Barrie Goodfellow's story

Barrie Goodfellow is a public speaker with our fundraising team. Find out about Barrie’s role and how he helps to challenge perceptions and raise awareness of living with sight loss.

Why did you choose to volunteer with us?

“Because I get so much help from the RNIB, it’s my way of giving back. Every day of my life I use something provided by RNIB, from Talking books to art materials.”

What does your role involve?

“It’s a fundraising role, so I do anything from public speaking about RNIB’s work at local groups, through to street collections.”

What do you enjoy most about your role?

“I love getting the message across to sighted people about what it’s like in the world of blindness.”

How do you feel your volunteering role has made a difference?

“Other people with sight loss find great comfort in hearing from someone else with blindness, from someone who has been where they are and understands what it’s like. To sighted people I am able to bring awareness of what blindness is and educate them about the side effects of blindness. These side effects can be low esteem, low confidence, depression or anxiety, but I get to share my story and help people up.”

What do you feel you have gained from volunteering with us?

“I have gained a lot of respect and confidence.

When someone says you’ve given the best speech they’ve had at one of their groups. It just makes you feel great.”