A retired police officer is in the running for a top national award for his work to bring the magic of football to fans with sight loss.
Former Scottish Police Federation (SPF) east of Scotland secretary Graham Ross has been shortlisted at the Scottish Council for Voluntary Organisations (SCVO) annual Scottish Charity Awards.
Ross (pictured above on the right with East Fife fan Sandy Allan) set up a new partnership between the charity Seescape and three of the region’s senior football clubs to bring the game to fans who are blind and partially sighted.
Dunfermline Athletic, East Fife and Raith Rovers all donated season tickets for fans to come to the games, along with volunteers or carers.
Seescape’s partnership is designed to help more fans with sight loss get along to matches, recognising that football clubs play a crucial role in their communities and tackling isolation and loneliness.
The clubs already offer specialised audio commentaries for fans with a visual impairment, as well as any extra support they might need in the stadium.
“I know so many retired officers who felt a loss when they left the service, who felt the need to have a structure, to contribute to society and remain active… volunteering offers all of that”
Graham Ross
The charity is also providing expert advice and support on making the matchday experience more inclusive for people with sight loss.
Now Ross, who started his role as volunteer coordinator after retiring from the force last year, called on officers who have retired – or are about to – to consider volunteering work.
“Scotland faces a big shortage of volunteers for charities,” he said.
“Numbers are down something like 14 per cent in the last decade – which is more than 300,000 volunteers.
“That is a problem for charities like Seescape who rely on volunteers as without them we wouldn’t be able to support people who need us.
“I know so many retired officers who felt a loss when they left the service, who felt the need to have a structure, to contribute to society and remain active, but who didn’t want the demands of a full-time job.
“Volunteering offers all of that and is massively rewarding too.”
Ross’s role is to support and drive up the number of volunteers who help Seescape arrange social activities for the people they support.
He also volunteers at Dunfermline Athletic as disability access officer, making it easier for people who have a disability to enjoy getting along to games.
Ross, who was the SPF’s welfare, wellbeing and equality lead for the east of Scotland, has turned to old colleagues from the force to help.
“When I started my role, I intentionally sought out retired cops to help us, and now we have a number on board, making a real difference to other people’s lives as well as their own,” he said.
“We are really grateful to them.
“One of the things I saw as a police officer was the impact of mental health on people’s lives. You would often see and work with people who were struggling.
“Volunteering is something that really helps with mental health. Not only does it help charities like Seescape tackle isolation and loneliness, it also really helps people who volunteer as well. It is a win-win.”
He added: “Once you start volunteering, it’s infectious. You see the smiles on people’s faces.
“The feedback I get from volunteers is heartwarming and inspiring and I’d encourage anyone – particularly former colleagues – to get involved.”
“For the first time in more years than I care to remember, I felt like a normal 42-year-old man doing something normal on a Saturday afternoon”
Football fan Davy McCowatt
Raith Rovers supporter Davy McCowatt is one of the fans who has enjoyed the benefit of the partnership.
He said: “It gave me a real boost at a time I was feeling really low.
“Losing my sight has been a shock to me and something I’ve not really come to terms with. I do find myself in a rut and not wanting to leave the house. I never thought I’d get back to the football again.
“I can’t tell you the difference it made, not just to me but to my family.
“My dad and brother learned I was going and decided to make a day of it.
“We got together, went for lunch before the game, had a real laugh and went to the match. The club were very welcoming and I even had a couple of beers before the game.
“It may not sound a lot to most people, but the simplest way I can describe the difference it made was that, for the first time in more years than I care to remember, I felt like a normal 42-year-old man doing something normal on a Saturday afternoon. I didn’t think I’d feel like that again.”
The SCVO awards recognise the work being done by charities across Scotland and the winners will be announced on June 19.