Volunteers wanted to help blind people use technology

The RNIB is looking for people with an interest in technology to join their technology support squad.

The team visits people with sight loss to set up and use TVs, computers, tablets, smartphones and talking book machines as well as resolving IT problems and helping people get online.

The charity has over 3,000 volunteers across the UK and its Portsmouth team are looking to expand the amount of support they can give.

Gary Brunskill, technology volunteering development manager at the RNIB, said: ‘Volunteering with RNIB is a fantastic 
way of giving something back to the community while at the same time boosting your CV.

‘You don’t have to be an IT expert to become a technology squad volunteer, just a general interest in a range of devices and a genuine desire to help make a difference for people who are blind or partially sighted.’

With a 2009 report by Access Economics estimating that almost two million people in the UK are living with some form of sight loss and with that due to rise by a quarter of a million within four years, the RNIB is urging people to come forward to help people with sight loss use technology and the internet with confidence.

The team visit people in their own homes to identify and resolve computer problems, install and upgrade hardware and software, provide basic IT support as well as a number of other activities.

The charity is actively engaged in stopping people losing their sight unnecessarily, supporting more people to live independently and creating an inclusive society sooner for everyone.

Volunteers work with blind and partially sighted people in their homes and the community as well as at RNIB offices.

You can find out more about the opportunity at bitly.com/rnibtechnology, rnib.org.uk/volunteering or by phoning 0303 123 9999.