A leading sight loss charity is calling for volunteers to help out at a Newtown-based support group for people with macular disease.
The Macular Society is appealing for anyone living locally who would be willing to give up some of their time to help with the group's monthly meetings, with help from the charity's services and volunteering team. The group is looking for people to assist with general tasks such as booking guest speakers and making tea and coffee each month.
The Newtown Macular Support Group will hold its next meeting on Monday 5 March, from 2-4pm, at MCRA, Plas Dolerw, Milford Road, Newtown, Powys SY16 2EH. It is one of 25 groups of its kind in Wales and more than 350 in the UK offering vital information, encouragement and friendship to people who are affected by macular disease.
As our population ages, increasing numbers of people are being affected by age-related macular degeneration (AMD). In Wales AMD is the leading cause of blindness, with around 6,300 people diagnosed every year.
Adele Francis, Macular Society regional manager, said: "The Newtown Macular Support Group provides a real lifeline for people living locally with sight loss. The peer support offered by the groups is absolutely vital - it's incredibly reassuring for people to know that there are others who truly understand their situation.
"With more than 200 people in the UK being diagnosed with macular disease every day, the existence of our support groups has never been more important. If you have some free time and would be willing to help out, we would love to hear from you.
"We will also be available to support our volunteers as they learn their new roles and provide any guidance they need going forward."
In Wales, the Macular Society has been able to establish and run new sight loss support groups and recruit volunteers across the country thanks to more than £340,000 of funding from the Big Lottery Fund, made possible thanks to National Lottery players.
For more information about the Newtown Macular Support Group, please contact Adele Francis on 01639 843236 / 07494 468007, or email adele.francis@macularsociety.org
For more information on macular degeneration, call the Macular Society's helpline on 0300 3030 111 or email help@macularsociety.org
