MP visits Warrington Visually Impaired People Centre

WARRINGTON North MP Charlotte Nichols recently visited the Warrington Visually Impaired People Centre to learn how the charity and its members have been coping during the 16-month closure caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.

It was also an opportunity for WVIP Manager Gail Bretherton to show and tell her what the charity is all about and the services it offers.

Gail said: “We bring our members to the Fairfield and Howley centre twice a week for lunch that is prepared by our chef Howard Isherwood on a Tuesday and Thursday. Our members arrive around noon and sit down with their friends for a cup of tea or coffee and a good chat.
“Howard is currently standing in for our cook who had to leave during the pandemic so if anyone knows a cook that would like to do a few hours a week then we’d love to hear from them as I would like to get him back in the office.”
After lunch Howard usually puts on some entertainment in the form of a quiz, bingo or raffle and quite often he arranges for a group to come and sing or play in the lounge for a singalong and trip down memory lane. Whilst Gail leads a chair-based exercise club on Wednesdays or if the weather is fine she will organise a trip to a local park so that the members can stretch their legs in the fresh air.
The charity also provides services outside the centre. There is an Eye Clinic Help Desk at the Hospital (funded from a member’s legacy) and the WVIP have been Commissioned by WBC to provide a Home Visitors Service with four staff who visit members at home and help them maintain their independence.
Gail added: “It was great to meet Charlotte and tell her about the many challenges and adjustments that we have made to keep in touch with our lovely members. Most are elderly and vulnerable, so we needed to find additional ways during the pandemic to reduce their feeling of isolation and make sure that they were keeping fit and well and safe from COVID-19.”
The team of four Home Visitors couldn’t call to visit in person, so they switched to telephoning people to keep their spirits up and making sure that they were well and had enough food in. They would pass on any shopping needs to Gail who would organise the volunteer drivers to deliver items to the doorstep along with the occasional hot meal cooked at the centre. Some members even participated in what became a popular Thursday group Zoom meeting.
The pandemic also created opportunities for the charity.
Operations officer Adrian Horne added, “The charity has been at the community centre for ten years and Gail suggested we take the opportunity to freshen up the place. Keith, her husband, has done a fantastic job of re-painting rooms, giving them a much-needed breath of fresh air to the centre. The dining area carpet was professionally cleaned, and all the dining chairs were recovered. I even got to use my carpentry skills to turn an alcove storage area into a room where staff and volunteers can now make drinks and snacks.”
Howard said “I always do a quiz, raffle and a few jokes for everyone after lunch and Adrian suggested that we start recording them on pen drive. Well we went a bit overboard because I think we were suffering from cabin fever. Adrian has a background in IT, film and Amateur Dramatics and before we knew it we were recording sketches, plays, songs, stories and for the Christmas edition a pantomime and church service. We had a great time producing them and received encouraging reviews. We even had members leaving items & jokes on the answer machine that we could use.”
Gail said “I think that Charlotte got a good appreciation of the work we do and the wicked sense of humour of our members. She arrived early and stayed until the end when she helped escort members to the minibuses. She told us that she had an enjoyable time and when I thanked her she said that it had been an absolute pleasure and that she would love to come back sometime.
“Well we might be taking her up on that promise when we can load up the mini-buses to full capacity and need more help.”
“At the moment we are taking great care and slowly getting back up to speed after the pandemic. We are currently restricting our three minibuses to carrying four members at a time but we soon hope to have them full up with passengers and bring in forty people to the centre for lunch. Members are already asking when we can organise day trips and annual holidays in Llandudno and Blackpool.
“We have some great volunteers including drivers (like Roy, John and Barrie), their escorts who help people on and off the minibuses, volunteers who help serve meals and some new Trustees who are bringing new ideas and experiences. All are dedicated and willing to go the extra mile.
“There is never a dull moment at the WVIP and everyone says that they always have a great time when they are here. So If anyone wants to know more about the charity and volunteering opportunities please telephone the office 01925632700 or email [email protected]