This winter, thousands of people living with deafblindness face the risk of isolation.
Many of us struggle in the winter, with wet, cold weather and long nights impacting our lives and our mood. But, for people who are deafblind, these practical and emotional challenges can be even more profound.
As the precious daylight hours diminish, those affected by deafblindness can become ever more isolated inside their homes, feeling trapped, vulnerable and lonely.
Deafblind UK's Winter Wellness programme provides extra support to help anyone affected by sight and hearing loss to stay healthy and connected through the winter months.
Barbara's story
Barbara, 88, experienced sudden sight loss in her sixties and began losing her hearing ten years later. She told us, “In the summer, I can sit in my garden and listen to the birds. I can get out and about more. With daylight, I can see a little bit; enough to do all I need to do.
“But once the clocks change, I have to close my curtains earlier each day, which shuts out the world. Suddenly I’m completely on my own. The evenings are long and feel very lonely at times.
"My husband died, and at about the same time my beloved guide dog Poppy was put to sleep. I didn’t think I would ever recover from their loss.
“Two years ago, I received a lovely phone call from Deafblind UK, and ever since they have helped me so much. I know that they’re just at the end of the phone; they will listen to me. And I realised life has to go on.”
“I think that Deafblind UK’s Winter Wellness programme is so important. It means you can chat to somebody at the loneliest time of the day."
Barbara now wants to help other people like her: "After everything Deafblind UK has done for me, I want to give back. So, when I learned about their befriending service I thought, ‘That’s a way I can make a difference’."
How you can help
Barbara is just one of thousands of deafblind people who will face this winter alone. You can help us to be there for more people who need us through the dark months by supporting Deafblind UK's Winter Wellness Appeal.
However large or small, your gift will make such a difference:
- £25 could provide an hour of practical wellbeing support to overcome the daily challenges of living with deafblindness.
- £40 could pay for a person who is deafblind to receive regular befriending calls throughout the dark, winter months, helping to alleviate loneliness.
- £75 could pay for 15 members to receive a wellbeing call during the difficult festive period.
- £100 could fund a trained phoneline operator to be there for anyone in need of advice or support, for an entire day.
Winter Wellness - seasonal support for people with sight and hearing loss
Our Winter Wellness programme provides additional support to help people who are deafblind stay healthy and connected through the winter months.
This service is available to anyone affected by sight and hearing loss, their families and carers.
If you or a loved one is affected by deafblindness, our Winter Wellness service can support you. Stay connected with your community and keep your spirits high throughout the winter months.
To learn more or to request any of these services, contact our helpline or reach us via text or email:
- Helpline: 0800 132 320
- Text us: 07903 572 885
- Email: [email protected]
Stay active and healthy by joining the Winter Wellness 100
Beating the winter blues just got easier with Deafblind UK's Winter Wellness 100 virtual challenge. Between 1st December and 31st January, you're invited to take on a personal challenge based around the number 100 and make a difference for deafblind people across the UK.
It can be any activity you like based around the number 100 – walk 100,000 steps, swim 100 lengths, run 100 km, or anything else that interests you!
Simply choose your challenge timeframe, and get started!