A NEW campaign has been launched by Halesowen sight loss charity the Beacon Centre to encourage new volunteers to join its ranks.

The charity already has more than 250 volunteers who offer vital support for those living with sight loss across the region.

Now though a series of new roles have become available and those who may not have previously thought about volunteering are being urged to think about having a go.

The Beacon Centre’s volunteer coordinator Becky Sinar said: “Whether someone has two hours or 10 hours spare we have a role that could suit them. No prior experience is necessary, just the willingness to want to make a difference in someone’s life.

“Our volunteers regularly tell us how much they enjoy what they do and some have even found that it has transformed their own lives, giving them a chance to learn new skills and meet new people.”

Among the roles available are retail positions, particularly in Beacon’s Wednesbury, Penkridge and Bloxwich shops, the chance to offer technology support to those who want to learn how to use a computer and the opportunity to volunteer to offer support at the eye infirmary in Wolverhampton.

In Stourbridge there is the chance to volunteer with the charity’s home visiting service or in its day centre.

The organisation’s Cornbow Centre site Reflections is a coffee lounge and a charity shop and all profits are ploughed back into helping Beacon support those living with sight loss.

The charity is currently collecting unwanted children’s glasses to send to Sri Lanka, it has already donated 2,000 pairs of adult glasses to those in need but it now wants to extend the support to youngsters as well.

Once the glasses arrive in the country, the Senehasa Foundation - a registered charity run by Buddhist monks - arrange for an optician to check them for their prescriptions before they are handed over to people living in the remote Kurunegala region.

If you would like to find out more about the roles available contact Becky Sinar on 01902 880 111 or email bsinar@beaconvision.org.