Surrey charity scoops award for community work

Surrey charity scoops award for community work

THE vital work of a Surrey charity has been recognised at a special awards ceremony.

Sensory Services by Sight for Surrey was the winner for its community meet up and catch-up hubs project in the community category – sponsored by Specsavers – at the 2024 Visionary awards.

The initiative was recognised for harnessing the strengths of people it works alongside, giving them the tools and back-up support to lead change in their own communities as the charity embraced asset-based community development. It also reached out to some people living in areas with high levels of deprivation.

Clare Burgess, CEO, Sensory Services by Sight for Surrey, says: ‘We are over the moon to have won the Community Impact Award at the Visionary Awards. I am immensely proud of the work of the entire team setting up our five community hubs around Surrey.

‘These community hubs allow people who are deaf, hard of hearing, blind, partially sighted and deafblind the opportunity to share their skills and strengths with others, and to form a supportive community.’

Frank Moore, Specsavers head of enhanced optical services operations, presented the award having also led an engagement workshop for conference delegates.

‘Congratulations to Sight for Surrey for winning this award and Galloways and Vision Norfolk being finalists,’ says Mr Moore. ‘All three, indeed all the entries in this category, undertake important work for their communities.

‘Specsavers is all about serving our communities, so we are very pleased to have sponsored this award recognising local sight loss charities inspiring work.’

Amy Pearman, Operations Director at Visionary, says: ‘Through creative service design and collaboration, Sensory Services by Sight for Surrey has enhanced support for blind and partially sighted people in their local community.

‘This approach reflects the commitment of Visionary members to community development, where every individual’s skill and experience contribute to building support, opportunities, and networks for local people. Congratulations to them and all of the 2024 award winners and nominees.’

Sensory Services by Sight for Surrey is a charity set up in 1922 that helps and supports people who are deaf, hard of hearing, blind, partially sighted and deafblind. To find details of your nearest community hub please visit www.sightforsurrey.org.uk.