In this webinar we're joined by Henshaws, a Greater Manchester based organisation. Recent research funded by us and conducted by researchers from Abertay University identified that blind and vision impaired people (who are three times more likely to experience loneliness and isolation) lack confidence to get out and about and enjoy activities that enrich life experiences, such as sporting activities.
Henshaws runs a portfolio of accessible social and hobby groups for vision impaired children and young people with the aim to build independence and take on the goals they've set for themselves.
This webinar took place on Thursday 10 April 2025 at 12:00-13:00. A recording of the event is available below.
Watch the recording here
More information
About the organisation
The charity’s approach is person centred, and the pathway to independence model begins with the simplest of questions; ‘how can we help you?’ Support is tailored to individual needs and aims to improve confidence and independence, helping people to achieve the goals they set themselves.
Henshaws has been supporting vision impaired people for nearly 200 years. The charity helps people of all ages, providing specialist services for children and young people, and wide-ranging services including ‘friendship matters groups, support with technology, counselling, visual impairment awareness training, and enablement services, for adults.
Preventing loneliness and isolation has always been a part of the charity’s work, and the organisation’s approach has changed in line with changes in our society and our communities. The funding received from Fight for Sight is helping the charity to offer more social and leisure opportunities to vision impaired people, and also a greater variety of activities and interests.
Who will benefit from this webinar?
The webinar is a great opportunity to hear about a successful project which is empowering young people to achieve their goals.
The session will interest
- Organisations working with young vision impaired people.
- Organisations looking to set up their own confidence-building activities.
- Organisations interested in the Pathway of Independence Model.
- Organisations looking to replicate Henshaws visual impairment awareness training.
