Berkshire Vision launches Little Acts of Kindness Christmas campaign
Berkshire Vision staff with the individually wrapped gifts for the people they support.
Berkshire Vision, a long-established local charity that supports blind and visually impaired people across Berkshire, has being playing Santa a little early this year, driving over 450 miles across the county making over 70 deliveries a day. It decided to spread a little bit of happiness this Christmas by giving each of the 500 people it supports a Christmas gift.
Each gift has been hand-wrapped and delivered personally to their doorstep by a member of staff wishing them a Merry Christmas and checking they’re okay.
Berkshire Vision office full of individually wrapped gifts for the people they support.
“This year has been challenging for everyone but for people who are visually impaired it has been particularly difficult” says CEO Laura Mitchell. “That is why we wanted to deliver a gift – so that people do know there is someone out there who cares and they are not alone.”
Many thanks to the members of staff who gave up their time and Asda in Tilehurst for their kind donation.
This continues the hard work Berkshire Vision has been doing throughout the year, which began with launching a remote activities programme within two days of the announcement of lockdown designed to combat isolation and loneliness. These activities ranged from coffee mornings to gentle exercise to wine tasting. Activities were chosen to achieve specific outcomes including minimising the effects of lockdown on social isolation, mental wellbeing and physical activity levels.
Just four days later, Berkshire Vision launched a telephone befriending scheme. This provides regular calls to over 250 of the most isolated people it supports across Berkshire, offering them support and a friendly voice to chat to. We are extremely grateful to our Volunteers for helping us with this scheme including the local businesses who encouraged their staff to get involved.
Berkshire Vision staff dressed in seasonal and PPE to deliver gifts.
If you, or anyone you know could benefit from speaking to Berkshire Vision please ring 0118 987 2803.
For more information about this campaign, and all press enquiries, please contact james.garbett@berkshirevision.org.uk
Notes to the editors
Berkshire Vision was established in 1910. Further information about the Charity’s work can be found at www.berkshirevision.org.uk
Social distancing observed during gift delivery.
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