DUNFERMLINE Athletic Football Club (DAFC) has teamed up with a Fife charity to help bring those with sight loss to matches.
Fife’s sight loss charity, Seescape, has joined forces with the Pars- as well as other Scottish teams- to help more fans with visual impairments to get to games.
Each club has donated two season tickets to the charity to share with the people they support, their carers and volunteers.
Graham Ross, Seescape's volunteer co-ordinator and DAFC's disability access officer, said: “Sight loss is undoubtedly one of the most difficult things any of us would have to deal with in our lives and understandably it has a huge impact of people’s confidence. It is very common for people to withdraw from their communities which compounds matters even more.
“We are determined to encourage people to try and overcome some of the barriers and to lead as full a life as possible. Sport has a part to play in that and I am absolutely delighted that the three clubs understand the role they can play and have been so supportive in this initiative.
"The clubs already provide an excellent audio commentary service on matchdays, and we would encourage anyone who has an interest in football but who may feel their sight loss prevents them from attending on matchdays to contact us so we can help them come along to cheer on their team.”
Seescape is also providing the clubs with expert advice and support on making the matchday experience more inclusive for people with sight loss.
It is just another way that the charity, which supports more than 3,500 people every year across Fife, is combating loneliness and isolation for people affected by sight loss.
Being active in the community is an important way to boost people’s mental and physical well-being and football is a huge part of many people’s social life and connection to the place they live.
Drew Main, Dunfermline Athletic’s supporter liaison officer, added: “We are absolutely thrilled to team up with Seescape for this initiative. We are always looking for new ways to try and make our club more accessible and are grateful to have a group with the knowledge and expertise of Seescape onboard to help us with that.
"We all understand the social benefits of attending live sport and are keen to do all we can to assist. I know some of our fanbase here use Seescape services and am also aware some fans are volunteers with the charity.
"This partnership is a great fit for all parties, and I hope people take advantage of it."
For more information on how to access these tickets or about the work Seescape does in the community contact info@seescape.org.uk.
The charity supports people living with sight loss across Fife to live more independently and provides a range of services including rehabilitation, advice, and technology demonstrations.
It provides social opportunities, community-based assessments, home visits, and drop-ins at its visual impairment hub in Glenrothes to give information on the latest support and technologies available.
Seescape relies on volunteers to help support those with visual impairments. A small amount of someone’s time can make a huge difference in the lives of others.
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