Supporting people in the west of Scotland

People calling our Support Line from the west of Scotland may be familiar with Laura McDonald.

Laura is our Community Worker based in Paisley. As part of our Community team, Laura has been helping residents of Glasgow City, Renfrewshire and North and South Lanarkshire since April 2021.

“I receive many calls from people who are newly diagnosed who don’t know much about their vision impairment,” Laura says.

“They’re seeking information, and they want to know who they can contact and what support they can receive.”

Findings solutions in people’s homes

From Paisley, Laura can visit people at their homes and offer face-to-face advice and support.

Laura says: “A face-to-face visit is often so much better because the people I’m visiting can relax in their environment – their home.

“I can share information with them relating to their vision impairment and how this may affect their daily lives and make sure they’ve got everything they need to try to maintain their independence,” she said.

Often people are struggling to adjust to life with their vision impairment, Laura says. Daily tasks become so much harder, and frustration can set in.

“Sometimes though, we can find quite a straightforward fix, for example, introducing equipment that will help, that people may not be aware of. It could be a magnifier which they use to read labels, or a one-cup kettle, which pours just enough water for a mug, so it’s never going to spill.

"Or, for people wanting to read, we can recommend overhead lamps to increase the lighting level, and that can make such a difference,” Laura said.

Helping people regain their independence after a sight loss diagnosis is especially rewarding, Laura says.

“When you’re talking to someone, you can often sense the difference it’s making for them.

"It’s rewarding for them and for me. Sometimes, when people are isolated and not getting out, we may be the only person they’re talking to.

“It is really important that I help people with a vision impairment preserve their dignity and help them to retain their independence. It could be as simple as just listening to someone that makes the difference to them.”