We provide friendly, practical advice about how you can support someone who is blind or partially sighted. You’re welcome at any of our hubs or social groups, or you can call for advice or make an appointment to see a Sight Loss Advisor.

You may have lots of questions of your own – sight loss is a big change, and healthcare pathways can be complex. Or you might want to explore living aids, tools and techniques that can help someone maintain their independence. At our hubs and resource centres, you can try out items such as talking clocks, liquid level indicators, magnifiers and more. You can also learn about accessibility settings on smartphones, or the difference a smart speaker can make.

You might also be worried about someone who is visually impaired. Sight loss can be very isolating and cause great anxiety, and some people may not be in a position to access help themselves. In these situations, it can help to speak to us, find out what happens at an appointment, or visit a social group. Then you can offer reassurance to your friend or family member with greater confidence.

What kind of help can you give me?

• Advice about eye health and sight conditions, including understanding appointments and the healthcare system
• An introduction to sighted guiding – how to help someone move around safely in new places
• Information about our services, including assistive equipment, mobility aids and what’s available in our resource centres
• Peer support, through our Sight Loss Hubs and local social groups, where you can meet others affected by sight loss

Questions about sight loss?

Most blind and partially sighted people, even those with significant visual impairments, retain some useful vision. It can be hard to understand what tasks someone will struggle with and it may even appear contradictory at times. Learning more about sight loss can help you offer better support.

We have a range of images that show how the world might look through different eye conditions, as well as simulation glasses (sim specs) to help you understand the experience of sight loss. If it’s your parent or sibling who has been diagnosed, you may also be worried about what it means for you. Everyone’s sight loss is different – there isn’t a one-size-fits-all approach.

For some people, learning more is reassuring. For others, it can be overwhelming. Talking to us can be a helpful first step and often feels easier than searching online alone.

You might be wondering:

• What exactly does the diagnosis mean?
• What’s the difference between central and peripheral vision?
• What roles do different eye specialists play?
• What financial help is available?
• How can someone stay in work, talk to their employer, or use adaptive technology?
• Are there any treatment options?

Whatever your question, we’re here to help you find the answers that matter to you.

Get in touch

Whatever situation you’re in, getting in touch is a great first step. We are here to support everyone affected by sight loss, whether it’s your parent, child, partner or friend.

If you’re looking for support for a young person or as a parent, you might also want to visit our Children and Families page.