Support

Age UK, Shropshire Telford and Wrekin operates and promotes a wide range of support services for older people including those with hearing or sight loss.  For further information telephone 01743 233123.  They can provide assistance with form filling and their Benefits Team is able to offer advice and information on all aspects of welfare benefits for those over retirement age.

Blind Veterans (formerly St. Dunstans) provides vision impaired Armed Forces and National Service veterans with the person-centred services and tailored support they need to discover life beyond sight loss.  Blind Veterans UK’s work ranges from helping veterans relearn vital life skills and providing them with the tools they need to be independent in their own homes, to offering new learning, training and recreation opportunities and providing long-term nursing, residential and respite care.

Community Resource (formerly Shropshire RCC) is committed to making life better for everyone living in Shropshire.  Their projects help people to be healthier, happier and more connected to their communities.  They provide support, advice and information about visual impairment and run the Sight Loss Opportunity Groups.

Esme’s Umbrella raises awareness of, and supports people with, Charles Bonnet syndrome – visual hallucinations due to loss of sight.   Their website provides a platform on which sufferers, their families and friends can exchange experiences, share coping strategies and find reassurance. The Helpline number is 0345 051 3915, and the email address is esmesumbrella@gmail.com

Glaucoma UK provides help, information and support to anyone affected by glaucoma.  You can contact their helpline by email helpline@glaucoma.uk or by telephone 01233 648170.

Guide Dogs for the Blind Association provides and trains guide dogs and a range of other services including rehabilitation and mobility training. The website includes information about social events, the Association’s national raffle and news.  If a Guide Dog is not for you, how about the My Guide service where a trained volunteer or a friend or family member supports you to work towards your mobility goals – anything from just getting out of the house to joining a local rambling group or enjoying a football match from the stands.

The Keratoconus Self Help & Support Group provides information, an online forum and other support to help manage living with this eye condition.  You can also telephone the local representative on 01743 625138.

The Macular Society provides a number of free services and offers a range of information about living with macular disease.  You can also telephone their specialist helpline on 0300 3030 111.

View the upcoming local events.

The Nystagmus Network (NN) is a UK charity run by individuals and families affected by the eye condition nystagmus.

Retina UK (formerly RP Fighting Blindness) is a charity dedicated solely to working for people affected by inherited sight loss.