News

Vista's First Virgin London Marathon Runner - March 2010

Vista is has our first ever Marathon Runner - John Wilde. John will be running in the London Marathon which takes place on the 25th April 2010 in order to raise funds for Vista.


John said "I am looking forward to the challenge and raising money for such a worthwhile local cause. In between my job by day and night as a police officer, doing my degree, being a dad and husband, I am managing to find time to train and am working hard towards hitting my target time of under 3.5 hours. I haven’t persuaded anyone into coming out with me as yet but if you fancy heading out for a 10mile run at 5am then please get in touch.


Please support John in his Fundraising activities by sponsoring him:

John Wilde's Just Giving page. 


The money raised will help to ensure that Vista is still here for many years in the future, opening up new opportunities and services to improve the lives of people with sight loss.


For further information please contact the Fundraising Office on 0116 249 8801 or e-mail fundraising@vistablind.org.uk.

What would you lose? - March 2010

Please take a moment and try to imagine a life without sight.

The RNIB have already asked some of Britain's best loved celebrities to share what they'd lose from their lives and now they'd love you to share your thoughts.

Tell us what you think you would lose from your life if you lost your sight!

Sight loss impacts people in different ways. While you do lose some things, you can adjust and many people find things as well. If you are blind or partially sighted, what do you feel you lost and what have you found?

The link below will allow you to share your thoughts with Vista.

I want to share my thoughts

If you would like any information about Vista please call 0116 249 09 09.

Transport Volunteer Plea - February 2010

MEP Visits Vista - February 2010

Wintry Weather - January 2010

We are all well aware of the hazardous wintry conditions affecting the UK at present but Vista’s management team would like to ensure that staff and service users safety is maintained at all times.

If staff are facing treacherous conditions for getting to work, and if it is possible for them to work at home and their line manager is agreeable, then please do so. Similarly, managers will carry out regular risk assessments regarding social groups because we do not want to encourage people to take risks out on the ice if it can be avoided.

Vista holds the well-being of its staff and that of service users as a priority. We need to avoid risk of accidents, and that will require careful risk assessment by managers on a regular basis and clear communication of the outcomes.

For updates, relating to this period of inclement weather and its impact on Vista’s services, please visit the website regularly, telephone 0116 249 8888 or email: disaster@vistablind.org.uk.

New Wycliffe home wins National award! - November 2009

The New Wycliffe Home on Gleneagles Avenue has won the ‘Specialist Care Provider’ category in the first annual National Care Home of the Year competition! The contest, spearheaded by social care magazine - Caring Business, recognises excellence and teamwork by care providers.


More than 100 care homes across the country entered the awards, with only 14 being selected to win one of four categories: Small, Medium, Large and Specialist Care Providers.


Representatives of the New Wycliffe home, were presented with the award at a ceremony at the NEC in Birmingham on Tuesday 3rd November 2009.


Jenny Pearce, Vistas Chief Executive said “This is such a proud day for Vista and the New Wycliffe Home. To have the work of our excellent team honoured in this way is remarkable; quite apart from being very emotional! My thanks go out to the whole team at the New Wycliffe Home in particular the Manager Julie Rudd, without whom this fantastic achievement would not have been possible!”

The Judging Panel said of the New Wycliffe Home “All the entries were excellent but the New Wycliffe stood out as it is truly a specialist home caring for people that are blind or partially sighted. Their service users are at the heart of every decision that is made. The home has embraced both the Eden Alternative and the RNIB Visibly Better Award. It is clear that everyone associated puts services users first.”


For information about the award winning, 3 star rated, New Wycliffe Home or to request a brochure please call 0116 266 7093 or alternatively email residential@vistablind.org.uk.

Vista receives top star ratings for Residential Homes - Sept 2009

The Care Quality Commission (CQC) which regulates, inspects and reviews all adult social care services in England has awarded 3 stars to the Kathleen Rutland Home, The New Wycliffe Home, Simmins Crescent & Applegarth.


CQC inspections are based on the ‘National Minimum Standards’ which set out the core requirements that apply to all care services. These standards are grouped into seven categories or outcome areas, for residential homes

• Choice of home
• Health and personal care
• Daily life and social activities
• Complaints and protection
• Environment
• Staffing
• Management and administration

A quality rating, represented by a number of stars, is awarded to services following an inspection, to indicate the overall quality of the service provided. CQC ratings 3 stars means ‘Excellent’. The 3 Star rating of 'Excellent' can only be achieved after a sustained track record of performance, so only established care homes and services, who have consistently proven to provide particularly good services, with high levels of safety and management, will be awarded 3 stars.

This link will take you to more information about Vista's residential care homes.

For further information about Vista's Residential Homes please contact Janice Hayward, Assistant Residential Director on  0116 238 7958.