A 'safe space' to support people facing sight loss

A woman who started losing her sight at the age of 43 has welcomed the opening of a new sight support hub.

Zoe Bostock began to lose her sight in 2019, after Lupus caused nerve damage at the back of her right eye. Simultaneously her left eye was also deteriorating, impacting her depth perception.

She said: "It was quite a scary and upsetting time, because I knew there was something there - but, for me, I couldn't see what was going on and my vision was getting worse."

The new hub, at Noble's Hospital, helps people like Zoe manage and adapt to changes in vision: "Being able to go somewhere where people actually understand what you are explaining about your sight... is really helpful," she said.

The Integrated Sight Support and Resource Hub, situated in the foyer at Noble's Hospital, is designed to provide guidance to people going through the process of losing their sight.

Eye Care Liaison Officer Lesley Hankinson, who is based at the hub, said "More often than not, you attend a hospital appointment and you can't take everything in, so you don't think of all the questions to ask."

Hankinson said the hub gave people the chance to follow up after that initial appointment, affording the time and space to receive "practical advice and emotional support".

"There was relief to know what the cause was, because it meant that I can deal with it," said Zoe, recalling her diagnosis.

She said experts at the new facility "know what your needs are and they give you some guidance of how you can do workarounds".

"Ultimately, this hub is about making support more accessible, more connected, more personal - ensuring that no one facing sight loss feels like they're on their own," said Hankinson.

Staff at the hub can demonstrate accessible equipment, such as magnifiers and talking clocks, as well as offering guidance to friends, family members and carers on how best to support their loved ones.

People can drop in throughout the week, from Monday to Friday, between 08:30 and 17:00 BST.

"It is a safe space to pop in, have a chat and see what support is available," said Cathryyn Bradley, chief executive of Sight Matters, who stressed how deteriorating sight can often be "a bit hidden... but also very isolating".

"With the right support we can help people understand that, while it may be a life-changing diagnosis for them, they can manage, adapt and still participate in their environment and community."

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