New service for blind and partially sighted people in the West Midlands

Action's new service in Birmingham which opened earlier this year, will offer the West Midlands' 32,000 visually impaired people support with everything; from finding work or setting up their own business, to applying for benefits or sorting out housing difficulties.

To complement Action's employment service that has been running in the region for five years, the team will also now offer help with housing problems, advice on self-employment and has two 'Action Co-ordinators' who can help with a wide range of issues affecting those who are blind or partially sighted.

Denise is from Erdington and is visually impaired. She has been struggling to find a job and had an ambition to work in radio. Over the past few months Denise has been supported by Action for Blind People West Midlands to enrol in training and take up voluntary work experience at Birmingham City Hospital radio station. Denise is also being abused by local youths. Action is working with Denise to help her move home, away from her abusers. Denise says, 'I've had bricks and stones thrown at me, a football kicked at my face, eggs thrown at my window and kids spitting at me. I cannot wait to get away from this abuse and live in an area where I can feel safe. Thanks to Action I will feel confident again and will be able to get on with my life peacefully.'