Visibility Scotland

27/02/2026

A brilliant piece by Susan Shippey, Head of Strategic Partnerships for Sight Scotland and Sight Scotland Veterans, about the importance of access to rehabilitation and the new University of Strathclyde course.

Susan Shippey on transformative changes in vision impairment rehabilitation work

26/02/2026

Busting myths about blindness and vision impairment!

Myth: “All blind people see nothing”
Myth: “Vision impairment only affects older people”
Myth: “You can tell if someone is vision impaired or blind just by looking at them”

The reality is that vision impairment is different for everyone, and often is a hidden disability. No matter what stage of the journey you’re at, Visibility Scotland is here to provide support.

Which of these myths have you heard before? Let us know in the comments below!

Image description: Five Visibility Scotland service users stand together smiling outside the Riverside Museum.

24/02/2026

In Scotland alone, over 180,000 people live with some degree of vision impairment, and that number is only growing. Having a vision rehabilitation workforce equipped to provide needed support has never been more essential. That’s one reason why we’re so proud as an organisation to have led on creating the content for the brand new Vision Impairment Rehabilitation professional course, which officially began last month at the University of Strathclyde.

We’re also proud to have driven the push for this course to be instated as part of Vision Collaborative Scotland, alongside Sight Scotland Sight Scotland Veterans Guide Dogs Scotland Guide Dogs UK, Visionary, Thomas Pocklington Trust, RNIB, RNIB Scotland, RWPN, and Health and Social Care Alliance Scotland

This truly is a landmark step towards creating a more inclusive, accessible, and equitable Scotland. We are so excited to see the impact these future Vision Rehabilitation Specialists and Assistants will have – especially our very own staff members Lynsey, Jody, Ali, and Lydia, who are on the course right now!

Image descriptions:
One: Steph stands outside in a rural area wearing a Visibility Scotland fleece and smiling. She has medium length wavy blonde hair.

Two: Lydia smiles at the camera. She has shoulder length brunette hair that is curled and cat eye shaped glasses.

Three: Ali and Jody stand together smiling in a garden. Both are wearing blue Visibility Scotland t-shirts, have salt and pepper hair, and glasses.

Four: Lynsey sits on a low stone wall outside smiling and wearing a Visibility Scotland top. She has brown hair that is tied back and pink glasses.

23/02/2026

Searching for an easy way to support Visibility Scotland? Nominate us for the Benefact Group Movement for Good! Nominating is free, quick, and easy. Just type "GWSSB" in the "Find the charity" field, and fill in the short form. Every nomination counts!

Note: Visibility Scotland is the trading name of GWSSB (formerly Glasgow and West of Scotland Society for the Blind). Registered number SC116522. Scottish Charity Number SC009738.

Nominate a charity for a Movement for Good award now.

19/02/2026

Call Out to Moffat, Sanquhar and Thornhill Residents! Are you interested in free lunch and good conversation?

We've received funding to launch new lunch clubs in Moffat, Sanquhar and Thornhill, offering a friendly and welcoming space to enjoy good food, good company and a sense of community.

The clubs will be offered based on demand and led by our Dumfries and Galloway Community Worker, Steph. If you're interested please call us on 0800 987 1087 or email info@visibilityscotland.org.uk to find out more. The lunch clubs are open to anyone who is vision impaired / blind and able to travel to any of the aforementioned towns.

ID: Visibility Scotland staff member Steph sits across from a service user in a cafe. She is helping the service user learn to use a digital magnifier.

Visit Moffat

17/02/2026

17/02/2026

Assistive technology can be life-changing for people with vision impairments and blindness. It can help with independence, access to information, education, work, and everyday life.

Visibility Scotland's EyeT project provides assistive technology support and advice. We have a Digital Suite at our Glasgow office, offering the opportunity to try out a large variety of digital accessibility aids designed to help people with vision impairments.

To learn more or book an appointment, visit our website or get in touch by calling 0800 987 1087 or emailing info@visibilityscotland.org.uk

ID: Two people practice using a digital magnifier to read a document.

11/02/2026

Vision impairments can have a significant impact on mental health. Feelings of anxiety, low mood, or isolation are common, and yet they’re often overlooked.

At Visibility Scotland, we support the whole person. That’s why we offer a wide range of wellbeing activities – such as this art workshop held back in summer of last year where participants had the opportunity to create whilst connecting with other members of the lived experience community.

What wellbeing activities would you like to see us offer in 2026? Let us know in the comments.

Image description: A group of people sit around a large table creating art and enjoying teas and coffees.

09/02/2026

Vision impairments and sight loss don’t just affect one person, they can change relationships with partners, family, friends, and colleagues. At Visibility Scotland we’re here to support you as you navigate all aspects of vision impairment, from practical tips to mental wellbeing. If you or someone you know could use support, get in touch today.

You can contact Visibility Scotland by calling 0800 987 1087 or emailing info@visibilityscotland.org.uk

Image description: Visibility Scotland staff member Audrey sits at a desk, listening to someone on the phone while smiling.

06/02/2026

Fantastic Friday news: our first sensory play session was a massive success! Parents and children alike had a great time playing with sensory toys and building community together.

Visibility Scotland's sensory playroom is open every other Friday from 10:30 AM and is free to visit for vision-impaired and blind children aged zero to six and their families, we just ask that you book a spot as space is limited. To book on or get more information call 0800 987 1087 or email families@visibilityscotland.org.uk

Our gratitude goes out to The Essentia Foundation - Scotland, Foundation Scotland, The National Lottery Community Fund Scotland, The Powell Family Foundation, and Area Partnership Glasgow City Council for making this space and our EyeCan CYP programme possible!

Image descriptions:
One: A young boy and his mother play on a trampoline surrounded by a large padded area.

Two: A group of parents and children play in the sensory space while a member of Visibility Scotland staff observes

Three: A Visibility Scotland staff member and a young child interact with a light-up sensory toy.

Four: A parent chats with a Visibility Scotland staff member while her daughter plays.

Five: A Visibility Scotland staff member supports a young boy jumping on a trampoline.

04/02/2026

Margaret’s sight loss her to feel isolated and without community, then support from Visibility Scotland empowered her to start her very own peer support group!

“I originally thought that a social and information group for older people who were dealing with new sight loss would be helpful as often this can be very isolating and frightening, however we are very delighted that on all four occasions three young people have also come to our meetings. They all have severe vision impairments, and their positive attitude continues to be an inspiration to the older members of the group. “

Read more of Margaret’s story in the blog linked below:

How Margaret created a sight loss support group in her local area. - Margaret creates community

02/02/2026

February is Age-related Macular Degeneration (AMD) Awareness Month.

AMD is one of the leading causes of vision impairment both in Scotland and across the UK, yet many people don’t recognise the early signs until their vision has already changed.

Early symptoms can include:
- Blurred or distorted central vision
- Difficulty reading or recognising faces
- Straight lines appearing wavy

If you experience these visual changes, visit your eye health provider. If you or someone you love is in need of support, please contact Visibility Scotland by calling 0800 987 1087 or emailing info@visibilityscotland.org.uk – we’re here to provide practical information, advice, and coping tips to anyone with a vision impairment or blindness in Scotland.

Image description: Visibility Scotland staff member Lydia sits at a desk smiling and wearing a blue Visibility Scotland fleece. In front of her is an open laptop.