How to help us
You can support our work in a number of different ways:
- Make a donation
- Volunteer
- Remember us in your will
Why your help is important
- Your donation will help to pay for the services that blind and partially sighted people desperately need.
- By volunteering as a home visitor you will bring friendship, company and conversation to people who are often isolated and neglected.
- As a volunteer travel escort you will accompany blind or partially sighted people to hospital appointments, on shopping expeditions and on visits to friends and family.
- By leaving MSB a legacy you will make a lasting contribution to our future. Bequests are not liable to current UK inheritance tax.
Some background information
We are committed to overcoming social isolation and loneliness caused or compounded by visual impairment.
How many people are blind or partially sighted?
There are over 12,000 people who are registered blind or partially sighted in the twelve inner London boroughs in which we work (Camden, Greenwich, Hammersmith and Fulham, Hackney, Islington, Kensington and Chelsea, Lambeth, Lewisham, Southwark, Tower Hamlets, Wandsworth, Westminster).
Older people are most at risk
Over three quarters of blind and partially sighted people are over 65 years of age. By the age of 85 years 25% of people are affected by sight loss.
Poor sight leads to poor quality of life
Research has shown that loss of mobility, lack of confidence and an inability to cope with the practical consequences of sight loss can soon lead to loneliness and social isolation.
Poor sight affects mobility
Instead of going to the shops, enjoying the theatre, restaurants and pubs and taking holidays with friends and family, people who lose their sight often go out less, preferring the familiar surroundings of their home.
Poor sight leads to isolation
Many older people with poor sight gradually lose contact with friends, family and neighbours. Once they lose their sight they seem to become invisible to those around them. There are fewer visitors, fewer opportunities to join in social events and less and less contact with other people. As one person said to us they told me I was losing my sight, they didn't tell me I'd lose all my friends as well'.
Poor sight affects physical and mental health
Social isolation isn't just about being lonely and miserable, although this in itself has a significant impact on a person's quality of life. Loneliness affects physical and mental health, sometimes exacerbating long-term illnesses and causing cycles of depression, which lead to further withdrawal. Often, when we start to visit people, we are told that they have nothing left to live for and that they are 'ready to go'.
How does MSB help?
Our answer to their plight is remarkably simple. We offer regular and reliable visits from a friendly and patient companion. There are no tasks to complete or lists to be ticked, just time to spend together in whatever way suits the person concerned. Gradually, opportunities often emerge for contact with other people, or other needs are identified, which previously have simply not been recognised because of isolation and social withdrawal.
You can help us to break this cycle of isolation and social withdrawal.
- To make a donation send a cheque to The Chief Executive, MSB, Lantern House, 102 Bermondsey Street, London SE1 3UB.
- Volunteering as a Home Visitor As a Volunteer Visitor you will have an opportunity to get to know one or more people over a period of months (or maybe longer) and for this reason you will need to be able to make a regular commitment (at least one hour every two weeks) for a minimum period of at least 12 months.
- Volunteering as a Travel Escort you will spend a period of time (from an hour or so up to a day for longer journeys) with a number of different people. Times are arranged, as far as possible, to suit the needs of the visually impaired person, so flexibility is very important. If you are interested, contact us or send us a completed application form.
- To leave us a legacy, please make a provision in your will for the Metropolitan Society for the Blind or instruct your solicitor.
