Shane is 22, partially sighted and started volunteering with RNIB in October 2009. The nerves in Shane's right eye are disconnected, resulting in his vision being limited to peripheral, movement and near distance.
Why volunteer?
Volunteering was Shane's first real experience of working life. In his own words, Shane went from 'school into a minefield'. He has fought hard over the years to not allow sight loss to affect his everyday living and describes his independence as a force of habit. Despite this, Shane struggles to get out on his own and will never drive a car or ride a bike.
When I asked Shane why he wanted to volunteer he said that he wanted to do something useful with his time. Only when he had gotten into the swing of things did he realise that he would gain vital skills for employment. Shane started as invaluable admin support with the Volunteering Team and went on to combine this role with an admin opportunity in Customer Services.
What does it involve?
Volunteering comes with its highs and lows, and for Shane he undoubtedly loves the atmosphere at RNIB. He talks fondly of the people he has worked with and the variety of work that he was doing. But despite this, he just cannot find any love for using the phones! Shane feels the most valuable skill he has learnt is patience - patience with customers and patience with some of the more mundane tasks.
Moving into employment
As Shane's volunteer manager, I was delighted to learn that Shane had found employment, but very sad to lose him as a volunteer. He has now started on the Trainee Grade Scheme with RNIB as a Customer Sales and Support Assistant. Shane loves his new job, is further developing his confidence and independence, and jokes that he'll have grey hairs before long!
The Scheme, which has run since 2001, plays a valuable role in bridging the gap between ability to work and the lack of experience in paid employment. This is often cited as the reason why 66 per cent of blind and partially sighted people of working age are currently unemployed.
From my point of view, Shane's volunteering gave him not only the skills and routine for the work place, but more importantly it developed his self-confidence and gained him a new set of friends.
Lisa Wishart, Project Coordinator, RNIB Group Volunteering Team