In April 2020 as a direct result of the feedback we received from our visually impaired service users, we developed and launched a telephone befriending service. This service was developed to fill the void created by the suspension of our face-to-face services due to the COVID 19 crisis. Its main aim is to alleviate the overwhelming feeling of loneliness and isolation that so many visually impaired people have been experiencing throughout 2020.
Using existing volunteers and newly recruited ones, we quickly rolled this service out across the county and consequently now many of our service users are in receipt of a regular call from a lovely volunteer.
In its simplest form, the service provides essential company, conversation and a link to the local community. Additionally, it provides a regular welfare check and if issues are identified by the volunteer they are referred to our staff for attention.
What our volunteers and service users say about the service:
“Go ahead and do it.” It makes such a nice impact on both people’s lives. The person you call may not have much contact, so to take up to an hour or so each week, it makes a difference. I would recommend it to anyone.
(Volunteer Carol)
Carol calls me once a week on a Friday. It is an incredibly special chat that I look forward to each week. When I put the phone down on a Friday, I feel like a completely different person. It has made Fridays a special day for me.
(Service user Kath)
Get in touch
If you would like any more information about the Hospital Advice and Information Service (ECLO), or would like further details about our services, please call us on 01926411331 or complete our contact form.
