Volunteer befrienders in Moray ‘more needed than ever’ to help tackle loneliness for veterans with vision loss
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SIGHT loss charity Sight Scotland Veterans is seeking volunteer befrienders in Moray to support armed forces veterans with eyesight issues.
Many blind and partially-sighted people experience loneliness as a result of their visual impairment and the pandemic has only further added to this isolation.
However, a weekly phone call or a cup of tea with a volunteer befriender can help provide a vital social connection for veterans with sight loss.
Mick Hilton, Sight Scotland Veterans outreach worker for Moray said: “Aside from with ourselves and health care workers, many veterans with sight loss we support have very little social contact with other people.
“Our outreach team across Scotland are in touch regularly with veterans with sight loss in their region to provide emotional and practical support. Volunteer befrienders are a vital part of our team because they extend the social connections of those we support.
“A social telephone chat on a regular basis with a friendly, reliable person can really help individuals to feel less lonely and support their wellbeing and confidence building.”
Befrienders play an important role in helping veterans with sight loss regain their confidence and independence, providing them with a listening ear, and a chance to laugh and reminisce with a companion.
James Whyte, Sight Scotland Veterans volunteer development manager, said: “We would love to hear from people based in Moray who are interested in becoming a volunteer befriender for veterans with sight loss.
“As well as telephone befrienders, we are also seeking volunteers who would be willing to do in-person befriending locally – joining a veteran for a cuppa or accompanying them on a walk.
“After such a difficult two years in this pandemic, volunteer befrienders are more needed than ever. The value of a friendly conversation and social connection can never be underestimated.
“These volunteer roles are so uplifting and rewarding, while making a big difference to someone’s life.”
If you would like to join Sight Scotland Veterans in the charity’s mission and become a volunteer befriender, please visit sightscotland.org.uk/volunteer or call 0131 446 2154 for more information.
