News Update June 2024
Life often presents us with burdens that seem too heavy to bear alone. Every small act of kindness, whether a listening ear, a helping hand, or an encouraging word can make a significant impact. For people with limited or no sight, a range of support can help with the challenges faced. This includes being there for those adjusting to sight loss and providing services that help reduce isolation.
Befriending
Our befriending has started in the Southern Trust in N. Ireland and we are open for referrals in the Northern Trust. This involves home visits to blind and partially sighted people over 6 months. Befrienders can accompany the person out for coffee, shopping, an eye clinic appointment, or to attend an activity with them in the local community if required. The befriender will be there to offer encouragement and support. It could include spiritual support through prayer or reading the Bible to the person if requested. Additionally, befriending by telephone is also available. For more information about our befriending service including details of how someone can receive a befriender, visit the Befriending Page on our website at www.sightlossministries.org/befriending.
Events
Through our events, blind and partially sighted people have an opportunity to come together with sighted people for activities that have a focus on the social and the spiritual. Our last lunch event was on the 9th March at the Belmont Hotel, Banbridge. Our speaker Don Howe, shared about his journey through cancer and his involvement with Divine Healing Ministries. It was a wonderful time spent together with good food and fellowship. On the 18th May we had a prayer time on Zoom for Sight Loss Ministries. This event was open to anyone who wanted to join us. We shared several ministry updates and spent time together in prayer for SLM and also for each other. Galatians 6:2 reminds us to carry each other’s burdens. When we do this we strengthen our relationships and foster a sense of belonging.
Our next event will be a day tip out on the 22nd June to the Ulster American Folk Park, just outside Omagh. We intend to arrive at the Park around 12 pm to have lunch together and then explore the exhibits. Visitors are welcome to join us and limited transport is available. Please get in touch for further details by emailing info@sightlossministries.org or by contacting 07516 636741.
Administration and Funding
The volume of work relating to the administration of the Charity to date has been significant. This has included developing application packs for new volunteer roles, carrying out the necessary checks and delivering training. New roles have required existing policies to be updated. We recently submitted our first Annual Return to the Charity Commission and filed our accounts with Companies House. We give thanks for God’s provision so far in terms of meeting our needs in different ways. We are grateful to those who give their time to serve with SLM and to those who give financially to support our work. Our income comes from various sources, such as individuals who make regular or one-off gifts, and donations from churches, groups, or events. We have also been blessed to receive funding from grant-making trusts. This has enabled us to continue supporting blind and partially sighted people with different resources and services. As we send out applications to more trusts before our new financial year starts on the 1st September, we continue to look to God to provide for our needs.
Prayer Points
1. Give thanks for being able to develop our relationships with blind and partially sighted people within a supportive Christian community.
2. Pray for referrals for befriending to start coming through in the Northern Trust.
3. Pray for our ongoing volunteer recruitment and finances to cover our needs over the next year.
Thank you for your interest in SLM and your prayerful support. If you would like to be kept informed about future events, news and prayer points, sign up here to receive these occasional updates by email or WhatsApp.