New helpline offers people with sight loss in Caithness 'someone to turn to'

Caithness residents impacted by sight loss can now access information, advice and support through a new telephone service from Scotland’s biggest visual impairment charity.

Public Health Minister Maree Todd has today [September 22] launched the new national Sight Scotland support line.

There are an estimated 8,950 people living with sight loss in the Highland local authority area. The Sight Scotland support line offers someone for people with sight loss and their families to turn to for information and advice.

People impacted by sight loss can call the freephone helpline on 0800 024 8973, Monday to Friday from 9am – 5pm.

The new service launches as Sight Scotland (SS) and Sight Scotland Veterans (SSV) publish findings from their latest research involving over 200 visually impaired people. Over 55 per cent of participants said they hadn’t had enough information about where they could find support after their diagnosis; while over 80 per cent said it was important to provide more support to family members and carers.

Almost 90 per cent said it was important they and their families received support to deal with the emotional impact of sight loss.

The SS support line is part of its newly formed Family Wellbeing Service, as the charity strives to support even more people impacted by sight loss in communities across Scotland. The charity has also produced a new information guide, Support for Sight Loss, produced with sister charity SSV.

Chief executive of SS and SSV, Mark O’Donnell, said: “We are proud to officially launch the Sight Scotland Support Line nationally today.

“This new telephone service is there for anyone impacted by sight loss so that no-one in Scotland has to struggle with sight loss alone. Our friendly, caring community team are here to provide tailored information and advice for blind and partially sighted people, as well as families and carers.

“Our research has shown that this is the kind of information that people want following diagnosis of an eye condition to help them find who can support them to live well with sight loss. We know it has been particularly difficult for people to access support due to the impact of Covid-19, and that it is particularly important to launch this national support line service now.

“We are delighted that the Scottish Government recently launched the Eyes.Scot website as an invaluable source of information and we are seeking to play our role in reaching more people with sight loss through the launch of our new community services.”

Call the Sight Scotland Support Line on 0800 024 8973 or visit SightScotland.org.uk for more information.

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