Insight Gloucestershire encourages county to prioritise eye health

A local charity is encouraging practices to get involved in a campaign to remind people in Gloucestershire to prioritise their eye health.

Insight Gloucestershire has launched the See the difference campaign to promote regular eye tests – highlighting the role of routine tests in the early detection of eye conditions.

The charity aims to improve understanding of eye health while generating funds to support its work across the county.

The charity noted that more than 8700 people across Gloucestershire are living with sight loss. This includes around 3300 people with significant sight loss and a further 5400 experiencing moderate sight loss.

The See the difference campaign encourages practices, businesses and organisations across Gloucestershire to spread the importance of regular eye tests and help raise funds for the charity.

Ian Daniels, relationship fundraiser at Insight Gloucestershire, said: “Whether it’s displaying a poster, sharing our campaign messages, inviting us to get a talk or organising a fundraising event, every action helps.”

“Together we can encourage more people to prioritise their eye health while ensuring anyone affected by sight loss knows they’re not alone,” he added.

Insight Gloucestershire has been supporting people across the county to maintain independence, confidence and wellbeing following sight loss for more than 170 years.

The charity provides practical advice, emotional support, digital skills training and community-based services.

All money raised through the campaign will remain in Gloucestershire, the charity emphasised.

Daniels explained that £58 funds a one-to-one digital skills session to help an individual learn accessibility settings on their phone, use voice commands to keep in touch with family and friends, and access podcasts and digital content to stay connected.

He added: “£232 funds one of our Community Sight Loss Hubs, giving local people the opportunity to receive expert advice, build confidence and meet others experiencing sight loss.”

A free campaign pack containing posters, leaflets, social media assets, fundraising ideas and eye health information is available for practices wishing to get involved.

The campaign will run during National Eye Health Week, held 21–27 September, and practices are encouraged to request their campaign pack across September.