Sight Loss Group Continues Local Support
Despite the ongoing impact of Covid-19, the Hastings and Rother Macular Society telephone support group has continued to help local people affected by sight loss with monthly calls, and will hold its next meeting on Tuesday, 16th March at 2pm.
The group, which is organised by leading sight loss charity the Macular Society and run by local volunteers, hold telephone meetings at the same time on the third Tuesday of every month. Anyone living in the Hastings or Rother areas who is affected by macular disease is welcome to join, along with family members or friends of those affected.
Macular disease is the biggest cause of sight loss in the UK. Nearly 1.5 million people are currently affected and many more are at risk. The disease can have a devastating effect on people’s lives, leaving them unable to drive, read or see faces. Many people affected describe losing their sight as being similar to bereavement. There is still no cure and most types of the disease are not treatable. Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is the most common form of macular disease, affecting more than 600,000 people, usually over the age of 50.
The Hastings and Rother Macular Society telephone support group is one of more than 400 such groups across the U.K that the charity provides, and is part of a broader range of telephone and online support services it introduced, following the suspension of its face-to-face activities when the pandemic first hit last year.
Stella Black, Macular Society regional manager, says: “As social restrictions continue as a result of the virus, people’s health and wellbeing remain our priority. … Although our face-to-face services have had to be suspended for the time being, we are still on the end of the phone and would strongly urge anyone to call us if they do need our assistance.
“The telephone groups offer help in understanding macular disease and coming to terms with sight loss; exactly the way that our face-to-face support groups do. … But most importantly, they allow people with macular disease to continue to take part in social activities, helping to reduce feelings of loneliness and isolation during these difficult times.”
In addition, all of the charity’s regional managers have Facebook and Twitter accounts via which people who need help can get in contact. The Macular Society also runs a volunteer telephone befriending service offering a friendly and understanding ear to anyone affected by macular disease.
• For more information contact Tyler Phillips, peer support coordinator, on 07920 643 710 or email [email protected]
• For information on other services currently available from the Macular Society, call the charity’s Advice and Information Service on 0300 3030 111 or email [email protected]
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