Coronavirus COVID-19 Updates from our Chief Executive
April 20, 2020 9:58 amLast updated: Wednesday 22 April
As the world continues to deal with the Covid-19 outbreak, we at iSightCornwall are still working hard to support our members, clients and volunteers. The iSightCornwall team is still responding to phone calls and emails, so please get in touch with us if there is anything you need.
Due to the restrictions still in place, we have adapted our low vision service with staff members creating an innovative way of carrying out assessments remotely and we are still able to send out daily living aids and equipment. We know many of our clients may be feeling isolated whilst following Government guidelines and we are committed to helping you continue to have access to the living aids you need to be able to live independently and to stay healthy.
To help tackle this isolation and loneliness we have also launched our telephone befriending service; staff and volunteers are on hand to provide calls to anyone who is feeling isolated, lonely or would just like a chat. To find out more please call us on 01872 261110 or email info@isightcornwall.org.uk.
I would like to take this opportunity to thank you for your kind messages of support, it is a difficult time for us all and the staff really appreciate the phone calls, emails and comments on social media.
We would also like to thank our volunteers who are continuing to keep in contact with club members and who have also joined our MyFriend befriending scheme. If any of our existing volunteers would like to help with the befriending service, please do get in touch.
In order to protect the future of the charity, iSightCornwall will also be taking part in the 2.6 challenge, a national fundraising event which is hoping to help charities who have had their fundraising affected by the Covid-19 pandemic.
The #TwoPointSixChallenge is helping to save the UK’s charities, taking place on what would have been the Virgin Money London Marathon on Friday (April 26) the country is pulling together to organise activities based on 2.6 – whether that be baking and eating 26 cupcakes, doing 26 laps of your garden or even staying silent for 2.6 hours – as long as the social distancing rules set out by the Government are followed, anything is allowed!
Here at iSightCornwall, Cornwall’s oldest and independent charity, we’re looking for some home heroes to take part in the 2.6 challenge to help us continue to support visually impaired people and their families.
Contact us for more information, to donate or to start fundraising! For more information click this link which opens in a new tab
We are continuing to update our website with helpful resources and information on this website, which can be reached by clicking this link which opens in a new tab. We know that this is a worrying time for many people, please be assured that we are here if you need us on 01872 261110.
We are continuing to monitor current Government guidance and contact you again when our services resume. Together we will get through this!
Very best wishes
Carole Theobald
Chief Executive
Update from Monday 30 March 2020:
The coronavirus outbreak is expected to affect many more people in the coming weeks. iSightCornwall wants to make sure that all our members, volunteers and people who use our services are protected as much as possible.
We know that older people and those with a health condition are especially vulnerable to this virus. For this reason, we have suspended all our face-to-face services, including low vision clinics, for the time being.
This also means that no club meetings are taking place at the moment.
The Sight Centre will be closed to the public from Monday 23 March. However, we will continue to provide lots of support services over the phone and online and anyone who would like support during this period is encouraged to call us on 01872 261110.
If you have received a magnifier through our low vision service that needs replacing, you can call us for a free replacement without needing an appointment. Just call us with your name, address and details of the magnifier and we will post out a replacement.
Our online shop will remain open throughout so you can still purchase any daily living essentials that you need. Alternatively, you can phone and leave us a message and we will give you a call back.
We know that this is a worrying time for many people. Please be assured that we are here if you need us. Volunteer Cornwall have set up a scheme for people who are isolated and need support with getting supplies like milk, bread and medication. The scheme is called Flu Friends and if you would like to know more please contact Volunteer Cornwall directly on 01872 266988.
And finally, we will continue to monitor current Government guidance and contact you again when our services resume. Together we will get through this!
Yours sincerely
Carole Theobald
Chief Executive