Become a volunteer
Our aim is to enable visually impaired people to maintain their independence.
Sight Advice relies on the support of an army of volunteers both visually impaired and sighted, and we also believe in providing a rewarding experience for our volunteers. We provide training and support to make sure you get the most out of your experience with us. However, to give you a flavour of how volunteers are helping us here are a few examples:
- Hospital Desk – Based at Westmorland General Hospital our team of volunteers are there to provide practical and emotional support for people who are visiting the eye clinic.
- Help with computers and technology – Volunteers demonstrate all the latest accessible computer software, tablets, phones and reading devices so visually impaired people can use technology to access keep in touch or access goods and services. Volunteers teach visually impaired people touch typing and how to get the most out of their computer.
- Activities – Our VITAL group enjoys taking part in a wide variety of activities and adventures. To enable the events to happen they need support from volunteer guides and drivers.
- Fundraising – We may not be allowed to rattle our collection tins any more but we need volunteers to support our fundraising activities which include: street collections, events, publicity and collection boxes.
- Support in the Community – Volunteers assist at and run information and support groups around the local towns and villages. My Guide volunteers help people with sight loss to rebuild their confidence and get out of their homes and back into their community. We are also developing a befriending service.
- Administration – Volunteers help keep our database up to date, help with mailing and also support our social enterprise SLSB Enterprises Ltd which provides diaries, calendars, address books designed by and for visually impaired people. SLSB Enterprises also has a Braille transcription service. The administration role is often combined with assisting in the Sight Advice Centre.
- Trustees – Provide Governance for the organisation. There are bi-monthly meetings with updates in the intervening months. Trustees may provide additional support at other times.
