seescape

Seescape was founded over 150 years ago in 1865 as Fife Society for the Blind – to make life with a sight loss easier and to allow blind and partially sighted people to be independent. Rebranded in 2018 to seescape.

Today, we have threecore functions: Sight Support, Community Enagement, Assistive Technology at Seescape, Scotland’s first charity optician which is open to the general public. We also hold and maintain the register of sight impaired and severely sight impaired people in Fife.

Information for volunteers

Our befriending service is for people who are affected by visual impairment in Fife. It's aims to reconnect people with their local communities, help alleviate isolation and loneliness and provide social contact via a regular befriending relationship which can last anything from 3 to 12 months.

Befrienders come from all walks of life! We look for people who are empathetic, can actively listen and provide a person-centred approach. It's a great way to learn new skills and meet new people.

Befriending may take place in a person's home or out somewhere in the local area, as well as on the telephone (this will be discussed with you at the start). We also ask befreinders to commit to a weekly call or visit to start with.

Training and support is offered, including a training package which can be done in your own time, other courses are also available incluidng: Visual Awareness, Sighted Assistance). Reimbursement for reasonable out of pocket expenses paid. We ask Volunteer Befrienders have a Protection of Vunerable Groups (PVG) membership (which we can organise if needed/updated and is free).

It's a rewarding and enjoyable opportunity and makes a real and lasting difference in an individual's life.

Please contact the Community Engagement Team Leader on 01592 644979 or email: info@seescape.org.uk