Volunteer Janette is happy to help others
RNIB support is vital to others
A Stirling guide dog user has told how volunteering can make a huge difference to people’s lives - and how being a volunteer has enriched her own.
This week (June 1-7) is National Volunteers’ Week and despite the current lockdown situation people are still giving their time to help others, even if just over the phone or email - help that can often make a huge difference.
Janette Scott, who herself has the condition retinitis pigmentosa plus glaucoma, volunteers for the sight loss charity RNIB Scotland.
She has set up an RNIB group in the Forth Valley area which brings together blind and partially sighted people to learn about new services and social activities.
“Right now, of course, we can only meet by phone,” she said.
“I’m blind myself. I’ve grown up with visual impairment and went to college with RNIB support at the Alwyn House centre near Cupar. I actually met my husband there as well.
“Sadly, Tom passed away 15 years ago. We were married for five years which was great. So I’ve had lots to thank RNIB for.
“I’ve always tried to volunteer for RNIB when I could. We have Talking Book groups and there’s various other groups all over Scotland, now sometimes just general get-togethers over the phone now people can’t get out and about.
“I also helped set up a group in Callander to try and get people in more remote areas involved with RNIB’s Connect initiative. They used to meet once a month in a coffee shop before the lockdown started.
“I think it’s good to meet people from all walks of life and ages and pass on information to people who have maybe not had contact with other blind people. I lived in a remote community in the Highlands myself. I never met a blind person until I went to get my first guide dog.
“It’s fun and I meet lovely people of interest to me. Right now, we have contact through email and telephone. I think sharing information to help somebody else helps me a lot because I feel I’ve given something back.
“I’d absolutely recommend volunteering when the current lockdown situation ends.”
RNIB is ramping up its support and services to ensure blind and partially-sighted people get the help they need during these challenging times. They are urging anyone in the community who needs their help to call the helpline on 0303 123 9999 or email helpline@rnib.org.uk.