Grants

Can I apply for services e.g. swimming lessons?

Yes. An individual may receive a maximum of 50 1:1 swimming, music or similar lessons.

Grants

Do I need to purchase insurance for the equipment?

Yes. In most cases your home contents insurance will provide adequate cover for the equipment. However, you are obliged to inform your insurer prior to the equipment being used at your home.

Grants

Can I try a piece of equipment before applying for a grant?

Yes. Unfortunately, we’re not able to keep a large stock of equipment for demonstration purposes. However, if you are interested in trying a specific device, please contact us so that we can attempt to arrange a trial and/or demonstration with our suppliers of technology.

Grants

Am I able to take my equipment into school?

Any equipment solely funded by Blatchington Court Trust is intended for use at home. However, in some cases a special arrangement is made with the local authority and/or the school to allow the equipment to be used within school/college.

Grants

Am I required to make a financial contribution towards a grant?

Successful applicants will be asked for a contribution towards the grant – generally, this is 10% for most equipment and 20% for iPads or 50% if the child is under the age of 7. However, this can vary at the discretion of the Trustees and will be different when equipment is joint funded by the local authority/sensory needs service and Blatchington Court Trust.

wellbeing

How many sessions are offered and how long does each session last?

We offer up to sixteen sessions and each session can last up to one hour. It is your choice as to how these sessions are spread out. For example, some people opt for weekly sessions and others prefer biweekly.

wellbeing

Am I able to re-refer if I’m not ready to finish counselling or coaching after sixteen sessions?

Yes. After sixteen sessions it is possible to re-refer. Your counsellor or coach will reassess your needs and consider offering further sessions if appropriate. There is generally a waiting list for both services and it’s important that everyone’s needs are met.

wellbeing

Where are sessions held?

The location of your session is dependent on how appropriate the environment is and how comfortable you feel. Generally, most sessions take place at our office in Hove, within school/college or at your home.

wellbeing

Is there a waiting list for counselling or coaching?

Yes. Our waiting list fluctuates throughout the year and it is unknown at any given time how quickly people are able to be seen. Please contact us if you feel counselling or coaching would be of benefit to you or somebody that you know or care for.

wellbeing

How do I know if counselling or coaching is right for me?

We encourage anybody who feels unsure or apprehensive about counselling or coaching to contact us so that we can advise and signpost appropriately.

Educational Advocacy

If I feel my child needs a specialist education how could you help?

We support parents through the process of negotiating maintained and independent specialist education; this may require an appeal at Tribunal.

Educational Advocacy

If my child moves or starts a new school, does a new EHCP have to be made?

Only if you move out of your current local authority, when the new local authority may want to carry out a new assessment of needs

Educational Advocacy

The school are still not meeting the needs of my child, what can I do?

We can facilitate meetings with you at school, at formal mediation and during negotiations with your local education authority.

Educational Advocacy

Am I required to make any financial contributions towards legal costs?

No, as above, we can support you without the need of legal professionals. We do not get involved at Second Tier Tribunals when you would need to pay for legal advice in the event your original appeal had been unsuccessful.

Educational Advocacy

Can I appeal if my child’s EHCP is not approved?

Yes, we can support you up to and including a First Tier SEND Tribunal

Educational Advocacy

Are you still able to provide educational advocacy if my child has other additional needs as well as sight loss?

Yes, provided their VI has a significant impact on their learning as well as their other additional needs.

Volunteer

Do I need a DBS check?

No. You will not need a DBS check as you will be accompanied at all times by another member of staff. However, if your role requires you to work alone with a client, the costs of a DBS check is covered.

Volunteer

How old do I have to be to volunteer?

You must be 16 years or older to become a volunteer. If you’re not 16 yet, please contact us as we can add you to our waiting list.

Volunteer

Will I receive any specialist training as a volunteer?

No specialist training is provided but can be arranged if necessary.

Volunteer

How much spare time do I need to be a volunteer?

