History
● Beacon began life in 1875. It’s purpose was to give blind people the opportunity to learn to read by deciphering embossed text.
● By 1899, we had retail outlets and workshops
● In 1963, a new centre was opened in Sedgley including a concert hall, canteen, Braille library, offices and workshops
● In 1968, a fund was set up to open and equip a residential home
● In 1976, 27 purpose built bungalows were opened
● By 2003 it was decided the current centre was no longer fit for purpose so the decision was made to rebuild
● In 2009 the new centre was opened by Princess Anne and includes a coffee bar, charity shop, restaurant, independent living centre and apartments
What we do
● Activeyes
● Beacon Bus
● Beacon4work
● Beacon Extra Care
● Beacon Shops
● Community Home Visits
● Fundraising
● Independent Living Centre
● Low Vision Advice Centre
● Sight Awareness Training
● Youth Club
Facilities
● Beacon Court Apartments
● Charity Shop
● Coffee Bar
● Conference Rooms
● Gymnasium
● Independent Living Centre
● Low Vision Advice Centre
● Restaurant
Testimonials
● One form member of the Youth Club had no doubt about the role it played in his development:
“The club helped me develop life skills. In school I was not the norm and I found it difficult to shake the visually impaired tag and find my identity as a person. In the club I was the norm and it gave me so much confidence.”
● A user of the Advice Centre explains how the service has helped them: “Talking to staff and seeing other people with sight loss coping has given me a more positive outlook. The help and advice offered has given me a lot more confidence that I can cope especially after demonstrations of the equipment available.”
