Blind Veterans UK - Llandudno

26^th September 2020

Blind Veterans UK - Llandudno

On Tuesday, 22 September,  sixteen members of Llandudno Rotary plus one visitor were delighted to hear a talk by Volunteer Co-ordinator Joanna Tann about the Llandudno establishment of the charity Blind Veterans UK.

Joanna, who had been invited by former Rotary President Rosalind Hopewell, herself a volunteer at Blind Veterans UK, spoke both of the history and of the reach of the organisation.

Founded in 1915 in response to blinded soldiers returning from the First World War, and previously known as St Dunstan’s, Blind Veterans UK has supported tens of thousands of Armed Forces and National Service veterans to rebuild their lives after sight loss.

While Blind Veterans UK initially cared for veterans blinded in active Service, today they help veterans no matter what caused their sight loss. The charity’s training and rehabilitation centre in Llandudno was opened in 2011.

The centre has a variety of lounges, a bar, outdoor terrace, a fully equipped gym, a sports and activity hall, and an art and craft workshop. Normally, they can welcome over 50 blind veterans at a time for either a holiday or for rehabilitation and training.

Although closed since March due to Covid-19, the centre has started welcoming back a small number of blind veterans who are most in need.