Volunteering

Claire's story - volunteering for RNIB

Summary: Claire's story of how she came to volunteer for RNIB and what she gets out of it.

• Sudden sight loss
• Volunteering for RNIB
• Find out more

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Sudden sight loss

I lost my sight in August 1998 at the age of fifteen through a bomb attack on Omagh. Until this point I was just like every other teenager. Everything was going well for me and I really enjoyed my life.

When I first lost my sight I was determined that it would not rule my life. I returned to school in October 1998 and began preparing to sit my GCSE exams the following June. I also started to learn new skills like braille and touch-typing. I had to learn different ways of doing everything, even simple things like making a cup of tea. Although things were not always easy, I tried to keep my spirits up and continued to get on with my life.

In August 2001 I passed my A-levels, getting the grades that I needed to get into university. I got Benny, my guide dog, and was beginning to become more and more independent. I moved to Belfast in September to start my degree in music at Queens University. I lived with two of my friends and enjoyed every minute of it.

After graduating from university in 2004, I applied for several jobs. I had interviews but that was as far as I got. The longer this went on, the more disheartened and inadequate I began to feel. As finding a job was so difficult, I decided that I needed to get some work experience, something more to add to my CV, something to show employers that although I was blind I was still capable of doing a ‘normal’ job.

Volunteering for RNIB

As RNIB helped me when I lost my sight I decided that this was my opportunity to give something back, a way to say thank-you. Three weeks after contacting them I started volunteering three days a week! I was excited at the prospect of getting hands on experience in something which I knew I would enjoy.

I am involved with many projects within RNIB Northern Ireland but at present I am concentrating on a music project and the Eye Clinic Liaison Service.

The music project is great as I am gaining hands-on experience in a field of work that I am passionate about. I have the opportunity to learn from, observe and work alongside a specialist in this field. I am gaining more and more experience about what it is like to work with children with sight loss and additional difficulties. I am developing more of an understanding and knowledge of the musical capabilities of these children, as well as realising the benefits which music has for them. I am also realising the endless boundaries which music has for communication.

I also work alongside the Eye Clinic Liaison Officer, dealing with clients who have been referred from the eye clinics at the Royal Victoria Hospital, Belfast. I contact clients by telephone, offering support, advice and information regarding their eye condition. Each client is different and the approach taken when talking to each individual also differs significantly. This requires a lot of use of initiative and intuition as to judge how best to deal with the situation. This is a confidential service and I feel privileged that I am trusted to be an active part of it.

This is a very rewarding line of work. Clients are often so glad to have someone to talk to, someone who can point them in the right direction. The fact that I have something in common with each of these clients often proves beneficial. I don’t always disclose that I am blind, only when I feel it is appropriate. Quite often clients thank me for the lengthy chat we’ve just had. They often tell me that it’s great to talk to someone who has suffered from sight loss themselves. Many of the clients also find it reassuring to know that there is still a lot that they can do, even though they have sight loss.

My time spent with RNIB so far has been wonderful. Although I am a volunteer, I am viewed as a valued member of the team. My opinions and ideas are taken on board just like every other member of staff. I have found everyone within RNIB more than helpful. There is always someone around to give me assistance if I need it.

Volunteering with RNIB has also made me realise that there are many other career opportunities out there which I had never even considered before.

The time that I have spent volunteering with RNIB has helped my personal development as well as allowed me to develop new skills which will benefit me in the work place. I now feel more confident going out on my own. I also have more confidence when talking to people and asking for help. I am reassured and confident that I will be able to work in a ‘normal’ job just like anyone else. I don’t think there is anything that would prevent me from doing so.

Find out more

If you would like to make a difference, want an opportunity to use your skills or develop new ones, volunteer for RNIB! We have vacancies in your area and roles that you can do from home.

Content author: volunteering@rnib.org.uk

Last updated: 06/03/2008 15:41