Sending a befriend request

The National Lottery-funded charity Sightline launched its helpline back in 2002, which covered the north-west of England. Completely run by people with visual impairments, it caters for both blind people and their friends and family, and offers emotional support and guidance.

Now, Sightline is launching its new extension, a befriending service. This aims to combat and reduce isolation and loneliness in visually impaired people by matching them up with volunteers who often experience loneliness themselves, and have similar interests, hobbies and availabilities. A weekly befriending confidential call plan is then set up, with calls taking place between 6pm and 10pm, identified as the time during the day where people feel the most alone.