple: to empower people with combined sight and hearing impairments to have choice, control, and—if they wish—to live as independently as possible.
Why do we offer Communicator Guides?
Everyone with a combined sight and hearing loss deserves the chance to live independently and make their own choices.
Because around 95% of how we understand the world comes from what we see and hear, losing both senses can create significant challenges. Dual sensory loss is a distinct disability with its own unique needs, and it requires specialist support.
We are proud to be one of the UK’s largest providers of services for people with combined sight and hearing impairments, including Communicator Guides.
Who can access this service?
This service is available to anyone with both sight and hearing loss. There’s no need to be formally registered as having a visual or hearing impairment.
Our Communicator Guides are skilled in a wide range of communication methods, including:
- British Sign Language
- Hands-on Signing
- Deafblind Manual
- Clear Speech
- Finger Spelling
- Block Communication
Deaf Social Work
Social Workers and Deaf Community Officers
Our qualified social workers and Deaf Community Officers have a strong understanding and knowledge of the issues affecting a person who is Deaf, deafened or hard of hearing. They can work with you, your family, or your carer.
What we can provide:
- Practical and emotional support
- Supported self-assessments, support plans and reviews
- Support to remain independent in your own home
- Help to identify and apply for supported accommodation
- Practical support, e.g. completing forms for housing
- Advice and information for Deaf parents
- Guidance on developing networks to reduce isolation – often with support workers or volunteers
- Employment support; for example, facilitating meetings with managers or involving Access to Work
- Facilitating equal access or assistance in negotiating with local or voluntary organisations, services or companies.
- Translating hospital, Drs and other letters into BSL
Support is provided to ensure people experience choice and control in their lives. Our team are committed to ensuring that Deaf people in need of care and support receive high quality services and are treated with dignity and respect.
Or you can contact us via the following:
SMS: 07860 026269
Convo via: sightforsurrey.org.uk
Email: info@sensoryservices.org.uk
Voice Line: 01372 377701
Welfare Benefits Advice
Sensory Services by Sight for Surrey offers a friendly and comprehensive Benefits Service to everyone we support. Our small, dedicated team works closely with a wide range of organisations and charities, both locally and nationally, to make sure you’re aware of all the financial support available to you — including Personal Independence Payment, Universal Credit, Pension Credit, Carer’s Allowance and Housing Benefit. This joined‑up approach has helped many people access the support they need each year.
If you’d like more information or want to chat with someone from the team, please get in touch using one of the contact options below.
Email: info@sensoryservices.org.uk
SMS: 07860 026269
Telephone: 01372 377701
Community, Befriending and Home Support
We also offer a befriending and home visiting service, community hubs in six locations, and two Deaf cafes. Click the link below to find out more.