Any time spare that you are able to donate is helpful. We will contact you prior to any arrangements to check if you have availability. You are not obligated to make any commitment, other than to remain contactable and engaged.

Volunteer

What kind of duties are available as a volunteer?

As a volunteer you can choose from a wide range of work ranging from gardening to driving. Our downloadable handbook outlines some of the types of work you can undertake as a volunteer.

Events & Activities

Am I able to invite my sibling(s) to an event?

Yes. However, on some occasions it is not possible to attend with siblings due to availability of spaces. Please refer to specific event details for further guidance.

Events & Activities

Will I be charged or penalised if I have to cancel my event booking?

No. You will not be penalised or charged if you do not attend or cancel your booking. However, please bare in mind that many of our events have limited spaces, so we would ask that you notify us of any changes to your booking in advance of the event date.

Events & Activities

I have disabilities other than my sight impairment, can I still attend an event?

Our events primarily cater for the needs of people with sight loss, however the majority of our events inclusive and accessible to everybody. Please enquire in advance of your booking if you require additional support.

Events & Activities

Is transport provided to get to and from an Event?

The provision of transport is dependent on the event. Please check the event details for more information.

Events & Activities

Can I attend an event if I’m over 30?

On some occasions we do invite people over the age of 30 along to our events. However, please enquire in advance before booking.

Blatchington Friends

How long can a Friend provide support for?

To ensure that everyone who needs support can benefit, a Friend can be paired with a client for up to six months, at which point a new pairing can be arranged if requested.

Blatchington Friends

Who is eligible for support from a Friend?

Our befriending service is offered to people aged 14 and over who are registered with us. For the most positive outcomes, you must be willing to commit to the support being offered and be active in communicating with your Friend when making arrangements.

Blatchington Friends

Which types of activities can a Friend and their client do together?

Some pairs attend pub quizzes, workshops, concerts and trips to the cinema and others go out for coffee, shopping and cocktails. Each pairing aims to work towards agreed goals, such as building confidence on public transport or adapting to different environments by discovering new places to eat and drink.

Blatchington Friends

How much of the expenses are paid?

A Friend’s travel expenses are covered by Blatchington Court Trust and a contribution towards food costs. Please refer to the handbook for more information.

Blatchington Friends

How many hours of support can be offered by a Friend?

A Friend is able to provide up to 16 hours of support per month and it is up to the Friend and the person being supported how this time is apportioned each month.

Volunteer

How accessible are the volunteer opportunities?

Blatchington Court Trust have made sure there are various opportunities that cater to any needs. Some roles require certain levels of ability such as our mini-bus drivers. But other roles such as the allotment have wheelchair access and opportunities for all abilities to be of assistance.

Volunteer

What age can a volunteer be?

We are insured for volunteers between the ages of 16 and 85.

Volunteer

What level of commitment do I need to have in order to be a volunteer?

We are extremely flexible with our expectations. We will invite you to join a group chat and post any volunteering opportunities in the group and it is up to you if you wish to assist.

Volunteer

What will I get up to if I am volunteering with Blatchington Court Trust?

We offer a range of roles you can part take in. We are looking for people to assist us when we go to trips such as the theatre or to water sports activites. We are also looking for allotment volunteers to help us maintain our allotment based in Hove. We have an array on different choices so check out our downloadble volunteers handbook to find a role well suited to you.

Volunteer

What can I expect volunteering for Blatchington Court Trust?

Volunteers will be invited to an induction here at the Trust based in Hove. The induction will also include sighted guide training.

General

I live in Sussex but attend University in another county, can you help?

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General

Can I still register if I'm 30?

Unfortunately, we are only able to support people with sight loss under the age of 30. However, please feel free to get in touch as we are always happy to help, advise and signpost. Please also refer to our Useful Links page for other services that may be able to help you.

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Get in touch

01273 727 222

6a Hove Park Villas, Hove, East Sussex, BN3 6HW

info@blatchingtoncourt.org.uk

© 2024 Blatchington Court Trust | Charitable Incorporated Organisation, Registered Charity 1195990