Lee’s
Sightline Story
I was born with Retinitis Pigmentosa (RP) and have been a volunteer with Sightline around 8 years now. I chose to volunteer as I wanted to try and help someone else who is going through any challenges associated with sight loss.
I’d say I have good communications skills as I was raised with my family running a family business. I would go to work with my Dad at the weekend and we had lots of customers so I quickly learnt how communication skills can be a real asset!
I speak with a lovely young lady called Nora. We chat about all sorts but mostly about music, theatre and fashion. Nora loves to go to the theatre so we always spend time chatting about the shows she’s recently been to in Birmingham.
We also have a shared love of tennis; with all the major tennis tournaments and players providing a talking point for our conversations.
I’ve been fortunate enough to travel to lots of wonderful places across the world and Nora always enjoys hearing about my travels. I think she enjoys picturing the kinds of things I will have seen and done.
If I had to think these weekly calls wouldn’t take place it’s fair to say I’d miss them and I’m sure Nora would too.
The conversations are so varied we never get bored; we’ve recently been discussing my love of sports cars and the fact that in my younger days I drove an Aston Martin!
Being a little bit older in age to Nora enables me to tell her how I have adapted over time with my sight loss. It doesn’t mean my life has ended; it’s not as terrible as I feared it would be and I am still here and enjoying my life and she is doing the same too.
It really is so easy to volunteer; I’d recommend for anyone to give it a go. You really have nothing to lose; only friendship to gain.
Names have been changed to protect identities.
We currently have a number of volunteering opportunities available. Please get in touch if you can spare as little as 1 hour a week. Your call can really make a difference to someone living in the sight loss community.
Call 0800 587 2252 or email us at info@sightline.org.uk to find out more.
To find out more, please contact us:
(*0800 numbers are free to call from BT landlines and most mobile networks)
