Make a difference in the lives of blind or partially sighted people in your community!
The Vision Mate program matches people who are blind or partially sighted with sighted volunteers who provide companionship and one-on-one assistance with everyday tasks and errands. Vision Mate volunteers can assist individuals with various activities including errands, going for walks, labelling and organizing household items, reading, or fun outings and recreational activities.
Matches are made with someone who lives close to your home, school or work. Visits are typically two hours a week in the person’s home or another suitable place at a mutually convenient time. We aim to match people for a minimum of six months, though there is no maximum time for a match to continue. Ideally, it will continue for years to come, as the Vision Mate relationship often transitions to friendship.
We are looking for volunteers with the following skills and attributes:
- Trustworthy, patient, empathetic and friendly
- Reliable, organized, and able to work with minimal supervision.
- Excellent communication skills
CNIB provides orientation about our organization, the people we help, vision loss, as well as training specific to the position. A clear Police Record Check and two reference checks are required. Must be 18 or older.
If you are interested in applying to be a Vision Mate volunteer, please fill out the Volunteer Application Form, and specify Vision Mate under Name of Specific Position.
For more information about the program or about volunteering with CNIB, please contact Ben Finkelberg – Program Lead, Vision Mate and Volunteer Operations, at ben.finkelberg@cnib.ca or by phone at at 250-410-4368.
