About Us
INTRODUCTION
Moorvision is a new group which offers support, information and a chance for shared experiences for families of visually impaired children aged 0 – 21 years throughout Devon. The group is open to all VI children and their parents, carers, siblings and extended families. We also offer membership to VI parents and grandparents with either sighted or VI children or grandchildren.
We organise a number of parent/carer meetings each year and 4 - 6 family activity days and fundraising events along with a great resedential trip away each year. We also produce a newsletter three times per year. We have an active network of email contact and a members list through which families can contact each . Through this work, we aim to reduce the isolation often felt by the families of VI children and the children themselves and also to increase awareness of the needs of visually impaired children in the community.
HISTORY
Moorvision was set up in Jan 2007 with a Community Champions grant from the Scarman Trust. The group was set up by Laura Hughes, now the group coordinator and treasurer, after experiencing years of isolation as the parent of a visually impaired child, especially in such a rural area.
CURRENT MEMBERSHIP
We currently have a membership of 72 families, with children with a wide range of visual impairments and some with multiple disabilities. Six of the adult members are themselves also visually impaired. The VI children currently range in age from 12 months to 18 years.
MANAGEMENT
Moorvision is run by a management committee that meets 4 times each year and has regular email and phone contact. The management committee is comprised of 5 parent members along with two retired professionals – both ex teachers/advisory teachers of VI children, one of whom is himself visually impaired and a fundraiser. The group has a constitution and policies on Child Protection, Equal Opportunities, Health and Safety and Confidentiality (which can be sent on request).
PARENTS' EVENINGS
We hold four parent/carer evenings every year. These are rotated to try and cover a large area of Devon and are in Plymouth, Ivybridge, Exeter and Torquay. The meetings usually focus on a particular topic such as sources of support, ideas for days out, equipment etc. We often have visiting speakers. There is also always a chance for everyone to just sit back and relax and talk to each other. Leaflets about a number of VI related issues are available.
FAMILY DAYS OUT
We try and arrange 4 - 6 family days out every year. Our first day out was a wonderful day at Crealy Adventure Park which 24 people attended. For many of the families and children, it was their first ever meeting with other VI children and families. The second day was at the fun park, crazy golf course and beach at Teignmouth attended by 38; the third day was attended by 48 of us who boarded the Paignton and Dartmouth Steam Railway for Santa's Grotto and an Aladdin pantomime! We offer subsidies of up to two tickets per family on some trips whenever we can, and always state that if any family are unable to attend an event due to financial hardship, that they are welcome to contact us on an individual basis for further help.
NEWSLETTER
Moorvision has produces a newsletter three times a year (please contact for a copy).
INFORMATION DATABASE
Moorvision has a wide range of information available to all members about many sources of national and local support, medical conditions, benefit advice and grant applications, large print, audio and braille resources, equipment, toys, education, music, sport, holidays and leisure. Also see our links page!
OTHER ORGANISATIONS
Moorvison works closely with a number of other organisations including the Sensory Support Teams from Devon, Torbay and Plymouth, the Plymouth Sight and Sound Centre, the Royal National Insitute of Blind People, the National Blind Chidren's Society, LOOK, New College Worcester, The West of England School for Children with little or no sight and Stoke Dameral Community College (which has a VI unit and large print library).
ACCESSIBILITY
Moorvision can supply all letters, information and its newsletter in a large print text only format and in audio on request. We also provide information in Braille for any children who need it. Our website uses Tiresias font and can be enlarged and is also compatible with screen readers.
