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The Beacon Centre for the Blind in Sedgley is looking for volunteers to join its Befriending service through its “What Could You Do in 30 Minutes?” campaign, which highlights how a simple weekly phone call can make a huge difference to someone living with a visual impairment or loneliness, while offering volunteers a rewarding experience too. Beacon’s Befriending Service pairs volunteers with people who are blind or partially sighted or at risk of loneliness to offer companionship and regular conversation by phone. Volunteers only need around 30 minutes a week, and full support and training is provided. Beacon Centre Head of Health and Wellbeing, Becky Green, said: “Befriending doesn’t take a lot of time, but it means the world to someone who might otherwise spend their week without a friendly voice to talk to. "We’d love to hear from anyone who can spare half an hour to make a real difference.” Befriender Katie Jepson said: “As someone who regularly works from home on Fridays, I thought that 30 minutes each week would be a good way to give back to the community and give me someone to talk to whilst at home. "I have loved being a phone Befriender to my befriendee. Every week on Friday at lunch, I give her a call to ask about her week. "I always end our calls feeling happy and uplifted after speaking with her.” Anyone interested in signing up as a befriending volunteer can email enquiries@beaconvision.org or call 01902 880 111.
