World Sight Day
Every Story Counts
To mark World Sight Day on Thursday 8th October and this year’s theme of “Every Story Counts”, we talked to two people who use Southend in Sight’s services:
Jan’s story.
Jan first came to us for support with equipment and form filling over two years ago. She is registered blind and lives alone.
Jan joined us when we started our drop-in sessions last summer and felt at home talking to people. Staff approached Jan to ask if she would consider volunteering and offering peer support at our Thursday drop-in sessions.
Jan liked the idea of helping others, as she has been supported herself. She says: “Volunteering is now my number one priority and the best thing about it is giving something back. Living with sight loss can be very isolating but chatting to others and sharing your fears can make you feel more positive about your own situation. All I need to do is listen to help someone feel better”.
Jan has since enjoyed some of our other activities and has even initiated a friendship group outside of her volunteering duties. Her positivity, encouragement and inclusivity are an inspiration to us all.
Liam’s story.
We first met Liam in 2019 when he visited our Centre for some low vision equipment. He is registered severely sight impaired and is 22.
Like all young people who have lived through COVID, he needed a push to leave his room and not just sit at his computer all day gaming. His Mum persuaded him to try out our ten pin bowling sessions. He was skeptical at first but conceded that he enjoys getting out of the house and being independent, travelling to the bowling alley by train using his cane.
Liam says: “I have always enjoyed spending time with older people – even at school I hung out with the teachers. I joke that I bring the average age of the bowlers down by at least 30 years! I have tried golf, attended pizza nights and even made it to the bowling finals in Sheffield earlier this year.”
Liam now volunteers for us in our Centre, offering IT support to others living with sight loss. He has grown up with tech and has many tips and tricks on navigating your way around a phone, tablet or laptop. He says: “I get great satisfaction from passing on my knowledge and feel pleased when I help others learn something new. I have even had some repeat customers, so I must be doing something right!”
Lucy Martin, Southend in Sight’s CEO says: “One of the most powerful things we offer as a charity is not a service, but something simpler: connection. Sight loss can be an isolating experience, and it is often those who have walked the same path who offer the most meaningful support”.
For more information on services for local blind and partially sighted people, please contact Southend in Sight on 01702 342131.