Based on Margaret Road, off Gwendolen Road, the local and independent charity has been operating for over 150 years and is the main provider of services for almost 6,000 blind and partially sighted people in Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland.

Vista is the largest provider of services in the area for visually impaired people run by an independent charity and Vista’s Community Services are one of the largest and most successful in the country.

Vista’s New Wycliffe Home on Gleneagles Avenue has recently won the ‘Specialist Care Provider 2009’ category in the first annual National Care Home of the Year competition. The contest, spearheaded by social care magazine – Caring Business, recognises excellence and teamwork by care providers.

The New Wycliffe Home is set in beautiful grounds, with single en-suite facilities in every room and offers a home to 46 blind or partially sighted men and women. After receiving the reward, Jenny Pearce, Vista’s Chief Executive, said: “This is such a proud day for Vista and the New Wycliffe Home. To have the work of our excellent team honoured in this way is remarkable – quite apart from being very emotional! My thanks go out to the whole team at the New Wycliffe Home in particular the Manager, Julie Rudd, without whom this fantastic achievement would not have been possible.”

The judging panel said: “All the entries were excellent, but the New Wycliffe stood out as it is truly a specialist home caring for people that are blind or partially sighted. Their service users are at the heart of every decision that is made. It is clear that everyone associated puts service users first.”

The services provided by Vista’s residential homes also continues to impress on a national standard, with all Vista homes retaining the highest three star rating from ‘The Care Quality Commission’, in the last year.

Walking around Vista’s grounds, it soon becomes apparent just how much the local charity does for blind and partially sighted people, within a welcoming and relaxed environment.

In one large hall, there are Diwali celebrations, with dancers and delicious food on display and in smaller rooms service users are having individual consultations, enjoying art classes and taking part in discussion groups.

There are more practical services too, such as an Aids to Daily Living shop offering gadgets and technology to make every day tasks easier. This is key to promoting independence for people living in Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland with a sight loss.

The gadgets are not only for people with sight loss but many items are very useful for older people or people with other difficulties. The shop offers a large range of aids and gadgets available to buy including, talking clocks and watches and easy to see clocks and watches, large button telephones, a wide range of kitchen equipment and other innovative technology.

Leicester snooker legend, Willie Thorne, is a patron of the charity and is extremely proud to support Vista.

“Vista is a charity that is close to my heart as both my parents were slightly visually impaired. I have relied heavily on my sight throughout my sporting career playing snooker, so when Vista approached me to be their Patron I jumped at the chance.” “Working with Vista has been a real thought provoking and humbling experience. I am proud to be Vista’s patron and will endeavour to highlight the good work that they do.”

Vista relies on donations to support the work they do. More recently their fundraising activity has included a Strictly Come Fundraising event which was held at the Walkers Stadium on September 4th. It proved a great success as special guest stars Darren Bennett and Lilia Kopylova from the BBC’s Strictly Come Dancing, strutted their stuff on the dance floor and plenty of money was raised for the charity.

For more information about Vista, if you’re interested in becoming a volunteer or would like to make a donation, please call 0116 249 0909 or visit www.vistablind.org.uk