Chief Executives welcome

Steering through hard times

In spite of difficult economic times, the National Blind Children’s Society is now firmly established as the leading provider of services to children and young people with visual difficulties in the UK.

In recognition of this, NBCS represents children and young people on the UK Vision Strategy as a member of the Joint Initiative Group together with RNIB, Action for Blind People, Guide Dogs, Sense and Royal London Society for the Blind.

It has been a busy year for us, and these are some of our highlights.

Starting Point, an introduction to the services and support available to parents of children who have been diagnosed with a visual difficulty, has been compiled as a result of this initiative. This essential guide has been distributed to leading UK children’s and eye hospitals and the information can also be found at Starting Point.

Other professional initiatives where NBCS represents the interests of children who are blind or partially sighted include the NHS Newborn and Infant Physical Examination Programme (NIPE).

In 2011 NBCS bought a new mobile holiday home now on a seaside holiday park near Southport, Merseyside. This complements the charity’s existing holiday home in Burnham-on-Sea, Somerset. Both are specially adapted and available at a nominal charge for families of children who are blind or partially sighted.

More than 4000 families are registered with NBCS and supported from first diagnosis through the Team Around the Family until the child reaches adulthood. Services include:

· Immediate and on-going ‘one stop’ emotional and practical support

· The provision of expert educational advocacy to ensure the child is placed in the most appropriate learning environment

· Personalised ICT, sensory and other specialist equipment to help children access up-to-date technology

· A nationwide programme of day and weekend family events, social, holiday and adventure activities

· Large-print fact and fiction titles, plus school revision guides, customised to the needs of individual children’s eye conditions

We are very proud of our achievements this year, but we do need your support to reach even more families.

All donations, however small, will make a huge difference, especially if made regularly. Carolyn Fullard
Chief Executive