Volunteering with Sight Action

Volunteer Coordinator

Sarah Shaw (pictured, right) has recently been appointed to help Sight Action recruit and train volunteers to become befrienders for blind or partially sighted people. In addition she will recruit volunteers for other roles in the organisation.

The post is only part-time (16 hours a week) and Sarah is in the office on Wednesdays 2-5 pm and on Thursdays and Fridays 9am-4pm and can be contacted on 01463 233663 extension 219. She can be reached at other times on a mobile number 07540 891620 or you can leave a message at reception or speak to Denise on 01463 256107.

Sarah worked for the British Red Cross in Inverness before joining Volunteering Highland in 1995 where she still works two days a week.

How can you help us:

We are looking for volunteers to help develop our existing services but also for volunteers who would be interested in taking on a befriending role.

If you can say yes to any of the following questions volunteering with Sight Action may be for you.

Do you have some spare time?
Can you drive?
Would you like to make a difference to a blind or partially sighted person?
Learn new skills?
Do you have good IT skills?
Meet new people?
Do you want to improve your confidence and self esteem?
Do you want to improve your communication and team working skills?
Learn new skills
Meet new people
Have fun

Start the journey

If you want to take the next step contact Sight Action and come in and have a chat with Sarah.

You will be asked to complete an application form – you can download one below. Sarah can organise for you to attend one of the groups and see what volunteering with Sight Action involves. Training for volunteers will include the following, depending on the role to be undertaken.

All volunteers will have induction training

Provided with a Volunteers Handbook

Provided with information on the organisation

There will be various elements of sighted guiding and visual awareness training throughout your time with Sight Action. The level of training will depend on the role you undertake.

Potential Befrienders will go through Befrienders training

First Aid Training

Support and Supervision

All volunteers will meet with Sarah on a regular basis, either on a one to one basis or in a group setting – this will be dependent on the role undertaken.

Current Opportunities:

Driving

Befriending

Support Groups – these are in place in most areas of the Highlands

Providing assistance to people in their own homes with their computers

Developing brochures and leaflets about the new, extended Toy Library

Volunteering with Sight Action can make a difference to offering positive choices in maintaining chosen lifestyles within the limits imposed by deteriorating vision.