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Lifechangers Appeal

Now more than ever, our Helpline is vital. With your support, we can ensure that no call to our life-changing Helpline goes unanswered.

A lady sits on a sofa holding a phone to her ear and looking concerned at a credit card.

The impact of the cost of living crisis on people with sight loss

RNIB’s Helpline has been supporting thousands of blind and partially sighted people for many years. It’s always been an important service, but, now, it’s essential.

The cost of living crisis is impacting all of our lives, but people with sight loss are being hit the hardest. The financial strain of increasing bills is felt most by blind and partially sighted people who rely on lighting and assistive technology to live independent lives. For many, simply switching off the lights isn’t possible.

I have retinitis pigmentosa... I have lights on a lot more than most people, even in the summer. Economising on this would be unsafe for me, as I would be even more likely to walk into doors, not see objects on the floor, etc.

Faye*

*Names have been changed to protect their identities.

A man wearing a headset and smiling reassuringly

We’re here to help

Thankfully, people with sight loss don’t have to face these challenges alone. RNIB’s Helpline provides an essential portal to knowledge, advice and support that can help change the lives of those in need.

Our expert Advisers are on hand, ready to listen and offer personalised guidance on everything from finance and emotional support, through to accessing travel and technology grants. The Helpline gives blind and partially sighted people the support to live fulfilled, independent lives.

It’s their patience and calmness. The Advisers take you down from being on a scale of 10 to a scale of 1 in a matter of minutes.

Meera*

With your help, we can answer every call

Like all of our services, the Helpline wouldn’t exist without your support. By donating today, you could help our Advisers be there, on the other end of the phone, listening and providing vital advice and support. The next call to our Helpline could be life-changing – thanks to you.

No matter how great or small, any gift that you’re able to give will mean so much to so many blind and partially sighted people.