Local sight loss charity to open their first shop in the city

Wiltshire Sight, a local sight loss charity, is to open a charity shop on Catherine Street, Salisbury, at the end of September.

The charity has been supporting individuals with visual impairments for over 100 years.

Every 6 minutes someone in the UK is told they are losing their sight, and current figures suggest that by 2030, 1 in 25 people living in the UK will be sight impaired.

In Wiltshire 25,450 people are currently living with sight loss, 3,400 people are registered blind or severely sight impaired.

Sight loss can have devastating consequences. It can restrict social interaction, cause isolation, remove a person’s independence and lead to low self-esteem, lack of self-confidence or depression.

Wiltshire Sight exists to ensure that individuals with visual impairments are fully supported in living their lives independently and to the full. They also provide a full range of practical and emotional support.

Making a success Wiltshire Sight’s new shop will create a new income stream that will assist the charity in becoming more sustainable and help ensure they can continue to provide services for years to come.

Wiltshire Sight told Love Salisbury that the premises will contain a separate consultation hub, providing a safe and secure environment where Sight Loss Advisors can provide information and guidance and demonstrate resources.

In addition to traditional charity retail items, the separate consultation area will supply some of the most used daily living aids, simple technology and gadgets that are useful to visually impaired people.

Alongside emotional support and guidance, the team can advise and train people to use specialist equipment, and also provide training in other areas such as reading and writing, kitchen skills, getting out and about, everyday technology, and managing finances.

The charity said they are incredibly excited to be opening the first hub in Salisbury. The team has sourced a till system that will be accessible for use by visually impaired volunteers to encourage volunteer opportunities for isolated people.

Wiltshire Sight will use the shop to raise awareness of the importance of eye health and of sight support services available.

To find out more about Wiltshire Sight and the services they offer click here.