Herelordshlre Vlslon Llnks
ANNUAL REPORT 20W2024
John Eden
{Chief ExecutNe)
Julie Cavanagh
(Volunteer Co-ordinator)
Isobel Powell
(Resource Centre Officer)
Tom Shufflebotham (Rehab and Mobilty Offi¢er>
DanEI Sergent
(Administration and Membershp)
The Organisation has a Tru*ee Board of 9, five of whom are VEb)n Impairèd.
Resource Cent
Visf(or numbers to the Resource Centre as the inilial point ol contact with the organÉsation remwn strong,
wflh the added strentyh of the ActK)n Deafness operation alongside improving impact of HVL amongst
their client group, ar￿ bringing cross-disciplinary solutK)ns to presentlng clients. The Resource Centre
provides infomiation, advi￿, demDnstration and sales of a wide range of aids and applian￿$, including
kilchen. orfentation and cofflmunication equpment. We offer new products Irom accredited supplieFS,
demonstratlons (by suppliers) of hKJh-value equipment - on site or * the cltents home, and also refurbish
and olfer for ￿-use equipment that has been donated {eg screen readers, to audio equi)ment and
CCTV magnifiers). We take in don*ions of surplus stock Irom agencies - eg Torfaen CBC made a
significant donation of equipment during the year from its centre in Llantsmam. We afso offer replacement
ol renewable parts, repair and relU￿S1$hrnent of equipment and liaise with providers regardirMJ vi8bilty of
older items.
IT Cale
HVL offers an IT Dropln lor users of padsAaptops and smartphones - elther supporting the inducth)n given
by the supplier. or where bought remotety, demnstrating the ac￿sIbility fea￿185 for the clrent. Following
the COVID perM)d, a nU￿r of clients moved into use ol technobgy and needed to be indu￿ed and
trained rapKlly - HVL cperaied the Tech Cafe as a regular 8vent, but as demand has stabilised, the ses-
sions are now demand-led and are usually based on referra]s from the Rehab and Mobility Offi￿r.
Clubs and Actlvlties
The transitlon of the HVL'rK)n-CX)ntract' provision from an organisalion that does things lo, people. to one
that works knilh, peD￿e is now fully embedded in the cufture of the organisation. We encourage the
founding and develwrnent of 'self-organW' groups meeting the
Increased membership of the monlhty. and bi-weekty groups . there has been an injection of new
members, in the craft, reading and willow weaving groups, together with Wticularly strong take-up ol the
monthty social coffee rYK)mings, hdd on the Third Thursday.
Membershlp Actlvltles '. the members of HVL enjoy a number of events exclusively for them - the
Ghrlstmas arKI annual Bart>eGues being the 'main3tays' of the c8lend8r. Togethcr with RaGo-days at
Herelord, Skillles and Ten-Pin Bowling, Lunch events and speakers, equpment demonstrat￿n$ and tiip5
to Sight Willage and Sight and Sound Shropshire, the calendar is quite full.
The Byallle L￿rn￿S Group has operated on a 'demand only, basis forthe last year, or so, although the
students on placement Irom the Royal National College have all had brailing sknus, with some
enthusiastic users, and trainees using the system during their work experience. - despite Braille being
perceived. as 'old technology,. We be￿fitted from the donation of two brailing machines Irom a fomer
teacher of the Vksion Impaired. which has allowed leamers to take home a machine on loan to hone their
skills. We have also assisted a poiential techni¢ian for braillers to gain expellen￿ #ripping down and
rebuilding a brailiNJ machinel
The quarter1y,Ha￿ of Hearing Gro￿. and 'BSL' groups meets in HVL on Mondays. led by the Hereford
AID hub volunteers.
Sensory Contract
Variatton in the origin of refeffals to the sensory SerV￿- this is a oitical developmert in the
Rehabilitation and Mobilty Activities that we undertake . it seems that the se￿ice rbow feels very much
more 'established' as health professionals and soda] ￿re teams are rtr)w referring to HVL as a matter of
routine. The maln g)urces of referral are:

