Walthew House

An independent local charity supporting people who are blind, visually impaired, Deaf or hard of hearing or who have dual sensory loss.

There is a help desk at Walthew House which is open Monday to Friday from 9am to 4pm. Information is available on local and national services for people who are blind, visually impaired, Deaf or hard of hearing or who have dual sensory loss. Help is available with filling in forms, making telephone calls etc. Staff with good signing skills are available mainly on Mondays, Tuesdays and Wednesdays.

Services available

• A well stocked resource centre is open by appointment from 10am to 2.30pm and stocks a wide range of equipment for people with a sensory loss. It is staffed by trained volunteers who can provide information and demonstrate equipment.
• Classes and activities taking place during the week including craft, dance, social groups, Braille, hand bell ringing, Bridge, computer club, luncheon club and a steel band class.
• Social activities are suitable for most people and are run by friendly and enthusiastic volunteers. Currently these activities are mainly for people with a visual impairment, but we are actively recruiting volunteers with signing skills to help in these groups.
• Social groups for Deaf people are on Thursdays from 10am and on Friday evenings from 7.30pm. There is a social group for people who are hard of hearing every other Wednesday from 1pm to 3pm.
• Visiting services providing company and practical support are available.
• Volunteers with signing skills are available for people who are Deaf.
• Weekly youth group for young people with a sensory loss from 6pm to 7.30pm on Fridays, and hosts additional sessions for young people organised by the Education Service for the Sensory Impaired (ESSI).
• A Rehabilitation Officer from Stockport Council's Sensory Loss Team holds a regular surgery where people with a visual impairment and their families can seek advice and help.
• Stockport Council's Social Worker with Deaf People usually visits Walthew House on Thursdays.
• A drop in clinic for hearing aid users takes place on the first Tuesday of the month from 10am to 12 noon.

Information in different formats

• A regular newsletter is available in large print, Braille and on audio tape or CD. An edited version of the newsletter is available in British Sign Language on DVD.
• Braille and audio transcription services are available.
• The Stockport Talking Newspaper Association records the Stockport Express and other local information weekly and distributes copies on CD or audio tape free of charge. Their recording studio is available for use by other organisations.
• Walthew House are agents for the British Wireless for the Blind Fund who's aim is to try and supply radio and audio sets to all registered blind and partially sighted people who are in need.
  
  

Useful contacts

Walthew House
Address: 112 Shaw Heath, Stockport SK2 6QS
Phone: 0161 480 2612
Fax: 0161 480 2612
Web: www.walthewhouse.org.uk
Email: admin@walthewhouse.ntlbusiness.com