A look back on another brilliant year at Vista

In January, Vista celebrated the culmination of nearly a year's hard work with the launch of Work.Live.Leicestershire (WiLL); a collaborative programme to help economically inactive or unemployed individuals living in rural Leicestershire to move into job search, training or employment. WiLL have had a really exciting year and there is still lots they want to do in the next 6 months of the project. 

Vista members on stage

In Febraury, Vista started our relationship with London-based accessible theatre producers Extant and Leicester-based producer Parmjit Sagoo. They devised a completely new show, created by and starring people with sight loss and performed it at the famous Curve theatre. 

Digital Vision service secured for the future

The future of Digital Vision Service was secured following a donation of £95,000 from the Lottery Community Fund. The Digital Buddy Service is a volunteer-led support service to help people with sight loss become more digitally savvy, so they can overcome the challenges of everyday life and help reduce isolation.

Vista runners conquer the Vitality Big Half

It wouldn't be a run-down of the year without the exploits of our fundraisers. Erstwhile marketing assistant and volunteer Constantin made the long trip to London to run the Vitality Big Half and raised over £1000 for Vista. They had a great day, and only once or twice nearly felt absolutely dead. But the photos were funny, so it was worth it. 

Vista's 6th shop opens in Shepshed

After months of hard work from a team of dedicated staff and volunteers, Vista’s newest charity shop opened in Shepshed. 

The ribbon was cut by Emma and Marc Vaughan of MVS, a group who have raised more than three thousand pounds in donations for Vista over the last few years and members of the public were quick to fill the shop, perusing the aisles and seeing what was on offer, as well as helping themselves to the free doughnuts and Vista tote bags on offer with every purchase.

It's not every day you celebrate your 160th birthday and not every charity it lucky enough to get the opportunity. For 160 years Vista has been supporting people with sight loss across Leicester, Leicestershire, and Rutland. The event was celebrated by Vista staff being given their own birthdays as a free day-off, meaning they can properly celebrate the day with their families, friends, or just on their own as they wish, without any of the stresses of work. 

And there was lots more to come in the rest of the year. Make sure you tune in next week for part 2...