New Ballymoney sight loss telephone support group to launch thanks to Lottery grant

Anyone living in the Ballymoney area who is affected by macular disease is being encouraged to make use of a new telephone support service, which is launching in November.
Ballymoney Macular Society Support GroupBallymoney Macular Society Support Group
Ballymoney Macular Society Support Group

The Ballymoney Macular Society Support Group, organised by leading sight loss charity the Macular Society, will hold its first telephone meeting on Monday, November 16 at 11am. The meetings are open to anyone with a macular condition, their friends and family, providing an opportunity to connect with other people who may be affected by this cruel and isolating disease and to learn about the advice and support offered by the Society.

Thanks to a grant of £40,000 awarded by The National Lottery Community Fund to the Macular Society, the charity has been able to increase its range of remote services in Northern Ireland, including telephone support groups, while social distancing measures remain in place.

The Society are also looking for volunteers to help run the sessions, which, after the November meeting, will take place at the same time on the third

Monday of each month until restrictions have been lifted and it is safe to meet face to face.

Macular disease is the biggest cause of sight loss in the UK. 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. Many people affected describe losing their sight as being similar to bereavement. 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 600,000 people, usually over the age of 50.

Karen Toogood, Macular Society Northern Ireland senior regional manager, said: “We’re delighted to be launching this new group, which is here for

anybody affected by sight loss and we encourage as many people as possible to join this and future calls. Friends and family are also very welcome too.”

Karen added: “In an unprecedented situation like this, health and wellbeing must always come first. Although our face-to-face services have had to be

suspended for the time being, we are still on the end of the phone and would strongly urge anyone to call us if they do need our assistance.

“The telephone support groups offer help in understanding macular disease and coming to terms with sight loss; exactly the way that our face-to-face

support groups did. They also help us to ensure that everyone is kept up to date with all the current news and information. But most importantly, the groups provide people affected by macular disease the opportunity to take part in social activities, helping to reduce feelings of loneliness and isolation

during these difficult times.

“Expanding our support services in Northern Ireland wouldn’t have been possible without the National Lottery Community Fund, so we’d like to thank them, and all of the lottery players, for all their support.”

If you would like to take part in the group’s first telephone meeting, please contact Karen on 028 9146 6305 or email [email protected]

For information on other services currently available from the Macular Society, or to volunteer please call the charity’s Advice and

Information Service on 0300 3030 111 or email [email protected]

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