Birmingham Vision has supported blind and partially sighted people, their friends, families and carers, since it opened in 2015.

Following changes to available future funding, we have recently been reviewing the sustainability of Birmingham Vision and working closely with our primary funder, Thomas Pocklington Trust (TPT), to determine the best way forward for continuity of provision of services in the area. We have, sadly, concluded that Birmingham Vision is no longer sustainable, and have made the difficult decision that the charity will no longer continue to operate. We are currently working on a date to close the charity but will aim to continue our existing activities, where possible, until December 2019.

TPT are committed to continuing to provide financial support in Birmingham, and it now looks most likely that this will be achieved through a combination of redeployment of some Birmingham Vision staff to other organisations and direct funding of services at other organisations in the area.

We are working with TPT and local and national sight loss charities to transfer our activities and services to them and we feel that this is the best solution for ensuring the continuity of services for blind and partially sighted people of working age. With the support from TPT, we are confident that these opportunities for blind and partially sighted people will continue.

Further information will be circulated via social media, our website, our newsletter and a letter in the coming months.

Birmingham Vision would like to thank everyone who has supported the charity either as a volunteer or service user. We have enjoyed supporting everyone who has accessed our services.

We would like to take this opportunity to thank TPT who have so generously supported our work. We also acknowledge the kind support of our other funders who have enabled us to deliver and develop services.

Yours Faithfully

Emma Cruickshank CEO on behalf of the Birmingham Vision Trustees

December 2019

Following today’s meeting, details on who will be delivering services and activities for sport, employment, social activities and Eye Clinic Liaison Officer including contact details are available:

People can find out more on each of the services as follows:

The ECLO can be contacted on russell.stephenson@nhs.net 0121 507 6737

The Retinal Support Group will be delivered in John Lewis Community Hub for details, contact Clair Pudaruth, clair.pudaruth@retinauk.org.uk

Mobile:07841 481 423

Employment services will be delivered by Sense at Touchbase Pears, 750 Bristol Rd, Birmingham, B29 6NA. Email: michelle.williams@sense.org.uk

The social and sports services will be delivered by Focus Birmingham info@focusbirmingham.org.uk 0121 478 5222

 

For more support across Birmingham and the West Midlands you can contact the following agencies:

Beacon:

Phone: 01902 880111

Blind Veterans:

Phone: 07393 019866

Coventry Resource Centre:

Phone: 0247  671 7522 

Guide Dogs:

Phone: 0345 143 0194

Macular Society Helpline:

Phone: 0300 30 30 111

New Outlook:

Phone: 0121 602 6511

Rehabilitation Team Birmingham

Phone: 0121 675 6979 

RNIB Helpline:

Phone: 0303 123 9999

Sandwell VIP:

Phone: 0121 525 4810 

Walsall General:

Phone: 01922 627 683

Warwickshire Vision Support:

Email: enquiries@warwickshire.vision

Phone: 01926 411331