A SIGHT loss charity has received a financial boost from Dartmoor National Park Authority to support blind and partiallly sighted people living on Dartmoor during the current crisis.

The Dartmoor Coronavirus Community Support Fund has given Devon in Sight a grant of £500 to help people with sight problems it helps take advantage of the latest technology to stay in contact with family and access information as well as resources such as the news and audiobooks.

The money is also helping run the usual support services provided by the charity, which have moved into the virtual arena since the start of the Covid-19 restrictions.

Community support worker Louise Camies has been in regular contact with people the charity supports living in Yelverton, Sticklepath and Mary Tavy to provide one-to-one support by phone. Devon in Sight has also been organising weekly group calls for clients in place of its usually face-to-face West Devon Talk and Support Group, remaining a source of formal information but an important opportunity for people to meet others and offer peer-to-peer support.

‘These steps were crucial in order to address the loneliness and isolation felt by many of our clients,’ said chief executive Grahame Flynn. ‘We have also worked hard to support our clients to utilise assistive technology.

‘For people who are visually impaired, advances in technology have vastly improved accessibility to news, books, devices to control the home and communication. Yet despite this progress, many people cannot enjoy the benefits of assistive technology as they lack the knowledge and confidence to use it.

‘During the Covid-19 crisis we have seen a huge rise in the number of people who are blind or partially sighted wanting help to made best use of their smartphones, iPads or smart speakers to stay in contact with family and to access information. For our clients, being able to use technology is a lifeline to the outside world and a vital way to source the latest information. We would like to thank the Dartmoor Coronavirus Community Support Fund for their support at this very difficult time.’

Emma Stockley from Dartmoor National Park Authority said: ‘We are delighted to support Devon in Sight with its work to tackle the social and economic impacts of the pandemic and help those who are most vulnerable.’

If you would like to support the work of Devon in Sight you can make a donation by visiting www.devoninsight.org.uk