Dorset & South West Local Peer Support Group

We are constantly striving to grow our peer support group network and are pleased to announce that we have introduced this new group to cover all of the Dorset & South West area for those who are living with inherited, progressive sight loss.

Here is a lovely introduction from Suzanne herself and why she was keen to create and facilitate this new local group in her area.

“I was officially diagnosed with Retinitis Pigmentosa in 2017, but looking back I think the signs were there some time before that. I’d been having tests for retinal defects, and the hospital were aware of my family history of RP. Shortly before diagnosis I had to return my driving licence straight away. This then ended a 30 year career in Nursing. In particular, the last 10 years in palliative care, as I was due to start a new job in a local hospice. My car was my safe happy space as well, and I felt so lost without it.

I became a paying member of Retina UK and also joined the lived experience panel, as I’ve always wanted to do what I can to help others this seemed a great way to do that. I’ve attended the National peer support group meetings, and have enjoyed hearing from the guest speakers, everyone is very friendly and welcoming and the recent Women’s peer support group meetings are such a blessing. I attended my first one recently and could relate to so much of what was being shared.

Over the past few months, I had also been checking to see if Retina UK had any peer support groups in Dorset where I live. The nearest one was in Hampshire and it’s too far away really. I posted an enquiry on the Facebook group and, cutting a long story short, they suggested applying to become a Volunteer to help create one, so here I am! I’m very excited to be given this opportunity, and am looking forward to meeting and sharing with others in my area.”

We hope you can join us for this online launch meeting to hear from Suzanne. We welcome and encourage you to come and have your say in how we move forward with this peer support group and how we can best support our community in the South West region living with inherited sight loss.

So please come along and share any ideas you may have for topics of discussion or speakers you would like to hear from for the rest of the year or if you would just like a chat, advice or simply need a listening ear, we are here to support you.

Venue

This meeting will be held online via Zoom.