PERSHORE MP Harriett Baldwin joined colleagues from across the country to publicise services which help people coping with sight loss.
The Royal National Institute for Blind People hosted a briefing event in Westminster to re-launch a service which helps people who have recently been diagnosed with sight issues.
More than two million people across the UK are currently living with sight loss.
The West Worcestershire MP spoke to Eleanor Southwood, who is chair of the national charity, about the work it does helping people cope with the diagnosis and help to maintain their independence.
RNIB runs a helpline advice service which handles up to 7,000 calls a year from people needing assistance. The charity is also relaunching a service which offers face-to-face support for people in eye clinics acting as a bridge between the health and social services.
She said: “With an increasing elderly population both in West Worcestershire and across the UK, sight loss is an issue which is affecting more and more people.
“The diagnosis of deteriorating eyesight or sight loss can be traumatic and it was useful to hear more about how the RNIB helps people at a time when support is really important.”
David Clarke, RNIB Director of Services, added: “Losing your sight can have a massive impact on your life and we believe everyone should have access to emotional support when they need it.
“It’s not just the big, life-changing aspects that people need support with. Sometimes it’s the smaller, everyday things that stop people in their tracks or prevent them from living the life they want to,” he added.
