Navigating Life Through Peer Support Groups for the Visually Impaired in Newport

Support groups for visually impaired individuals offer a welcoming and empathetic environment where participants can share their experiences, challenges, and triumphs with others who understand their unique journey. 

These support groups often provide valuable resources, information, and emotional support to help visually impaired individuals navigate daily life, build self-confidence, and foster a sense of belonging in a world that can sometimes be visually oriented. 

Local Peer Support Groups

At Sight Loss Shropshire, we support a network of local peer support groups throughout Shropshire, Telford and Wrekin.    

One of these groups, Newport Visually Impaired Persons Group, has gained some new members recently who have been active in contributing much to the group since joining.  

Activities & Events

John, the group’s leader, has been updating us with some of the groups’ recent activities and events.  

One recent new member made scones for the group’s Strawberry Tea event in July and gave a brief talk about herself and the nature of her visual impairment at August’s meeting. 

On 26th July, the group, along with carers and other guests, travelled to Wales for a day out on the Welshpool Llanfair Caereinion Light Railway. They enjoyed a return heritage steam train journey and a wonderful pre-arranged buffet lunch served by the very friendly and helpful team at the railway.

During the August meeting, the effect of the proposed closure of railway ticket offices on the partially sighted community was a hot topic of discussion; the majority of members prefer to speak to an actual person, and only 25% of members would be happy to buy tickets online. Most said they were not comfortable with using modern technology, and one of their greatest concerns when travelling is being able to speak to an actual person for help. The proposed closures will have a big impact on the visually impaired community, and we certainly hope that these concerns will be addressed when any changes are implemented.  

A retired schoolteacher from Edgmond will talk about his retirement hobby, scroll saw fretwork and will bring along examples for members to handle and experience at the group’s next meeting. 

In December, the Newport group is looking forward to enjoying their Christmas lunch together once again. 

With a full programme, these social groups design their own calendar of activities and events to suit the taste of the group’s members, so there’s usually something on offer for everyone throughout the year. 

We would like to thank John for the updates on the Newport group’s busy schedule and look forward to sharing more updates soon.  

Are you interested in joining a support group in your area? Take a look at our Peer Support Group pages, or get in touch with us to find out more.