A £332,000 grant will enable charity Sight Concern to set up a Worcestershire helpline and employ six new advisors to work across the county's districts.

The charity, which supports blind and partially sighted people to lead independent lives, has been awarded the money from the National Lottery Community Fund towards its Broader Vision project.

This funding will enable Sight Concern to provide a countywide helpline for information and advice and employ six sight loss advisors who will work locally across Worcestershire's six districts, including Wyre Forest, Bromsgrove and Redditch.

Advisors will provide support to assist people to learn new skills, access services and gain support so that they can play an active role in society.

They will also be running workshops which help people who are coming to terms with sight loss to gain emotional and practical support, and host regular sight loss support groups for people to share tips.

Visitors will be able to come alone or bring friends and family members who would benefit from understanding more about what people with sight loss can do with the right support.

In spring next year, the sight loss advisors will also host an exhibition of equipment that aids independence.

This free event will give people the opportunity to try out equipment and ask the suppliers questions - without feeling obliged to make a purchase.

Sight Concern CEO Jenny Gage said: “No one should face sight loss alone, but sadly there are lots of people who still don’t know about the support that is available.

"This funding will enable us to reach out to more people."