New name unveiled for Royal Blind and Scottish War Blind charities

Kirsty Smith, senior fundraiser, showing off new Sight Scotland branding.

First Minister Nicola Sturgeon officially launched the change of historic charity Royal Blind’s name to Sight Scotland and its sister charity Scottish War Blinded changing to Sight Scotland Veterans.

The charities have set out plans for their new ambition to reach out and support significantly more people with sight loss.

https://www.falkirkherald.co.uk/news/politics/council/falkirk-council-re-opens-all-public-toilets-2999343

https://www.falkirkherald.co.uk/news/people/medal-good-samaritan-margaret-queens-honours-3000152

https://www.falkirkherald.co.uk/education/beloved-boness-janitor-bids-emotional-farewell-school-after-36-years-3000393

As restrictions to daily life and services continue due to the coronavirus pandemic, the charities have undertaken the biggest survey of people with visual impairment in Scotland since lockdown.

It found that a majority felt that their sight loss had made the pandemic a more difficult experience.

It also shows that more than half of people in Falkirk and Forth Valley would not feel confident about offering support to someone with visual impairment to help them cope with social distancing.

Mark O’Donnell, chief executive, said: “We are excited to be launching our new charity names and vision so that we can play our part in supporting even more people living with sight loss in Scotland.

"The number of people who are blind or partially sighted in Scotland is set to increase by 30,000 in the next decade, and for a wider range of conditions our research shows every hour at least one person in Scotland starts to lose their sight.

"In NHS Falkirk and Forth Valley last year alone there were nearly 3000 cataract operations, and we need to ensure those people receive support and treatment quickly."

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