Josephine’s
Sightline Story
I heard about Sightline through the RNIB. I’m 64 and live alone and felt I might benefit from a weekly call with someone. I have glaucoma and have lost my peripheral vision and Sightline managed to match me with someone with the same visual impairment.
We’re approaching our first year anniversary and we hit it off straight away as we could share similar experiences living with glaucoma. I like to talk about anything and everything, so we never run out of things to chat about. I still have my central vision so enjoy watching soaps like Emmerdale. My befriender doesn’t watch soaps, but she still always asks what’s been happening and if I enjoyed the episode last week!
I volunteer at my local church so that provides a talking point with Chloe. She’s so kind and always asks me what I’ve been up to or what’s coming up during the next. One thing in particular Chloe has really helped me with is support through my disability benefit claim.
“It really hasn’t been an easy process, but one which Chloe has encouraged me to continue with when I’ve felt like giving up with it to be honest – she’s been a real rock!“
I’ve really lost my enthusiasm for cooking, living on my own. Cooking for one isn’t really that much fun, but as my befriender also lives alone, we share ideas on what to try. Chloe is a bit more adventurous than me with cooking and I always end up hungry after she’s told me what she’s rustled up for her tea. So much so, I go and raid the biscuit cupboard at the end if our calls!
To some, the content of our calls may seem a bit dull or mundane but it’s discussing day to day life that provides a real comfort to me. Knowing I have our phone calls each Tuesday is something I really look forward to and can’t think I’d ever want them to stop. I still can’t believe it’s a free service and can go on for however long I need it; it’s brilliant!
(Names have been changed to protect identities).
If you would benefit from a telephone befriending relationship like Josephine, we are ready for your call.
Call 0800 587 2252 or email us at info@sightline.org.uk to find out more.
To find out more, please contact us:
(*0800 numbers are free to call from BT landlines and most mobile networks)
