FORMALLY known as the Blind Society, Warrington Visually Impaired People (VIP) is set to celebrate its 100th anniversary next year.
Originally set up by Rex Furnace in 1923 under the name The Blind Society, Warrington VIP, is an essential support service offering its VIP members home visits, advice on aids and devices, support with benefits and a weekly lunch.
Their Tuesday & Thursday afternoons at their centre are filled with chatter and laughter as VIPs tuck into a freshly prepared 3-course meal with entertainment and a raffle afterwards.
Approximately 3% of the population in the UK is blind. As you age, you are increasingly likely to experience sight loss, with the RNIB reporting that sight loss occurs in one in nine people aged 60 years and over, in one in five people aged 75 and over and one in two people aged 90 and over.
Sight loss can be extremely overwhelming, you can lose your confidence, you may feel that you have no control and you may be worried that you will lose your independence as your vision deteriorates. Often your family and friends will be at a loss on how to fully support you. That’s where Warrington VIP (Visually Impaired People) come in.
During the pandemic, staff and volunteers delivered meals to the homes of their VIPs along with pen drives filled with jokes, stories, quizzes and even a pantomime, all great boredom busters to keep in touch with their VIP’s and to keep them uplifted during those difficult and trying times. 2022 has seen their services restarted, changes in staffing roles and new members joining the team.
They have great partnerships with many local support services including Warrington Hospital, Adult Social Care and Warrington Voluntary Action that we will continue to build upon. The first VIP holiday in three years is booked for November, their new website, designed by Blue Whale Media, will soon be launched and next year, with the support of Culture Warrington, they will be celebrating their centenary.
The group is incredibly proud to be celebrating their centenary next year. Please keep an eye on their Facebook page @WarringtonVIP and website www.warringtonvip.co.uk for further details. In the meantime, if you feel you or a family member would benefit from their service or you would like to offer support please contact the group on 01925 632700 or email [email protected] for further information.
The Blind Society in 1959
