The service is based at the Mary Stevens Centre, in Oldswinford, Stourbridge and is provided for people living in the Dudley Borough Council area. It is funded by a grant from Dudley Adult Community and Housing Service.
Access to the service may be through self-referral, or referral from Social Services or another agency. For more information, please contact the centre direct.
Pocklington Day Opportunities offer local people with sight loss an opportunity to make new friends, and a friendly and supportive environment to encourage the development of new interests and hobbies and reduce social isolation. All our specialist staff are trained to understand the needs of people with visual impairment.
The Centre is open four days a week, between 10am and 3pm and there is a small charge for each day session which covers refreshments. Activities are tailored to service users' needs and wishes and currently include aromatherapy, art and crafts, discussion groups, reading newspapers, armchair-based keep fit sessions and much more. Lunch facilities are available on site.
Service users will have access to the full range of services provided by the Information and Advice Service at Mary Stevens Resource Centre.
For further information on forthcoming events at Stourbridge Resource Centre, and other Pocklington centres, please see our events calendar.
VIP project
The Stourbridge Resource Centre has recently secured a grant from the National Lottery to expand its home support service for people with sight loss, which has been running successfully since 2009 on a pilot basis.
Volunteers are recruited, trained and matched with people living in the Dudley and North West Worcestershire area and offer support with such activities as reading mail, going shopping or to a social event, or having a cup of tea and doing the crossword. The scheme is designed to help reduce social isolation for people with sight loss who live alone or receive limited support.
The grant is to be spread over a five year period and will allow Pocklington to expand the reach of the scheme to carers of people with sight loss by providing them with respite time as well as support and access to expert information.
Stourbridge Institution for the Blind (SIB)
SIB was a charity formed in 1919 with the objective of promoting and providing services in the Stourbridge district for the welfare of people with sight loss. In 2009, the SIB Trustees concluded that as Pocklington already provided similar services in Stourbridge and there was some overlap in membership, it would be sensible to merge with Pocklington. Accordingly, from January 2010 all SIB activities are carried out under the Stourbridge Pocklington banner working from the Stourbridge Resource Centre.
Resources and information
Come and visit us and see a wide range of equipment specially designed for people with sight loss. Information is also available on aspects of sight loss, from eye conditions to services available. Braille service
We can transcribe documents into Braille (please contact us for more information and costs).
IT suite
Centre visitors are welcome to use our broadband information technology suite.
Black Country Talking Newspaper and Magazine (BCTNM)
We produce a free weekly Talking Newspaper and monthly Magazine audio service, covering the Dudley borough area. Visit the BCTNM web page for more information.
Volunteer opportunities
Volunteering is a great way to contribute to your community and can improve your career and social life. We are recruiting people to act as support for Centre activities, home support, computer support, and escorts for outings.
Agreed travel costs and expenses are reimbursed. All volunteers are given vision awareness training and receive ongoing support from centre staff.
For further information on our volunteer opportunities, and to apply online, please visit the Volunteer at Pocklington pages.
If you are interested in a paid position with Thomas Pocklington Trust, please visit the Work at Pocklington pages.
How to find us
Pocklington Resource Centre is ideally located for people living in the Dudley Borough Council area.
To find out more about Stourbridge Resource Centre, or to arrange a visit, please contact us at the address below:
Stourbridge Resource Centre
Mary Stevens Centre
221 Hagley Rd
Oldswinford
Stourbridge
West Midlands
DY8 2JP
Tel: 01384 441 222
Email: src@pocklington-trust.org.uk
