Membership Booklet v5

Our
Services

Welcome

Welcome
Welcome to DBUK (Deafblind UK) and
thank you for joining our family. In
this booklet you can read more about
the free services that you are entitled
to as a DBUK member.
All our services focus on supporting
you as an individual and on how we
can work with you to achieve your
aspirations, no matter how
simple or how adventurous.
To access any of these free
services please contact us on:
0800 132 320
info@deafblind.org.uk
Alternatively, get in touch with
your local community
engagement officer

Information & Advice Line
Our free phone Information and
Advice Line is manned by our team
of volunteers who are trained to give
you emotional support and practical
advice when you need it.
We are here to talk about anything
you want, from coming to terms
with sight and hearing loss to finding
the number for your local social
services department.
The Information and Advice Line is
free to call and is open from 9am to
5pm Monday – Thursday and 9am to
4pm on Friday.
0800 132 320

Wellbeing
Your wellbeing is of
utmost importance to
us, so we will call you
at least twice a year
to have a chat, see
how you are and
ensure we are doing
all we can for you.
We understand that
Christmas and birthdays may
not be the easiest time of year so
we will also give you a special call
on your birthday and you will receive
a birthday card and a Christmas card
from the DBUK team.

Community Services
Our team of community engagement
officers provide face-to-face,
bespoke support by visiting you at
home and working with you to
address any issues you might be
facing.
To find out what help is available in
your area contact us on:
0800 132 320
info@deafblind.org.uk

Companionship
If you would like to see a friendly face
on a regular basis, our volunteer
befrienders provide companionship
and light touch support at home.
Befrienders could help you to do
everyday things such as getting out
and about locally or just being there
to have a chat.

Advocacy Service
Through our advocacy service, we
can provide a caseworker who can
support you to resolve personal
issues relating to:
Benefits
Homecare support
Access to health services
And much more...
This service can help you to maintain
your independence.

Social Groups
Support and social groups bring
people together to:
Enjoy activities such as arts and
crafts
Visit exciting new places
Share advice and tips with each
other
Have fun and meet new people
To find out if there is a group near
you, get in touch using the details on
the last page of this booklet.
(Additional fees may apply for some
activities).

Digital Support
If you have some residual sight or
hearing, our bespoke digital
technology support can help you to
use and access accessible features
on computer tablets. We can show
you how to use useful functions like
audio commands and magnification,
in the way that best suits your level
of sensory loss.

Open Hand
Our quarterly magazine, Open Hand,
is sent to all DBUK members. It
features updates from our members
and groups across the country as
well as useful help, advice and
topical articles.
Open Hand is available in:
Large print
XL print
XXL print
Audio CD
Braille
Please let us know how you would
like to receive Open Hand using
the contact details on the back
page of this booklet.

Holiday Caravan
Access to our holiday caravan gives
members a welcome break in a
deafblind friendly environment.
Our six berth caravan is located in
the Haven Holiday Village in Hopton
(between Great Yarmouth and
Lowerstoft), in beautifully
landscaped grounds with easy
access to the beach.
DBUK members are welcome to
book the caravan for a week at a
time free of charge!

Tell us what you think
It is important to us that we
continue to provide services which
meet the individual needs of the
people we support.
Our regional and national forums are
events held across the country
where members can come along to
have their say and help shape the
future of DBUK.
There are always plenty of
refreshments and we may be able to
assist with transport arrangements
or costs.

Don’t forget...
We can also provide paid
services from About Me Care and
Support, including:
Deafblind communication
guides
People with guiding skills to
assist you with tasks like
shopping or attending legal or
medical appointments, ensuring
no vital piece of information is
missed in translation
And much more!

Get in touch...
Write to:
Deafblind UK
National Centre for Deafblindness
John & Lucille van Geest Place
Cygnet Road
Hampton
Peterborough
PE7 8FD
Information & Advice Line:
0800 132 320
Textphone: 01733 358 100
Text message only: 0795 000 8870
Email: info@deafblind.org.uk
Visit: www.deafblind.org.uk
Tweet: @DeafblindUK
Facebook:
facebook.com/DBUKCharity

Deafblind UK
Registered Charity No. 802976