As insights into health and wellbeing have increased, we are starting to look more holistically at the relationship between the different components of health; taking account of physical health alongside emotional, mental, social and spiritual health. As we work with others and look at our own wellbeing, it can be easy to see how changes in one part of our being can have a wider impact e.g. the impact significant emotional events can have on our physical health.
At Torch Trust, we believe that spirituality can play an important role in wellbeing and that sight loss should never be something that holds someone back from having a full, rich spiritual life. People express their spirituality in a number of ways – for some it is deeply personal, for others it is something they like to celebrate with others. We are a distinctively Christian charity and our spirituality is rooted in our faith in Jesus, but the principles of celebrating and supporting spirituality hold true across all kinds of spiritual expression.
So what benefits can spirituality bring? As we journey through life, we will face situations and challenges that feel overwhelming and too much to bear. Perhaps a bereavement or a relationship breakdown or a health condition. At Torch we work with many people going through an experience of sight loss – whether for the first time or through the changing of an existing condition. We find that this often brings a period of bereavement and grief. In the midst of these difficult times, it is not unusual for those with a strong spiritual basis to say ‘I don’t know how I would have got through this without my faith’.
Often faith-based groups will have gatherings where people meet together to share their faith and to encourage and support one another. As Christians, we find that churches can often be like a second family – providing community support and a sense of belonging through all of the stages of life. It is a place for those with a background of faith and for those who wish to explore faith afresh. Somewhere we can all ask the wider questions of life, and journey with others rather than experiencing loneliness and isolation.
Our hope for those who are going through tough times is that they can find a community to support them and journey through with them. There are many organisations and faith groups, like ours, who are ready and waiting to lend a listening ear as well as practical advice and support. If you are experiencing sight loss, or know someone who is, we at Torch Trust would love to walk alongside you, please do pick up the phone and call us on 01858 438260.
By Rev. Vicki Bryson, Torch Trust (Christian charity based in Market Harborough)
