Sight Loss Friendly Church Tayside Christian Fellowship Perth

Tayside Christian Fellowship (TCF) is one of just two churches in Perth officially registered as being a ‘Sight Loss Friendly Church’ on the Torch Trust website. 

On Wednesday 22nd May, an awareness session was held in TCF for us to gain further insight into sight loss. May Thomson and Cindy Godfrey-McKay shared their experience of being blind and partially sighted and the challenges which they face.

Using special simulated glasses we tried out various activities including handling money, reading a book, writing and pouring water. Through this we were able to understand different types of sight loss. 

The leading causes of sight loss amongst registered blind and partially sighted people are: Age-related macular degeneration (48%) Glaucoma (16%) Cataract (12%) Retinitis Pigmentosa (10%) Diabetic eye disease (8%).

Approximately two million people are currently living with sight loss, with that set to double by 2050. The older you are, the greater your risk of sight loss. 

The following are some of the key points and information which are useful for us all to know. Remember to ask the person you are helping and they will tell you what they want you to do:

Guiding around the church and during the service:

  • People with sight loss may need assistance to find their way around the building, to their seat, the toilets and for coffee. Be specific and use their right and left when giving directions as they may not know which way you are facing! Avoid using gestures. 

  • If guiding, the person may wish to hold your arm or your shoulder with you leading in front. Check which side they prefer, take your time and keep at their pace.  Allow room for obstacles and let them know if there is a change in surface, a step up or down or a slope. Try to go through doorway with them on the hinge side, and tell them in which direction the door opens. Explain any loud noises that might occur. 

  • When guiding someone to their seat, tell them what type of chair they will be sitting on. Try not to back them into the seat. Ask them to remove their hand from your guiding arm and place their hand on the chair. Tell them if you have placed their hand on the arm or back of the chair.
  • When sitting with someone with sight loss, let them know when to sit and stand during the service. Describe key visual messages in videos or slides where there is no spoken content. Describe facial expressions and body language of others where relevant.

  • If speaking from the front use inclusive terms e.g. ‘If you are able to’. Remember people with sight loss won’t see your facial expression, body language or other visual prompts so describe visual incidents as they happen. 

  • People with visual impairment will have different visual needs. For example they might need words in large print or very small print (tunnel vision) or to sit at the back or use braille. TCF ensures that those with sight loss know in advance the songs so they can bring them in the format most suitable for their sight loss. 

Engaging with and talking to people at the end of the service:

  • When talking to a person with sight loss, begin by saying their name and introduce yourself.

  • Don’t leave a person with sight loss standing or sitting alone, instead invite them to join in with conversations or ask them who they might like to be with.

  • Remember for people with sight loss it can be difficult to figure out what’s going on in a busy, noisy room.

  • If bringing someone a drink, make sure they know where you have placed the cup. If they take it in their hands, mention if there is somewhere nearby they can safely put it down.
  • Tell people with sight loss when you are moving away from them. People can feel awkward and embarrassed if they keep talking to you when you’ve moved away.

  • Telling people about upcoming church events can really make them feel included. As can sharing with them what’s going on around them at the time, especially if everyone starts laughing about a visual joke.

  • A person with sight loss may need assistance to find their coat or belongings when they come to leave.

Organisations which can help:

Vision PK

174 High Street, Perth, PH1 5UH

Tel: 01738 626969

Web: visionpk.org.uk

 


 
Royal National Institute of Blind people – Scotland (RNIB)

12 – 14 Hillside, Crescent, Edinburgh, EH7 5EA

Tel: 0131 652 3140

Web: rnib.org.uk/nations/scotland

 


 
Torch Trust

Torch House, Torch Way, Market Harborough, Leicestershire, LE16 9HL

Tel: 01858 438260 

Web: torchtrust.org

 


 
The Macular Society

Tel: Helpline 0300 3030 111.

Web: macularsociety.org

 


 
The Partially Sighted Society

Tel: 01302965195

Web: partsight.org.uk

 


 
Sight Loss Scotland

Tel: 0131 229 1456

Web: sightscotland.org.uk

Article published August 2024