Support for people with sight loss in Frome

Somerset Sight is your local charity supporting people who are visually impaired in Somerset; one of the services available is a local volunteer visiting service.

A recent meeting was held in Frome for some of the charity’s 150 volunteer visitors who support visually impaired people in their own homes or care homes across Somerset.

The speaker at the meeting was Steven Aughton who is the charity’s training officer and visually impaired himself since birth with the rare condition, Wagner’s syndrome. Steven talked inspiringly and with humour about his own experiences and about his role with Somerset Sight.

If any schools or care homes would  like him to visit them please contact him at Somerset Sight’s main office on 01823 333818. Steven thanked volunteer visitors for the valuable work they do supporting local people with sight loss.

Somerset Sight are working hard to retain this valuable local volunteer service run in conjunction with Somerset County Council. Its aim is to support people to live as independently as possible despite their sight loss through regular visits from a volunteer. The service currently supports over 130 blind or partially sighted people in Somerset.

Volunteers help with tasks such as reading and correspondence and in many cases shopping and trips out. Sight loss can be extremely isolating and carries increased risks of falls, dementia and depression for people affected; the regular company of a volunteer can make a big difference to somebody’s quality of life.

If you know of anyone who would be interested in accessing the service or would like to volunteer or offer support in any way please contact Gloria Williams at the Taunton head office on 01823 366146 or email gloria@somersetsight. org.uk