EVINGTON HILL LADIES' CLUB

Clare Harding of VISTA

Our first talk of the year was given by Clare Harding of the Marketing Section of Vista.  She gave an informative presentation on the history of this local charity which helps the blind and visually impaired.  The Royal Leicester, Leicestershire & Rutland Incorporated Institution for the Blind and The Wycliffe Society for the Blind amalgamated in 1973 and in 2001 rebranded as “Vista”.  The society celebrated its 150th anniversary in 2008 with the creation of a scented rose, available from the Vista shop in Margaret Road. Vista has a team which visits local hospitals helping with rehabilitation training, offers a befriending scheme, and runs a day care centre for the over 60s. 

Members experienced handling living aids that included a magnetic cap which fits on to tinned food and is programmed to speak back the contents of the tin. This and other aids demonstrated by Clare are on sale in Vista's shop. 

Volunteers play a large part in Vista's activities especially with the talking newspapers of which 3000 copies of local publications, including the Evington Echo, are provided weekly.

Clare concluded by suggesting ways in which we can all look after our own sight; wearing goggles/glasses when doing hazardous tasks around the home and sunglasses, even in winter sun.