Volunteers required to help lead Sutton-on-Sea sight loss support group

New volunteers are needed to help run a leading sight loss charity support group, which helps people affected by macular disease in the Sutton-on-Sea area.

The Macular Society Sutton-on-Sea and Mablethorpe Support Group gets together every last Wednesday of the month, excluding August and December, between 10.30am-12pm at the Methodist Church on Alford Road, Sutton on Sea, LN12 2HN.

The Lincolnshire-based group, overseen by sight loss charity the Macular Society, is welcome to everyone, be that new or existing members, those newly diagnosed with macular disease, their family, friends and carers.

Volunteers help to run and co-ordinate the group meetings, such as arranging guest speakers and days out.

Macular Society community engagement manager Will Thornton said: “The difference that our volunteers make to the lives of many macular disease patients is really beyond measure. Training is provided, and expenses are covered. So, if you have some free time and would be willing to help out, we would love to hear from you.

“We know the peer support can be so helpful and our groups can really help people increase in confidence and become more independent.”

Along with the loss of central vision, macular disease is a currently incurable disease that has a devastating impact on other aspects of people’s physical and mental wellbeing. People often liken the loss of their sight to bereavement - it steals their independence, and their ability to see the faces of their loved ones, adding to their social isolation and feelings of loneliness.

Nearly 1.5 million people are currently affected and many more are at risk. The disease can have a devastating effect on people’s lives, leaving them unable to drive, read or see faces. There is still no cure and most types of the disease are not treatable. Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is the most common form of macular disease, affecting more than 700,000 people, usually over the age of 50.

If you would like to become a volunteer, please contact Will Thornton on 01264 560 472 or email: [email protected] 

For more information about the other services available from the Macular Society please call 0300 3030 111 or email [email protected]