V￿￿cKId Eye Unit (NHS Wlm
HC via ART soc￿1 Care Tgams
(knUpat￿nal Healih Team
Action Deafness
8BR Optometry - bi4ire¢lional referrals NHS Low Stheme)
Social P￿Scr￿*r$ (Medi¢al Pra¢ttce.based)
H&WFR
Look-UK
Relerral Volumes (fonnal)
Year
2020
2021
2022
2023
2024
137
132
75
VEU
BBR 5 1 2other BBR512other BBR 1714other
Pre-COVID, the refeffal levels were upwards of the 2022 and 2023 figures.
The￿ is a significant variation across the referrals from WVT VEU between the date of consultation with an
Eye Specialtst and the processing and tiansmission of the CVI to HVL. This has an impact on the quality of
the ¢onv8rsations we Can have with patlents, as the benefits ol earw interventH)n can be lost. The effect of
late referrals to us can mean clients experience m8ntal health issues, confidence problems and modify
their
behaviour arKI develop o)ping ￿ategieS, whlth may in theMse￿e$ be risky.
Reglster ol Sl & SSI Persons
HVL also maintains the Register of Sight and Severety Slght Impaired Persons, and consequently has an
opportunty to offer the servi¢es of our Rehab & Mobilty Worker as well as other HVL servrces, and those of
other agencies worknng in this area, including Herefoidshire Talking New5, Deaf Direct and the Low Vision
Service. During the years persons were regislered with HVL as Sl or SSI - it is to be expected that the
trajectory tor applications to the register will be upwards.
We have recorded an increase in the proportion of clients recorded as SSI over Sl - seemingty, dolays in
treatment arising from the COVID stsndstill have resulted in deleTioration in visual acuty. and registration in
the 'severe' category of sight impairment. The woportk)ns may fall back to pr&COVID levels as hospilal
se￿l¢e$ return to mrmal.
Over the last 5 years, the proFrf)rti)ns have been:
2019-2020
24.
SI 49%1 SSI 51% S137%ISSI￿ Sl m ISSI 61% Sl 41% ISSI 59% SI 31% ISSI 6
' RegistratK)n recorded in 'catend8r' year rather than '¢onvart' year
Waltlng Tlmes
HVL and Action Deafness report no waiting time for ser¥ryces across the disciplines.
Jolnt Worklng
HVL works in pathership with Action Deafness on a formal basis, by rele￿81 from The Victoria Eye
Hospital, BBR Optomety {Low W￿lOn Scheme), via Community Heatth Services and Occupational Health.
We have a small number of sell-referrals and the remainder lor Social Work Area Teams of He￿fOrdshire
Council.
We also parkncipate in events w￿h Herefordshire Disabilty Unfted, The HC 'Making li Real, Board, LOC,
Herelordshire Heatthwatch and HVOSS subject-specrfic lorums in the sphere ol Aduli Social Care.
Talking N￿$
The co-locaiion of HTN to the HVL premises is close to completKsn, with production of regular e(litions of
the TN boing commenced in October. The handover from the retlring trustees ol HTN is wholly
Complete, with some banking arrangements yet to be finalised. A survey of existing subscribers was
undertakan by our RNC placement trainee and new subscri)ers athed to a newly created database. There
ved I)¥8'a6pLWE) IUI IEuI6IJo PPIA 46IH IXZO£ 3V89n94 dH

