Interactive event to mark National Eye Health Week

To help celebrate National Eye Health Week (22 – 28 September 2014) staff at South West Yorkshire Partnership NHS Foundation Trust are holding an interactive event aimed at raising awareness of the importance of taking care of your eyes.

The Trust, which provides community, mental health and learning disability services in Barnsley, Calderdale, Kirklees and Wakefield is inviting people to come along and get involved in the event which is being held at Fieldhead in Wakefield on Wednesday 24 September.

Throughout the day guests will be able find out lots of useful information and advice about eye health and have the chance to test their hand-eye co-ordination on a batak wall.

Experts will be on hand to talk about local eye health services, demonstrate just how an eye test works and offer advice on how stopping smoking or changing your diet can help protect your eyesight.

Linda Whelan, a sensory nurse specialist at the Trust, said: “It’s easy to forget about looking after your eyes. If your eyesight is fine we tend to not think about the affect some of the things we do might have on it.

“The event will highlight this and give lots information about how making small changes to your lifestyle can help protect your eyes. We’ll also have displays specifically for people with low vision and easy-read information for people with learning disabilities.

“I’d encourage anyone who wants to find out more about their eyesight to come down and get involved – we’ll even have some eye shaped buns and cakes for people to try!”

The event is being held in the Education Centre at Fieldhead in Wakefield between 10am and 3pm on Wednesday 24 September. It has been organised by the Trust’s therapy service in Wakefield – who support people with learning disabilities who have complex needs.

To find out more information about the event, contact Linda Whelan or Natalie Hodson on 01924 327354.