Highland BlindCraft Sensory Services

15/06/2026

Diabetes can affect more than just your blood sugar levels - it can also have a serious impact on your sight.

During Diabetes Awareness Week, we're helping raise awareness of diabetes-related eye conditions, including diabetic retinopathy, which can lead to sight loss if left untreated.

Diabetes UK estimates that more than 12 million people in the UK are living with diabetes or prediabetes, making awareness and regular eye checks more important than ever.

The RNIB has produced a helpful guide explaining diabetes-related eye conditions and how they can affect your vision. You can find it here:
www.rnib.org.uk/your-eyes/eye-conditions-az/diabetes-related-eye-conditions/

If you're living with sight loss and diabetes, RNIB also offers practical advice and resources to help you manage both confidently.

We are always happy to help and give advise. If you or a family member would like information please call us on 01463 210558 or email [email protected]

15/06/2026

We’ve reached the halfway point of Cataract Awareness Month 👁️

Over the past couple of weeks, we’ve looked at what cataracts are and some of the common symptoms people may notice. This week, we’re looking at treatment and ways to manage changes in vision.

For many people, cataracts develop slowly over time. If they begin to affect everyday activities such as reading, driving or recognising faces, an eye specialist may recommend cataract surgery. This is a very common procedure which replaces the cloudy lens with a clear artificial lens to help improve vision.

While waiting for treatment, there are lots of ways to make daily life easier. Many people find brighter lighting, magnifiers and accessible technology helpful for reading and other tasks.

The has created a helpful guide with tips on making the most of your sight:
https://shop.rnib.org.uk/products/starting-out-making-the-most-of-your-sight?_gl=1*1b4ie9m*_gcl_au*NTMxMzA0MzQ0LjE3NzkyNjU1MDQ.*_ga*MjE0NTkxNDM2NC4xNzc5MjY1NTA1*_ga_ZRN5GX4GMJ*czE3NzkyNzI1NTckbzIkZzEkdDE3NzkyNzMxODIkajEkbDAkaDA

If you have any questions or would like support, our team is always happy to help.

01463 210558
[email protected]

11/06/2026

Have you got lived experience of accessible travel? Can you help shape future policy and priorities?

Disability Equality Scotland is running five online engagement events on behalf of Transport Scotland as they develop the successor to the Accessible Travel Framework.

The first session on 18 June will focus on Ferry and Aviation Travel for Island Communities and you can book your place at https://www.tickettailor.com/.../disabilityequali.../2221230
The other consultation events are:
• 1 July: Access to Healthcare in Remote Areas https://www.tickettailor.com/.../disabilityequali.../2221327
• 30 July: Transport Network in Rural Areas https://www.tickettailor.com/.../disabilityequali.../2221354
• 2 September: Community Transport in Rural and Remote Areas https://www.tickettailor.com/.../disabilityequali.../2221455
• 7 September: Transport Network in Island Communities https://www.tickettailor.com/.../disabilityequali.../2226076

08/06/2026

Cataract Awareness Month continues and this week we’re helping to spread awareness of the signs and causes of cataracts 👁️

According to NHS Scotland, you may be more likely to develop cataracts if:
• You are aged 60 or over
• You have had an eye injury or eye surgery in the past
• You have certain eye conditions
• You have taken steroid medication for long periods
• You smoke
• Cataracts run in your family
• Your eyes are regularly exposed to sunlight without protection

Some health conditions, including type 2 diabetes and high blood pressure, can also increase the risk.

The RNIB says some common signs of cataracts can include:
• Blurred or misty vision
• Colours appearing faded
• Increased sensitivity to bright light
• Needing brighter light for reading or close tasks

Many people experience cataracts gradually, so recognising the signs early and seeking advice can really help.

We have found a helpful short video explaining more about the symptoms of cataracts:
https://youtu.be/LCQtRMAEO-c

Next Monday we’ll be sharing more information about the treatments available.

In the meantime, if you have any questions or would like support, please give us a call on 01463 210558 or email [email protected]

07/06/2026

Our volunteers help to support the services we offer – and we can’t thank them enough! 💙

From talking books to helping in the office, at events or to run or support groups, they are willing to give up their time to help us – something we always appreciate and never take for granted.

