Volunteering Opportunity: Befriender with Herts Vision Loss

Herts Vision Loss are looking for volunteers to visit visually impaired people, generally living alone, doing things like helping with post, filling out forms, listening, providing companionship and/or going on trips out/shopping. No personal care is involved.

As a society living longer, Age Related Macular Degeneration is the most common source of someone losing their sight. Everyday 100 people will lose their sight in the UK and without dedicated and committed volunteers HVL would not be able to offer the vital information, support or services to our community. Losing your sight is more feared than being diagnosed with cancer, many people need someone to talk to, who can offer support and help at key times when they start to lose their sight, or as they learn to live without their sight.

Befrienders are needed to visit client in the Bricket Wood area who has a visual impairment, who is isolated in their own home, and would like someone to chat, read or carry out small tasks with.

Honest, reliable, flexible, good listening skills, good communicator, willing to learn, committed, has time to spare, wants to make a difference, common sense, experience of working with someone with a visual impairment (not essential)

Opportunity Type: Long-term Commitment

District: Dacorum, East Herts, North Herts, St Albans, Stevenage, Watford, Welwyn/Hatfield

Start Date: 19/01/2026
End Date: 31/12/2026

Location: From your office, Indoor

Time of day: Weekday Mornings, Weekend Half Days, Casual or Intermittent

Practical Considerations: This volunteering opportunity spans throughout Hertfordshire. Mileage to and from the service users’ home

Requirements: Will require a criminal record check (DBS)

Requirements (additional): Will require references

Suitable for: 18 – 25 year olds, Aged 26 and over, University students, Older People

Suitable for volunteers interested in: Domestic Violence/Abuse, Older People, Physical Disabilities, Sensory Impairment, Social Activities

Does this opportunity provide wheelchair access?: Yes

Full Description:
Herts Vision Loss is a local charity providing a wide range of support and services to visually impaired people, their families and carers in Herts. There are over 26,000 visually impaired people in Hertfordshire, and in addition there are over 35,000 people with long term eye conditions that may result in them losing their sight further. As a society living longer, Age Related Macular Degeneration is the most common source of someone losing their sight. Everyday 100 people will lose their sight in the UK and without dedicated and committed volunteers HVL would not be able to offer the vital information, support or services to our community. Losing your sight is more feared than being diagnosed with cancer, many people need someone to talk to, who can offer support and help at key times when they start to lose their sight, or as they learn to live without their sight.

Befrienders are needed to visit clients who have a visual impairment, who may be isolated in their own home, and to chat, read or carry out small tasks for them. Some befrienders also enjoy walks or outings with their clients.

Honest, reliable, flexible, good listening skills, good communicator, willing to learn, committed, has time to spare, wants to make a difference, common sense, experience of working with someone with a visual impairment (not essential)