THOUSANDS of pounds is being used to help support people who are visually imparied across Essex. 

Provide Community has given a £20,000 grant to the Essex Blind Charity which provides specialised support and medical care to the visually impaired.

The grant will be utilised in the expansion to South Woodham Ferrers, Jaywick and Harwich.

The Essex Blind Charity is based in Colchester and the sight centre carries a large range of specialised equipment to allow people with visual impairments to live an independent life.

General Manager, Jonathan Dixon said: “The Provide Community funding has made a huge impact on our work in helping support people who are visually impaired and their families.

“It has given us the ability to expand our services to South Woodham Ferrers and Harwich, and soon Jaywick.

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“Essex has the second highest number of visually impaired people in two-tier authorities in England and with 70 per cent of our clients acquiring sight loss later in life, it is vital that they get the support they need to continue living fulfilled, independent lives.

“The second stage is the launch of more pop-up sight centres and an information pack, which will be sent to newly diagnosed clients, which contains essential information and equipment that will help them immediately in their daily lives.”

The Maldon Sight Centre is based at Maldon Library on the first Tuesday of every month from 10am to 1pm.

The South Woodham Ferrers Sight Centre is based at the Library in Trinity Row and will be on the third Wednesday of each month from 10.30am to 12.30pm.