I'm Jessica Eastman and I've been running the writing group at Coventry Resource Centre for the Blind since 2018. All the members have some degree of sight loss, some since birth but many have had good sight which has then deteriorated. As far as writing experience is concerned, this was also very varied. A couple have enjoyed writing for many years but most had limited experience writing creatively. Although all welcomed the opportunity to explore writing there was considerable wariness from many and lots of self doubts. We decided to start by exploring memoirs as many of the members had children and grandchildren who made an immediate readership. There were many memories to explore of childhood years, first days at school, work and travel but one topic that none wanted to explore initially was their sight loss. However as we worked together the writers gained confidence in both themselves and each other and we began discussing the experience of being blind. Many had barely discussed it before and were surprised to find that others had similar experiences. A major discovery here was that most of them had experienced Charles Bonnet syndrome. As sight deteriorates some people experience visual distortions which appear like hallucinations. Rarely these can involve sound too. Obviously this can be quite disturbing and those who experience such visions may be reluctant to talk about them for fear of appearing mentally unwell. However as one or two members of the group gained the confidence to describe their experiences others also began to share their stories. Some were funny and some were quite frightening but all were interesting and eventually we collected a number of accounts which feature in this collection. Once the group had started exploring the experience of living blind in a sighted world all sorts of other issues were raised; the problems of adapting to shopping, continuing hobbies such as gardening, travelling and entertainment. Accounts of such issues are also included in the collection. The writers have developed confidence and skills in writing and support each other with warmth and humour. They have produced a huge body of work which is still expanding. This is the first of what we hope will be many more collections of observations, memories and stories.

Barbara Davies also wrote the following piece. She had been used to being fiercely independent until her sight started going and she described some of the results of this in this piece. Barbara tried dictating to a dictaphone but preferred writing with a scribe. Here is Supermarket - feeling confident and then… by Barbara Davies