“The unselfish effort to bring cheer to

 others will be the beginning of a

 happier life for ourselves.” (Helen Keller)

 

Not a boastful pat on my own back - just that, given who said it and the following contents, I couldn’t resist …




 As I’ve already said, I can no longer work as a lawyer (nor can I undertake any other paid employment).  One thing that I can do, though, is engage in voluntary work – and indeed, I now do so. 

 

In short, I help out for a few hours a week, in a local charitable institution called Walthew House. This organisation exists for the benefit of the visually and hearing impaired. Given that I am now visually impaired, myself, the line below the above picture, is a pretty accurate description! 

 

In its own words, the charity “works with people and organisations in the community, to provide practical and emotional support for people with a sight or hearing loss”. Given that it has just re-opened, now seems as good a time as any, to mention my own involvement. In doing so, I will provide a few examples of its (now duly adapted) work.

 

My initial role (taken on some years ago) was to work in its Resource Centre. This is a non-profit making shop, which sells aids for the benefit of those with visual or hearing difficulties. These include things such as specialist magnifiers and wristwatches that talk to you! As part of the Resource Centre service we also provide advice on what item might best address an individual’s particular needs. Needless to say, doing this requires significant familiarisation with available stock.

 

Other things that we do, include the provision of social activities for our service users. In doing so, we hope to address some of their emotional needs.

 

The service of this nature in which I am involved, is a weekly luncheon club. Once a week, approximately 15 people attend the charity’s premises.  Having chatted with each other for a while, they are then treated to an hour or so of entertainment. This includes talks and musical performances. On the couple of occasions in which I have delivered these, I doubt that the word “treated” is correct. At least nobody told me to “shut up” or threw anything at me!

 

While they are being properly, “treated” though, I can usually be found in the adjoining kitchen. Following the entertainment, attendees are served with lunch. I would like to call myself the dessert chef but will settle for pudding cook!


And here I am working on some pavlovas:



Another social activity of theirs, is the provision of an opportunity to play in a steel band. This rehearses every week and puts on a few concerts per year (for both service users and outsiders). I have brought a few tunes to the band (in which I provide a flute accompaniment), but as a member of the band, I am really a recipient of charitable services, rather than a provider of them.

 

Another area in which I am very definitely a recipient, is in my use of a tandem (not alone – you will be pleased to hear!). The charity owns a few tandems and makes some pilots (front riders) available. In this way, the visually impaired can engage in cycling and I’m a very keen participant. An earlier post contained a bit more detail.

 

If you want to know some more about Walthew House (or even make a donation!), this is its website:

 

https://walthewhouse.org.uk

 

Overall, I believe that my involvement with this charity makes a significant contribution to my own emotional needs:

 

·      It keeps me occupied and helps maintain a full lifestyle – which is very important to me

·      Giving something back to society enhances my otherwise limited feelings of self-worth

·      The inevitable interaction with others assists in the re-building of my social skills

 

Just moving briefly on from the charity, to a related matter:

 

My newfound encounters with the Deaf (and yes – a capital “D” is indeed correct!) community, has introduced me to a new activity – and that is learning British Sign Language. A little while ago, I completed a course of evening classes and achieved a Level 1 award. I would very much like to pursue this, with a view to gaining higher level awards.

 

And you don’t just get a picture at the end. Today it’s a video!




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