Macular Society increases telephone and online support services

We have introduced a range of new telephone and online services to continue supporting people with macular disease in the wake of the coronavirus outbreak.

Earlier this month we suspended all of our face-to-face volunteering services, including our peer support group meetings throughout the UK, to protect members, volunteers and people using the services as much as possible.

Instead, we are now urging people to call in to our new telephone conference support groups. The groups will be run by the charity’s regional managers and are open to anyone with macular disease, their families or friends.

Cathy Yelf, Macular Society chief executive, said: “In an unprecedented situation like this, health and wellbeing must always come first. However, it’s absolutely vital that everyone who needs our support continues to receive it. Although our face-to-face services have had to be suspended for the time being, we are still on the end of the phone and would strongly urge anyone to call us if they do need our assistance.

“The telephone groups will offer help in understanding macular disease and coming to terms with sight loss; exactly the way that our face-to-face support groups do. They will also help us to ensure that everyone is kept up to date with all the current news and information. But most importantly, they will allow people with macular disease to continue to take part in social activities, helping to reduce feelings of loneliness and isolation during these difficult times.”

In addition, all of the charity’s regional managers have set up individual social media accounts, allowing members to contact the regional manager for their area via Facebook or Twitter. We have also recruited more than 20 new volunteer telephone befrienders, who offer a friendly listening ear to people affected by macular disease.

For more information on telephone conference support groups and all of our other services, please call the Advice and Information Service on 0300 3030 111 or email help@macularsociety.org