We are currently developing a training programme that will pair up visually impaired volunteers with sighted volunteers to raise awareness of issues for anyone with a visual impairment.
Volunteers undergo a comprehensive training programme to equip them with the knowledge and tools to deliver training sessions to groups within the community including information on sighted guiding, available resources and equipment, as well as much more.
Volunteers need to be willing to learn, have the confidence to speak to groups of people and be happy to travel throughout County Durham.
Another new volunteering opportunity is for volunteers to be trained to demonstrate a mobile resource box to visually impaired people in County Durham. This may be in group settings or in someone's home.
The box will contain various pieces of equipment that will help maintain someone's independence including wrap-around glasses, talking clocks and watches, white canes, large faced playing cards and much more.
Volunteers will require their own transport and a willingness to learn about the many pieces of equipment available for someone with a visual impairment.
Out of pocket expenses are reimbursed at an agreed rate.
If you are interested in becoming either a VIAT volunteer or helping with
equipment demonstration, please contact Carol McAllister, Volunteer
Co-ordinator on 0191 386 8185 or email to carolmcallister@cdsbps.co.uk
The Society relies on volunteers to provide its services. Volunteers are either office or community based. The Society also needs blind champions to raise awareness of issues faced by people with sight loss, to help raise the profile of the Society and help raise funds to continue to provide services in County Durham. The Society is managed by a Committee of voluntary trustees, the majority of whom have sight loss themselves and are service users.
Volunteers undertake many different roles at the Society for which full training and support is given. We refund any out-of-pocket expenses.
Volunteers visit visually impaired people in their own homes and occasionally in nursing homes. Some clients have a good degree of mobility, but others are often isolated in their homes due to their eye condition. Visits are primarily social (a regular visitor bringing a bit of news from the outside world is always welcome), but volunteers might also help out in practical ways, such as reading the post, writing a letter or going for a walk.
Volunteer home visitor Brian has been visiting his client Stanley for the
past 6 years. Stanley says, "Initially, I wanted someone who could read
correspondence to me as I had difficulty accessing this myself. However, I can
now manage most of this with my scanner and CCTV system and so our relationship
and has changed. The weekly visits now provide me with companionship, security
and an opportunity to explore new things Brian has introduced me to."
Volunteering in this way has also been an eye opener for Brian. He initially
expected that helping someone to continue to enjoy life, despite their visual
impairment, would be of value just to the client. Brian says, "I did not
imagine the pleasure I would receive from sharing common interests with another
person. I have learnt a lot about how sight loss can change your life and
listening to Stanley's life experiences has added an extra dimension to my
own." A couple of hours of your time each week could bring the same joy to
others based all over the County who are on the waiting list for a volunteer.
Full training and out of pocket expenses are provided.
Volunteer drivers provide a range of services to clients throughout County Durham. Volunteering is on an ad hoc basis, depending on client demand. Full training and petrol expenses are provided.
Les came to the Society to offer his driving skills and has tried everything
driving related at least once! He says, "My volunteering means that I get to
meet many interesting people from all walks of life. The activities are varied
but most importantly, fit in around the time that I have available to give to
the Society."
The role of the volunteer is to take the client to and from their hospital appointment. This cuts out the need for an ambulance and can also make the whole experience less stressful for the client.
Pam has supported the Society for a long period of time and is an
experienced driver escort. She puts clients at their ease and makes them feel
like they are in safe hands. "When I gave up work, although I was looking
forward to having plenty of free time, I also felt that I would like to do some
volunteering. Being a driver escort suits me because there is no weekly
commitment, I get a phone call whenever a driver is needed and, as I usually
get a weeks notice, it is easy to check my diary to see if I am available. I
enjoy chatting to the clients during the journey and it also seems to help them
take their mind off any immediate worries."
We deliver specially adapted audio equipment on behalf of the British
Wireless for the Blind Fund. Audio sets are often a lifeline for people who
live alone and are unable to watch TV. The sets mean that music and
conversation can be accessed at any time, breaking up what can be long and
quiet days. The driver volunteer delivers the equipment and gives the client a
simple demonstration of how the player works to ensure the client is able to
use it.
We work in partnership with the RNIB and provide services to talking book
machine members living in County Durham. Volunteers visit clients to carry out
three-yearly inspections to ensure that the equipment is still fit for purpose.
Volunteers may be also called upon to visit clients who report faulty machines
to see if they can rectify the problem. Full training is given on the use of a
talking book machine.
We need to be fundraising through out the year to continue to provide free services to blind and partially sighted people in County Durham so we are always looking for fundraisers. We need volunteers to place and empty collection boxes in local businesses as well as enthusiastic volunteers who will organise events for us. In the past we have had fundraising events such as a brass band concert, sponsored keep fit challenge and street collections. As a staff of only 3 people, the organisation of these events takes up a lot of time that could be spent working on other services and projects so, if you are a well organised individual or, part of a group who can spare some time to help the Society, we would welcome your time and help! We are currently looking for 2 groups of fundraisers, one for the north and one for the south of the county and will provide full training and out of pocket expenses.
The Society produces two talking newspapers — one for North Durham and one for South Durham. The team leaders for North Durham are Tony and Heather, Marion and Anne look after South Durham. The newspapers, which contain a mix of local news, announcements, stories and poems, are sent out fortnightly to over 300 visually impaired people in County Durham.
Both teams are looking for volunteer recording technicians. If you think you
may be able to help, please contact us.
We are looking for mentors to help train clients to use the various
equipment and software available to them. Clients may be taught to touch type,
to navigate the keyboard through keystrokes, and to access the internet.
Sessions usually last for 6 weeks depending on how much the client wants to
learn. Mentors are needed on an ad hoc basis depending on demand.
We have office volunteers who come in each week to help with office -based tasks.
