AN URGENT call has gone out to people living in the Yeovil and surrounding area to help with the work of the Somerset Association for the Blind.

There are 900 people within Yeovil and South Somerset who are registered blind or partially sighted and the special visiting service is just one of the initiatives the association administers.

But the association desperately needs more people to act as visitors - somebody who can pop round and have a chat and help out a person who has sight problems.

Former Yeovil schoolteacher Margaret Dible became involved in the association some ten years ago when she first retired and has been acting as a 'visitor' for the past five.

She visits partially-sighted Margaret Gaze at her Yeovil bungalow once a fortnight and the two have become big friends.

"It is so rewarding volunteering as a visitor and it was amazing that Margaret and I had so much in common," she said.

They quickly discovered that they share a love of dachshunds and both lived in Malaysia at the same time although they never met. Mrs Dible helps Mrs Gaze with reading, writing and correspondence and they enjoy short walks together.

Mrs Gaze, who developed eye problems a year ago last July, said: "It was terrible when it first happened and you spent a lot of time adapting to a new way of life, but you had to do it quickly.

"All the everyday things you take for granted such as making a cup of tea, doing your shoelaces up or picking out a can of soup instead of a can of beans from the shelf became very difficult.

"You suddenly realise you can't enjoy your hobbies any more - it is as if you are fumbling out at sea.

"It is lovely when Margaret visits because she can help me with so many things. Just imagine what it must be like receiving cards and letters and not being able to see who they are from - Margaret helps with that."

The association's visitor co-ordinator June Dickinson said: "The two Margaret's are a typical example of the success of the visiting service. The two of them get on famously.

"The visitors do help to bring some sunshine into the lives of those people who cannot do things that you and I would think were so simple.

"But we do need more volunteers in South Somerset. We have got a long list of people waiting for a volunteer, but we just haven't got them."

The Somerset Association for the Blind has been providing services for more than 85 years across the county.

In South Somerset the association has ten-pin and lawn bowling clubs, a craft class and a social afternoon all with door-to-door transport.

It also provides an annual holiday, Braille, tape copying and audio library services, a free newsletter in the format of the client's choice, and can order aids and equipment over the phone from the charity's headquarters at Northfield House in Taunton.

But the association needs volunteers like Mrs Dible if it is to continue its successful visiting service. If you could spare a few hours a month to help a visually impaired person in your area after being carefully matched please contact June Dickinson on 01823-333818.