Volunteers needed at Edinburgh-based support groups

A leading sight loss charity is calling for volunteers to help run four support groups for people with macular disease based in Edinburgh.

The Macular Society is appealing for anyone living locally who would be willing to give up some of their time to help organise and run the groups’ meetings, with help from existing committee members, regional manager Jamie Cuthbertson and the charity’s services and volunteering team. All of the groups are also looking for people to assist with general tasks such as booking guest speakers and helping with making tea and coffee.

Organised by the Macular Society in partnership with local people, there are currently more than 350 macular support groups in the UK, offering vital information, encouragement and friendship to people who are affected by macular disease.

As our population ages, increasing numbers of people are being affected by age-related macular degeneration (AMD), the most common type of macular disease. AMD is the leading cause of sight loss in the UK, currently affecting more than 600,000 people.

Jamie Cuthbertson, Macular Society regional manager, said: “Our macular support groups provide a real lifeline for people living in and around Edinburgh with sight loss. The peer support offered by the groups is absolutely vital – it’s incredibly reassuring for people to know that there are others who truly understand their situation.

“With more than 200 people in the UK being diagnosed with macular disease every day, the existence of our support groups has never been more important. If you have some free time and would be willing to help out once a month, either by helping to organise the meetings or assisting in some other way, we would love to hear from you.

“We will also be available to support our volunteers as they learn their new roles and provide any guidance they need going forward.”

·        The Edinburgh & South East Scotland Macular Support Group meets on the last Friday of each month (excluding December), from 10.15am-12.15pm, at Meadowbank Church, 83 London Road, Edinburgh EH7 5TT. Its next meeting will be held on Friday 30 March.

·        The Edinburgh Portobello Macular Support Group meets on the second Wednesday of each month, from 1-3pm, at the Meeting Room, 1st Floor Portobello Library, 14 Rosefield Avenue, Edinburgh EH15 1AU. Its next meeting will be held on Wednesday 14 March.

·        The Edinburgh Morningside Macular Support Group meets on the second Friday of each month, from 10.30am-12pm, at Falcon House, 91 Morningside Road, Edinburgh EH10 4AY. Its next meeting will be held on Friday 9 March.

·        The Edinburgh Stockbridge Macular Support Group meets on the second Friday of every other month, from 2.30-4pm, at Stockbridge Library, 11 Hamilton Place, Edinburgh EH3 5BA. Its next meeting will be held on Friday 9 March.

The Macular Society’s work in Scotland is generously supported by grant funders, including the RS Macdonald Charitable Trust.

For more information about the groups, please contact Jamie Cuthbertson, Macular Society regional manager, on 0141 942 1083 or 07903 520 350, or email jamie.c@macularsociety.org 

For more information on macular degeneration, call the Macular Society’s helpline on 0300 3030 111 or emailhelp@macularsociety.org