Southend Blind Welfare Organisation, which has offered a lifeline to the visually impaired for the past 58 years, opened the doors of its not for profit care home Elkington House in Imperial Avenue. The garden party was also an opportunity for Southend West MP David Amess and Chairman of Rochford Council Cllr Carole Weston to meet Trustees including Chairman David Hurst and volunteers who are the charity’s lifeblood.
Dot Bambury has won a host of Awards as a SBWO volunteer. A Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Community Champion and a Southend Hospital Volunteer Award winner, Dot’s 15 years volunteer service in Southend Hospital Eye Clinic has also been recognized by the charity with a silver plate award.
Chief Officer Lucy Martin said from the charity’s head office in Hamlet Court Road:” Our annual fete at our care home Elkington House is a real celebration of how the local community can make a difference to people with a sight loss in Southend. We couldn’t do it without the help our wonderful volunteers and, their hard work really paid off with over £1,000 raised.”
Volunteers ran cake, tombola, plant and refreshment stalls.
SBWO have been supporting people with sight loss since 1958 and can muster a magnificent 80 volunteers who support a handful of staff representing a local charity helping local people.
Lucy said: “The money raised enables us to develop our equipment and loan centre which helps the visually impaired maintain their independence. The proceeds also help us run our twice monthly clubs at Hamlet Court Road and organize trips which prevent social isolation for those who are sight impaired.”
Volunteers are fundamental to the success of the progressive independent charity which now runs assistive technology sessions in partnership with RNIB and Action for Blind. Sessions show how to make the most of iPads, tablets, smartphones and ereaders,
Volunteers help run the charity shop, clubs events, the equipment and loan centre and help at Southend Hospital’s eye clinic.
Help guiding those overwhelmed by sight loss is vital to volunteering said Dot.
“ A young man treated at the hospital was overwhelmed by the news that he was losing his sight and the doctor asked me to speak with him. When we chatted his biggest fear was losing his job. As we have a loan and equipment centre I was able to reassure him with information about all the aids and technology available. It’s the practical help that I could offer that made it such a special role”
Dots who as a SBWO volunteer set up monthly clubs in the town and organized outings was club treasurer. She now mails out the In Touch newsletter to 400 people.
“If I can help one person in volunteering it has been worthwhile. I’ve no intention of giving up I will carry on as long as my health allows,” insists Dot.
For more information about volunteering, the assistive technology workshops and the equipment and loan Centre contact SBWO on 01702 342131 .