Charity group on the move

ONE of Warrington’s best known charity groups is poised to move home after 60 years – and change its name.
The Warrington and Widnes Blind Society, which operates from the Rex Furness Centre in Museum Street plans to move to the former Fairfield Primary School, in Fairfield Street – now operating as a community hub
It will also change its name to The VIP Centre – for Visually Impaired People.
Chairman John Taylor said: “We feel the word ‘blind’ is less appropriate now.
“We have more than 1,000 members and the majority of them are visually impaired rather than blind.”
The move, which has been discussed for some years, is because the Museum Street premises are no longer considered suitable. There are problems with disabled access and some of the rooms are cramped.
It is hoped the VIP Centre will be up-and-running before the end of the year.
Mr Taylor, a former Mayor and Honorary Alderman, said the organisation would continue to operate three days a week, providing breakfast, social activities, armchair exercises, hot meals and entertainment. They hoped to occupy three former classrooms at the old school.
Some adaptations in the building will be necessary and the society has applied for grant aid.
“We will be joining a larger community and we think that will be good for our members,” said Mr Taylor..
The society also organises home visits, trips out, holidays, etc and is currently negotiating to establish links with a society for the visually impaired in Warrington’s twin town, Hilden, in German.