A charity that supports individuals throughout Fife with sight loss has issued a plea for volunteers to aid tackle the isolation and loneliness involved with becoming blind or partially sighted.
Seescape, formerly Fife Culture for the Blind, claimed the shortage of volunteers was obtaining a ‘devastating effect’ on persons with sight loss throughout Fife. The charity runs weekly teams and actions for individuals with sight decline to get with each other, have entertaining and make new close friends.
But Seescape, a charity supporting a lot more than 3500 folks just about every 12 months in Fife, is battling to obtain adequate volunteers to operate the teams, aid persons who occur along, and assist with transport.
It means people who are blind or partially sighted – some of the most isolated in the local community by now – are unable to just take part in functions and activities that assist them are living their life to the comprehensive.
Seescape is interesting for volunteers to assistance operate their social team in Kirkcaldy, help with a new strolling group in Dunfermline, and to act as befrienders to individuals who are lonely or isolated simply because of sight decline.
Bob MacDonald, who is 94, comes to the Kirkcaldy social group each and every fortnight. Bob has macular degeneration and only has peripheral vision. When he has experienced to quit actively playing golf, Bob is identified to preserve finding out and about and producing the most of lifestyle.
The social group hosts fortnightly conferences, outings, and things to do, including quizzes, talks, museum visits, visits to Anstruther and Burntisland, as properly as tunes and amusement.
Around 15 men and women arrive along to the activities – but the group has just lately missing two volunteers, producing it more challenging to place on functions.
Bob, a former RAF person mentioned ‘lifestyle would be poorer’ without having the group. He explained:
“I seriously take pleasure in it. I would miss it if it wasn’t there.
“It’s nice to be component of a team exactly where we all have issues in widespread. There are some fantastic situations and talks – the volunteers are exceptional and really handy.
“I seem forward to heading – there is usually a thing different.”
Ian Sloan, who is 78, has volunteered at Seescape for two decades, location up and jogging the social group in Kirkcaldy. He explained:
“All people is so joyful and cheery when they arrive. It is a excellent interaction and social combine for each volunteers and team members.
“It assists create new friendships and we have had some wonderful instances together.”
Ian, whose career took in group education and becoming a councillor for Fife council, extra:
“You can’t defeat volunteering to get new competencies and knowledge, and obtaining a job isn’t a barrier to volunteering. There are tons of roles you can do.
“I find it so worthwhile. It is fulfilling and you feel appreciated. I have produced new good friends, satisfied new people today and held my intellect and physique active.”
Lesley Carcary, Seecape’s main govt, reported:
“Our clientele normally inform us that loneliness, isolation and not getting able to get out and about and get pleasure from factors is the toughest issues about sight decline. We are below to assistance people reside their lives to the whole, make mates and improve their self-confidence, but we depend on our volunteers to make that happen.
“But a shortage of volunteers is having a devastating affect on people with sight reduction. It will make it more challenging to link with the broader group, have fun or keep up with passions and interests.
“Folks missing out on prospects mainly because of a deficiency of volunteers is devastating for us.
“Volunteering is a great way to meet up with new folks, strengthen your competencies and give back again to your neighborhood. If you can spare an hour or two a 7 days, we would like to hear from you.”
To find out a lot more about turning out to be a volunteer, you should call Seescape on: 01592 644 979.