Written by Guest Blogger: – Amanda Westgate, N-Vision Communication & Fundraising Officer
There has been an admirable push to make the Fylde area more inclusive and accessible in recent times. That includes improved toilet options, pathways around attractions such as Fairhaven Lake, and wheelchair access to the paddling pool in St Annes. Lytham, St Annes on Sea and Ansdell shops and hospitality businesses have also worked hard to make their premises more suitable for customers with mobility issues.
What is not always so clear and straightforward, is the help provided for the fast-growing number of people experiencing sight loss. Every six minutes in the UK, someone starts to lose their sight. Put another way, one in every five people will experience sight loss in their lifetime. By 2050, the number of people in the UK with sight loss issues will double to well over four million.
There are thousands of local people affected, and countless visitors to the area with varying degrees of visual impairment.
The variation in sight loss – and rapidly increasing numbers – are linked to increasing cases of age-related macular degeneration (AMD). Diabetes is also a growing health issue, and a significant proportion of people with Type 2 develop sight issues, including severe diabetic retinopathy.
Other causes of sight loss include injuries and cataracts.
Crucially for tourism-linked businesses locally, people with these conditions form a key part of the ‘Purple Pound’ – that £274billion a year spent by disabled people and their families in the UK.
They are also potential staff members for employers with a strong commitment to creating inclusive workforces.
Local help for organisations and individuals
N-Vision is a charity providing sight loss support in Blackpool, Fylde and Wyre. Its welcoming and well-equipped Low Vision Centre is at Squires Gate.
Alongside the services it provides to individuals, the charity works with employers, health and social care providers and other organisations to open up new awareness, acceptance and opportunities.
CEO Maria Kirkland explained:
At our Low Vision Centre we provide assessments for people who have new or existing issue with sight loss. We then provide free aids, devices and advice to help them to achieve independence, confidence and social connection.
Part of that is our own packed programme of social activities for our 2,700 clients. For instance, we provide community-based café clubs, walking groups for people with sight loss, and activities in our Low Vision Centre such as arts and crafts, yoga, and dancing lessons.
However, though we provide a rich calendar of activities, in 2025 we are determined to open up more opportunities for people with sight loss, right across the Fylde Coast.
To make that possible, we will work with public and private sector organisations to help them to fully understand the issues someone with sight loss faces, and find ways to respond in a positive, appropriate and engaging way.”
Experiential training service
N-Vision has training and consultancy services that are designed to guide organisations of all kinds towards being more aware of the needs of staff, local people and visitors who have sight issues. Within the training, immersive technology demonstrates the realities of various types of vision deficits.
This experiential training helps participants to ‘see’ the often small adjustments and services that could make a big difference to people with sight loss.
It also explores low cost aids that could make businesses more accessible and attractive to this target audience.
One size does NOT fit all
Having the chance to experience simulations of sight loss drives home some of the myths that can limit the responses that local organisations make to this issue.
Central to this, is the widespread misconception that being blind means you can’t see anything!
In fact, only 7% of people registered as blind or partially sighted fall into that category. The other 93% have a wide range of issues with their field of vision.
Awareness of that can ensure that local organisations don’t create a ‘one size fits all’ solution to the growing issue of sight loss; or make assumptions that erode the dignity and independence of their customers.
What unites many people with sight loss, is the desire to be included, accepted and understood – without a massive fuss!
Maria concluded:
Many of our clients – and our staff and volunteers with sight loss – fundamentally want the same opportunities as everyone else, in a seamless and discrete way.
How to contact N-Vision
If you – or someone you know – has sight loss and would welcome specialist support and advice, the N-vision charity would love to hear from you.
If your organisation would like advice and training on improved accessibility and inclusion, you are also invited to get in touch.
Lastly, as sight loss is such a growing issue in the local community – and in Fylde Coast visitor numbers – N-Vision would be grateful for fundraising support, to enable it to keep pace with growing demand and to continue to innovate in this crucial sector.
For details contact info@nvision-nw.co.uk or ring 01253 362 696.
You can also get more into by visitng the charity’s website https://nvision-nw.co.uk/
Our Low Vision Centre, Princess Alexandra Home, Bosworth Place, Blackpool FY4 1SH
STOP PRESS
Jo Jackson – our Vision Rehabilitation Specialist – with some of the cooking equipment we recently distributed to enable people with sight loss to cook hot meals safely, cheaply and easily. Jo heads up our training and consultancy services for local businesses.
