Guide dog user in West Norfolk explains being blind in a pandemic
Gill Southgate couldn't go to work because she can't social distance
We've all been struggling through the pandemic, but for some people in Norfolk, it's been even harder.
For blind or visually impaired people, lockdown and the restrictions brought in after have made it almost impossible to get on with their lives.
Gill Southgate, who lives in King's Lynn, is blind and uses a guide dog, but she is now avoiding going out because she cannot social distance.
At the start of lockdown, the Queen Elizabeth hospital worker began to feel isolated, but was then told about the befriending and support group from the Royal National Institute for Blind People.
She said:
"When lockdown happened, I finished work because of social distancing, obviously I couldn't do that with not being able to see.
I think I had a bit of a meltdown. It was all really strange because I'd been used to my independance and going out with my guide dog and then all of a sudden, everything stopped.
"We talk on a Wednesday morning just for nearly an hour but then you get so that you know people and you regard them as your friends. It's quite nice to speak to them every week and we've all done it together. Everyone is in the same boat because we're all visually impaired so they're probably having the same emotions as you're having yourself."
But there has been help out there for visually impaired people.
One woman who is support people all over the East of England is Suzanne Clarke.
The talk and support co-ordinator, who is partially sighted herself, has been hard at work for the RNIB's befriending service, helping to get people the support they need.
She said:
"In the beginning, when a lot of people were shielding and couldn't go out or see loved ones, the impact of that was quite sad really. But our groups have really, really helped people. They've just found it's made a huge difference to them and they've really, really enjoyed it.
"I can't tell you the immense job satisfaction that I get. I would call somebody to get them into the group and the phone only rings once so you know they've been sitting by the phone waiting for the call. I don't even have to say it's me, they're just like 'yes, put me in, put me in!"
RNIB's Talk and Support service invites people with sight loss across the UK to connect with others weekly using a phone or computer. Trained staff and volunteers facilitate the calls and match people together for general conversations.
Alongside the weekly befriending phone calls, RNIB Talk and Support has helped people to combat isolation by organising a selection of fun quizzes since mid-July, with themes such as 'Lights, Camera, Action' and a 'Double Denim & Big Hair' 80's quiz. Short story groups and wellbeing courses offering advice on how people who are isolating can get the best from each day have also proved very successful and hundreds of people have benefitted from this additional support.
To join an RNIB Talk and Support group, register your interest by visiting rnib.org.uk/talkandsupport or call the RNIB Helpline on 0303 123 9999.