An activity centre for visually-impaired people is launching a new service in Renfrewshire.

Sight Scotland's Activity Groups team will aim to reach and engage with more people affected by sight loss in the community, whilst providing a social platform to help combat isolation and loneliness.

The new service, which is headed up by Michael Deadman in the west of Scotland and Laura Steven in the east, will host an Activity Group information session at Renfrew Town Hall, on Tuesday, April 4, from 11am to noon.

Colin Hilditch, head of community services at Sight Scotland, said: "We are delighted to launch our new Activity Groups service. 

"These groups will provide a social platform where members can come along and hopefully enjoy themselves and meet new friends. 

"People with visual impairment can lose their confidence, self-esteem and ability to do many day-to-day activities. This can often result in isolation and loneliness. 

"The launch of this new service gives us another way to engage with and help more people. It has huge potential to make a big difference to people's lives."

Michael Deadman, activity coordinator for the Renfrewshire area, added: "Our new activity groups will provide activities for members to explore interests, develop new skills and meet new friends, in a safe and welcoming environment. 

"We are holding our information session so we can interact with the people who will be using this service, finding out how they would like the groups to run and what activities they would like.

"We want the Activity Groups to build community and boost confidence. 

"We are hoping to put on a wide variety of groups this year including social groups, book groups and arts and crafts, amongst others. 

"We see the activity groups as a great way of engaging with more people in the community in a positive and rewarding manner."

The new Activity Groups will be part of Sight Scotland's Family Wellbeing Service, which has a wealth of knowledge to help support and empower anyone affected by sight loss regain or maintain their independence. 

The support can either be face to face, over the phone or online.

For more information about the activity groups, visit sightscotland.org.uk/community-activity-team.

To book tickets for the information session, visit www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/community-activity-team-information-session-tickets-592317175617.

If you need support booking tickets, call Sight Scotland's helpline on 0800 024 8973.