As we mark Volunteers’ Week, RNIB Scotland is proud to tell the story of one of our longstanding volunteers and community members, Bruce Christie (59).
Bruce, who is from Westhill, was diagnosed with keratoconus in 2003, along with other minor eye conditions. The moment his optician told him they could no longer meet his prescription needs, he knew he needed to seek specialist support.
“There’s a link between fatigue and deterioration in my eye,” Bruce explains, “so I had to move to part-time work and eventually stop working altogether.” That change had a profound impact on his mental health. “My career was very much part of my identity,” he shares. Bruce eventually became blind in one eye, which was later removed, and the vision in his remaining eye is severely impaired.
It was a forward-thinking GP who suggested Bruce get in touch with RNIB Scotland before his needs became too acute. That advice proved life-changing. Bruce enrolled on the Living with Sight Loss telephone course and quickly found a welcoming community in RNIB’s discussion groups, which had just transitioned online due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Bruce smiling while wearing a dark blue Scotland football jersey and a traditional black tam o’ shanter hat with a red pompom. He has tinted glasses, a beard, and a sunflower-patterned lanyard around his neck.
“These groups were a real lifeline,” Bruce reflects. “I had discussions with people who had similar interests, and often we didn’t even talk about sight loss. That sense of normality was really important for me.” The impact was immediate. His family noticed a renewed sense of engagement and positivity in Bruce, and he soon felt compelled to give back. That’s when his wife spotted a call for volunteers to join RNIB Scotland’s Advisory Group. Bruce applied and was accepted.
One of Bruce’s biggest passions within RNIB has been the weekly football call – a lively, welcoming space where blind and partially sighted football fans across Scotland can talk all things football, share banter, and enjoy a sense of community. While the group was already up and running when Bruce joined, he soon became more involved. “A couple of members were running a football prediction game, but they were finding it hard to manage without any sight,” Bruce explains. “I offered to take it over. It’s much easier for me as I still have some vision.”
Bruce has since stepped in to facilitate the group when RNIB staff aren't available, helping ensure the call continues each week. “I can’t overstate the importance of these groups. They’ve had a marked effect on my wellbeing, and I’ve made some really good friends through them.”
For Bruce, and many others who take part, the calls have provided a safe, supportive, and most of all fun environment. “It’s hard to describe how much it’s helped my mental health,” he says. “It’s just that combination of fun, community, and support. And for participants, it’s so easy to join as RNIB can dial you straight in, so there’s no need to enter meeting codes or remember passwords.”
The atmosphere on the calls is relaxed and welcoming. “We’re all in similar boats, so it just feels safe. The only time sight loss comes up is when someone asks for advice. Otherwise, it’s just a really enjoyable chat about football.”
When asked what he would say to someone considering joining a group or volunteering, Bruce doesn’t hesitate: “They’re fun, and they’re a safe place to chat without being quizzed about your vision. Not every group will be for everyone, but that’s okay. I’d encourage anyone to just dip their toe in - what can it hurt?”
