HIVE Directory: Sensory Impairment

If you or someone you know is visually impaired and would like to learn to use computers, we can help. To make an appointment call 023 9268 8032. We can also teach people use Guide Connect

Here at Global Music Visions C.I.C. we aim to bring the benefits of music to as many severely sight impaired (blind), sight impaired (partially sighted), and disabled children and adults as possible, by using computer music software technology.

We work alongside everyone to promote inclusivity.

We want to remove the stigma surrounding disability, break down the barriers that prevent equality and inclusion, and create new opportunities based on a person’s ability, and their ideas.

Participate, enjoy, achieve.

The Healthhub Co. is a community health and fitness resource centre.

Horizon Angling Club for the Disabled is a Registered Charity that is involved in many aspects of fishing for the disabled angler and abled bodied angler alike, in addition the club is also involved in many aspects of Coarse fishing, Fly fishing and Sea angling. The club runs matches throughout the summer Months for top weight and best specimens in a friendly manner. We meet every Thursday between 16:30pm and 19:30pm (winter Months vary) at our modest club house, Unit 11/12 Bastion 3, Scott Road Hilsea, Portsmouth PO3 5JH. We have our own Private Lakes that hold a good head of large Carp, bream and Tench, The club holds exchange tickets with several local course fishing clubs. The club also organizes a “Try Fly Fishing” day as well as organizing sea angling from the local pier and from local wheelchair accessible charter boat at a reduced cost to our members Pop down and enjoy a chat or a drink everyone is welcome.

These services have gone well above and beyond the provision of large print and audio books and have been recognised nationally, receiving the Libraries Change Lives Award in 2003 and in 2023.

The aim is to provide a needs based service to increase the independence and wellbeing of adults who are blind or vision impaired. The work is led by their Vision Impairment Services Officer (who is blind), supported by library staff and volunteers. Most of the users of this service are over 16 years of age. The local authority does provide support in schools for children so most of the library work has been with adults.

Portsmouth Library and Archives have been providing additional services to people with vision impairment for over fourteen years.

Lip Reading and Managing hearing loss
If you have some hearing loss or are feeling isolated due to failing hearing, lipreading can help to build your confidence

Lipspeaker UK is a unique deaf led language services company run by qualified and experienced communication professionals. We provide British Sign Language (BSL) Interpreters, Lipspeakers, Speech-to-Text Reporters (STTR) Notetakers, Interpreters for DeafBlind people and Deaf Relay interpreters are also provided. They cover local, national & international work. We offer deaf awareness training and Access to Work support. Bookable by text, email, an on-line booking form and video via our website. See our new Lipspeaker Library to watch a professional in action before booking. www.lipspeaker.co.uk

Nearly 1.5m people in the UK have macular disease. It affects people of all ages. Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is the most common condition, generally affecting people over the age of 55.

AMD is the biggest cause of sight loss in the UK, affecting more than 600,000 people.

A group of rare inherited conditions called macular dystrophies can affect much younger people. Some of these rare conditions can appear in childhood, although some are not diagnosed until later in life.

Pompey Pedals gives people the opportunity to cycle on a regular basis through help, support and guidance.

The two centres in Portsmouth are at Portsmouth Bransbury Park and Portsmouth Mountbatten Centre.

Portsmouth Area Talking News (PATN) is a registered charity (founded in 1973) providing weekly/monthly/quarterly audio publications to visually impaired people. Recordings are now made from various locations, replacing the previous PATN studio. The service is available via USB’s (memory sticks) / the PATN website / Amazon Alexa. Details are available via the PATN website – click on ‘Latest Recordings’. Memory sticks can be requested by email, phone or post - click on ‘Contact Details’.