History of Vista

History

A Brief History of Vista

We can trace our roots back to 1858 when The Leicester Association for Promoting the General Welfare of the Blind was founded by Robert Mackley, himself blind, to provide services to blind and partially sighted people. In 1932, King George V commanded that Vista should use the word ‘Royal’ in its title following a visit by the Prince of Wales.

With the advent of the Welfare State in 1948 the Institution was asked to act as an agent of the Councils of Leicester City, Leicestershire and Rutland. In 1973 The Institution and the Wycliffe Society for Helping the Blind amalgamated and became The Royal Leicestershire, Rutland and Wycliffe Society for the Blind.

1858

The Leicester Association for Promoting the General Welfare of the Blind was founded by Robert Mackley, himself blind, to provide services to blind and partially sighted people. Its first workshop was situated on High Street.

1893

The Wycliffe Society for Helping the Blind, formed by Edwin Crew and Charles Harris, had a vision of “a city for the blind” in North Evington and set up a hospital, cottage homes and a home of rest.

1899

The Cottage Homes on Gwendolen Road were opened by Arthur Wakerley.

1920

Following the 1920 Blind Persons Act the Institute became an agent of local government and was asked to keep the local register of blind persons required under the Act.

1923

The Society’s new workshop was opened in Margaret Road on a site donated by Alderman Arthur Wakerley. At its peak, the workshop employed over one hundred people.

1926

The Daisy Day Committee was formed and started to fundraise for local blind people.

1932

King George V commanded that the Society should use the word “Royal” in its title following a visit by the Prince of Wales.

1955

The Institution was one of the first in the United Kingdom to operate a local Social and Rehabilitation Centre from Prebend House.

1967

HRH the Duchess of Kent opened the Kathleen Rutland Home at Leicester Forest East.

1973

The Institution and the Wycliffe Society for Helping the Blind amalgamated and became The Royal Leicestershire, Rutland and Wycliffe Society for the Blind.

Philip Parkinson joined the Society as Deputy General Secretary to John Brown and then succeeded him as General Secretary.

1976

The New Wycliffe Home, built to replace the Wycliffe Homes on Gedding Road was opened by HRH the Duchess of Kent.

The Leicester Talking Newspaper and the Hinckley Talking Newspaper were launched.

1980

Leicester’s Lord Mayor, Councillor Bill Scotton, launched the Save Our Services Appeal.

1983

The Society celebrated its 125th Anniversary with a number of events including a birthday party at De Montfort Hall attended by 1500 people.

1989

The new Resources Centre at Gedding Road was completed and opened by HRH The Duchess of Kent.

1989

Applegarth, a residential bungalow for 6 people who had a visual impairment and learning difficulties, was opened in Leicester Forest East.

1994

The Workshop for the Blind was closed in March after funding by the County Council was withdrawn.

2000

The Society gained the Investors in People Award.

2001

The former Workshop for the Blind was refurbished using grants from National Lotteries Charities Board, the Maude Elkington Trust and the Henry Smith Charity.
Philip Parkinson retired after 27 years as Chief Executive.  Gordon Diffey was appointed Chief Executive.

Royal Leicestershire, Rutland and Wycliffe Society for the Blind was re-launched under the new working name Vista.

2002

The refurbished Workshop for the Blind was officially opened and re-named the Wakerley Centre.

2005

The Wakerley Centre computer suite, equipped through a major fundraising initiative by the Rotary Clubs of Leicester, was officially opened by local author Sue Townsend.

2006

Jenny Pearce appointed Chief Executive.

2007

Major review of Vista’s personal care services for older people commenced.

2008

150^th Anniversary of the founding of the Society.

2009

A Full strategic review of Vista was undertaken with a view to writing a 5 year business plan for the Charity.

2010

Launch of Vista’s 5 year business plan.

2011

Refurbishment of Vista's Resource Centre Commenced in January. Officially re-opened by Sir Peter Soulsby in June 2011.

Light amid the shadows

A comprehensive account of Vista's past can be found within our book titled 'Light amid the Shadows' by Derek Seaton. Published by Brookside Press Ltd ISBN 0 9524267 0 6. If you would like a copy please contact 0116 249 8801.

If you would like to buy copy, please contact Vista on: 0116 249 8858 or email: info@vistablind.org.uk

Light Amid the Shadows front cover