Registered as The Royal School for the Blind, SeeAbility is one of the oldest disability charities in the UK.
Established in 1799 it became the first school for young blind people in the South of England. From 1911 was granted Royal Patronage by King George V, becoming known as ‘The Royal School for the Blind’ and in 1994 the charity changed its name to ‘SeeAbility’ and now runs a number of services across the south of England.
The Kent Support Service of SeeAbility marked it’s 220th anniversary this weekend and local MP Helen Grant joined the party to mark the occasion with staff, residents and their families at their supported living service and gardens in Loose Road, Maidstone.
Helen said ‘It was great pleasure and privilege to be invited to celebrate the 220th birthday with the people who live here, their families and the staff at this excellent local charity who do really wonderful work, not just in Maidstone, but across the whole of Kent. The team at SeeAbility are passionate, caring people who are all unsung heroes, doing what is right for those with a range of disabilities.
Lucia McKnight, Deputy Services Manager at SeeAbility said ‘We support these ladies to fulfil their potential and empower them to live their lives as the independent ladies they are. They go out to work, they do voluntary work and assist with activities in the community. We would like to attract more people to explore a career in social care or volunteer with us over time, by establishing more local business or community connections. We were delighted to see Helen again and her engagement with everyone present at our celebration was a pleasure to share’.
