Volunteer opportunities

Ian Baker-Hedges
Volunteer Sighted Guide / Minibus Driver

I have been volunteering for RNC for some ten years. During this time I have had some fantastic volunteering opportunities: not only have I trained as a sighted guide, I also got to train as a minibus driver. I have been able to take groups to educational visits, sports tournaments and even Alton Towers.

I was also lucky enough to have a couple of nights out with a group of students at the local night club! Sadly, I'm not as young as I used to be...I was no match for their energy!

I was also involved with the Blind Football World Cup which ran at thePoint4 and featured England and nine other European countries. It was a qualifier for the 2016 Paralympics and I was the Volunteer Co-ordinator and Event Control for the two week period working with great people. Long days, but worth every single minute.

I have never had a dull moment in whatever I have supported as a volunteer. I am proud to wear my RNC volunteer ID badge and to support the fantastic work that the College does.

The staff are very supportive and the students are great fun. I would recommend volunteering at RNC...they certainly know how to look after their volunteers.

Ian Baker
26 May 2021

Jill Berry
Volunteer Examination Scribe

We moved to Hereford in 1982 when my husband obtained a teaching job at RNC. He was registered blind when we met in 1967, although he did have quite a lot of useful sight in the early days.

I supported him throughout his teaching career and have always been a great advocate of greater opportunities for those with little or no sight.

Before the lockdown, I supported an AS Level student and acted as her scribe on the occasion of her mock examinations. I have missed this involvement with the College during the recent pandemic and very much hope to be able to continue volunteering as soon as possible.

Jill Berry
14 May 2021

Katie Christopher
Volunteer for RNC's Blind Football and Partially Sighted Futsal Teams

'I first got involved with RNC in April 2018, when I was asked by the then Student Recruitment Manager, Tim Broome, to volunteer with VICTA's activity break which was being held at the College. I have since volunteered on many VICTA and British Blind Sport camps.

I was introduced to Blind Football in July 2019, and my interest in it quickly grew. I was the first female sighted goalkeeper in England to play the game and I'm extremely proud to be a regular player and volunteer for both the Blind Football and Partially Sighted Futsal teams at RNC.'

In July 2021, Katie hit the headlines when she made a magnificent save during a penalty shoot out at St George's Park during the FA Disability Cup Final ensuring RNC Hereford came home with the trophy:

History made as Llandrindod Wells star Christopher inspires Disability Cup triumph
Powys County Times, 1 August 2021