Blind Veterans UK have just launched a new campaign called No One Alone, which is mainly focused on raising awareness among the 60+ age group. If you know a senior who did National Service and is now blind or partially sighted, please ask them to contact Blind Veterans for more details.
Earlier this year one of the oldest charities in the UK, St Dunstan’s, rebranded to become Blind Veterans UK. St Dunstan’s was founded in 1915 by Arthur Pearson to help and rehabilitate soldiers blinded in the First World War – Blind Veterans UK has expanded that remit to include all those who have served in the UK forces, including those who did National Service, who have subsequently suffered sight impairment or have lost their sight.
So, for example, that means your granddad who served National Service and who has now lost his sight as a result of a health condition may well be eligible.
The charity’s support for veterans is renowned: support is holistic and involves the whole family, and the health and medical rehabilitation are superb. In addition, the members deeply appreciate the extended community they join as part of the charity (isolation is often be a huge problem when sight is lost), as well as the lifestyle support, from cooking and kitchen skills to IT training, sports (many members have competed in the Paralympics since it started), and arts and crafts.
Research indicates that there are currently more than 68,000 people that they could help, and so Blind Veterans UK have just launched a new campaign called No One Alone, which is mainly focused on raising awareness among the 60+ age group. Since potential members may still be unaware that they could qualify, we were wondering of you could help us to spread the word? This could be as simple as just telling people, especially anyone who suffers from sight impairment – and it may actually be someone you know well.
As a case in point, the father of a close friend of mine lost his sight some years ago as the result of being mugged. Now, I have been involved with Blind Veterans UK for the past year or so – indeed my agency was responsible for handling their social media re-brand in February – yet I didn’t put two and two together until a few weeks ago and think to ask Jane “Did your Dad do National Service?” (he’s in his 80s) to which she answered yes! Her father knew about Blind Veterans UK, but had no idea that the remit had been extended, so I have now sent her the links and they are going to apply to be assessed.
No doubt there are more ‘Jane’s dads’ in every part of the country and Blind Veterans UK would like your help finding them, so if you could spread the word that would be most appreciated.
Thank you in advance!
@BlindVeterans Twitter Blog Facebook
Claire Burdett launched the first UK WAHM website, Funky Angel, sometime back in the Dark Ages when her children were small, and is now MD of social media and digital agency The Media Marketing Co, where she blogs about social media marketing for brands, bloggers, non profits and public sector.
@ClaireBurdett
About
BritMums is the UK’s original collective of lifestyle bloggers and digital influencers, fueling the country’s most influential social content. We lead the online conversation with members who are parent social influencers creating content on topics ranging from food, parenting, travel, politics, style and more.