THE SEE & HEAR VAN

The SVAB See & Hear Van is a new purpose-designed vehicle which we take to all corners of Shropshire, Telford and Wrekin.  It was delivered in November 2009.

The See & Hear Van has on board an array of information about services and specialist equipment, for anyone with a VISUAL and/or HEARING impairment.  Advice and follow-up information and contacts are available from our staff.  We have installed up-to-date IT equipment on which visitors to the van can view demonstration DVDs and national charity catalogues of the most recent innovations in the sensory impairment field. 

This service is funded by SVAB, and is managed in partnership with other agencies. The volunteers who staff the van are specially trained for this work.  The van also receives direct support and advice from the sensory impairment services of both Shropshire County Council and the Borough of Telford and Wrekin.

Visitors to the van therefore get free advice and information to suit their individual needs.

The locations visited by the van in Shropshire include:

• Alveley
• Cleobury Mortimer 
• Whitchurch
• Wem
• Ellesmere 
• Church Stretton
• Shawbury 
• Bishops Castle 
• Ludlow
• Minsterley
• Oswestry
• St Martins
• Various venues in Shrewsbury

and in Telford and Wrekin include:

• Wellington
• Donnington
• Telford Town Centre 
• Horsehay 
• Ketley 
• Dawley
• Newport

The annual schedule of van visits is set up in the early part of the year - visits are not normally made during the winter months.  The schedule can be found if you click on the link below or go to the page on this website titled "See & Hear Van Schedule".  Venues are added as the year progresses.  It is therefore a good idea to check the schedule for information about visits to your area.

In addition to the normal schedule of "drop-in" visits, the van is also used throughout the year as a base for Outreach Low Vision Clinic appointments.  These are administered on an appointments only basis by the Low Vision Clinics at the Royal Shrewsbury and Telford Princess Royal Hospitals, so they are not open unless you have been given an appointment issued by the Clinic.

A new venture which started in the autumn of 2011 is the use of the van as a sight information centre at the Royal Shrewsbury Hospital on the first Thursday of the month.  On this day the van is parked opposite the main entrance to the hospital.

Click here to see the schedule of van visits