Latest Volunteer Newsletter

YOUR OFFER OF HELP WOULD BE MOST HIGHLY VALUED Without Volunteers, the Association cannot function and because of them, BLIND AND PARTIALLY SIGHTED PEOPLE lead a fuller and happier life Please READ this page and possibly be of help to those who need you

INTRODUCTION

AS A VOLUNTEER for the Gloucestershire County Association for the Blind, you would form a most important link in the service for visually impaired people in this county.

YOUR HELP IS VITAL

Volunteers are needed as follows:-

• HOME VISITORS

• Fundraising

• DRIVERS,

• CLUB HELPERS

• HOSPITAL INFORMATION SERVICE

The time you give is ENTIRELY up to you - even two hours a week would be an invaluable contribution. If you are a driver mileage is paid. 

HOW YOU CAN HELP

You as a VOLUNTEER would have contact with visually impaired people on a friendly basis. You will not be asked to deal with an emergency situation.

• Befrienders

To visit visually impaired people for company and a chat over a cup of tea. Sometimes, this may be to help with shopping or correspondence.

• Hospital Information Service

To work within the Hospital Eye Clinics, to provide support and information.

• Assistance at Headquarters

To help with our Resource area, showing different aids and equipment to visually impaired people and answering the phone. To help with newsletter mailings.

• Fundraisers

To be part of a team, arranging and running fundraising events such as street & supermarket collections and coffee mornings. To help with larger events and social occasions. To work with churches and community groups.

• Floaters

To be available on an occasional basis to provide transport, help with shopping and one-off needs.

UNDERSTANDING VISUAL IMPAIRMENT

Few people are totally blind. Please don't think a person is a "fraud" if they appear to see.

These are degrees of blindness; a visually impaired person can perhaps:

• See shadows

• Have very blurred vision

• See only as though looking through a tube - no side vision.

• Have no central sight - only side vision.

• Unable to see in bright light

• Unable to see in bad light

All the above conditions will vary with age.

MEETING BLIND PEOPLE In conversation talk naturally. Do say "Nice to meet you". Blind people say it too. The words to avoid are the sentimental ones like "Oh, you poor thing” or "What a terrible affliction”. Before you move away, say that you are about to leave. Anyone feels foolish talking to an empty space. If you move anything in the home of a visually impaired person, do tell them or replace it, otherwise it may cause an accident or personal items can be 'lost' for days. When serving refreshments fill a cup three quarters full; that way there will be less likelihood of spillage.

• Always encourage independence where possible and practical.

• When guiding a blind person, allow them to take your arm, above the elbow, and move slightly ahead as you walk. Do talk about what is going on around you.

• To help a blind person into a chair, place their hand on the back of the chair and they can do the rest for themselves.

• When getting into a car, guide the blind person's hand on to the top of the car roof, or on the car seat, and they can then cope alone in getting into the car - just check they don't bump their head.

• Visually impaired people are the same as everyone else but they cannot see. They may be outgoing, lively people or perhaps difficult and overbearing - losing one's sight does not change temperament.

• Do try to be patient and appreciate the frustration that accompanies loss of sight.

Cartoon is taken from the Royal Institute for the Blind leaflet “Meeting Blind People” and is reproduced with their permission.