By Isle of Wight Observer
Creekside WI members marked their first meeting of the New Year by presenting a £500 cheque to Ruth, and her support dog, Mocha, from Sight for Wight, the group’s chosen charity for 2025.
Ruth first visited the WI last year to introduce members to the work of the local independent charity, which provides vital support and information to visually impaired Islanders, along with their families, friends, and carers. Her talk made a strong impression, particularly her personal account of sight loss and the wider issues it highlighted around women’s health.
Under the message “Be Wise, Protect Your Eyes!”, Ruth stressed the importance of good eye care – from wearing sunglasses early in life to avoiding shared or out‑of‑date make‑up.
Sight for Wight currently supports around 700 Islanders, offering friendship, practical help, and a wide range of activities. These include home visits, swimming, golf, bowling, sailing, rock-climbing, yoga, tandem-riding, and access to an audio library. Coffee mornings provide valuable peer‑to‑peer support, with members sharing tips on using Alexa, identifying everyday items, and making the most of talking clocks and other aids.
The charity also runs a slow walking group and a longer 6–7 mile guided walk for those with guide dogs, helping people stay active and connected.
Tilly Walder