Action Exeter helps build confidence after sight loss.
Living with sight loss should become less daunting for people in Exeter, with a modular course, designed to help them develop confidence and life skills. Run by Action for Blind People at the Belmont Chapel
The course runs for several weeks, with sessions from 05 November until the 10 December.
The charity is inviting people with sight loss, their friends, family, and anyone who has been affected by visual impairment to enrol on the community based, six week programme. The course will provide information, advice, guidance and practical skills for people diagnosed as losing their sight. Places are free, but must be booked in advance.
The course is designed to develop confidence, and explore practical solutions to everyday tasks, including using technology. Peer support will be a central theme to the courses, helping participants to support one another and share their experiences.
Richard Shuker, from Action for Blind People, said: “Losing your sight doesn’t mean losing your independence; although for someone newly diagnosed with sight loss, the future can seem daunting.
“This course will change the dynamics between the charity and its service users. We are moving away from ‘doing things for them’, to a culture of helping and working in partnership with people who have lost their sight. It’s about gradually restoring self-belief, confidence and independent living.”
Action Exeter currently supports over 800 people with a range of support and services to help people live independently, find employment and practical housing.
There are almost two million people in the UK living with sight loss. This figure includes around 360,000 people registered as blind or partially sighted in the UK, who have severe and irreversible sight loss.
Sight loss affects people of all ages. Sight loss affects people of all ages but especially older people: 1 in 5 people aged 75 and 1 in 2 aged 90 and over are living with sight loss
To book a place on Action for Blind People’s course, please phone 01392 458060 or email exeter@actionforblindpeople.org.uk
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