Scottish football clubs partner with Seescape to support fans with visual impairments

LEADING Scottish professional football clubs have partnered with a sight loss charity to bring the joy and magic of the beautiful games to fans who are blind or partially sighted.

Fife’s sight loss charity, Seescape, has joined forces with Dunfermline Athletic, East Fife and Raith Rovers to help more fans with visual impairments to get to games.

Each club has donated two season ticket to the charity to share with the people they support, their carers and volunteers.

The clubs already provide audio commentaries, and they are all working with Seescape to encourage fans to have the confidence to come along to the games and support 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 another way that the charity, which supports more than 3,500 people every year across Fife, is combatting 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.

Lifelong Raith Rovers fan Jack Stanford, from Kirkcaldy, said:

“When I was first diagnosed with a sight problem, in the early ’90s, it coincided with Raith Rovers finest moments, it’s fair to say football, alongside my family, helped keep me out of the darker moments this change was putting me through. The link up between Seescape and the Fife clubs is of vital importance. I would encourage anyone in my position to come along and be part of this local community, get to know folks round about you at the game and most importantly, get yourself out and about.”

East Fife Fan Sandy Allan from Glenrothes said:

“Having visual impairments obviously brings with it a series of challenges. I have benefitted with the support of Seescape over the years in that they have helped make life a little bit easier. I am thrilled to learn that they have now teamed up with my own team East Fife to work together to encourage more people in my position along to the match. I hope fans have the courage to give football a go.”

Seescape 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.

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.”

Stuart Beveridge, Seescape’s Head of Assistive Technology and a keen football fan said:

“The facilities for visually impaired football fans at stadiums have come on leaps and bounds in recent years. Initiatives like this are really important as it lets us acknowledge the good work clubs like Dunfermline have done to make their grounds somewhere we can all go and feel included. The audio commentary Dave Henderson provides makes a huge difference. As someone who uses a guide dog it is also really heartening to know there is special seating for my dog too. Those simple touches are important. I applaud Seescape and the clubs for working together on this scheme and would urge others to give football a try.”

Drew Main, Dunfermline Athletic’s supporter liaison officer, said:

“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.”

Stephen Mill who is both East Fife FC’ supporters liaison officer and audio commentator, said:

“Having partnerships with community groups such as Seescape is really important to all of us here at East Fife FC. We are determined to welcome as many fans as possible here for matches and I really hope this initiative encourages those, who may not have the confidence to come to games, to take advantage of this offer and give it a try. Football has given many of us some real highs and lows over the years but the one thing that brings us all together is the love of the game. This is a great opportunity to get more people involved so I would urge those with visual impairments to take part in this initiative.”

Evelyn Hood, Raith Rovers disability access officer said:

“At Raith Rovers, we are fully committed to making sure football is accessible for everyone. We understand the impact sport can have on both mental and physical wellbeing, and we’re delighted to support Seescape’s amazing work through this partnership. By offering complimentary season tickets, continuing our matchday audio commentary service, and working with Seescape on further improving inclusivity for visually impaired supporters and visitors; we hope to give everyone the opportunity to feel part of our matchday experience and our Raith Rovers family.”

For more information on how to access these tickets or about the work Seescape does in the community contact info@seescape.org.uk. Seescape rely on volunteers to help support those with visual impairments. A small amount of someone’s time can make a huge difference to the lives of others.

For information about how you can help contact Graham.Ross@seescape.org.uk.