National Telephone Support, Counselling and Groups from RNIB's Emotional Support Service _______________________________

1. National Telephone Support, Counselling and Groups from RNIB's Emotional Support Service _______________________________________________________________ Presenters: Netta Doku, Marios Andreou, Toni Hoskins

2. Areas to be covered • Background to Emotional Support Service • What we offer • Referral • Service criteria • Common themes • Future developments

3. Background to Service • History • Expansion • Current referral statistics • How we fit into the RNIB structure

4. What we offer • Intake assessment • Individual counselling & emotional support • Information/Referral • Consultancy • Training • Group work

5. Referral • Referral Routes • Advice Service • Website/ Email • Self referral • Referral form

6. Referral Form RNIB Emotional Support Service Referral Form Information Required: Confidential Please complete the following questions and return by post or by email via the addresses at the end of the form. There are thirteen questions below. Please type your responses in the spaces after the questions. If a professional wants to speak to us about our service, we only need their name and phone number. Information submitted via this form becomes part of the client's ESS record, to which they have right of access under the Data Protection Act (1998). ● Name of Client: ● Referrer (and role or relationship with client): ● Has the client given their permission for this referral?: ● Client's phone number(s): ● Can a message be left?: ● Client's address (inc. postcode):

7. Referral Form (cont) Please ask for GP contact details, but, if client is unable or reluctant to give these, make a note below and ESS can discuss this directly: ● GP Name and Address / Telephone Details (road name and area sufficient): ● Any other important Contact Details, if appropriate, e.g., name and telephone number of someone we can call in an emergency etc.: ● Sight condition(s): ● Other disabilities: ● Date or year of birth: ● Reason for referral: ● Other services, RNIB or other, client has been referred to or is in touch with: Please attach this completed document to an email and send to ess@rnib.org.uk or send marked 'Confidential' by post to: Emotional Support Service, RNIB, 105 Judd Street, London, WC1H 9NE

8. Service Criteria • Issues relating to sight loss • Age • Mental health issues • Suicide • Other current counselling

9. Common Themes • Presenting issues • Diagnoses and shock • Difficult medical journeys, e.g. anger, isolation, despair, loss • Cycle of grief (shock through to adjustment)

10. Future Developments • Volunteers • Drop-In Service • Children and Young People's Service • BACP service accreditation

11. Questions/Comments _________________________________________ Emotional Support Service, RNIB, 105 Judd Street, London, WC1H 9NE Telephone: 02073912186 ess@rnib.org.uk ■ www.rnib.org.uk