Newsletter No. 362

Fight For Sight have recently announced some grants that have been awarded to 13 organisations. Each of these organisations provide valuable services and are a first port of call for people losing their sight or seeking support to improve their physical, mental and economic wellbeing.

Read the full list of beneficiaries here: https://www.fightforsight.org.uk/who-we-are/charity-news/charity-news/13-ways-were-tackling-the-postcode-lottery-of-support-for-vision-impaired-people

Staff shortages, high energy costs and an uncertain economic climate are just a few of the obstacles sight loss organisations face. We also know that many vision-impaired people in parts of the UK face a postcode lottery, and don’t have access to the essential support they need. Fight For Sight’s capacity-building funding is designed to support the creation of a sight loss sector that is coherent, sustainable, and resilient to the rising demand for equal service provision across the UK.

Students with Vision Impairment at The Royal National College for the Blind (RNC) in Hereford are making revision for their summer exams that bit less daunting with the help of an AI robot head named Atlas which is helping coach them for their exams. The students have been keen to show off this very chatty chatbot, the result of their hard work and teaching that is fully inclusive and responsive to the latest developments in technology.

Read the full story here: https://www.rnib.org.uk/news/smart-students-with-vision-impairment-built-ai-robot-to-help-with-their-exam-revision/

The Royal National Institute of Blind People (RNIB) has outlined a series of costed, practical steps that could revolutionise beleaguered eye care services in England – creating efficiencies and preventing avoidable sight loss as people wait for treatment. The charity’s report shows that simply offering NHS emails to primary care staff could save up to £20m each year alone.

With the unveiling of the Government’s new 10 Year Health plan for England imminent, the charity is hoping the NHS will home in on eye health as a priority – especially as these steps could stem unnecessary referrals, cut waiting times and ensure better support for anyone undergoing a potentially devastating sight loss diagnosis.

Demand for eye care services - the largest outpatient speciality in England – is increasing. RNIB’s report, which includes analysis provided by PA Consulting, offers properly costed clues as to how they could be delivered in as effective a way as possible and prevent delays to treatment, which can result in worsening sight loss. The proposals could make significant differences to the overall costs and capacity of eye care services, and to the lives of people with sight conditions, with every recommendation grounded in proven best practice already working successfully in parts of the UK.

Read the full story here: https://www.rnib.org.uk/news/six-simple-solutions-which-could-create-nhs-savings-of-over-1bn-over-the-next-decade-as-well-as-saving-peoples-vision-have-been-identified-by-the-uks-leading-sight-loss-organisation/

Millions of people across the world still lack access to basic eye care such as glasses according to a new study led by Professor Rupert Bourne of Anglia Ruskin University (ARU).

The research, published in The Lancet Global Health, measured the global availability and quality of treatment for uncorrected refractive error, one of the most common forms of vision loss. The study used data from 815,273 participants from 76 countries and found that global refractive correction (eREC) is currently at 65.8%, just six percentage points higher than in 2010.

The researchers say the results mean the World Health Organisation (WHO)’s target, set in 2021, of a 40 percentage point increase in eREC by 2030 is likely to be missed unless urgent action is taken across the world to increase the access to basic treatments such as spectacles.

Read the full story here: https://www.aru.ac.uk/news/new-study-shows-millions-still-lack-access-to-glasses?utm_source=accessinformationnews&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=06022025&utm_content=editorial

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.

Read the full story here: https://www.rnib.org.uk/news/free-telephone-courses-help-people-adapt-to-life-with-sight-loss/

A sight loss charity has been awarded a grant for a new therapeutic garden to help people move on from the challenges they face. The project, called Life Grows On, will see six allotments and a water feature installed in a former dog pen at Sight Matters’ headquarters in Corrin Court, Onchan.

Created in partnership with the Manx Deaf Society, Cruse Bereavement and the Alzheimer’s Society, the project was awarded a grant of £21,385 from Manx Lottery Trust. Sight Matters spokesman Peter Marshall said the garden was for people to meet others and “grow things which symbolises moving on from whatever challenges they face.” The garden will include features such as raised planters, tactile signage, and guided gardening sessions to make the space accessible for all.

Read the full story here: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c2lk4299dlno