I volunteer with BucksVision, a charity organisation based in Aylesbury. It’s part of a wider network with nine divisions across the county, all focused on supporting people with sight loss. I can’t claim to know everything about all the divisions, but I know a lot about what I do — and that keeps me busy enough!
My main responsibility is organising the Sunshine Club, which runs on the last Monday of every month. I take care of the admin, sending out emails, contacting people, arranging talks, and making sure we always have something interesting going on. Alongside that, I volunteer every other Thursday with the charity, mostly making follow-up phone calls. If we’ve had an event or an experience day, I call people back to gather feedback. It sounds simple, but those phone conversations can be powerful. Sometimes people just want to talk, and giving them that space is part of the job too.
I’m visually impaired myself, and BucksVision has been there for me for over 13 years. They’ve helped me in countless ways. I wanted to give something back, so volunteering felt like the natural step.
Over those 13 years, I’ve taken on different roles. At one point I even ran our social media — mainly Facebook and Twitter (before it became “X”), with a bit of Instagram too. Back then, we didn’t have many followers, but over time the page grew, and it was exciting to see our work reaching more people. These days I’m less involved with that side, but I still feel proud of the part I played in helping it grow.
My motivation has always been the same: I love helping others. I love organising. And I love the people. The staff here are brilliant, genuinely kind, and I get on with them really well. It never feels like a chore to come back — it feels like being part of a family. If I had to sum it up in one word, it would be joy.
Volunteering has given me plenty in return too. It’s helped me to meet new people, learn new skills, and grow in confidence. I used to be quite shy, and talking on the phone was something I didn’t enjoy at all. But the more calls I made, the easier it became. Now I actually enjoy them. I’d say volunteering has made me much more open and outspoken. My friends and family have noticed the difference as well. I’ve made lots of new friends through BucksVision — especially in Aylesbury.
The coffee mornings are a big part of that. They’re about more than coffee; they’re about socialising, chatting, and creating community. I organise all of them, and while I don’t have to attend every one, I always do. It feels right to be there, especially when I’ve been the one putting it all together.
Over 13 years, there have been memorable moments. Watching our Facebook page grow was one, because it showed that people were paying attention and our work was reaching further. But honestly, the most rewarding part is much simpler: knowing I’ve helped the charity, the staff, and the members who come along. When I took over running the Sunshine Club, it took a weight off the office staff and kept the group alive. That feels important.
I wouldn’t say I’ve faced any major challenges in volunteering. Not really. It’s been positive from start to finish. I suppose the challenges were more personal — building confidence, learning to organise, and improving my communication skills. But even those have turned into growth. For example, I use screen reader technology on my computer and phone. My iPhone has VoiceOver, which reads out texts, emails, Facebook posts, everything. Over time, I’ve become very skilled at using it. I could already touch-type from college, but through volunteering I’ve improved even more. These skills make me feel more independent, and that independence feeds back into my volunteering.
Looking ahead, I definitely see myself continuing. Absolutely. If it ever led to employment, I’d be delighted — though I know with my situation it’s not always easy. But volunteering itself is rewarding enough, and I plan to keep going for as long as I can.
If someone asked me about volunteering, I’d tell them straight away about BucksVision. I’d explain what the charity does, share my own roles, and let them know there are always opportunities for new volunteers. I’d point them to our website too. And if I had to sum it up in one sentence?
“Try BucksVision — it’s a welcoming place where you can give back, meet people, and learn skills, all while making a real difference.”
For me, volunteering with BucksVision is not just about giving back. It’s about belonging, growing, and proving that sight loss doesn’t stop you from contributing to your community.
