Sight guide volunteer scheme for Shopmobility

A new Sighted Guide shopping service has been officially launched at Shopmobility Carrickfergus that will make a positive impact on the lives of blind or partially sighted people.
By The Newsroom
Published 10th May 2014, 10:03 BST
At the launch of a new Sighted Guide shopping service for blind and partially sighted people are (right - left) Olive Rodgers, RNIB NI, Ryan McCartney and Mandy Magee, Shopmobility Sighted Guide (picture: Michael Cooper). INCT 19-702-CONAt the launch of a new Sighted Guide shopping service for blind and partially sighted people are (right - left) Olive Rodgers, RNIB NI, Ryan McCartney and Mandy Magee, Shopmobility Sighted Guide (picture: Michael Cooper). INCT 19-702-CON
At the launch of a new Sighted Guide shopping service for blind and partially sighted people are (right - left) Olive Rodgers, RNIB NI, Ryan McCartney and Mandy Magee, Shopmobility Sighted Guide (picture: Michael Cooper). INCT 19-702-CON

The project has been developed through a partnership with RNIB NI (The Royal National Institute of Blind People Northern Ireland) and Shopmobility schemes across five centres in Northern Ireland including the North Street base.

The scheme will allow an individual to book a volunteer guide for the agreed period of between 90 minutes and two hours. RNIB has assisted in the recruitment of 28 volunteers and has provided accredited Visual Awareness Training.

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Noting a “real demand for this service”, Olive Rodgers, Activity Leader at RNIB, encouraged retailers “to offer visual awareness training to their staff to increase awareness of the needs of people living with sight loss”.

Ryan McCartney, who has accessed the service, said: “The guides are extremely helpful, doing all you ask of them, but also letting you have your independence as well. They will meet you at an agreed location, then take you round the shops of your choice and read product information for you, the service aims to get you the same guide who gets to know your shopping preferences and patterns and I find this a big help to me.”

Contact Shopmobility on 028 9336 8415 or [email protected]

Related topics:RNIBNorthern IrelandNorth Street