Pocklington Resource Centre, Balham

We offer a welcoming atmosphere and a specialist approach for people with sight loss. Funded by Wandsworth Council, our Resource Centre is a place to meet people, develop new skills and build confidence. Our staff and volunteers are trained to understand the needs of people with sight loss and the services offered are developed professionally in conjunction with local colleges, Wandsworth Council and other local organisations.

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What's on offer at the Balham Resource Centre?

• Day services
• Talking Newspaper and Magazine
• Resources and information
• IT services
• Telebefriending and local outreach
• Access to work
• Where we are
• Further information

The Balham Resource Centre is open three days a week and there is a wide variety of activities available, including:

• Art and craft activities
• Sewing
• Talking microwave cookery classes
• Talks on topical subjects
• Exercise, including chair-based Tai Chi
• Over 50s social group
• Music sessions
• Swimming lessons at the local swimming pool during spring and summer months.

We run taster sessions to gauge the popularity of possible new activities and welcome suggestions from service users on new developments.

A regular recorded news service is freely available to people with sight loss living in Wandsworth. It contains information on local events and issues, sight loss information and articles of general interest. Produced by our staff and volunteers, it is a valuable resource, so please contact the Centre if you would like to receive your free copy.

We have a range of low vision aids for you to try out at the Centre, including CCTV magnifiers, a scanner and Braille equipment so that you can access information for yourself.

We also hold a monthly low vision clinic where you can meet with an optometrist and a rehabilitation officer to discuss your sight loss issues.

A macular disease self-help group meets regularly at the Centre to share information and advice.

By signing up to our regular IT classes, you can improve your computer and keyboard skills. Our IT suite has the latest text to speech software, JAWS and Super Nova. We also have Dreamweaver if you would like to learn about building websites.

A home visiting and reading service is offered for Wandsworth residents with sight loss who, for whatever reason, cannot access the Centre. Regular visits from our trained volunteers can provide you with support as well as good company. We also run a telephone befriending service which offers regular social contact and support to people with sight loss in Wandsworth.

You are welcome to visit the Centre to check your emails, search for jobs, or do your course work. We can also provide you with support to write your cv, complete application forms and with interview practice.

Pocklington Resource Centre is situated between Balham and Clapham South underground stations. The area is well served by local public transport