Emotional support and confidence research

  • 31 per cent of blind and partially sighted people are rarely, or never, optimistic about the future.
  • Only 17 per cent of people experiencing sight loss are offered emotional support in relation to their deteriorating vision.
  • More than four in 10 people attending low vision clinics are suffering from symptoms of clinical depression.
  • People with sight loss were more than twice as likely to have experienced difficulties with unhappiness or depression than the UK average. 

Blind and partially sighted people have identified coming to terms with sight loss and maintaining confidence as important to them. 

People who lose sight later in life can require emotional support to come to terms with and accept their sight loss and continue to lead full lives. Others who may have never had sight or have been living with a vison impairment for many years may have a change in their personal circumstances which can mean a need for fresh advice and support. Receiving support or living in the knowledge that this support network is available can help boost people’s confidence to live their life and not let their sight loss hold them back.

Most of the stats above are taken from My Voice and Understanding Society, which both provide information on the emotional lives of blind and partially sighted people and the support offered to them. For full references contact [email protected]. Further research on this topic can be found below.

 

Time to Talk service evaluation

This report is an evaluation of the Cabinet Office and NESTA funded Time to Talk telephone peer-support service. It provides the first RNIB produced evidence of the efficacy of peer support services using validated evaluation measures. The research took place between November 2014 and March 2016.

Finding Your Feet - Next steps project: Strategic impact evaluation

This final report presents the overall findings of the evaluation of RNIB Finding Your Feet - Next Steps Project. Two programmes are included in the Finding Your Feet programme suite: Striding Out and Steps into Work. Published 2013.

Emotional support and counselling

Research into emotional support and counselling within an integrated low vision service, providing an evidence base for emotional and social support for people with sight loss. Published 2010.

RNIB Talk and Support Telebefriending Service

A longitudinal study of the social and psychological benefits for adults with sight loss from participation in weekly telephone social groups. Published 2008.

Policy and reports hub

Find out information on our policy position statements, consultation responses and campaign reports.

Visit the policy and reports hub