Meet our Support & Advice Service What is the Support & Advice Service, and who delivers it? The Support & Advice service is free, one-to-one support provided to Service Users at home. Our team manage caseloads based on geographical area and work closely with other CamSight services and external multi-disciplinary organisations to deliver front-line support across Cambridgeshire and Peterborough. We can support you to complete a variety of social and welfare benefits and concessions applications, as well as signposting and referring you to local authority and partner organisations for additional support if needed. All referrals received are reviewed by the Support & Advice team and an initial telephone triage assessment is completed to gain a full understanding of your sight loss and general wellbeing needs. If appropriate, home visits are organised to provide more in-depth support and to identify any additional support needs around equipment, emotional support, peer support, rehabilitation, sporting and social opportunities and so much more. Sam, Service Manager, added: "by adopting a person-centred approach, Service Users are supported and encouraged by the team to obtain the aids, skills, knowledge and confidence to independently live the lives they choose". Find out more about our fantastic Support & Advice team below: Sam - Support & Advice Service Manager: Fenland & Peterborough I joined CamSight in December 2017 as Volunteer Co-Ordinator based in Fenland. As CamSight’s services have developed and grown, my role has also changed. I feel privileged to now manage and work with a team of Support & Advice Workers, who use their extensive knowledge and experience to support and enable so many Service Users to independently live the lives they choose. Witnessing the positive impact achieved by successfully securing a financial benefit, a blue badge or an external referral for long cane training, is extremely rewarding and something I am very proud to be part of. Lesley - Support & Advice Worker: Fenland & East Cambs I joined CamSight in July 2023 having previously worked for other local and national charities. My role as a Support & Advice Worker is extremely rewarding, no two days are the same. I support Service Users in Fenland & East Cambs to access benefits, concessions and practical support to enable their independence. To ensure the Service User accesses the support required, I signpost and refer to other charities, GP surgeries and the local authority. This reduces the potential for duplication of services and makes the Service Users journey less confusing when they are facing their own challenges. I work alongside an amazing team and feel privileged to be part of such a caring charity. Maria - Support & Advice Worker - City & South Cambs I joined CamSight in September 2021 when I moved to Cambridge following graduating from the University of Southampton. As a Support & Advice Worker, I enjoy completing initial assessments with our new Service Users through listening to their story and their needs. We work together to ensure they can continue to do the activities that are important to them. This could involve making referrals, both internally and externally, or perhaps applying for benefits and concessions which I have seen can make a huge difference to someone’s life. I also enjoy speaking to our existing Service Users and supporting them as their needs may change but also as their goals change. I take pride in knowing our Service Users will not need direct support at all times, but they know that we are here for them if they do need us. I believe that with the right support, all our Service Users can live a happy and fulfilling life and its a real honour to be part of that journey. Tahmina - Support & Advice Worker - City & South Cambs Working at CamSight was a happy accident as I was initially a new Service User looking for groups and activities to access. After joining CamSight's Facebook community, the opportunity to join as a Support & Advice Intern arose and it all fell into place! I love how varied my work is and I can draw on my own lived experience as a visually impaired person to help our Service Users. If you would like to refer into the service please complete our online referral form or call 01223 420033. Banner image description: A collection of four individual images of women overlaid on a blue background with the text: Our Support & Advice Service Team Manage Cookie Preferences