Vision Northumberland (formerly Northumberland County Blind Association) supports people affected by sight loss and visual impairment. Their services are volunteer driven, many of whom have sight loss themselves, and include befriending, home assistance, technology support, access to vision aids and assessments, and other information and advice. The charity was honoured to receive the Queen’s Award for Volunteering in 2021.
The £15,000 donation over three years will help the charity with its day to day running costs and support other activities such as reducing isolation for older people.
Julie Boyak, CEO of the charity was delighted with the help that Northumberland Freemasons have given:
'There are around 18,000 people with sight loss and visual impairments in the county. The vast majority are elderly, and sight loss makes them more vulnerable and socially isolated than their peers, plus they also have an added risk of additional health problems. We support around 200 people each week with phone calls and home visits through our network of 150 volunteers. This service is invaluable, and part of the donation will help to ensure that it carries on. We are very grateful for the help we’ve been given by the freemasons.'
Head of Northumberland Freemasons, Ian Craigs was impressed with the work being carried out by Vision Northumberland:
'I’ve been talking to some of the people who use the services provided and its heartening to know that there is such good support available for people who are visually impaired both in the form of advice and guidance but also with new technology to make people’s lives easier to manage.
'I am especially pleased that Vision Northumberland is among the worthwhile charities to benefit from the Masonic Charitable Foundation’s latest round of fundraising, so it can continue to help people throughout Northumberland.'
