RNIB receives £38,220 boost from National Lottery Community Fund
Sight loss charity RNIB has received a £38,220 boost from The National Lottery Community Fund to continue much-needed support to blind and partially sighted people during this challenging time.
RNIB already has a grant from The National Lottery Community Fund to provide welfare benefits advice and support to clients across Scotland. This additional funding will cover costs associated with its community response to the current coronavirus situation.
Gillian Hallard, welfare benefits team leader at RNIB, said: “As a result of the funding we have already received through The National Lottery, RNIB has been able to provide welfare benefits advice to 1,400 blind and partially sighted people.
"This has been influential in shaping the advice and support we can provide and has enabled us to strengthen our offer and meet the needs of people across Scotland.
"Due to the coronavirus situation, we have seen a 15 per cent increase in calls to our Sight Loss Advice Service. This significant rise includes concerns over issues such as the accessibility of shopping, the difficulties that people with sight loss can have in social distancing, emotional support and advice on welfare benefits.
"We want to ensure we are there for our customers to offer advice, provide support, or just listen to whatever challenges they are facing. The funding from The National Lottery supports us to continue this vital work."
Neil Ritch, Scotland Director, The National Lottery Community Fund, said: “In these uncertain times our priority is to ensure that National Lottery money continues to flow to charities, voluntary sector organisations and grassroots groups. I would like to congratulate RNIB on the work they are doing. Theirs is an important project that will support people now during the current crisis, and in the future when they can physically come back together to make great things happen in their community.”
The RNIB Helpline is available to help blind and partially sighted people and their families and carers on 0303 123 9999. For more details about RNIB’s Sight Loss Advice Service visit our website, Facebook or Twitter.
