25 April 2017

Shropshire’s See and Hear Exhibition will again be hosting a fantastic range of events and activities for people with sight and hearing loss on Wednesday 10 May 2017.

The annual event, which celebrates its 10th successful year, will be hosted at Shrewsbury Sports Village on Sundorne Road, Shrewsbury, between 10am and 4pm. The event is free and open to everyone, to try equipment and learn more about the support on offer to help improve the quality of life for those with a sensory impairment.

See and Hear will be providing information sessions and demonstrations throughout the day, as well as hosting over 70 exhibitors from local and national companies, services and charities. This year’s See and Hear Shropshire Exhibition includes:

Inside

Seminars and workshops

Time: 10.30am—11.30am

Session: Macular Disease and Visual Hallucinations: “Am I losing my mind as well as my sight?”

Presenter: Cathy Yelf, Macular Society Chief Executive

Time: 11.45am—12.30pm

Session: “I Can’t Stand That Noise” – coping with sensitivity to sound

Presenter: Vicky Sadler, Audiology

Time: 12.45pm—1.45pm

Session: Living with Meniere’s Disease – hints and tips from the local hearing therapist

Presenter: Vicky Sadler, Audiology

Time: 2pm—3pm

Session: Guide Dog Demonstration and Talk

Presenter: Andy Guiel, Guide Dogs and Demonstration Dog, Natalie.

Time: to be confirmed

Session: Diabetes Awareness session – provided by members of the Diabetic Care Teams based at The Hummingbird Centre, RSH. This event will take place in the Training Room and will feature a range of healthcare practitioners showcasing care in various diabetic management areas.

Time: From 11am awards: Awards presented at 3pm

Session: Boccia Tournament – Indoor Bowls Centre, run by Shropshire Disability Network. Come and see 9+ Teams go head to head to get our trophy!

Outside

  • Hearing Aid Maintenance Clinic run by Audiology, Shrewsbury and Telford Hospitals sponsored by Salop Leisure Go Explore!
  • See and Hear information van
  • All ability cycling

Andy Begley, Shropshire Council’s director of adult services, said: “Shropshire’s See and Hear Exhibition is the only national event of its type in the UK – helping people with sensory impairment discover the technology and support available to them. The exhibition has continued growing year on year. In 2016 over 60 organisations displayed information and equipment to over 700 attendees.

“If you, or someone you know or support, has a sensory impairment, then I would strongly recommend taking the opportunity to come along, as it really is a great opportunity to see the support and information that’s available. We look forward to seeing you.”

Pauline Rose, manager of Vision, Technology and Training Shropshire, and organiser of See and Hear Exhibition, added: “When the first seeds were set with myself and a colleague over lunch 10 years ago, we never dreamt that we were creating the unique event See and Hear Shropshire has now become.

“20 of the original 24 have exhibited every year. We’re so grateful to them; without this loyal support the event couldn’t be the success it is today.

“We’d like to thank everybody who is supporting this event. The feedback we have had over the past 10 years tells us that this is a really important event for many people.”

Visitors will also be able to have a go at eye condition simulation spectacles at the Sight Loss Shropshire stand, and experience first-hand different common eye conditions. People can also experience a blindfolded guide dog walk.

Light refreshments are available for purchase throughout the day.

There will be a free shuttle bus running every 30 minutes from the train station, starting at 9.30am.

Booking is essential. To book a place on a workshop or seminar, please contact Pauline Rose on 01743 257746 or email pauline.rose@shropshire.gov.uk.