Staffordshire Sight Loss

During June, Jo and Andrew attended Staffordshire Sight Loss and spoke to numerous members. One member was explaining that they are having trouble with fundraising and were concerned if they could not continue as there would then be nowhere for the members to go. They explained about the different events they have been doing to raise awareness of the service and what they have to offer. Staffordshire Sight Loss offer a drop in service to support people and also to help them get equipment that will help them with everyday tasks that most people take for granted, such as reading, cooking, cleaning and much more.

When talking to them about them about physical activity, one member said that they like to walking around Birchall Playing Fields. They’ve got a level pathway around it. It’s flat, no obstacles. They’ve got exercise machines there as well. It’s all free. Lots of older people use it. Birchall is such a success. There should be a place like it in every town. There’s seating, there’s a running track. There’s kids learning to ride their bikes. It’s got loads of parking. It’s in a good area. It’s nice. It feels safe. It just needs a toilet block because not having toilets can stop you getting out and about. There’s toilets at Leek bus station but they’re closed right now. They’ve been vandalised twice in the last couple of months.

Another said ‘Whatever you provide, whatever’s there for people to be active, it’s getting there. That’s the main barrier. Taxis cost a fortune. Free gym memberships are great but they aren’t free when you’re having to pay so much to get there. Going on the bus, it’s the time everything takes. You could be talking two hours on a bus for me when for a driver it’s about twenty minutes each way.

You get used to your walking routes. You want to go somewhere familiar but as your sight gets worse, you lose confidence. It’d be nice to have organised walks for people. Give you a chance to socialise while you’re getting a bit of exercise. But you need the walk leaders to understand about disability, to give you time and make you feel included so you don’t feel like you’re getting in the way or holding people up.

There’s nowhere central to go online for what’s going on in Leek and the Moorlands. If you don’t know things are on, you can’t go to them.