Big-hearted volunteers are being sought in Wellington to help blind and partially sighted people do their Christmas shopping and write greetings cards.?

Volunteers would provide much-needed help with day-to-day activities such as reading and answering mail, help sight-impaired people keep in touch with local and world events by reading newspapers, or just be a friend to call in and chat, or talk through any problems.?

Sandra Harris, volunteer co-ordinator for Somerset Sight in the Taunton Deane area, said: “The volunteer visiting service is invaluable to the blind and partially sighted. Wellington has a good history of helping the sight-impaired with the building of Popham House last century, a purpose-built home for the blind.

“Popham House is now better known as a nursing home but the necessity for helping the blind in the area remains ever important.

“I am seeking to recruit volunteers in the Wellington area to help people who are isolated by their loss of sight and unable to get out and about, to deal with correspondence and who need help at this time of year with special shopping and writing Christmas cards.”

Volunteers would give about an hour of their time each week and be offered awareness training to equip them with the necessary knowledge. Phone Somerset Sight on 01823 333818 for more information.