Southend in Sight

23/10/2026

We have just received our first order of large print diaries and calendars for 2027.
If you would like to purchase a calendar for your wall or a diary for home or your bag/pocket, please call our office on 01702 342131 or pop in and we can show you the options.
The photo shows a selection of large print diaries and calendars with a yellow and black cover and white weekly/monthly inside sections.

12/10/2026

Please join us at our next fundraising event - a Chinese meal at Zen City, Hamlet Court Road.
Date: Thursday 19th November
Time: 7pm
Cost: £23 per person for a 2 course buffet
There will be a raffle on the night.

Please email: [email protected] or call our office on 01702 342131 to book your place/table and help support your favourite local charity!

The photo shows a Zen City menu on a white tablecloth with a variety of Chinese dishes ready to be served.

09/10/2026

Are you blind or partially sighted and living in England? RNIB wants to hear about your experience of accessing healthcare information and communications.

This could include appointment letters, test results, medication information, messages from healthcare services and digital services such as the NHS App. Whether your experiences have been positive, challenging or mixed, your feedback matters.

The survey takes around 10–15 minutes. Your feedback will support RNIB’s work to improve access to healthcare information and communications.

Take part: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/DDXKMXF

Thank you

Take this survey powered by surveymonkey.com. Create your own surveys for free.

08/10/2026

To mark World Sight Day today we continue our theme of "Every Story Counts" with Liam:

We first met Liam in 2019 when he visited our Centre for some low vision equipment. He is registered severely sight impaired and is 22 (and a half!).

Like all young people who have lived through COVID, he needed a push to leave his room and not just sit at his computer all day gaming. His Mum persuaded him to try out our ten pin bowling sessions. He was sceptical at first but conceded that he enjoys getting out of the house and being independent, travelling to the bowling alley by train using his cane.

Liam says: “I have always enjoyed spending time with older people – even at school I hung out with the teachers. I joke that I bring the average age of the bowlers down by at least 30 years! I have tried golf, attended pizza nights and even made it to the bowling finals in Sheffield earlier this year”.

Liam now volunteers for us in our Centre, offering IT support to others living with sight loss. He has grown up with tech and has many tips and tricks on navigating your way around a phone, tablet or laptop. He says: “I get great satisfaction from passing on my knowledge and feel pleased when I help others learn something new. I have even had some repeat customers, so I must be doing something right!”

Lucy Martin, Southend in Sight’s CEO says: “One of the most powerful things we offer as a charity is not a service, but something simpler: connection. Sight loss can be an isolating experience, and it is often those who have walked the same path who offer the most meaningful support”.

The photo shows Liam at one of his tech volunteering sessions at our Centre.

07/10/2026

To mark World Sight Day (which takes place tomorrow) and this year’s theme of "Every Story Counts", we spoke with Jan to find out more about her sight loss journey:

Jan first came to us for support with equipment and form filling over two years ago. She is registered blind and lives alone.

Jan joined us when we started our drop-in sessions last summer and felt at home talking to people. Staff approached Jan to ask if she would consider volunteering and offering peer support at our Thursday drop-in sessions.

Jan liked the idea of helping others, as she had been supported herself. She says: “Volunteering is now my number one priority and the best thing about it is giving something back. Living with sight loss can be very isolating but chatting to others and sharing your fears can make you feel more positive about your own situation. All I need to do is listen to help someone feel better”.

Jan has since enjoyed some of our other activities and has even initiated a friendship group outside of her volunteering duties. Her positivity, encouragement and inclusivity are an inspiration to us all.

CEO Lucy Martin says: “We see first hand how bringing people together at our Centre or our activities can transform someone's outlook. Friendships have formed, confidence has been rebuilt, and people who once felt alone have found a community that understands and supports them”.

The photo shows Lucy B and Jan smiling for the camera at a recent volunteers' event.

05/10/2026

As we start to turn our heating back on, we are posting this reminder about gas safety:

If you have an issue with your boiler or gas appliances, you can call the Gas Safety Register to find a local engineer on: 0800 408 5500.
Do you have an issue with you gas meter or your gas bill? You can call the number at the top of your latest bill.
If you smell gas, act fast and call: 0800 111 999
If you have a power cut call: 105

We are part of the Cadent Gas Centres for Warmth project in Southend.
The poster says: Smell Gas? Call the emergency number: 0800 111 999. Only call this number if you smell gas or suspect carbon monoxide. All calls are recorded and may be monitored.

02/10/2026

Our thanks to Essex County Bowling Club for hosting a free taster session for us earlier this week.
Top coach Ed Morris showed a small group of visually impaired people how to play indoor bowls. He helped the group choose a good contrasting bowl colour against the blue carpet, let them feel the weighted side and even used human or bright orange "jacks" to enable everyone to see their target.
We are not sure we will be representing our country any time soon (unlike Ed) but we are definitely a competitive bunch and are keen to try again!
If you would like to find out more about indoor bowls, ten pin bowling or any of the social activities we offer, please call our office on 01702 342131.
The photo shows left to right front row: Qandagha, Ray, Clare, Liam, Tim. Back row left to right: Paul, Karen, Anthony and coach Ed.

01/10/2026

Great news! We have been chosen by the Southend Waitrose store to be part of their green token scheme between the 1st of October (today) and the 31st of December.
Please help us win the first prize of £1500 by choosing Southend in Sight whenever you shop at Waitrose Southend.
The photo shows a glass container with green Waitrose plastic tokens.

25/09/2026

We still have a few spaces for our quiz night on Saturday 10th October. The quiz is being held from 7pm at St Peter's Church Hall, Eastbourne Grove, Westcliff, SS0 0QF.
Tickets are £10 per person.
Tables/teams of 6-8 people.
Feel free to bring your own drinks and snacks - tablecloths and candelabras are optional!
Please call us on 01702 34 21 31 to book your place/table or email: [email protected]
The photo shows the letters Q-U-I-Z pegged on a string with twinkly lights behind.

24/09/2026

Our charity shop at 117 Hamlet Court Road will be closed from tomorrow (Friday 25th) until Wednesday 30th September.

We will reopen on Thursday 1st October.

We are having some further building works carried out and apologise for the inconvenience.