Tassia's story

Hi,

My name is Tassia and I have been a retail volunteer at Shelter Kings Cross since 2024. I am registered blind (severely sight impaired).

In 2020, during the COVID lockdown, I lost my eyesight due to a rare genetic disease called Leber’s Hereditary Optic Neuropathy. This resulted in the total loss of my central vision. I have some peripheral vision which is now also colour blind.

In practical terms I can no longer see people’s faces, read, drive or use a computer without special software. Fortunately, my peripheral vision allows me to detect shapes and some colours.

I have been rebuilding my life with help from numerous sight-loss charities, which have given me comfort, inspiration and purpose. In 2023 I ran the London Marathon as a fundraiser for the Royal National Institute of Blind People to show my gratitude for the support I received.

I applied to volunteer with Shelter to contribute to causes outside of the sight-loss community. Shelter was the perfect fit – especially for a lover of charity shops! As a retail volunteer, I sort through and quality check donations, ensure gift aid items have the relevant stickers and tag items ready for the shop floor. I also prepared donations from All Saints ahead of their Shelter ‘take-over’ event.

I use my peripheral vision and rely on my hands to see and feel the quality and type of material when sorting clothing donations.

I can confidently and independently use the gun to tag items for sale. I use my fingers to feel where the small hole is on the tag and slowly guide the gun with my other hand to the correct position. I then move my fingers down the tag and push the gun gently through the hole. I complete this same process when attaching the tag to the clothing item. This is safe and easy to do.

My favourite experience has been volunteering at the vintage car boot festival. I enjoyed meeting and serving customers at Shelter’s stall. Having the opportunity to explore all the other stalls and soak up the atmosphere was a bonus! It may seem small to others, but volunteering at Shelter has helped change my life for the better.

Losing my vision was isolating. I often felt lonely and excluded from society. So, for me the best part about volunteering is the social aspect. All the staff at Shelter Kings Cross are incredibly friendly and kind. Chatting with them during my shift always makes me happy and optimistic.

Without fail I walk home with a huge smile on my face.

For the first time in a while I have felt useful and purposeful. I have gained more confidence, independence and self-belief while volunteering with Shelter, adjusting to my new life as a visually impaired person. I now sit on two panels advocating for disabled communities and was recently interviewed on Radio 4 about my involvement in a research project.

Shelter’s impact goes way beyond helping the Social Housing Crisis and Homelessness.

Thank you! I’m proud to be a Shelter volunteer.