Our history
Action for Blind People has been offering vital support for blind and partially sighted people for over 150 years. We have been known under different names but supporting blind and partially sighted people has always been at the heart of what we do.
Early days
Action for Blind People was founded in 1857 as the Surrey Association for the General Welfare of the Blind and later became the London Association for the Blind. The Association's main activities in the early days were teaching blind people to read and to learn practical trades such as basket weaving.
Action for Blind People
Opportunities and attitudes towards visually impaired people changed over the years, along with the nature and the scale of our work. As a result our title was changed to Action for Blind People in 1999.
Action at the present
Action is one of the largest charities in the UK. We have many services which help blind and partially sighted people with different aspects of their lives, from hotels to resource centres to employment services.
RNIB
We work with other expert organisations to draw on a wide range of skills and resources. Our close relationship with RNIB, with whom we formed a partnership in April 2009, enables us to provide a unique combination of complementary strengths and expertise to help an ever inceasing number of people with sight loss. Working together in this way allows both organisations to share skills and deliver services in line with the UK Vision Strategy and RNIB Group Strategy.
Local societies
Action works closely with local blind societies, recognising that these organisations provide vital work and support to those with a visual impairment.
Our services
We offer a range of services covering all aspects of sight loss including housing, financial and employment advice as well as services for children, young people and families.
Where to get help
If you need help and advice or further information about our services then please contact your local Action team to speak with someone who can help.
