Elizabeth’s
Sightline Story
Where do I start with Gemma? From day 1 we just clicked. I don’t know how or why but we just did.
I’ll be 77 this year and felt sure I would live with sight loss in my later years just as my mum did. I was diagnosed with Age Related Macular Degeneration 9 years ago; prior to that began with glaucoma like my mum.
I stopped driving 3 years ago as I just didn’t feel safe anymore. I live alone but have been trained to use a cane so that helps me when I am out and about. I have a brother but he’s poorly at the minute so can’t come to visit me just now. A younger neighbour occasionally takes me to the local shops, and I am building my confidence to use my cane and hopefully go alone over the next few weeks.
My neighbour has some spare time on a Tuesday when her children are at school; we’ll often go to the park for some fresh air and a chat – she’s great and I really appreciate her support.
Where do I start with Gemma? From day 1 we just clicked. I don’t know how or why but we just did.
It was on a visit to the Eye Clinic Liaison Officer at my local hospital that I became aware of the Sightline service. She knew I was quite a chatty person so suggested I request a weekly phone call with one of Sightline’s trained volunteers. I felt a bit nervous at first but do enjoy chatting with people, so I made the call. From the minute I spoke to Andrea I was put at ease; she asked me about my interests etc and said she knew just the person she could match me with.
That was back in October 2023, and I just don’t know where these past 8 months have gone. We chat about all sorts of things. Maggie has a young family and works in a vets; she leads a busy life and I take pleasure hearing what she gets up to week by week. Maggie and I also share a love of the Lake District; I had a caravan up there when I was younger and she has a boat on one of the lakes. Animals always feature in our conversations too with her telling me about the animals she cares for at work. My niece is currently looking after a Guide Dog in training for the next 12 months. I’ll enjoy telling Maggie about that when my niece shares those “tails!”
The difference the Sightline service makes to me is priceless really. I would feel down in the dumps if my calls with Maggie didn’t happen. They say time flies when you’re having fun, and it certainly does for our calls. I try and make sure Maggie is off the phone after an hour, but she is more than happy to chat longer. Even at Christmas and it being a time for being with family – she still said she’d be calling me; she said she enjoys the calls just as much as I do.
If there’s anyone who is sight impaired and feeling lonely I’d recommend you pick up the phone to Sightline. My weekly phone call with Maggie has made such a huge difference to my wellbeing.
Names have been changed to protect identities.
If you or someone you know could benefit from a weekly call from one of our trained telephone befrienders, please 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)