OUR world isn’t designed with blind and partially sighted people in mind. Research from the the Royal Institute of Blind People (RNIB) reveals that almost nine in 10 blind or partially sighted people may need some help when they’re making an unfamiliar journey.

The research also shows that almost half of the public feel confident that they know the signs that a blind or partially sighted person needs assistance - but 60per cent say they feel nervous or awkward about offering assistance, and often feel they lack the knowledge and confidence to offer appropriate help.

To help people feel more comfortable, RNIB has released an online guide created with people with sight loss. Called Be Helpful, it includes tips on everything from starting a conversation to everyday ways to help, like keeping your car off the kerb.

The campaign film, featuring actors with sight loss, uses everyday experiences, such as navigating A-boards on the high street, waiting for a bus, dodging cars parked on pavements, bumping into unexpected bins and attempting to locate milk at the local shop to highlight challenges and encourage people to offer a helping hand, rather than waiting to be asked.

One of the actors in the film is Steve Birkin, 54, of Shipley, who is registered severely sight impaired. He appears in a section highlighting the challenge of waiting at a bus stop when you can’t see which bus has arrived.

Says Steve: “I lost my sight suddenly in 2014. I had a military background then worked in IT for the NHS. Losing my sight was a huge shock that took a while to adjust to. You have to accept that everyday tasks that everyone else takes for granted can suddenly seem quite daunting.

“When I first lost my sight, I found catching the bus very challenging. It’s better now with the apps you can use on your phone, but I also hugely appreciate offers of assistance from people.

“It’s really important to raise awareness of the everyday challenges that blind and partially sighted people face and to educate the public. Everyone is so focused on getting from A to B that they often forget to look up and see if anyone around them might need a little help.

“I love seeing blind and partially sighted actors on TV, adverts and social media. It’s more true to life and so important to have that representation.”

After losing his sight, Steve took up martial arts and is a black belt in taekwondo, as well as running his own classes. He is also a familiar face to fans of Emmerdale - a chance encounter a year ago led him and his guide dog Wilson becoming recurring background characters on the Yorkshire soap.

The Be Helpful guide is backed up by new research commissioned by RNIB which shows that the majority of blind and partially sighted people would like sighted people to offer assistance, and that a simple hello and an offer of help is the best way to go about it.

Almost half (43per cent) of those surveyed said they’d like sighted people to offer assistance at train stations and 39per cent at bus stops. A third of people said assistance would be welcome when on a pavement with obstacles such as bins, pavement parking, or approaching scooters.

When asked ‘What are the main things people forget to do when trying to guide you?’ forgetting to give verbal directions or introduce themselves came top. Almost a third said that people “forget to talk to me directly, not my companion or guide dog”, while almost a quarter said that people “forget to say goodbye”.

David Aldwinckle, RNIB’s Director of Insight and Customer Voice, said: “Whilst most people with sight loss, like me, have worked out ways to get around as independently as we can, that doesn’t mean help isn’t welcome.

“When somebody asks me at the bus stop if I need any help, I really appreciate it. Just that small recognition that help might be useful makes me feel like I belong and am part of the community. There are times when help is really important. When walking through a busy, crowded underground station you sometimes have to guess which is the right way to go, which raises feelings of anxiety. A quick ‘Hello’ and ‘Do you need a hand?’ means I can ask if I’m going the right way. It makes such a difference.”

The RNIB says that every six minutes, someone in the UK begins to lose their sight. The charity is taking a stand against exclusion, inequality and isolation to create a world “where society values blind and partially sighted people not for the disabilities they’ve overcome, but for the people they are”.

* To access the Be Helpful Guide go to rnib.org.uk/behelpfulguide