Telephone Befriender
You can really make a difference to people affected by macular disease by offering them a friendly listening ear.
Volunteer befrienders maintain regular contact with people over the telephone, helping to reduce feelings of loneliness and isolation. You can perform this role from the comfort of your home and we will meet any expenses for the calls you make.
As a befriender, you will engage people in conversations, talking about things that are of interest to them whether that is macular disease, hobbies or the weather.
A one-day course will take you through the role of a befriender looking at topics like ‘active listening skills’.
Our befrienders are not expected to solve an individuals problem, but you will be able to signpost people on to where they can access additional sources of support.
Two written references are required for this role.
Be a force for change
Using your communication and listening skills, a friendly , patient approach and an understanding of living with vision loss you can expect to:
· Inspire others by reducing loneliness and building confidence
· Make a difference to the lives of people with central vision loss
· Build on your inter-personal skills
· Contribute to the work of the Macular Society
If you are interested please click on ‘fill in application’ & complete the short online form’
Mission Statement
The Macular Society is the national charity for anyone affected by central vision loss. We have more than 21,000 members and, as the biggest membership group in the sight loss sector, we are the voice of people with macular conditions. We provide information and support to improve the lives of people with macular disease and to ensure no one has to face it alone. We have around 400 Macular Society support groups around the UK and beyond, run by volunteers. We have a helpline as well as befriending and counselling services and we offer one-to-one training in skills to make the best use of remaining vision. We campaign for better care and we fund research so that one day we can overcome macular disease.
