PARTIALLY sighted people are being verbally abused in the street and in shops during lockdown, because they have difficulty with social distancing, says a Devizes based charity.

“The main reason for this is that it is difficult to know if a person is visually impaired, unless they carry a white stick,” said Mike Silvey, CEO of Wiltshire Sight.

“There is a lot of anger out there. We have had people shouted at in the street for not keeping their distance - but they can’t see to move away. We encourage people to carry what we call a symbol cane, so others can identify them as having difficulty seeing, but many people do not want to be identified in this way.

“Sight loss is incredibly isolating at the best of times, but with lockdown and social distancing, triply so,” he added.

“There is a sense of pride at stake here too, but the loss of independence is significant. Partially sighted people use public transport, but it is difficult for them to know how new seating arrangements work.”

The charity, which relies on local support, donations and gifts, has been going for 100 years, and has four mobile advisors operating in the Melksham, Devizes, Salisbury and Swindon areas.

It also has a small army of volunteers. “We have around 44 volunteers who are currently offering advice and friendship calls on the telephone,” said Mike. “We really do need more volunteers to come forward.”

Wiltshire Sight, which says there are around 16,000 unregistered visually impaired people in Wiltshire, has suspended all face-to-face services until further notice, but volunteers are still available on the phone and via email.

“Our team can inform about support groups, offer advice for family and carers or make a referrals to access support from one of our partner organisations.

“We really want to get the message out that if you or someone you know is visually impaired, we’re here to help. We offer information, advice and guidance, as well as giving people practical and emotional support to help them in their daily lives.”

Many blind and partially sighted people find it difficult to get online, because they have trouble using technology such as a smartphone, tablet, laptop or desktop computer.

“Technology has really changed things,” said Mike. “Previously, the model has been ‘let’s look after these people’. But technology has enabled people with sight loss to lead pretty normal lives. We offer a lot of training in technology - particularly assistive technology. But there is a challenge to much older people with this and explaining to an elderly blind person how to connect to the internet is difficult.”

Most people with sight loss are over 55. The charity estimates that there are around 21,000 partially sighted people in Wiltshire, with just 4,300 registered.

Community sight loss advisors can be contacted by email info@wiltshiresight.org or call 01380 723 682.