By Isle of Wight Observer
Sight for Wight, a charity supporting visually-impaired people on the Island, has received a £2,000 grant from WightAID to enhance the lives of its clients. The funding will be used to purchase innovative smart speakers, equipped with cameras, offering features designed to make daily tasks easier and safer for individuals with low vision. For example, users can simply ask, “Alexa, what am I holding?” and the device will identify items, such as medication, by reading their labels aloud.
The Echo Show smart speakers also enable users to control appliances, set reminders, and access over 30,000 RNIB talking books. The system also hosts Sight for Wight’s own resources, including newsletters, local updates, and interactive games. Lisa Hollyhead, CEO of Sight for Wight, explained what a difference it could make to their clients’ daily lives. Thanking WightAID, she added: “The ‘What am I Holding?’ skill is a simple way for those who are visually impaired to identify different cans of food for example.”
WightAID’s support extended to five other causes during the November funding round, distributing a total of £7,295. Among the recipients, IOW Defibrillators received £2,000 for life-saving equipment, while Men Only CIC was granted £1,800 to run a winter programme addressing isolation and mental health challenges. Smaller grants or up to £500 supported community initiatives including Storeroom 2010’s up-cycling crafts, Wroxall Woollies’ creative workshops, and Daisy Chains’ Christmas hampers for disadvantaged families.
Geoff Underwood, chairman of WightAID, said: “It was great to meet first hand the charities WightAID is helping.
“We can’t underestimate how important it is for Island businesses and individuals to continue to back our charitable efforts.”
Last year, WightAID donated a total of £92,341 to various causes. You can support them via iw.observer/wightaid.