The Essex Blind Charity was founded in 1920 in a meeting at the Girdlers Hall in London when the Clothworkers provided premises for the meeting of friends who had determined a need to assist the blind and visually impaired within the County of Essex.
Originally known as the Essex County Association for the Blind, the Association later changed its name to Essex Voluntary Association for the Blind. This clarified the Association’s status as a charitable trust maintained by voluntary funding, with no financial input from the County Council. In 2004 the trust was incorporated as a Company limited by Guarantee and was renamed Essex Blind Charity. This recent change in structure was part of a modernisation which is commonplace amongst charities today.
Fairly soon after its formation, the Charity became involved in providing short term residential care and later, permanent residential care and nursing homes for people with visual impairment. Essex Blind Charity now boasts a modern purpose built complex at Frinton on Sea which is the only home of its type in the County. In addition to residential care, respite facilities are offered together with holiday breaks and day care.
The Charity has developed with the changing times and the requirements of Care in the Community, working hard to extend its outreach work in the County of Essex and London Boroughs with boundaries adjacent to the County (Barking & Dagenham, Havering, Redbridge and Waltham Forest).
The Charity currently operates a Telephone Advice Line 0870 240 5418 and a quarterly magazine ‘Spotlight’ which is supplied free to those with visual impairment.
Resource Centres operate at Frinton Thurrock and Chelmsford and the
Charity supports Hospital Eye Clinic Support Groups and Social Clubs throughout Essex.
