Welfare

Losing your sight needn’t mean losing your independence. Our Welfare Service plays a key role in helping St Dunstaners maintain a high quality of life by supporting them in their local community.

Community support network

Wherever possible, we want St Dunstaners to be able to carry on living in their homes and local communities. To help them, we provide:

  1. A nationwide team of Welfare Officers (experienced and qualified social care professionals) and Welfare Support staff who pay regular visits to St Dunstaners around the country monitoring their wellbeing, providing practical and emotional support and assessing their need for:

    • access to further training or services
    • financial assistance
    • home modifications
    • access to respite care or holiday breaks

  2. Grants to St Dunstaners which may include funding for specialised equipment such as electronic reading enabling equipment, Scanners and Computer equipment to help maintain an independent life.

  3. A Pensions department who offer assistance to St Dunstaners who apply for a war pension and also advice on re-assessments of existing war pensions.

  4. Access to our team of Estates Surveyors who can give advice on property related matters.

  5. An employment advisor who works alongside Welfare Officers to help St Dunstaners of working age obtain the necessary training and support so that they may consider a return to employment or voluntary work where they wish to do so.

A vital link

The welfare officer’s role is not only to provide personal contact between us and the people we help. They also liaise between St Dunstaners and their local social services and help St Dunstaners apply for statutory entitlements to support and benefits.