TALKATIVE people are desperately needed by a long-standing charity to help out in Wycombe Hospital's eye department.

The Bucks Association for Blind and Partially Sighted People (BAB) is short of five volunteers at the hospital in Queen Alexandra Road and is appealing for chatty people to come forward and help with its work.

BAB works in the eye clinic and eye day surgery unit and volunteers who are happy to spare two hours a week are needed in both departments.

Jane Diggory, hospital information service coordinator for BAB, said: "We're really short of volunteers at Wycombe at the moment. People volunteer for two to three years and then move on. It's one of those spells at the moment.

"It's quite hard to find the right kind of volunteer - it's got to be somebody who enjoys talking to people, but on the other hand knows how to sit and listen."

BAB, which has been working across the county since 1912, provides reassurance to people who are beginning to lose their sight and supports patients when they come into hospital.

Mrs Diggory said: "We don't sit behind an information desk, they literally go and introduce themselves and go and start a conversation. People have got to have good communication skills."

She added that the most rewarding aspects of volunteering were the chance to talk to people and knowing that you have helped them. She said: "At least a couple of people from the clinic session have gone away saying I'm really worried, I can feel my sight is getting worse'.

"To think that we have reassured them, we can't give your sight back but we can help you on the journey to learning how to cope with it," she added.

All volunteers are given extensive training before going out to work and are supported throughout with quarterly team meetings.

If you are interested in volunteering or want to find out more contact Mrs Diggory on 01296 487556.