VISTA

Many of you will recognise the photo of retired City of Leicester schoolteacher, Bill Mann, seen here collecting for Vista . This is a local charity supporting blind people and those with poor eye sight in this county and Rutland . Bill has been on the executive committee of Vista for over 15 years and is retiring from this voluntary position this year.

Until I spoke to Bill, I had not realised Vista was a local charity and any donations made go directly for use in Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland . Vista was formally known as The Royal Leicestershire and Rutland and Wycliffe Society for the Blind and assumed the more modern sounding title only five years ago.

Vista today caters for blind and partially sighted people in a wide variety of ways, such as enabling people to gain and increase their level of independence, befriending to help reduce isolation and loneliness and encouraging social interaction and life skills for visually impaired children and young people. Aids are available for people to use in their homes such as a mug which bleeps when sufficient liquid has been poured in, speaking clocks, recordings of books, magazines, newspapers and even the Evington Echo, which Bill records together with extracts from the monthly Gardeners' World magazine. Information on aids available and other services are available at the centre on Gedding Road .

Vista provides older people with the opportunity to attend the Day centre there, transport being provided from door to door for those who require it. Here there is the opportunity to socialise and take part in various activities. Lunch is also provided.

Social groups, involved in activities such as bowls, gardening and general discussion meet regularly at Gedding Road and at a variety of other venues across the region. Gedding Road also has a computer suite where people can learn to touch type and use the computer. This has helped many people to write their own letters and access the internet.

Children who have visual difficulties are also well catered for. This summer's activity programme included water ski-ing, goal football, mad science, cookery and a touch tour to the Mary Poppins Show.

Vista also has two residential care homes for older people with visual impairment, and two homes for visually impaired people with learning difficulties. All these homes have a reputation for having excellent facilities and delivering high quality services.

As a charity Vista depends on volunteers and donations to maintain this level of service. If you are interested in becoming a volunteer, would like to organise a fundraising activity or would benefit from some of the services Vista offer, you can contact Vista on 249 0909 and you will be put in touch with an appropriate person.

www.vistablind.org.uk

Anne Tester