THE support available for vision impaired veterans in Exeter will be highlighted this week when a national military charity comes to town.

On Friday 3 October, Blind Veterans UK’s brand new mobile training centre will be stationed at Mercure Exeter Southgate Hotel, Southernhay East in Exeter, from 10am to 4pm, to offer localised services and support to blind and vision impaired ex-Service men and women.

This event is part of Blind Veterans UK’s new community outreach project, launched this summer, which aims to raise awareness of the charity and make it easier for vision impaired veterans to access support in their local area.

Over 20 of the charity’s beneficiaries are expected to attend the event, where they will be able to directly access the charity’s welfare and training services, as well as being able to find out more about further support on offer from Blind Veterans UK staff and volunteers.

The community outreach project has been launched this year to expand the support delivered in local areas, as for some veterans, it may not be practical to visit one of Blind Veterans UK’s service centres in Sheffield, Brighton and Llandudno, North Wales.

Adrian Hewitt, Blind Veterans UK’s Community Development Project Manager, said: “Blind Veterans UK is here for any Armed Forces veteran, including those who did National Service, now experiencing severe sight loss.

"For some veterans, it is difficult for them to get to one of our centres, so we want to ensure that they are still able to benefit from our comprehensive support.

“We already support 3,900 vision impaired veterans but we also want to reach out to the estimated 68,000 vision impaired veterans in the UK who could be eligible for support, but don’t currently know that they are. The staff travelling with the centre will be on hand to answer any questions about how to get involved with Blind Veterans UK.”

Blind Veterans UK offers specialist emotional and practical support to blind and vision impaired ex-Service personnel. It doesn’t matter when someone served or how or when they lost their sight, Blind Veterans UK will provide free, lifelong support to help them adjust to life with sight loss.

Anyone who has an interest in volunteering for the charity is also being encouraged to visit the centre, as the charity’s volunteering staff will be on hand throughout the day.

If you are, or know of, a vision impaired veteran, come and visit Blind Veterans UK’s mobile centre at Mercure Exeter Southgate Hotel, Southernhay East in Exeter from 10am to 4pm on Friday 3 October. You can find out more information about Blind Veterans UK’s support by calling 0800 389 7979 or visiting www.noonealone.org.uk.