Last year, they committed 510 hours to helping us doing all the above… and more – that’s an average of 42 hours a month.

They are incredible! Thank you doesn’t seem enough for how you all go above and beyond.

If you would like to join the team, then please contact our volunteer coordinator Graham Linton on 01463 210558 or email: [email protected] to find out more details about what’s involved.

06/06/2026

Highland BlindCraft Sensory Services is looking for volunteer drivers to help its visually impaired service users get around the Highlands and Western Isles.

Read more in the comments.

05/06/2026

Do you have some spare time and enjoy driving? If so, Highland BlindCraft Sensory Services would love to hear from you 💙

We are appealing for volunteer drivers across the Highlands and Islands to help support local people living with sight and hearing loss.

Some of our amazing service users could do with help getting out and about, but public transport can be unreliable and daunting, while taxis are too expensive. Family and friends may be unavailable, or unable to help at a particular time.

That’s where you come in 👋

Volunteer drivers help with:
• Getting service users to and from appointments
• Taking someone for groceries
• Transport to peer support groups

As a volunteer driver you’ll also receive:
• Training if required
• Fuel expenses paid straight away
• Help with PVG application
• Ongoing support

Most importantly, it’s a chance to meet some fantastic and inspirational people along the way!

To find out more or get involved:
01463 210558
[email protected]
39 Ardconnel Street, Inverness, IV2 3HB

04/06/2026

Have you seen Tesco’s latest accessibility advert? 👀

The campaign highlights the importance of making everyday things, like recipes more accessible for people living with hearing and sight loss through audio support, clearer formats and accessible design!

This really resonated with us - accessibility should never feel like an afterthought and small changes can make a huge difference to someone’s independence and confidence.

Watch the advert here:
https://youtu.be/POSBiiWZIaU?si=A47xyJngTMVdYboz

Explore Tesco’s accessible recipes webpage:
https://www.tesco.com/groceries/en-GB/zone/accessible-recipes

If you or someone you know would benefit from our support, our team is always here to help.

01463 210558
[email protected]

Go to tesco.com/accessible-recipes for Braille, BSL, and audio recipes.

03/06/2026

From one of our longest-serving volunteers, we now meet one of our newest in Derek who only joined us in August last year but has already gained so much from giving up his time to help others! 💙

When Derek arrived at our offices, he had no idea when he stepped through the front door what a journey it would take him on. Looking to get back out there following the Covid pandemic, Derek eventually pitched up at Highland BlindCraft and the rest, as they say, is history.

“After Covid, I wanted to get back into doing something,” he said. “I worked from home during Covid and I didn’t really like it, there’s a social aspect to being able to get out and mix with other people and I was missing that.

“My path to Highland BlindCraft and the sensory services all really started because of my eyesight. I have the condition Nystagmus, so someone said that I should go and have a chat with the people at Highland BlindCraft as I was looking to do something. It was a bit of a happy accident really because I was then directed to Highland BlindCraft Sensory Services where I got the chance to volunteer.”

From signing up as volunteer with us, Derek then found the Highland VIP Walking Group – a charity who support people with a visual impairment through regular activity sessions and meet-ups. Regularly attending the group, who work closely alongside us, Derek has found the social interaction he wanted.

“I’ve gained confidence, but the biggest thing for me has been on the back of getting involved with the sensory services, I’ve now become a regular at the Highland VIP Walking Group,” he said. “This has given me even more confidence. It’s made such a big difference. If I wasn’t told about the group by the sensory services, then I don’t know where I’d be.

“I’m just delighted with how it’s all worked out!”

Derek is a wonderful example of just how opening one door can lead to so much more. We’re lucky to have you!

If you would like to volunteer or are looking at ways to get conected again after sight loss, please get in touch on 01463 233662.

02/06/2026

As part of Partnerships for Wellbeing annual Walking and Wheeling Festival this week, we joined in with the lovely members of Highland VIP Walking Group for a walk along the canal at Dochgarroch, stopping in between to enjoy a wonderful lunch prepared by An Talla.
Although it was a slightly wet start, the rain held off long enough to not just enjoy the scenery, but also the wildlife!