Partnerships In Practice – Co-locating collaboration in action – Southampton City Council Sensory Services Team
Here at Southampton Sight, we strongly believe the best way to support our members is through partnership with others. Whether it’s the Guide Dogs ‘My Time to Play’ groups for the 0 to 4-year-olds or training NHS staff to become Sight Loss Advisors across Southampton General Hospital, our bottom line is whatever serves our community works for us.
This is never truer than with our long-standing relationship with Southampton City Council’s Sensory Services team. Small but mighty, this team of experienced rehabilitation officers offer an essential lifeline for anyone with a sensory impairment across the city. From mobility training to home assessments, they stand on the frontline of care, helping the dependent find their independence with kind understanding.
We are extremely happy to allow these tireless souls free and unfettered access to our centre week in and week out. Whether teaching a teen the safe cooking skills necessary for student life or simply allowing us to discuss members queries face-to-face without the dreaded ‘red tape’, our co-locating collaboration and genuine relationship goes beyond simple referrals – together we smooth the inevitable bumps adjustment to life lived differently can bring, lessening anxiety and saving time in the process.
Only this week one of our members mentioned in passing they had misplaced their registration of sight loss card from the council. A literal stroll down the centre and a quick chat later, the issue was resolved – a registration card was in the post by the end of day. In the words of the famous meerkat, Simples!
A small example of our partnership in practice, it nonetheless highlights the benefits of close quarters contact, easing individual worries and the pressures on local authority services alike.