was no Information in hard*cpy from HTN at point of handover regardbng the number and Klenw of
subscribers..
Four new trustees have been elected, two ofwhom are severely sight impaired.
Look-UK
Look-UK rent an ofF￿a at HVLtO fun administrative functions, and we are working with them to expand their
operations in Herefordshire. We are keen to work on the transition from statutory education1p1a￿Ments into
aduivtertiary education or work, including the complementary seniices that HVL can offer.
We benefit from having the Sensory Team based in one building, accessK)le through Ihe Resour￿ Centre-
we share many clients, and it is atpropriate that we are able to croSs-￿Iey intemally, among* *aff who
work very well together. We are able to effectNely assist GI￿nts wf(h epp1Ean￿S that are of benefi't across
both communiiies, particulaty telephony and use of IT.
Ald$ and Appllan¢es ITe¢hnology
We have successfully managed the client transition to DlgitaVBluetooth hearing appliances supporting
technology- certain eqLtipment makes sharing I￿￿1g space wtth a Yulty hearing. client more b8arable - eg
volume of television or aud￿ eqsjipment can be sel very low with the use of Bluetooth feeds to hearing ￿d$.
We have installed Sever￿ blue-tooth appliartes in contexts where one or other paty can be frustraled by
the limiiations of old technology. We are also able to assist clients wth the accessibility sothvare available
on SMART technology - especially televisions, if the bluelooth ￿ftware is insialled. If rM)t, we provide the
appliance and the software- often Gontrolled by a n￿bIle App.
NHS Low Vlslon Scheme
The Low Vision Scheme includes assessmeN of visually impaired seM¢e users. and supply of non-digital
magnifiers and other non-digilal visual aids to support activilies of daity liwng. Access to low vision services
is not dependent on certification of visual impairment as people are better able to use low viston aids rf they
are able to access them as soon as possible. HVL refers to the LVS If the client would benefit from non-
DKJital equipment that would be issued free under the NHS LVS. The Selv￿ is provided through BBR
Oplometry, Andraw Jelley {Bromyard and T8ntwry), Hayward and Miller (Ledbury) and Scotts {Kington and
Ross on Wyel.
Feedback and Cllent Oplnlons
Clients who are dealt with through the Sensory Team are wntacted around one momh following ￿lMpletE0n
of the care plan actions to secure feedback on the inputs made by HVL. The questionnaire is #andard
acr¢)ss all servi¢9 users and covers hard and outcomes.
Mrs R was so impressed with TOMS vistt. She gave him a fimi 11Y1011
Gill very happy with TOMÈ visit. She is awwp of HVL and will be in contact if anything ch8ng8s for her.
Very happy overall with contact from HVL and Tom's inFXrt. Loves her talkirvJ kx)oks from RNIB.
Very happy with TOMÈ vtsit but has had a think about 8pptying forAA and a BB - have let Tom know so he
can make the follow up for Trfe￿al for these
I spoke to Mrs G's son, T8ry. as Mrs G has impaired hearfng and cannot take calls very wel1.
Terry was very impressed wtih Tom's home visit to hls mothèr and will be in touch again If Mrs G needs
anything els8 from HVL.
Mary Wh8s notyet tk98n ￿lSte￿d as 8w8iting notification fom? VEU. I will emwl Liv to chase up. She
was refertBd by BBR- Nick Rumney. Mary so happyand impressed with Tomg visits And has vlsited us in
the past so knows where we are ifneed8d in the future.
So gtstefvl for our help and pmducts ￿ceIV6d.
Miss K has since bought a private hearing aid which is worklng for her very well. She did not like the NHS
ones.
Tom Sat wtih her when DWP visited to assess for AA- which she now has been awarded.
Client very happy wtth our servtce and talk&Y very highly indeed about Tom's visit.
Daclined coffee morning club at present but can still use the bus to get into town when needed.
No need for HTN a5 (2n manage printed paper.

