Sight Airedale

27/10/2026

Share Your Experience: Help Improve The New Airedale Hospital for People with Sight Loss

What: Focus Group – The New Airedale Hospital - Visually Impaired People’s experience of Visiting Hospital
When: 5 November 2026 at 1.30 pm for a 2 pm start till 4 pm
Where: The Lena Anderton Meeting Room, 31 Scott Street, Keighley, BD21 2A or Via Zoom. The venue has step-free access throughout, accessible toilets, and welcomes guide dogs, to ensure everyone can attend comfortably.

The team behind the design of the new Airedale Hospital want to hear the experiences of people who find visiting hospital difficult. We’re running a focus group on behalf of the hospital to learn about the experiences of people living with sight loss when visiting hospital, either as a patient or visitor, and what could be done to improve the experience.

What will happen?

The group will consist of 8 to 12 people and will discuss how to find your way around the hospital, how to improve waiting areas, the use of digital technology, and your priorities for the new hospital. The discussion will last around 90 minutes. Participants will receive a £15 Argos Voucher for taking part. This payment is funded by the hospital and not Sight Airedale.

All information to take part in the session will be provided in audio; there are no printed materials to read. Volunteers will be available to help you fill in the participant details form required in order to claim your £15 Argos Voucher.

Will my responses be confidential?

The session will be recorded; however, participants will be allocated a number and referred to by that number so the people analysing your responses will not know who you are. You will be asked if you consent to your responses being recorded; unfortunately, if you don’t consent, you will not be able to take part. An independent organisation called Olovus will analyse the results from our focus groups and provide feedback to the hospital.

How do I get involved?

Email [email protected], or call our helpline on 01535 602354 Monday to Thursday from 9.30 am to 12.30 pm to reserve your place. Places are limited to 12 participants. If you would like to join online, we can send you a Zoom link.

26/10/2026

Age Related Macular Degeneration is the most common cause of sight loss in the over 65s. This video simulates how the world may look to someone with Macular Degeneration.

Age Related Macular Degeneration is the most common cause of sight ...

22/10/2026

You receive a text message that appears to be from the DWP, saying you're entitled to an Energy Allowance of between £200 and £300 and must apply now to avoid missing out. This is a phishing scam in which the scammer attempts to get your personal information. You do not need to apply for the winter fuel payment, the DWP know who is eligible and you will receive payment automatically.

21/10/2026

Feeling isolated living with low vision? Uplift your week by joining our friendly sight support group over tea. Located at our premises in Scott Street Keighley the group meets every 1st and 3rd Thursday 1:30pm to 3.30pm in Keighley. Make friends who understand your journey. Transport available. Contact our helpline on 01535 602354 or e:mail [email protected] to find out more.

We run Living with Sight Loss courses and Social centres we also support several local independent support groups for people living with sight loss

19/10/2026

"Discover how registering as visually impaired can provide essential support and services to enhance the quality of life for those living with sight loss. Check out this informative article and empower yourself! "

By not registering as Blind or Partially Sighted many people living with sight loss are missing out on help that they are entitled to.

14/10/2026

If you wear fitovers, you don't have to look like a welder! Our new range of Cocoons fitovers offers streamlined adjustable frames, wrap-around lenses, and a range of sizes and colours. They are also suitable for wearing without glasses; the wrap-around frames and lenses prevent light from sneaking in from the top and the sides.

Cocoons Low Vision Fitover UV Filters
Low Vision Cocoons offers a full spectrum of filters designed to enhance contrast and reduce glare for those with low vision impairments.

· Boysenberry – General Purpose Reduce Glare
· Hazelnut – Improves Contrast and reduces glare
· Orange – Intensifies backgrounds, improves object definition
· Lemon – Ideal for low light conditions. Heightened brightness improves contrast

Cocoons Twilight Night Driving Fitovers
Reduce Irritating Glare and Halos

Vistana Photochromatic Polarised Fitover Sunglasses
The photochromic lens system automatically darkens or lightens depending on the conditions.

· Frames – Black
· Lenses – Amber or Grey

Vistana Polarised Fitover Sunglasses

· Frames – Black, Burgundy, Cherry, Mica, Steel, Tortoise
· Lenses – Copper Polarised, Grey Polarised.

12/10/2026

If you, or someone you live with is registered blind (regardless of age) you can get a 50% discount off the cost of a TV licence. If you are over 75 and in receipt of pension credit you can get a free TV licence. This article tells you how to apply.

The Blind Persons TV Licence Concession gives a 50% reduction in the cost of a TV Licence regardless of age, read on to learn how to apply.

08/10/2026

🏥 Help shape the new Airedale Hospital! 🏥

Airedale Hospital is looking for people to help design the new hospital, and your experience could make a real difference.

Who can take part?
If you've visited the hospital in the last fortnight, or have an appointment or visit coming up before 15 November, you may be able to help.

The hospital would especially like to hear from you if:
✅ Getting to and from appointments is difficult because of your age, mobility or where you live
✅ You live with a long-term health condition, disability or mental health condition that affects your day-to-day life
✅ Hearing, seeing or processing information is harder for you, especially in busy or noisy places
✅ English isn't the language you're most comfortable with, or you prefer to speak another language
✅ Getting online or using phones, computers or the internet isn't easy for you
✅ You sometimes feel overwhelmed, anxious or unsure what to expect when visiting
✅ You visit as a carer for a child, partner or family member who experiences any of the above

How can you get involved?
There are two ways to take part:

📝 Capture your own experience. Share your thoughts in whatever way suits you best, such as written notes, voice notes or photographs.

🚶 Have a researcher join you. A researcher will accompany you to your appointment and note what your visit is like, without joining the appointment itself.

Either way, the research team will arrange a 45-minute chat with you afterwards, by phone or in person, at a time that suits you soon after your visit.

📧 Email [email protected]
📞 Or call 01535 536563
to find out more.

[Image shows - A long, dimly lit hospital corridor in a purple-toned photograph, with overhead signs and lights stretching into the distance. Text overlaid in black on yellow reads: 'Could your next visit to Airedale Hospital help design how the new building will work for everyone?]