Useful Vision

A message from Paul Court

I am thrilled to share that from January 2025, Healthworks will take on the operation of Useful Vision.

Useful Vision, founded 20 years ago, is a leading North East regional sight loss charity, offering enriching accessible activities which help visually impaired children and their families, it is an essential resource for the community and supports families to lead fulfilling lives.

Both of our organisations share the same values and vision for empowering families and creating positive change.

Healthworks is deeply committed to preserving Useful Vision’s spirit and mission, and we believe that we can help it grow and thrive for many years to come.

About Useful Vision

Useful Vision works with visually impaired children and their families to give them the support they need to flourish.

The service provides accessible, positive opportunities and activities to visually impaired children and their families throughout the North East region.

Enabling children to learn new skills and make new friends – reducing social isolation through increased confidence and self-esteem.

Rebecca Wilson, Useful Vision Trustee explained the background to the move:

After 20 years of voluntarily running Useful Vision, the trustees and I feel it is time to retire but we want to ensure that this vital service will continue.

Useful Vision will cease to exist as a legal entity from the end of December 2024. Following discussions with Healthworks Chief Exec, Paul Court, I am delighted to announce that Healthworks, an award-winning regional charity, with a great track record, will be taking on Useful Vision from 1 January 2025.

This marks an important step in securing the long-term sustainability and growth of Useful Vision, ensuring that it continues to make a meaningful difference in the lives of children and families who enjoy its services.

The Useful Vision Team

The current Useful Vision staff will join the Healthworks team and continue in their roles and will be familiar faces.

Together, we can ensure that Useful Vision not only continues its outstanding work but also expands its reach to benefit even more visually impaired children and their families throughout the region.

The team will continue to be based in The Lemington Centre.  You can contact them on 0191 4472600 or email them [email protected]

Resources, Help and Support

It can be hard to know where to turn when a child in the family has a visual impairment or is diagnosed as blind. It’s important to know you’re not alone.

The Useful Vision service is here to help by providing positive opportunities, support, and accessible events for visually impaired children and their families across the North East. Useful Vision’s huge range of imaginative activities, relaxed family events and skills workshops are designed to meet the needs of visually impaired children of all ages and abilities.

Useful Vision offers practical advice and emotional support for children, siblings and families from early years through to young adulthood.

Visit the Useful Vision website for more information about the support available and how to access it.