I had to stop working before I was even 49 for health reasons. When that happened I lost what I felt I needed most - a sense of purpose.

But I found that not doing paid work also provided new opportunities to do something very different which gave me a lot of pleasure.

I am registered blind and also have MS. It was my Occupational Therapist who suggested that I might still be able to do something useful for the WRVS. That suggestion was all that was needed to change my life from one of listening to books and music to one of helping others. The substance of my life was dramatically altered from one of passivity to one of actively helping others to meet their needs.

Initially I became a Telephone Co-ordinator for the WRVS Good Neighbours project in East Lothian. That involved taking calls, mostly from older or disabled people and arranging transport to, for example, hospital, surgery or to go shopping. Because of the limitations I face I am almost always available at home so when another volunteer for WRVS cannot look after the WRVS line I am always happy to stand in.

I was so taken aback by the fact that there was something I could still do that I contacted the Volunteer Centre East Lothian in Haddington to find out if there might be other voluntary work which I could do. The immediate suggestion was that I contact Stresswatch Scotland, which I did. That required some training which I was given and I have now been a member of the Stresswatch Scotland Helpline team for 18 months offering information and advice to callers who are having to cope with a stress-related problem.

Although I can only see very poorly and can only walk very short distances indoors using a Delta Walker, the opportunity to take on this voluntary work as well has dramatically improved the quality of my life. Although there is not a lot I can do for myself, there are things I can arrange for or say to others which can be of considerable help to them.

So I am retired and disabled but know that I am still serving a useful purpose in life. I am sure that others could find opportunities in the Voluntary Sector to take on work which would be as rewarding to them as it is valuable to the Organisation which iinterests them.

I know that even just a commitment of two hours a week can be a big help to Voluntary Organisations. Being involved in voluntary work, for the benefit of others has had a profound effect on my self-esteem as well as my quality of life. So Thank You to the Voluntary Sector for opening new doors to me.