Every Thursday at 11am, something quietly powerful happens across Scotland.
Phones ring, voices chime in, and a group of blind and partially sighted people connect for an hour that’s full of laughter and real talk. It’s an RNIB Talk and Support group, and for many, it’s become the most meaningful conversation of their week.
Far from just small talk, these weekly calls create a space where people can truly be themselves and connect with others who know what it means to live as a person with sight loss in a sighted world.
Led by a trained volunteer, each conversation is shaped by the group itself. Belinda Barker (53) facilitates a few groups, including the Thursday group which typically has around 6 participants from across Scotland. She is blind herself- in 2015, she had one eye removed following eye cancer treatment, and lost sight in the other eye just two years ago.
“Being a facilitator for the group is the most rewarding thing I have ever done,” Belinda says. “I had a lot of support when I lost my vision, and I wanted to give something back.
“My Scotland bunch talk every week. For some, this is the only communication they have all week, so it’s vital to their wellbeing. They might have not met face-to-face, but some of them have been talking together for over two years so they’re all quite close.”
With members from all over Scotland, including remote and rural areas, the group bridges distances and helps reduce feelings of isolation.
Jane Stevenson from Troon has been part of the group since the pandemic. She was born prematurely and had no vision in one eye, and low vision in the other. “We actually had a choir when we started,” she recalls. “We wrote a song to the tune of ‘500 Miles’ from the Proclaimers, and asked the Proclaimers if we could use it, and they said yes! It was all just a bit of fun.
“We talk about all sort of things- the weather, trips we’ve been on, TV shows, our families, and sometimes our sight. I had a small amount of vision in one eye when I was younger, but it has gradually reduced to none at all now.
“I like being able to talk to lots of different people. That’s why the groups are good- if you’re feeling stuck at home, they give you a chance to talk to someone. I hope more people will give it a chance, and that everyone would feel welcome.”
RNIB’s Talk and Support groups connect over 1,500 people across the UK through 140 groups- some generalist, some themed, and the service continues to grow. Anyone with sight loss looking for support, or just some friendly voices, is encouraged to give them a try.
To learn more, contact talkandsupport@rnib.org.uk or visit rnib.org.uk.
