Older people with sight loss across the county will be given help to overcome loneliness and isolation, thanks to a grant of £60,000 from Derbyshire Freemasons to Sight Support Derbyshire.
Approximately fifty elderly individuals grappling with sight loss will gain newfound companionship and support through this innovative befriending project, aimed at reducing feelings of loneliness and isolation and improving general wellbeing. Compassionate, trained volunteers will offer the comfort of conversation and companionship, visiting individuals at home. They will also be able to help with small practical tasks such as reading and responding to correspondence, and if needed can help with shopping or accompanying to appointments.
As volunteers will be going into people's homes and getting to know them well, they will also be able to identify any further areas of support that may be needed and refer these back to Sight Support Derbyshire staff to be followed up. The charity will also offer telephone befriending where this is preferred or if it is not possible to find a suitable volunteer in the right geographical area.
Befriending can make a huge difference to the lives of people with sight loss. In a recent review, 86 per cent of beneficiaries reported a reduction in isolation; 57 per cent increased independence; and 73 per cent improved mental health.
The project will involve the recruiting, training, monitoring and support of volunteers, including DBS checks and safeguarding training. It will be free to access for both beneficiaries and volunteers.
Within Derby and Derbyshire, over 2,295 people aged 50 and above are officially registered as Sight Impaired or Severely Sight Impaired (blind), highlighting the pressing need for these services. (Certificate of Vision Impairment data 2020) with an estimated 30,160 people aged 65 plus who may or may not be registered but who have sight loss severe enough to impact on their daily lives (RNIB 2021)
The grant from Derbyshire Freemasons comes through the Masonic Charitable Foundation, which is funded by Freemasons, their families and friends, from across England and Wales
Claire Winfield, CEO from Derbyshire Sight Support, said: “We’re very grateful to Derbyshire Freemasons for their generous grant which will give help and support to older people across the county who are blind or partially sighted. They often experience loneliness and isolation as well as very practical difficulties such as shopping or dealing with correspondence. Our volunteers will be there to help, thanks to Derbyshire Freemasons."
Chris Taylor from Derbyshire Freemasons, said: “I’m very pleased we’ve been able to assist Sight Support Derbyshire who do hugely important work helping older people with sight loss. Losing your sight is very difficult at any age, but for older people there are special problems and this charity’s befriending service provides enormous practical and psychological support that can transform lives.”