Every day, people come to us looking for practical advice, reassurance and support after experiencing sight loss. Thanks to your support, more people are finding the confidence to continue living independently and making the most of life.

We wanted to share just some of the difference you have helped make over the past few months.

One of the people you’ve helped is Jackie. When she began losing her sight, she worried it would stop her living the active life she loved. After receiving support from Jenny, she learnt practical techniques that made everyday tasks easier and regained the confidence to continue getting out and about independently.

Jackie says:

“One of the first things Jenny said was, ‘It’s not that you can’t do things, it’s just finding a different way to do them.’ The training I had with the ball cane was priceless. It has meant I can continue to get out and about with confidence.”

Jackie’s story is just one example of the difference your support is making. Thanks to supporters like you, more people than ever before have been able to access our services, while 94% rated the support they received as good or excellent. We know that working with us leaves people feeling less isolated, and more able to manage day-to-day.

During the year ending March 2026

• 7,025 one-to-one advice sessions were delivered (2,322 individuals supported)
• Nearly 5,000 visits took place at our hubs and resource centres last year.
• More people than ever came to us for help, with attendances increasing by 36%.

This significant increase reflects the growing demand for our services and the importance of being there when people need us.

Every one of those visits represents someone receiving practical advice, emotional support or reassurance at what can be a very difficult time.

Technology can be life-changing for someone living with sight loss. Whether it’s reading post, keeping in touch with family or receiving NHS appointment information, learning new digital skills helps people stay independent.

Last year, thanks to supporters like you, hundreds of people received one-to-one digital support, and demand continues to grow.

Thanks to your support, we’re able to provide this help locally and face-to-face, making it easier for people to access support close to home.

As one of our service users said:

“I would have travelled to the moon to get some advice and support – I couldn’t believe I could get help in my local library so close to home.”

Having support available locally also makes it easier for people to come back for further advice, or to join one of our social groups and connect with others.

Your support is also helping us expand our reach. This year we’ve begun delivering a new Sensory Impairment Support Service in Bath and North East Somerset, while continuing to work with partners across the region to improve access to activities, information and support for people living with sight loss.

Helping more people, closer to home

We’ve begun opening new evening hubs, making it easier for people who work during the day to access our support. Over the coming months, we’ll be expanding into the Forest of Dean, and next year we’ll bring our Eye Can exhibition to Bristol, helping even more people access support close to home.

Every person who comes to us has their own story. Some are frightened after receiving a diagnosis. Others simply need someone to listen and help them take the next step. Whatever brings them through our doors, your support means they don’t have to face sight loss alone.

Thank you for being part of our community of supporters. Whether you support us through a regular donation or by playing our lottery, you are helping ensure that people living with sight loss can find the support they need, close to home.

Your continued support means we can be there with practical advice, reassurance and support whenever it is needed.

Thank you for helping us be there when we’re needed most.

With all our thanks,

Jen, Paula and Karen

Fundraising team