Telefriend

Main Responsibilities

Vision Norfolk has been offering a Telefriends service since April 1998. The aim of the Telefriends service is to:

• Provide weekly telephone social contact for visually impaired people in Norfolk.
• Help alleviate isolation by weekly phone calls, based on general chat and light befriending. 
• Provide empathy and understanding of the clients’ sight loss. Have an awareness of how this affects their daily lives.
• Provide a friendly “listening ear”.
• Commit to a weekly phone call for a set day and amount of time each week based at a Vision Norfolk office, either in Norwich, Great Yarmouth or Kings Lynn or alternatively from home.

Skills/Experience Needed

We are looking for friendly, chatty, empathetic volunteers who enjoy talking to people on the telephone and will listen to our clients talk about their everyday life and sight loss experiences.

Benefits of Volunteering

Becoming a Telefriend volunteer gives you the chance to work with a wide range of people from different walks of life and is an opportunity to make a difference and support your local community. Vision Norfolk also offers:

• Vision Impairment Awareness Training for new volunteers
• Regular, ongoing advice and support to help you in your role
• Payment of out of pocket expenses (agreed in advance)
• The opportunity to be part of a warm and friendly volunteering team