Charity says lack of Moray volunteers having 'devastating impact' on blind and deaf people
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A LOCAL charity is warning that a shortage of volunteers in Moray is having a 'devastating impact' on blind and deaf people in the area.
North East Sensory Services (NESS) runs a series of social groups at various venues in Elgin, Buckie, Forres and Keith.
Members meet fortnightly to socialise over a cup of tea or coffee and occasionally visit libraries and theatres together.
However, the charity currently has no dedicated volunteer drivers in Moray to pick up and drop off service users before and after group meetings.
NESS says that elderly people who are blind, deaf or have sight and hearing loss are effectively being left housebound as a result and that they are becoming socially isolated.
Heather Roy, community inclusion coordinator in Moray for NESS, said: “The drivers make a huge difference to the morale of our users.
“We currently have no dedicated drivers and staff are picking up where possible. We are in dire need of dedicated drivers.
“If one of the staff is unavailable to drive then the socials we organise will be cancelled as no one is available to collect everyone.
“This leads to further social isolation to people who are already vulnerable."
Buckie resident Allan Cowie (67) is affected by both sight and hearing loss. He is registered blind and struggles to hear in both ears.
He regularly attended the group meeting in Buckie but says that without somebody to pick him up he is starting to feel isolated.
“You used to be able to get somebody to pick you up to get you to an appointment or to the club," he said.
“Without the driver, it’s quite hard to be able to socialise with others.
“I've been feeling more isolated because of it. We really need more volunteer drivers to help because some people aren’t getting out because of it.
“Depending on the group you’re going to go, sometime there’s a minibus to pick us up and if the one driver of the minibus from Keith is unavailable then we can’t go to the groups.
“The activities stop the social isolation and gives you something to look forward to, so it is really disappointing when there is no one to help us there.”
A range of factors have been attributed to causing the shortage. That includes the pandemic as well as the retirement age increasing which means people who may have been able to help previously can't as they are working for longer.
But those who can volunteer are being urged to do so and will have their fuel expenses covered in full.
“I would encourage anyone who might be interested in volunteering with NESS in the Moray area to get in touch," Heather added.
To find out more about becoming a volunteer driver in Moray contact Heather on heather.roy@nesensoryservices.org.
More information on NESS can be found here.
