LOOK: Oxfordshire's visually impaired child support group - Alison Baker, Long Acre, East Hanney, North Wantage, OX12 OHP.

This is the only support group specifically for visually impaired children in the county. It includes regular informal meetings providing an opportunity for families to get together, to play and to share experiences. LOOK Oxfordshire also provides a monthly newsletter forum for people to let each other know what is happening for their children in Oxfordshire.

Phone: 01235 868 262
Fax: 01235 868 577
E-mail: arvatec@tesco.net

LOOK- National Federation of Families with Visually Impaired Children - Queen Alexandra College, 49 Court Oak Road, Birmingham, B17 9TG.

Phone: 0121 428 50 38
Fax: 0121 427 98 00
E-mail: office@look-uk.org
Website: www.look-uk.org

NBCS - The National Blind Childrens Society - Bradbury House, Market Street, Highbridge, Somerset, TA9 3BW.

Phone: 01278 764 764
Fax: 001278 764 790
E-mail: enquiries@nbcs.org.uk
Website: www.nbcs.org.uk

Micro and Anophthalmic Children's Society - 1 Skyrmans's Fee, Kirby Cross, Frinton on Sea, CO13 ORN.

Phone: 0870 600 62 27
Fax: 0870 600 62 27
E-mail: macs.uk@btinternet.com
Website: www.macs.org.uk

LMBBS - The Lawrence Moon Bardet Biedl Society - Julie Sales, 1 Blackthorn Avenue, Tunbridge Wells, KENT, TN4 9YA.

Phone: 01892 682 680
E-mail: julie.sales@lmbbs.org.uk
Website: www.lmbbs.org.uk

The Parasol Project - Tower Play Base, Maltfield Road, Northway, Oxford, OX3 9RG.

A registered charity which believes that children with disabilities are children first. The project aims to provide inclusive play and recreation opportunities for children and young people with disabilities – aged between 5 and 18 years in Oxford and, through their outreach worker, around the county.

Phone: 01865 742 816
Fax: 01865 741 081
E-mail: parasol.project@virgin.net

Action for Leisure - Jayne Gillard, Action for Leisure, c/o Warwickshire College, Moreton Morrell Centre, Moreton Morrell, Warwickshire, CV35 9BL.

A national charity working to promote play, leisure and recreation for disabled people of all ages.

Phone: 01926 650 195
Fax: 01865 741 081
E-mail: enquiries@actionforleisure.org.uk

K.E.E.N. ( Kids enjoy exercise now ) - 13 Bevington Road, Oxford, OX2 6NB.

Provides opportunities for visually impaired children to participate in recreational activities in Oxford city.

Phone: 01865 318 131
E-mail: keen@herald.ac.uk
Website: www.keenoxford.org

Financial Help for Families

The Benefit Agency

Parents or guardians of visually impaired children can claim DLA on behalf of their child - the care component from the age of three months, mobility from five years. If your child is registered as blind or in receipt of DLA you should be eligible for an extra allowance on Income Support, Housing Benefit, Council Tax Benefit or Tax Credit. Phone 0800 882200 for details.

The Family Fund Trust

Provides help for families of severely disabled children. Visually impaired children under 16 years of age should be eligible for help. New applicants will be visited by one of the trust’s outreach workers to see what help is needed.

Address: The Family Fund Trust, P.O. Box 50, York, YO1 9ZX.
Phone: 01904 621 115
Website: www.familyfundtrust.org.uk

There are support agencies for children accessible through statutory bodies - for example the medical services (such as your GP or The Eye Hospital), The Education Authority (your child’s school), Social Services (your child’s Rehabilitation Officer) etc. For further information telephone Oxfordshire Association for the Blind on 01865 725595.