A BATH charity for the blind has celebrated its 100th birthday with figures which show it currently helps nearly one in four blind or partially sighted people in the Bath and North East Somerset area.
Bath and Wansdyke Society for the Blind and Partially Sighted was set up in the city in 1901 to help the visually impaired lead independent lives by giving hands on assistance and advice.
In its 100 year history, the society has grown enormously in stature, securing its own premises at Green Park Station, Bath, in 1995 and currently helping almost 1,000 people a week.
Services co-ordinator Kay Gerret said: "The society is there for people who want stay in their own homes.
"Our main aim is to make life as easy as possible for them.
"People we have spoken to say they cannot do without us.
"We are the first point of call for a lot of people because of our support groups and the range of services we offer, including selling items for the home such as large button telephones, talking microwave ovens and watches."
The society works closely with the local community, employing over 100 volunteers to help with a befriending service, fundraising events and simply assisting members to get from A to B.
Miss Gerret said: "Drivers are very important to us.
"Without them there would be some people who would not be able to get out.
"Just someone driving a person who is either blind or visually impaired to the supermarket and reading out the prices is a great help."
Crucial to helping people is getting them in touch with other people in the same situation.
"To this end the society runs days out, holds meetings in Bath, Camerton and Keynsham and hosts support groups for those who suffer from Macular Degeneration and Retinitis Pigmentosa.
"I think that meeting other people with the same condition helps enormously," said Miss Gerret.
"They pass on information and it helps to know that they are not the only one, because sometimes you can feel alone."
Today the society, which is part funded by B&NES council, says it still needs more volunteers.
Miss Gerret said: "We are always on the look out for people willing to help."
"The society relies on their help in both fundraising and supporting those who need assistance."
The group can be contacted on 01225 446555 or by visiting their office at 7 Green Park Station, Bath.
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