Lottery grant will help support more people in Scotland living with macular disease

Posted: Friday 17 January 2020

We're delighted to announce that we're able to expand our services in Scotland over the next three years, thanks to a new £120,000 grant from the National Lottery.

The Society has been awarded the funding from The National Lottery Community Fund Scotland to help it provide practical and emotional support to people with macular disease all over the country for the next three years.

The grant funding will enable the Society to develop and strengthen accessible services for people with central vision loss of all ages across the country. It will work closely with visually-impaired people and their families; health, education and public services; employers, teachers, volunteers and other charities, to deliver these services and help anyone affected by macular disease to fulfil their potential and live healthier, more independent lives.

It will also offer peer support, access to low-vision training, equipment and technology, daily living skills, volunteer development, health and wellbeing support and a young people’s service.

Tessa Barrett, director of services at the Macular Society, said: “We’re immensely grateful to The National Lottery Community Fund Scotland for its support. This funding will help us to provide more life-changing support to people in Scotland with macular disease, especially reaching people in more isolated, rural communities.

“We need to make as many people as possible aware of macular disease and the devastating impact it can have on a person’s life. We also need to let anyone affected know about the wide range of support that’s available and continue to deliver the services they need.”

Neil Ritch, the National Lottery Community Fund Scotland director, said: “I am delighted that the Macular Society has secured a grant from The National Lottery Community Fund. This award will make a real difference where it is needed most and I wish the Macular Society every success delivering a great project for their community.”

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