Call For Participants – Loneliness and Isolation Survey
Logos: Left Fight for Sight / Vision Foundation and right Abertay University.
Fight for Sight / Vision Foundation have commissioned Abertay University to conduct research into the experiences of loneliness and isolation within visually impaired communities.
Following on from the previous call for interview participants, Abertay University have created a survey to learn more about loneliness and isolation among people with visual impairments. We would be grateful if Visionary members could share this survey with their networks and members which will ask some questions about people’s experiences and opinions. It will take 5-10 minutes to complete.
We hope that the findings of this research will be used to inform the development of services to help people that are feeling isolated and/ or lonely and help us identify the priorities for any further research. Therefore, it is really important for us that people with visual impairments can tell us about their experiences and about what might help.
You can access the online survey here. The survey will close on Monday 2 October 2023.
The paragraphs below tell you a little more about this project and how we will handle your data as well as providing details for some sources of support that you can contact if loneliness, isolation or mental health are things that you are finding difficult at the moment.
Do I have to take part?
You have been chosen to take part in this survey because you have a visual impairment. It is up to you, and you alone, to decide if you would like to complete this survey. There will be no penalty for deciding you do not wish to complete it and you will not be adversely affected in any way.
What will I be required to do?
In the survey, you will be invited to answer questions about your experiences of loneliness, isolation and poor mental health and your thoughts and opinions about how support for this might be improved. You’ll also be asked some questions about your personal circumstances. There is no obligation to answer any questions you do not want to. The survey will take around 5-10 minutes to complete.
Reward
There is no financial benefit for taking part. However, it is hoped that your thoughts and ideas will help us better understand how people with a visual impairment experience loneliness, isolation and poor mental health. It will also help us gain insight into what you think might be good way to address this.
How will you handle my data?
Your data is the personal information we will gather about you through the survey. We are committed to keeping this safe. Your survey responses will be collated and stored safely in a password protected file on the university’s secure server. None of your answers will be directly attributable to you, so your anonymity is assured.
Abertay University acts as Data Controller (DataProtectionOfficer@abertay.ac.uk).
Sources of support
If you have been struggling with loneliness or isolation or if any of the survey questions have been difficult or upsetting for you, here are a list of supports that you might find helpful. You can also make an appointment to talk to your GP if you prefer.
RNIB Helpline
Get in touch with the friendly team through the Helpline if you or someone you care for needs help. Call us on 0303 123 9999 from Monday to Friday 8am to 8pm, and Saturday 9am to 1pm or email us at helpline@rnib.org.uk. You can also get in touch with the counselling team directly by leaving us a message on 020 7391 2186 or emailing cwt@rnib.org.uk.
Macular Society Counselling
If you would like to find out more about our counselling service please call our Advice and Information line on 0300 3030 111.
Samaritans
To talk about anything that is upsetting you, you can contact Samaritans 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. You can call 116 123 (free from any phone), email jo@samaritans.org or visit some branches in person.
SANEline
If you’re experiencing a mental health problem or supporting someone else, you can call SANEline on 0300 304 7000 (4.30pm–10.30pm every day).
National Suicide Prevention Helpline UK
Offers a supportive listening service to anyone with thoughts of suicide. You can call the National Suicide Prevention Helpline UK on 0800 689 5652 (6pm–3:30am every day).
Campaign Against Living Miserably (CALM)
You can call the CALM on 0800 58 58 58 (5pm–midnight every day) if you are struggling and need to talk. Or if you prefer not to speak on the phone, you could try the CALM webchat service
Shout
If you would prefer not to talk but want some mental health support, you could text SHOUT to 85258. Shout offers a confidential 24/7 text service providing support if you are in crisis and need immediate help.
The Mix
If you’re under 25, you can call The Mix on 0808 808 4994 (3pm–midnight every day), request support by email using this form on The Mix website or use their crisis text messenger service.
Papyrus HOPELINEUK
If you’re under 35 and struggling with suicidal feelings, or concerned about a young person who might be struggling, you can call Papyrus HOPELINEUK on 0800 068 4141 (weekdays 10am-10pm, weekends 2pm-10pm and bank holidays 2pm–10pm), email pat@papyrus-uk.org or text 07786 209 697.
Switchboard
If you identify as gay, lesbian, bisexual or transgender, you can call Switchboard on 0300 330 0630 (10am–10pm every day), email chris@switchboard.lgbt or use their webchat service. Phone operators all identify as LGBT+.
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