Description

Helping run a peer support group in your local community: By giving your time, you will help us to reach the thousands of people living with sight loss in your area and provide life-changing support.

Why we need you:

The Macular Society is the UK’s leading charity determined to beat the fear and isolation of macular disease with world-class research, and the best advice and support
Our groups provide information, support and new friendships to those with macular disease, along with their family and friends. Whether you can spare a few hours or a couple of days a week, you’ll be doing something great to help people with macular disease.

Rewarding and enjoyable roles
Everyone has a reason for volunteering. Perhaps you know someone who has macular disease, are currently supporting a loved one, or want to give something back to support your community.
If you want to gain experience or develop new skills, we are sure we have something for you too.
Will it suit me?
You will be working as part of a team to ensure the smooth running of the group. No one person is responsible, which helps to lighten the load. Select the task(s) that feel right for you.
Tasks shared by volunteers may include:
• Meet and greet – welcoming members and guests, sharing information, wrapping things up at the end.
• Group programme – organising guest speakers and suggesting social activities.
• Keeping in touch with group members.
• Maintaining a list of members and sharing updates with head office.
• Collecting meeting subs.
• Organising and/or serving tea and coffee.
• Setting out the chairs.

Time commitment
Most of our groups meet monthly. The Galashiels Macular Support Group will be meeting at a central venue in Galashiels. Two to three hours is all we need each month, with flexibility if things change for you.

Offering your help
If you see yourself in this role, get in touch to have a chat. If it isn’t for you, then we would still love to hear from you. We have other exciting volunteer opportunities that may be a better fit for your time and talents.

Organisation aims and objectives

The Macular Society is the UK charity dedicated to supporting anyone with central vision loss and their family and friends. There are more than 600,000 people in the UK with age-related macular degeneration and it is the most common cause of sight loss in the developed world. We have over 16,000 members and around 5,500 professional members. We have more than 300 local support groups and provide a range of other services including information, telephone befriending and a professional counselling service. We fund research so that one day we can overcome macular disease. Currently we are looking to support more people who have difficulty with "the bit in the middle" and want to engage a range of volunteers to help us deliver our services across Scotland.

Restrictions

Experience required: If you get a buzz from helping others then this role is perfect for you. We need reliable and friendly volunteers. You don’t need to have a macular condition nor sight loss; empathy and an understanding of its impact will help you to provide the best support. We will provide all the training you need to be able to support group members and the running of the group. As long as you have a willingness to learn and support others then we would love to hear from you!
Travel details: Galashiels, Scottish Borders
Minimum age: 18

Support

Expenses paid: Yes
Expenses details: Reasonable expenses will be paid for travel and other costs associated with the running of the group.
Taster available: Yes
Training details: We value our volunteers and we provide the support you need to be confident and successful in your role. You will learn more about us, our work, more about macular disease and subjects that are important to us such as confidentiality and looking after yourself and others. Our programme is flexible and you can take part in some of it from the comfort of your own home. Your regional manager is on hand for individual support and you can enjoy the wider help offered as a member of our volunteer network. We will reimburse reasonable out of pocket expenses.
Support: Named Contact For Volunteer,
Wheelchair Access/Disabled Access Toilet