Ever wondered what life would be like with sight loss or how to support someone at home or work living with a visual impairment? Black Country charity Beacon is giving people a chance to sign up for several free training sessions to better understand and support someone living with sight loss.

Participants will have a chance to pick up vital knowledge, tips and gain a better understanding of visual impairments. Key areas covered will include, guiding a person, experiencing sight loss with simulation specs, learning about common eye conditions, discussing the emotional impact and better understanding how Beacon supports the visually impaired community.

Community Engagement Lead, Pete Moodie, said: “This is an ideal opportunity to better understand sight loss and how you can adapt your surroundings and behaviour to help. The course would suit those working with the public or those who have a family and friend living with sight loss. Our past sessions have already had a huge impact on people who now have a whole new perspective on visual impairments.”

As we all get older and live longer, sight loss will become a bigger part of everyday life. Beacon is keen to pass on its wealth of knowledge and open its doors to the public to understand the impact of its work. Pete continued to explain: “If you work in a place which is open to the public, like a shop, imagine you need to support a person who is blind. Would you know how to guide them? Would you know difference between various eye conditions and how they affect people? This is a great opportunity and you have nothing to lose. The course is FREE, but places are limited so act quick.”

Sessions take place on 25 September, 30 October and 28 November and last for three hours each at the Beacon Centre, Wolverhampton Road East, WV4 6AZ. Spaces are limited to 12 per course and you must register online to secure your spot. To sign up or learn more, visit: www.beaconvision.org/event/sight-loss-awareness-training-2 or email enquiries@beaconvision.org