SOMERSET Sight is looking for volunteers to help with their befriending service, a service that helps visually impaired people gain companionship as well as receive help with difficult tasks.
Somerset Sight’s befriending service for people with sight loss was established in 1997. Since then, local volunteers have been sharing their time once a week or once a fortnight to spend time with a visually impaired person. They help to build bonds of trust and friendship, as well as providing help with reading and other tasks.
The charity is currently looking for a volunteer to visit a woman in Frome who has sight loss and would like some regular company.
Claire Packwood, volunteer visitor coordinator for Somerset Sight said, “Companionship and friendship are so important in the fight against loneliness, isolation and depression. The risk of these is greatly increased by the onset of sight loss as it restricts life so very much; even going for a short walk or reading one’s post can become very difficult.
“Somerset Sight is a registered charity which celebrates its 100th birthday in 2019! Volunteers are given relevant training, ongoing support and are reimbursed all reasonable expenses.
“Come on readers – do something different in 2018, thank you!”
For an informal chat about the befriending service please contact the volunteer co-ordinator Claire Packwood on 01643 842972 or email claire.packwood@somersetsight.org.uk
To volunteer in other ways or find out more about the charity’s work, please contact their main office in Taunton on 01823 333818.
