The Work of the Norfolk and Norwich Association for The Blind

The Norfolk & Norwich Association for The Blind, also known as the NNAB, is one of Norfolk’s oldest charities and will be celebrating its 214th anniversary this year. Loss of sight can affect anyone, from babies through to the elderly, and the mission of the NNAB is to help Norfolk’s 20,000 people with poor sight remain both independent and confident. Making around 4000 visits last year, The NNAB’s community workers helped thousands of individuals in their homes and over 6,000 visitors went to their Equipment Centres in Norwich, King’s Lynn, Cromer and Great Yarmouth and to their Mobile Centre.

They have a residential home for 37 residents in Norwich as well as 20 supported living flats for people with visual impairment. There are NNAB volunteers in all four hospital eye clinics in the county, who make contact with those who are newly diagnosed with a sight condition, to let them know what help and support is available. The Bradbury Activity Centre, which is located in Norwich, is a hub for all that the Association does for Norfolk’s visually impaired and blind and there is a busy sports and leisure programme running. Sporting activities are organised across the county and provide enjoyable sports for all those with visual impairment, whatever the severity. The NNAB also offer leisure and educational activities and are keen to show that poor sight is no barrier to enjoyment and learning. These include gardening, photography, heritage trips, nature trips and theatre groups.

The NNAB website has a section that is especially for children and families and a group for young vision-impaired people aged up to 18 years old and their families called Young Eyes. They currently have over 150 young people on their mailing list who receive news about events that are especially organised for them and their families.

The NNAB receives no state funding and relies entirely on legacies, donations and the generosity of their volunteers and fundraisers

. If you would like to find out how you can volunteer with the NNAB, organise a fundraising event or if you, a relative or somebody you know has problems with their sight, contact the NNAB to find out more.

The Norfolk and Norwich Association for the Blind, Magpie Road, Norwich, Norfolk, NR3 1JH

Tel: 01603 629558

www.nnab.org.uk