When Nestl worker Janet Tenniswood walked through the doors of York's Wilberforce Home for the Blind, the reception she got was overwhelming.

She was interested in volunteering as an unpaid helper working with the home's 21 blind and disabled residents.

And the moment she walked through the door her mind was made up.

She said: "It was just such a warm reception from everybody. It was marvellous."

That was almost a year ago - and she has never once regretted her decision.

Janet, 44, from York, spends two to three hours a week teaching residents at the home how to cook for themselves, and also running "courses" in craftwork and needlework.

The experience, she says, has been a revelation.

Residents are desperate to learn how to do the ordinary things that other people take for granted. Two of Janet's "students" have learned how to knit and sew, despite being blind - and Janet says their pride in their work is her greatest reward.

She said: "It is amazing what they can do. It is so rewarding to see their faces light up with pride in something they have made themselves."

Janet said just working with her blind friends made her understand much more about the way they perceived the world.

She said: "You have to think of everything you see and do and remember that this person cannot see what I see. But there is such warmth. As soon as you come in everybody knows you and remembers you."

Now managers at the home are appealing for more volunteers like Janet come forward to help bring some fun and friendship into residents' lives.

The home currently has more than 40 volunteers doing everything from teaching cooking, music and craftwork to taking residents out and accompanying them to college.

But volunteer co-ordinator Barbara Kendall said there was a desperate need for more.

She said: "As soon as one resident has someone to go out with them, they all want someone. These volunteers can make such a difference to their lives - they can help them do all the things that ordinary people take for granted but which are so important for them. And it's great fun, too!"

Volunteers will get training, and can work as many or as few hours as they like.

To find out more, contact Barbara on York 706106.

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