A WARWICKSHIRE charity will benefit from a donation to support its be-friending service.
Developer Mulberry Homes donated £1,000 to Warwickshire Vision Support which, this year, marks its 110th anniversary.
The charity aids people living with sight loss in the county and offers rehabilitation and social support services, while promoting independence and self-reliance.
Its some 250 volunteers help people with sight loss to lead full lives, learn new skills, gain confidence and help rebuild social networks.
The be-friending service – run entirely by volunteers – includes home visits and a telephone service launched during the pandemic. They also offer support by helping access mail, read newspapers and magazines, monitor the ‘use by’ dates on food in the fridge and organise groceries.
The telephone arm of the service was launched in April 2020 as a way to alleviate the loneliness and isolation during the national lockdowns. Now, the charity has over 300 service users who receive a weekly call, providing them with essential company, conversation and a link to the community.
Charity spokeswoman Claire Weaver said: “Warwickshire Vision Support would like to thank Mulberry Homes for the generous donation of £1,000. This money will directly support our range of social support services for visually impaired people in Warwickshire, especially our Be-friending service which is breaking down the barriers of loneliness and isolation for so many people across the county.”
Kerry Jones from Mulberry Homes said: “I’m exceptionally proud that we’re able to offer this contribution to Warwickshire Vision Support. Both the charity and us at Mulberry Homes are celebrating exciting anniversaries this year, which makes our donation even more special.
“Warwickshire Vision Support’s Be-friending service is invaluable, helping individuals come to terms with their sight loss, regain independence and build relationships within the community, something which is especially important following the national lockdowns. We’re very happy to be supporting Warwickshire Vision Support and hope that many more locals living with sight loss are able to take advantage of this wonderful support system.”
Visit warwickshire.vision/ for more information on the charity.
