Sight Life
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Sight Life, known as Cardiff Institute for the Blind (CIB) until 2019,[1] is Cardiff's oldest charity,[2] founded in 1865 and offering support to visually impaired residents of Cardiff and the Vale of Glamorgan.
History
[edit]Cardiff Institute for the Blind was founded in April 1865 by Frances Batty Shand,[3] the daughter of a Jamaican plantation owner. It was initially called The Association for Improving the Social and Working Conditions of the Blind.[4]
After moving to Cardiff, Shand set up a small workshop employing five blind men to make baskets for coal ships.[3] After employing ten more men, the workshop was relocated to Byron Street in Roath, then in 1868 moving to Longcross Road near the institute's former home, on Newport Road.[4]
By 1900, around 100 blind men and women were employed making baskets, brushes and mats.
The Longcross Street building was destroyed during World War II. A plot of land situated on Newport Road was donated to the charity in 1949 - and made way for Shand House completed and opened in 1953.[3]
The Institute celebrated their 140th birthday in 2005 with a march through Queen Street, followed by a party. By this date the CIB was helping 7,500 people with visual impairments, funded by £350,000 raised by the charity.[5]
The Institute remained at Shand House until October 2012, when they moved to a temporary accommodation in Bridge Street until their new headquarters in Womanby Street, Cardiff, was completed.[3] They share the new offices with the Royal National Institute for the Blind (RNIB).[2]
CIB rebranded itself as "Sight Life", effective from 15 January 2020. The change was made because the charity worked across the whole of South Wales, rather than just Cardiff. A new logo and website address was required.[1]
Services
[edit]CIB offers support and services for visually impaired people in Cardiff and the Vale of Glamorgan.
Music Club CIB has launched a Music Club, open to all.
Computer Club The institute's Computer Club has provided tens of thousands of training sessions for visually impaired people.
Campaigning
[edit]Working alongside RNIB, CIB has campaigned to gain equality for the visually impaired in receiving Disability Allowance.
References
[edit]- 1 2 Natasha Abramson (16 January 2020). "Sight-loss charity changes its name". Third Sector. Retrieved 16 August 2026.
- 1 2 Sion Barry (4 June 2013). "Cardiff Institute for the Blind appoint new director of operations". Wales Online. Retrieved 7 December 2014.
- 1 2 3 4 Julia McWatt (26 October 2012). "Cardiff Institute for the Blind set for new chapter as it moves home". Wales Online. Retrieved 6 December 2014.
- 1 2 "Our History". Sight Life. Retrieved 16 August 2026.
- ↑ Lisa Jones (16 May 2005). "140 Great Years". South Wales Echo. Retrieved 7 December 2014.
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