Peer support-the route to enlightenment and independence?

This project aimed to enable volunteers to be trained and equipped to support older people to continue or restart doing the things that were important to them. We wanted to see if such short-term non-specialist assistance could be effective and if people with serious sight loss themselves, acting as peer support, could make a difference. Volunteers were linked to a person with serious sight loss and supported them in developing practical strategies and techniques to enable them to maintain and develop their interests and social and family activities. This type of project could have general applicability across many countries and offers the benefits of involvement and participation of people with serious sight loss on a very cost-effective basis. Lessons are drawn about potential pitfalls and some issues that are fundamental to the success of such projects such as forming peer relationships and the most effective means of volunteer support.