Vista is Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland's leading charity for people with sight loss
![[Image Description: Logo with 'Save Your Local Sight Loss Charity' in an orange and white box, alongside the Vista logo, and text reading 'No one should face sight loss alone']](/uploads/images/Banner_Image_-_Appeal_Webpage.max-1000x1000.png)
Vista is facing closure. Rising costs and rapidly increasing demand mean that, without immediate action, our charity may not survive.
To keep Vista open and protect our services, we need to raise £2,000,000 by the end of March 2026. The clock is already ticking.
Right now, around 35,000 people in Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland are living with sight loss. Behind that number are real people: children struggling at school, parents learning to navigate a life they never expected, older people losing confidence in their independence, and families stepping unexpectedly into caring roles.
For all of them, Vista is there. Vista is the only local charity providing lifelong, holistic support for people with sight loss. From the moment of diagnosis through every stage of life. We are there in the eye clinic, in people’s homes, in schools and workplaces, and in the community.
Without Vista, everyday life can quickly become overwhelming or even impossible. Making a cup of tea. Reading a letter. Catching a bus. Going to work. Things many of us take for granted would slip out of reach.
Vista has been a lifeline to thousands of people with sight loss and their families for over 160 years. We cannot allow this legacy and the support people depend on to disappear.
We are doing everything we can to protect our service users, safeguard our expertise, and preserve as much support as possible. But we cannot do this alone. Without urgent help from our local community, Vista may not survive.
Whatever you can give will make a real and immediate difference.
A one-off donation, a regular gift, or fundraising through a personal challenge, every contribution matters right now.
If you’d like to raise money for Vista, we have plenty of ideas to help you get started.
If you’d like to discuss any potential financial support with us please contact Fundraising on 0116 249 8801 or at fundraising@vistablind.org.uk.
Please note: if we do not raise sufficient funds to secure Vista’s future meaning that we are forced to close, donations received will be redirected to a charity with similar aims and objectives.
Their mum, Fatima, has been alongside them every step of the way. The family originally moved to the UK from the Netherlands looking for better support. Not long after arriving, they were introduced to Vista.
After being referred through the hospital, he was introduced to Vista and began working with the rehabilitation team.
Her family didn’t know anyone else going through the same thing and felt completely lost. Through Vista, Izzy has built her confidence, learned to use a cane and now has the support she needs to move around school independently, something her family never thought would be possible at the time.
Through Vista, they’ve been able to speak to people who understand what they’re going through and meet other families in similar situations. Sophie has also been able to take part in activities, alongside her sister, Evie, and spend time with other children with visual impairments.
She worked as an Orthoptist in the NHS for 43 years, including 21 years as Head Orthoptist at Leicester Royal Infirmary, where she worked closely with Vista and saw first-hand the difference the charity makes for people and families living with sight loss.
Michael's sight impairment changed everything for his family. His mum was confused and overwhelmed. Medical appointments were filled with complex terminology, and she often left without fully understanding how best to support him. That's where Vista stepped in.
Growing up with a visual impairment, Vista had the opportunity to meet other young people facing similar experiences, try new things, and build memories.
After being diagnosed with a visual impairment and cerebral palsy at a young age, things like recognising faces became challenging. But James and his dad, John, refused to let that define his future. With support from Vista, James has grown in confidence, independence and belief.
Her role is all about creating spaces where families can come together, share experiences and support one another while navigating life with visual impairments.
Lynda speaks about how Vista have helped her after the diagnosis she received at birth.