Christopher Grange Centre for Adult Blind - Rehabilitation Centre

The rehabilitation centre opened in 1972 and offers support and practical skills to people within the Liverpool area who are visually impaired. We also offer support to their families, carers, friends and staff who work with them. We work very closely with all agencies to ensure an holistic approach to rehabilitation.

We work especially closely with Liverpool Voluntary Society for the Blind and Guide Dogs for the Blind Association who share our campus.

Mission Statement
Our aim is to enable people with a visual impairment to become as independent and self-confident as possible in their own home; by offering emotional support, skills training, dignity and respect resulting in improved quality of life.

By taking a 'person-centred approach' to our work we can respond to need by offering a professional, cost-effective, high quality service, enabling people to maximise independence, within a safe and caring environment, before transferring their skills int their home and community.

Services
Initially, assessments and training are offered within the centre, everyone is then encouraged to transfer these newly learned skills to the home environment. We can then offer support within the home if required.

Other Services Available Include:
• Independent Travel Techniques[Mobility]
• Kitchen Skills
• Sewing and Knitting
• Woodwork and Home Maintenance
• Independent living skills
• Handwriting and literacy skills
• Typing and Keyboard Skills
• Word processing
• Braille and Moon
• Arts and Crafts
• Information Services
• Functional Vision Assessments
• The Benefits Agency and Royal Liverpool University Hospital second staff to work within the Centre to provide Benefits advice and audiology screening
• Leisure Activities such as Swimming and gardening
• We encourage self-help and self advocacy
• We offer pre-vocational guidance
• We offer 'Awareness Sessions' for families and carers

Outcomes
We favour a person-centred approach to the delivery of services. We have a regular review system to ensure everyone's needs are being met and that they are happy with the service.

Availability Of Services
The centre is open Monday to Friday between 9.00 a.m. and 5.00 p.m. People are referred to us from anywhere within a reasonable travelling distance, most being referred through Liverpool City Council and Knowsley Metropolitan Borough Council. A number of clients do attend from outside this area. After appropriate assessment by a local authority most of these pay for their resident's attendance at Christopher Grange although individuals can pay their own costs. Similarly, where a local authority pays for attendance, it usually arranges and provides transport. Christopher Grange is well-served being close to major travel routes.

Accreditation
Since September 2001 accreditation through Liverpool Community College has been available for the Students learning computer skills. This will improve the confidence of those students who might wish to progress to further education. In 2002 we hope to offer English, Adult Literacy, Braille, Moon and Typing subjects to the accreditation schemes.