Guidance

Care for elderly, vulnerable or disabled adults: Homes for Ukraine

How to access social care, and support if you, or someone you care for is blind.

Social care

Adults and their carers can be assessed for their care and support needs by their local authority.

To apply for help, enter your postcode in this service (page is not translated). This will direct you to the relevant pages on your local council’s website to find out what help and support is available and who to contact.

If you are a carer

If you care for someone, you can access advice and support from Carers UK.

You can also contact them:

Carers UK website
advice@carersuk.org
Telephone: 0808 808 7777
Monday to Friday, 9am to 6pm
Find out about call charges

You can get advice about:

They also have a network of local branches and contact with local organisations who support carers.

Blind or partially sighted

UK sight loss charities have set up a helpline for blind and partially sighted people arriving in the UK from Ukraine, their families, and those supporting them.

You can call the helpline on 0303 123 9999 8am to 8pm Monday to Friday, and 9am to 1pm on Saturdays.

If you need an interpreter they can arrange this service for you.

The helpline will direct you to the right specialist advice and information in the right format and direct you to other appropriate services and organisations to help you adjust to living in a new country.

These charities can offer support to access the following:

  • eye health, including free eyesight tests and help paying for glasses
  • to register as blind or partially sighted in the UK
  • employment support
  • money, benefits and finance
  • education and activities for children and young people (including family fun days, pre-school activities and mobility skills training)
  • technology and useful products (including some technology grants)
  • advice on pet welfare
  • community connections locally and online
  • connection with local sight loss organisations.
  • emotional support for an hour, with a qualified sight loss counsellor, and translator if needed
  • free specialist equipment for adults and children including:
    • canes
    • eye shields
    • games
    • health and mobility items
    • technology products
Published 16 January 2023