The charity Jewish Blind and Disabled has announced it is launching its first sight loss support groups.

The charity, which was set up to support people with a physical disability and/or vision impairment, has seven developments in London and Hertfordshire, with specially adapated mobility apartments.

But, said its CEO, the charity recognised that there were “others in the community who do not want to live with JBD but would benefit from support”.

Lisa Wimborne told the JC: “For over 50 years, Jewish Blind & Disabled have provided housing with onsite support to members of our community living with physical disability and/or sight loss.

“We have a waiting list for our housing, and we also recognise that there are others in the community who do not want to live with JBD but would benefit from support. This is why we have decided to invest in developing our community support offering.”

Wimborne said that with advances in medical treatment and an ageing population, the charity was seeing people, often with quite complex disabilities, living independently for longer.

The groups, which follow the growth of the charity’s independent living advisory service, had come about from “listening and seeking to develop services to provide support to ensure people are safe in their home and connected to the community”, she said.

The first group, in Borehamwood, will meet on Tuesday 9 April at 11.30am. From then on, this group will meet on the second Tuesday of every month.

The Finchley group will meet on Thursday 11 April at 11.30am and then on the second Thursday of every month.

Toni Lewis, JBD’s community services project manager, said: “We’re excited to be bringing people together to make friends and support each other with their sight loss experiences.

“Our monthly meetings will take place in a safe environment. They are designed for members to meet new people and share their advice, ideas and support.”

The groups will be peer-led and if there was demand, they would arrange speakers and entertainment.

For more information or if you would like to attend, please call Toni Lewis on 020 8371 6611 ext 620 or email toni@jbd.org