Much has been written in recent weeks about long waiting times for appointments at the eye clinic and for cataracts operations.

There are more than 1,000 people in the York area who are registered blind or partially sighted and two or three times that number with severely impaired vision.

York Blind and Partially Sighted Society offers helps through its resource centre, help/information line and other services, to many whose sight is affected by a variety of eye conditions.

The Home Visiting Service is greatly appreciated by many visually impaired people - many are elderly, live alone and need help with reading mail, writing letters, being accompanied on shopping trips or pursuing interests and hobbies. Volunteer help is invaluable and rewarding for the volunteer too.

More volunteers are needed now. If you can spare an hour or two on a regular weekly basis to visit a visually impaired person in the York area, please contact me (01904 636269). Volunteering really does make a difference. Training, support and expenses are paid.

Sue Stothart,

Volunteers' Co-ordinator,

York Blind and Partially Sighted Society,

61 Bootham,

York.

Converted for the new archive on 30 June 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.