New sight loss support group for Rochdale

A local man has worked with the Royal National Institute of Blind People (RNIB) to set up a new support group for blind and partially sighted people in Rochdale.

The group will be led by volunteer Gary Tunney, aged 56 from Norden, who suddenly became visually impaired in 2017. Along with RNIB, he set up the group in order to offer support and guidance to local people who are affected by sight loss.

The group will meet at Norden Old Library on the last Wednesday of every month from 1pm.

Gary said: “When I suddenly became visually impaired, I had no idea what to do next and became very anxious about the future. This was terrifying, and I felt very alone and isolated.

“I was lucky because I have two grown up daughters who live nearby, but not everyone has someone, and I understand that. For this reason, I contacted the RNIB and we have now decided to set up a peer group in the Rochdale area.

“The group offers a safe space, where likeminded people can meet and discuss any issues that they may be having. It’s also a great opportunity to talk to someone who understands what it’s like to be visually impaired.”

The new group forms part of a network of support provided through RNIB’s Connect Community, which is led by blind and partially sighted people, bringing together anyone affected by sight loss. Connect gives members the opportunity to meet with each other, share information and offer mutual support using platforms such as events, telephone discussion groups and online forums.

In the North West, RNIB expects that the need for emotional and practical advice will continue to rise as the number of people living with sight loss in the region is expected to reach 284,000 people by 2030.

Danielle Colcombe, RNIB’s Connect Community Facilitator for the North West, said: “This new group in Rochdale has come at a crucial time, when we know that enquiries about emotional and practical support are rising.

“The experience of sight loss can have a massive impact on a person’s life and it can be a very isolating time. We believe everyone should have access to the practical and emotional support they need to rebuild their resilience and a sense of optimism about the future.

“This group will be a fantastic opportunity for people affected by sight loss to come together to share their own experiences and positive ways of adapting to vision impairment.”

Booking is not necessary, and people are encouraged to ‘drop in’ to the sessions, which will start from Wednesday 31 July 2019.

For more information, contact the Connect North West team:

• ConnectNorthWest@rnib.org.uk