Free telephone courses help people adapt to life with sight loss
Access a free Living Well with Sight Loss telephone course.
A free four-week telephone course for anyone experiencing sight loss, as well as family members and close friends, is helping to improve the lives of blind and partially sighted participants.
Organised by national sight loss charity RNIB Scotland, the Living Well with Sight Loss course includes information and advice on a range of topics, from understanding benefits and staying independent, to useful gadgets for everyday living, eye health, hobbies and interests, and other organisations and services that can offer support.
Participants are often referred to the course by their local Eye Care Liaison Officer (ECLO) - a service available in hospitals which offers emotional reassurance along with practical advice and support to help people make the adjustment to living with sight loss.
Marie (90) from Aberdeenshire says,
“I looked forward to the course every week. There was about 10 of us on the call, and we spoke about all sort of things- transport and benefits for example, and I got to listen to others sharing their experiences of sight loss which was all very interesting.”
Marie was also able to hear about appliances that could help her at home; talking microwaves, a liquid level indicator- a device on a cup or jug which vibrates to let you know when to stop pouring in liquid, ‘bumpons’ - small tactile stickers to attach to dials or buttons such as an oven temperature dial.
“I can manage about the house really well, and the kitchen’s the best place I can get about in now,” she adds.
Another participant on the course, Alan (74) who lives in the Highlands, was also referred by his local ECLO.
“Sight loss is all new to me. I lost a lot of my vision quite recently and I just didn’t know how to go about daily life. It’s not easy when you don’t have the vision to read, so you’re relying on other people, like the RNIB ECLO, to inform you about support available.
“The course helped my confidence, you learn things through talking with the others- just tips for basic life, like knowing when the cup is full when making a cup of tea. I also got some good advice about using bright colours about the house- the high contrast helps. And you hear from others too, which helps with the mental side. It's not always been easy and sometimes you can get very down, but people who understand are there to listen.”
Alan tries to get outside as often as he can. But living rurally, this can be a challenge.
“I can’t drive now, and where I live, it’s a 40-minute downhill walk to the bus stop on a dirt track. There’s lots of potholes and things you can easily trip on. But speaking to others of the course, I got some good tips about how to use a cane and feel different textures on the ground.
“The course was just full of information- they gave tips on how to listen for the bus when you can’t see it. I didn't know about bus pass concessions and getting help with train travel. It’s all been a learning curve; I’m learning every day.
“I’d encourage anyone to go on the course- I know it’s not easy, but you have to keep talking to people, and you should give it a chance.”
‘Living Well with Sight Loss’ course co-ordinator Richard Craig says,
"Through our phone sessions, you can receive practical advice, information and guidance on organisations, products and services that are available to help you. You'll also have the chance to learn from each other's personal experiences and share top tips.”
Find more information about Living Well with Sight loss courses, including dates and details of upcoming courses, or email [email protected].
