A COUNSELLING service has been set up to help people affected by sight loss in South Gloucestershire.

A series of confidential sessions have been organised by Action for Blind People, a charity which provides support for blind and partially sighted people.

Available to adults who are blind and partially sighted; their family, friends and carers as well as for the parents of visually impaired children; the ‘Action Talking Therapies Network’ service offers six to 12 free face-to-face counselling sessions delivered by trained counsellors.

Giles Spear, senior counsellor, from Action for Blind People’s Bristol team, said: “For anyone affected by sight loss, the impact can be devastating. In the South Gloucestershire area alone, 740 people are registered as blind or partially sighted and that is why I am delighted that the Action Talking Therapies Network counselling service is starting thanks to funding from The Department of Health.

“Sight loss can destroy confidence and it’s important that timely intervention is available to help people re-build their self-belief and adapt to their visual impairment. This counselling service will help people at the most vulnerable time in their lives.”

Action for Blind People will also be working to improve other counselling agencies understanding of the emotional and mental health needs of people facing sight loss by providing specialist training to staff.

Many of Action for Blind People’s counsellors either have personal or family experience with sight loss, or have managed their own visual impairment. All have received specialist visual awareness training. The Talking Therapies Network will be available from the charity’s Bristol office in Bedminster, as well as being offered in people’s homes, where appropriate.

For more information about Action for Blind People’s services in Bristol and to set up an appointment with a counsellor, call Giles Spear on 01179 341 720 or email Giles.Spear@actionforblindpeople.org.uk