Our History

Who We Are. A Brief History.

Vision Support has been providing help and assistance for people affected by vision impairment since 1876. Our goal has always been to aid people in maintaining their independence, whilst raising awareness of the challenges faced by those with sight loss.  

We were founded under the name The Chester Association For The Home Teaching Of The Blind. The intention was to send Home Teachers out to educate people with visual impairments in applicable skills.

In our first year of operation 79 people were visited. Our services proved vital so we have continued to operate as a charity in the area ever since. 

In 2001 we merged with Vision Enhancement Services, extending our reach over much of North Wales; allowing us to help more people.

As of 2015, our Mission Statement read: ‘Vision Support exists to enhance the quality of life, promote the continuing independence and raise awareness of the needs of vision impaired people of all ages throughout our communities.’

Timeline

1876 – Chester Society for Supplying Home Teaching for the Blind is founded.

1932 – To reflect the growing importance of the Society’s workshops which provided employment for vision impaired people, the Society’s name was changed to Chester and District Blind Welfare Society. At the time 56 people were employed.

1955 – The Society enters new premises at 67 Liverpool Road, Chester.

1957-58 – 24569 visits were made by the staff to vision impaired people in their homes.

1958 – The Right Honourable Viscount Leverhulme became the Society’s President.

1960 – Home Teachers, visited many vision impaired people from their base in Liverpool Road, had their salaries met by local authorities.

1970 – Local Authority Social Services departments began to directly administer a greater part of the support offered to vision impaired people. The Society concentrated on providing additional services such as sheltered employment, provision of equipment, talking books and holidays.

1986 – Viscount Lord Leverhulme opened a Vision Resource Centre at 67 Liverpool Road.

1990 – The Charity changed its name to Chester, Cheshire and Clwyd Society for the Blind to reflect its increasing geographical coverage.

1997 – The Charity changed its name to Cheshire and North East Wales Society for the Blind in line with local government reorganisation.

2001 – Cheshire and North East Wales Society for the Blind merged with Vision Enhancement Services. The new Charity took the name of Vision Enhancement Services, with a working name of Vision Support. A trading company was also established this year under the name of Vision Support Trading, which covenanted profits to the work of the Charity.

2002 – Vision Support introduced the first of its new innovative Mobile Resource Centres covering North Wales.

2005 – Vision Support’s Head Office moved to its present address at the Ropeworks in Chester. A second Mobile Resource Centre purchased for Cheshire and Halton.

2010 – David Briggs, Lord Lieutenant of Cheshire, became Vision Support’s President. A new office opened in Gwersyllt, located within a community resource centre.

2015 – Chester Vision Centre opened inside the Bluecoat building.

2016 – Vision Support held a Victorian Tea Party to celebrate 140 years.

2017 – Prestatyn Sight Loss Centre opened in Prestatyn high street.

2021 – Vision Support launched a new Community Information Service, bringing support to further locations across North Wales and Cheshire. 

2023 – Vision Support launched a new Sight Loss Information Line, providing comprehensive assistance and guidance to those living with sight loss, their families, and caregivers