Support Focus Birmingham and make lives better this Christmas

One donation: Twice the impact! Your pledge of £100 or more will be matched by The Big Give, doubling the impact of your generosity.

 Pledge here

BIG GIVE

The Big Give is an annual fundraising initiative that supports various charitable organisations and causes in our community. It's a powerful way for us to unite as a team, rally behind a shared cause, and contribute to something that truly matters. With Big Give matching every donation, we have the power to double our impact, allowing us to make an even greater difference. Big Give Christmas Challenge runs from midday 3 December to midday 10 December 2024. 

Marie's Story

Imagine waking up one day and realising the world around you has gone dark. For 28,600 people in Birmingham living with sight loss, including 3,710 who are blind and 6,380 with partial sight loss, this is a daily reality. The journey from sight to blindness or partial sight is fraught with overwhelming emotions – denial, anger, fear, and a crushing sense of isolation from loved ones and the community. This isolation often leads to poor mental health, with 22-38% of these individuals showing symptoms of clinical depression. Stress, discrimination, and loneliness add to the challenge of adjusting to sight loss.

Marie, a vibrant 56-year-old woman, knows this all too well. Once an outgoing individual who thrived in customer-facing roles, Marie's life changed dramatically when she lost sight in her left eye due to an aneurysm. "To suddenly lose your sight is so very frightening and isolating," Marie shares.

Her days of interacting with people at work turned into days of navigating the world alone, trying to avoid falls, trips, and bumps. "I didn’t feel like myself. It was a scary experience, and I felt so lonely," she recalls. But there was hope. Through a referral from another sight loss charity, Marie found solace in Focus Birmingham’s telephone befriending service.

"I was paired with volunteer befriender, Andrew. Every Tuesday morning, I look forward to our weekly catch-up. It has had such a positive impact on me, reducing my anxiety and loneliness," says Marie. "A weekly phone call can make all the difference. Give it a go – there are people out there who care, and Focus has made such a difference in my life."

How Focus Birmingham can help with your support

At Focus Birmingham, we understand the profound impact of sight loss. Our mission is to empower individuals with care and support needs, helping them live fulfilling lives and unlock their potential. We tackle the challenges faced by people like Marie through:

1:1 and Group Counselling Services

We offer personalised and group counselling sessions to help individuals develop strategies for managing stress and anxiety, enabling them to regain a sense of control and wellbeing.

Telephone Befriending Service

By recruiting and training volunteers, we provide a vital lifeline through regular phone calls. These caring and meaningful connections help reduce isolation, offer emotional support, and create a sense of belonging.

Skill Development and Community Access

                            

We work closely with people with sight loss to identify and overcome barriers to community access. Through training in skills like guiding, tech support, and kitchen skills, we empower individuals to navigate their environments confidently and independently.

Raising Awareness and Promoting Inclusion

We educate communities about sight loss and the services available, aiming to reduce stigma and discrimination. By fostering an inclusive environment and creating social groups, we enhance peer-to-peer networks and reduce social isolation.

The Impact of Your Support

With your help, we can continue to provide timely interventions for those experiencing sight loss. Your support ensures that individuals remain connected with their communities, reduce social isolation through social hubs and activity groups, and gain new skills to support their independence.

Make a Difference Today

Your pledge of £100 or more will be matched by The Big Give, doubling the impact of your generosity. Together, we can transform lives, just as we did for Marie.

Pledge Now

Join us in making lives better!