F very happy with the LISB player and now gethng book% from RNIB. Sh& has purchased new. private
h8aring aids which she is verypleased about.
Mrs F very Iw>y indeed ￿th TOMÈ input and conwnunication.
F would like to ty HTN and coffee mornings run by HVL. Fis happy to ￿ceive HfN. Happy with
Tom* visit but does fall asleep during RNIB lalking books! Not confident to attend coffee momings at
present but will consider them in the futur8.
Mrs J is very happy wlth service provided and thought Tom lovety.
I have added her name to the coffee morning list and will text her monthty to remind her when they are.
She is wanting to use the bus to get to Hereford from Leominster from where she lives in a fiat.
Not interested in HTN.
Has yet to contact BBR regarding Low vlsbn ￿esSMent.
Mr S has dryAMD but did not know what it was. l exPl￿ned to him on the phone.
He do￿ not lik8 the sound of memory sticks ftir talkng bo(*s so i am sending him some CDS to ty.
Vwy happy wrlh Tom¥ visit- 101101
Rog as SSI.
Has been to BBR and as a result ofthi4 his wlfe is also hawng h8r ayes tested at the same pl8c8.
Veryhappy with Tom& visiLwillow
Volunteers
HVL enjoys the SUPPOrt of a large body of volunte6rs, who support cl￿ntS in domiciliary contexts as well as
at events and activities. induding the craft group, reading group, braille learners group, willow weaving
group. crochet group, Ix)ffee club, external visits. race meetings, skiitles evenings and centre-based
membership events. Volunteers provide clients V4ilh continuty of attenlion, part￿￿lar￿ in Nral areas, and
self-organised social groups meet In Ledlxjry and Ross of Wye, supported by Ihe central team at HVL
Thiste8s
The Trustae Board has totdly revised the whole suite of Organisational Policies, spearheaded by Glynn
Bailey, who has significant experien￿ in this area. The result is a coherent and readable policy structure
that reflects best practise across the various strands of organisational aclivty.
There is a programme of remedial work to the building being undertaken, which should improve the
environrY*nt in some areas and give assurance as to the safety and secuiity of the premises. We are
replacing a boiler from the 1970's wikh a new Conden￿ng boiler, for the top bvo floors ol the premises. The
boiler for the ground and first floors was renewed around 5 years a￿. following failure of the prevk)us
appliance.
Glynn Bailey
ehaiy of Truste0$
John Eden
Chtef Executive

11 Ilf & 111111
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IT

I

Processing times at wvr (NHS) for CVI r8ferrdts to Herefordshire w￿lon Links
TIME GAP
0112024
0412024
0712024
1012024
1312024
1612024
19/2024
2212024
2512024
2812024
3112024
3412024
3712024
4(V2024
4312024
4W2024
49/2024
5212024
5512024
5812024
61r2024
6412024
67/2024
7012024
7312024
7612024
7912024
8212024
8512024
88A)24
9112024
9412024
9712024
10012024
10312024
10612024
10912024
112r2024
11512024
8w6d&)
17w Sd 12h
2&v4d1
35w 4d

Client Feedback
All client are telephoned and asked to give feedback across ttE following standard questions,
including a'score. relating to the service that has been prowded. including comment upon the
Care Plan drawn up between the seTvi¢e user and the Rehab and Mobility Servic&.
HIIL Sensory Impairment Semce Client Satisfaction and Feedback Questtonnaire
Question
Were you Happy wilh your personal care plan arKI the
activities and services proV￿ed with i
Where you happy that the team explained seThices
and have provthd erM)ugh information or referred you to
other organisatrcms rf relevan
Did the sensory team arfive at the appointed time that
was stated?
Where you satisfied ￿th the wality of information
provided to you. and do you feel better inforined about
the seNices H.V.L offer
23
23
23
23
22
H.V.L
Where you happy with the equipment provided? and was 23
lis use fully explained to you
L)0 you feel that yw better inforn￿ about Ihe equipment 23
available to you?
Do you feel safer within your home as a results of the
sensory team working with you
Do you generally feel more o)nfident in your mobili
Oo you generally feel more irKlependent and able to cope 17
with daily l¥ving.
issue
23
Work Plan l Timascalos
The Sensory Team does not have a waiting list across èither disclpllne, currently.
Wision Imp•red From date of ￿lpt of a CVI (or next working day. if a weekend) to initial dlent
contact is around 2448 hours. with the fastest tumaround of CVI - domiciliary visit- assessment
issue of equipment being as low as 6 days (which inevitably includes a weekendl)
We respond to equiprnent retums and exchanges within 24 houTS of request, and offer coll*(ion,
postal delivery. free retum label or client can drop items off at Vision Links. EquIp￿nt needing
specialist attention (eg talking watck￿s} can usually bè turned around within 5 days, with a loan
device available for the client in the meanwhlle.
Hearing Impaired From date of referral. initial corrtact is made within 24 hours and domiciliary
visit is arranged - subjact to the equipment being 'in stock, we can often m8et client requirements
on one visit, but this very much depends on the type and age of hearing aid ￿Jp￿￿ed to them (If
they wear aids.}

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