Originally known as Gloucestershire County Association for the Blind (GCAB), the charity was set up in 1858 to help those with failing eye sight. The charity has now been rebranded as ‘Insight Gloucestershire’.

“We need to inform the public that we are here for anyone that has a sight impairment,” says General Manager Steve Martin, “even if it is a temporary sight problem whilst waiting for a procedure. We want to move away from the term ‘blind’ and become more inclusive so anyone can contact us for information and advice. Of course we are still here to help the minority of people unfortunate enough to have no vision at all – we can’t emphasis enough that we want to help everyone throughout Gloucestershire who has difficulties coping with sight loss, whether it’s a significant amount or not so much.

Chair Ann Lightfoot says, “In some ways ‘blind’ and ‘blindness’ are very misleading terms because the majority of people registered blind actually do have a certain amount of residual vision. I think it is important people don’t feel embarrassed to come to us for help. Our old title is slightly misleading; the new name is inclusive.”

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• Does this mean some of the services the charity offers will also change?

“Our change of name now reflects the services we offer,” says Ann. “Rather than making us change our services. I think in a way our change of name has caught up with the services we now offer.”

Steve Martin adds, “We have been changing and improving our services over the past 6 years, and the name and image have not really kept up with it. Change for change sake is not necessary – we have changed our name because it reflects the needs of our client and we respond to need.”

To celebrate the change of name and 155 years as a local charity an ‘Insight Gloucestershire Exhibition and Information Day’ will be held at the prestigious Pittville Pump Rooms on September 24, 2013 between 10am–4pm. Entry is free. Please call 01242 221170 for further information.

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• About Insight Gloucestershire:

Insight Gloucestershire is a charity dedicated to supporting sight impaired and blind people throughout the County. Originally known as Gloucestershire County Association for the Blind (GCAB), the charity was set up in 1858 to help those with failing eyesight. Records indicate that by 1922, the number of people being cared for was approximately 600. Today, this local charity provides information and support to over 3,000 people with sight loss.

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Insight Gloucestershire, 81 Albion Street, Cheltenham, GL52 2RZ, tel: 01242 221170, email info@insight-glos.org.uk, www.insight-glos.org.uk