Telephone group friends meet face-to-face

A group of veterans with visual impairment who bonded on a telephone support group have now met face to face!

During the lockdown, we ran telephone groups for veterans across Scotland.  This ensured many people with vision loss had plenty of opportunities to socialise and talk with others.

Jimmy, Paddy, John and Peter had all been taking part in fun quiz sessions on Fridays for many months.

At first, Jimmy struggled to have the energy to join in, but with a little persuasion from Christine and the Hub facilitators, Jimmy transformed from the “sleepy man” to the life and soul of the party.

In December, Jimmy and his partner Christine travelled from Newton Stewart to have a holiday at the Linburn Centre’s Cottage accommodation. The couple decided it would be a great opportunity to meet up with their friends from afar, who they met over Hub telephone calls. 

The group all met up at the Hawkhead Centre, our activity centre in Paisley for veterans with sight loss.

Group member Jimmy said: “It has been great, speaking to friends who have V.I. issues just like you. Sharing experiences makes such a difference.”

“They understand what you are going through. We call ourselves the Four Musketeers and have so much fun.” 

The group had coined their own catchphrase, “Give that man a coconut”. So, you can imagine there were lots coconuts flying around during the sessions. Jimmy brought along a present for Paddy and Peter.

The image on the right shows Jimmy is giving them a Bounty Bar in a nod to their catchphrase.

Sight Scotland Veterans staff members Annmarie and Donna helped to facilitate the groups.

Annmarie said: “The joy and laughter in the group is amazing and infectious. We have a cat, a dog and a duck who frequently appear in the sessions. This is aided by Jimmy’s meowing, quacking and barking, and then we all join in. 

“I am so happy that I was here to witness Jimmy and Christine meeting up with Paddy and Peter at the Hawkhead Centre.

“The Hub sessions are an amazing service and to see these friends meet up, is overwhelming”.