When RAF veteran Karl met Rosie from Step Together he hadn’t left the house for almost three years. Registered blind and no longer able to work Karl had been forced to move away from friends to live with his sister and had recently been diagnosed with clinical depression.

Rosie knows the impact volunteering can make to someone like Karl. She also knows that it takes time, trust and dedication to convince someone who is vulnerable that this is something which they could do.

 ‘Without Rosie’s support, the phone calls and emails making sure that I did not give up on myself, I wouldn’t be where I am today’.

Today, Karl is a volunteer be-friender to 5 veterans who he visits every week.He also volunteers at a charity shop and contributes regularly to a talking newspaper.

‘Volunteering has changed my life.It has made me focus on what I can do rather than what I can’t.’

Karl plans to spend Christmas Day visiting other RAF veterans who would otherwise be alone. #Lifechangers