Skip to navigation | Skip to main content | Skip to footer
Menu
Search the University of Manchester siteSearch Menu StaffNet

Volunteering opportunity for anyone aged 60+

10 Jan 2012

Volunteers aged 60 and over are needed to be “Peer Mentors” to encourage and support a group of people with visual impairment to exercise and remain independent.

Falls are common in people aged 75 years or older with poor eyesight and the VIP2UK study is investigating adherence to and effectiveness of interventions to prevent these falls. 

Can you help us by volunteering to be a Peer Mentor? The valuable role will involve encouraging and supporting study participants to stick to home safety and exercise programmes. This may include exercising with people concerned.

Study participants will receive advice from an Occupational Therapist on how to make their homes safer and a 6-month exercise programme to improve muscle weakness and balance problems, designed for each person. They would also receive visits and phone calls from a Peer Mentor.

If you volunteer to be a Peer Mentor, you will be trained by the study team and a mentoring expert on how to conduct home visits and you will receive support from an Occupational Therapist. You can mentor as many participants as you feel able to. We will pay your travel expenses.

Anyone interested in becoming a Peer Mentor or with questions about the study should contact:

The VIP2UK Study. A pilot study to promote adherence to two interventions to prevent falls in older people with visual impairment. R&D R01058/CSP 66598. Professor Heather Waterman & Professor Chris Todd, School of Nursing, Midwifery & Social Work.