THE first charity set up to help those with visual impairments has been awarded £9,500 from The National Lottery Community Fund.

Wirral Society of the Blind and Partially Sighted (WSBPS) have been handed the cash to go towards their latest project 'Celebrating Senses' which has been designed to promote achievements of its members.

It hopes to promote independence and boost the confidence of beneficiaries while also raising awareness of the charity's commitment to providing practical, social and emotional support to its service users.

As part of the project WSBPS staff and users have also organised different events and activities throughout the year to raise £30,000 to coincide with the charity's 30th anniversary.

Development and fundraising coordinator at WSBPS Lynne Sedgwick said: “Thanks to National Lottery players, this funding will help to improve the lives of blind and partially sighted people in the local community.

"Over the past 30 years our organisation has become a hub for blind and partially sighted people in the area, enabling them to meet others with shared experience as well as to learn vital skills to help them live an independent life.

“Our drop-in sessions and telephone befriending service works to ensure people do not feel alone and are able to talk to someone who can offer them support, advice, and options.

"This keeps people in touch and works to prevent individuals entering cycles of decline where social isolation can start having negative effects on their lives.”

So far this year the charity has completed a sponsored bike ride, dubbed ‘30 miles for 30 years’, participants cycled from Seacombe Ferry to Thurstaston Common and back.

Duncan Nicholson, head of funding for the North West at The National Lottery Community Fund, told the Globe: “National Lottery money continues to change the lives of thousands of people across the UK.

"From community-led projects that reduce loneliness and isolation to those supporting young people to overcome modern-day challenges, this quarter’s funding has been awarded to groups with the ideas, knowledge and passion to empower their community to thrive.”

The cash will also go towards IT classes, drop-in sessions and a befriending service designed to reduce loneliness and isolation among blind and partially sighted people in the area.