Judith’s story: “Talking to them makes me feel strong”

“Something made it very clear to me that I couldn’t sit back and do nothing,” says Judith, a Macular Society member and befriending volunteer.

After being diagnosed with macular disease in the 1980s, Judith has gone on to use her experience of living with the condition to help others like her.

In 2026, she celebrates 10 years as a Macular Society befriender, making regular calls to people who may be feeling isolated by their macular disease.

A purpose in life

“I just thought that even if I can’t get out any more, I’ll still have a purpose in life,” she explained.

“Talking to them makes me feel strong. You forget about yourself and think about your befriendees on their own looking forward to the phone call. Some of them get quite anxious, and everything churns up inside them, but we all feel like that at times.”

It’s not all serious medical talk, either.

“We laugh about things, especially if you’ve kissed what you think is your grandson and it’s your grandson’s friend. You’ve got to laugh about things like that, haven’t you?” Judith added.

A lifetime of helping others

One way or another, Judith has spent her life helping other people.

“I spent 12 years working with disabled children, then 26 years working in schools. After I retired, I volunteered for several years at the home where my mother-in-law was living,” she went on to add.

Everyone wins

Befriending brings a real richness to the lives of everyone involved, Judith shared.

“It’s been so rewarding. I don’t think I’d have accepted things if I couldn’t have carried on doing this sort of pastoral care... I do feel I have got a purpose in life."

“There are such a lot of people out there who are on their own and losing their sight. I usually say to them: ‘Why don’t you try befriending?’ because it’s a two-way thing. We all get a lot out of it... I tell everybody, it’s not the end but a new beginning.”

Thank you

Thank you to Judith for generously donating your time and energy to helping our macular community, and thank you to our wonderful network of befrienders for making a real difference to the lives of the befriendees you support.

Know someone who could be a befriender?

Do you know someone who has time to give, enjoys talking to people and might find befriending rewarding? Encourage them to find out more about becoming a Macular Society befriender.

Find out more about becoming a befriender or ask them to contact our friendly team at volunteer@macularsociety.org.