Torch Trust – vision for people with sight loss

“Recently, I was certified as severely sight impaired/blind. Losing sight can be frightening, confusing and heartbreaking. I have lost my confidence to go out on my own, the ability to recognise faces from a distance and to read the Bible which I have done all my life.”

“Over the past 3 years since my wife left me and my blindness advanced I went through difficult days, but clinging to Jesus was my primary remedy to survive… And I thank Torch for all the excellent books that I have been able to enjoy – many times, it was these inspirational stories that aided me in my recovery and kept me from despair.”

Have you ever considered how it would feel to suddenly lose your sight and not be able to read your Bible? To want to talk to people in your church family but can’t see who’s around you? Torch has thought about these things and knows how important it is that everyone feels welcome and at home in the Christian community.

Torch Trust is a charity based in Market Harborough, Leicestershire, but our work extends throughout the UK and even internationally. Our vision is to enable blind and partially sighted people to encounter Jesus, grow in their Christian faith and thrive in Christian community. For over 60 years we have been providing accessible resources and a variety of ways to connect and support people living with sight loss. We have seen a continued need for our resources as there are always people with sight loss who want to encounter Jesus and grow in their relationship with Him. Whilst the ministry of Torch has changed over the years in response to God’s call; Torch remains committed to reaching out with God’s love to people losing their sight, to providing resources and fellowship to support visually impaired Christians in their discipleship, to help the church and society recognise their gifts, and to offer certain hope (Hebrews 6:19) to those losing their sight.

Torch supplies Christian magazines, Bible reading notes, books and Bibles in braille, large print and audio. These can be borrowed for free from our library or purchased from our eShop. Thanks to generous supporters, we never need to charge a blind or partially sighted person more than the recommended retail price for any resource. Last year over 7000 books were borrowed from our library. 

You’ll get a warm welcome and the offer of training and resources to help you to understand what people with sight loss may face in their church and how your church can welcome them. 

Holidays

Many of us take Christian holidays and retreats for granted. But for those with sight loss Christian community can be difficult to come across. Torch Holidays seek to meet that need. They give space for people in similar situations to meet up, have fellowship and community together and to experience a holiday catered to their requirements. Clients who book onto these holidays can be assured that there will be people to help guide them and ensure they are included in every part of their time away. Check out our website for more information: torchtrust.org/living-with-sight-loss/torch-together-holidays/

Community is needed throughout the year and that can be found in Torch Fellowship Groups across the UK. These groups are vital for some members as they may not be able to attend church due to lacking transport, but they are able to attend the group thanks to volunteer drivers. So much of the work Torch does cannot happen without the valuable support of volunteers. 

The needs of blind and partially sighted people aren’t just in the UK. Last year, Torch joined with Compass Braille in producing braille Bibles in over 55 languages that are largely distributed through the Bible Societies in the relevant countries. They now share the space we use for production here at Torch so we get to help send the Good News around the world! 

There are many ways you can get involved, whether that’s encouraging your church to become sight loss friendly, donating to our ministry or becoming a client and using our services! We have lovely team members ready to answer the phone and handle any enquiries and library book requests. You can reach them on: 01858 438260. If your church would consider joining us in making churches in the UK more accessible, head to torchtrust.org/sight-loss-friendly-church/

Further action

Celebrate Sight-Loss-Sunday, 13th October, in your church