Deafblind UK
| Published: 28th February 2008 10:35 |
Sue is the Volunteers Liaison Worker for National registered charity Deafblind UK and here is her personal message.
"We support people with a combined sight and hearing loss and are currently undertaking a big recruitment drive to find volunteers who would like to visit our clients on a one to one basis or help at clubs.
Here in Essex, I have a waiting list of 91 people who would dearly love a befriender to visit them. Their hearing and sight loss can affect their ability to get out without support, thus tending to stay in and miss out on social activities. Access to information or communicating in ways that we ourselves take for granted can prove difficult but with a little support a lot can be achieved.
"This is no longer a voluntary job but a lasting friendship"
It's my role to find volunteer befrienders for each of those County wide, some of whom live in and around the Brentwood / Chelmsford areas. The befriender scheme is so rewarding, it allows carers to have a break and sometimes can be the only link to what's going on outside in the community.
Here are just a few of the comments we've received from befrienders and their clients:
- "Cecil held onto my hand and said you will come back again won't you"
- "Knowing Ann was there to check on mum gave me peace of mind on my holiday"
- "We make a jolly good team"
- "His visit gives a lift to my spirit every time"
- "This is no longer a voluntary job but a lasting friendship"
The majority of our client group are elderly and have age related sensory loss and by it's very nature it's inevitable that on some occasions someone may pass away before we've even found a suitable volunteer for them and that saddens me.
We are trying to raise more awareness and by spreading the word we hope in turn to find more volunteers. We look for reliable, honest, friendly people who can spare a few hours a month. No experience needed as deafblind awareness training is provided and we don't throw you in the deep end with someone that cannot communicate with you. It's designed to be very flexible to fit in around work and home life, we also provide travel expenses.
To find out more, please give me a call on 07751 657 525 or you can email me at sue.ryder@deafblind.org.uk
