A charity which has supported blind and visually impaired people in Oxfordshire for 148 years has received a welcome boost, courtesy of Oxford United.
MyVision Oxfordshire works with 3,000 people living with full or partial sight loss annually, providing services including practical advice, social outlets, one-to-one technology training sessions, and other services to enhance life opportunities.
Founded in 1877, the charity is the latest to have received a £1,000 grant from Oxford United’s Dreaming Spires initiative.
The funds will be used to enhance MyVision Oxfordshire’s Community Engagement Project, including social groups, and befriending services, helping connect people living with sight loss to activities and events they otherwise may not have the opportunity to experience.
Margaret Hart, Fundraising Officer at MyVision Oxfordshire, explained people who lose their vision are at an increased risk of developing feelings of loneliness and isolation which can be reversed with support.
“Right now, there are 24,000 people living in Oxfordshire with full or partial sight loss,” said Margaret. “Many partially sighted people have lost part of their independence because of their condition.
“Sight loss can affect a person’s mobility, employment status and opportunities to socialise which are critical to our physical and mental wellbeing. It’s our goal to address these concerns and ensure as many people as possible living in Oxfordshire with sight loss can be the best version of themselves.
“Behaviours most people take for granted in life such as sending a text message or preparing food can become incredibly challenging, which is where our team are able to help.
“We’re so grateful to Oxford United for choosing our cause as one of the Club’s Dreaming Spires winners. These funds will have a direct impact on people living with sight loss across Oxfordshire and ensure our community engagement services can be tailored to suit a person’s individual requirements.”
Launched last year, Oxford United’s Dreaming Spires project forms part of the Club’s new stadium community pledge.
Already, the project has delivered significant impact across the county by funding facility upgrades, life enhancing activities and transport provisions for winners including Bicester Widows, Chalgrove Cavaliers, Emmaus Oxford and Blackbird Leys Community Development Initiative.
Adam Benson, Chief Commercial and Marketing Officer at Oxford United, said: “The Dreaming Spires project was launched to specifically address genuine local needs and for the benefit of our community.
“As one of the region’s longest running charities, we’re delighted to be able to support MyVision Oxfordshire and the incredible work they do to enhance quality of life for people living with full or partial sight loss.”
Ten Oxfordshire-based not-for-profit organisations that support the provision of sport and physical activity, as well as health and wellbeing programmes, were selected by a judging panel to each receive a £1,000 grant from the Club. The successful applicants demonstrated how the funding would help them make improvements and deliver more impact in our communities.
Oxford United’s Dreaming Spires project also includes a variety of other initiatives including work experience, apprenticeship and employment opportunities for students and young professionals plus mental health support programmes, mentoring and education.
It consists of five core elements which prioritise opportunity, accessibility, people’s mental wellbeing, development and local legacy and is part of the Club’s plans to build a 16,000 capacity all-electric stadium north of Oxford, featuring a 180-bedroom hotel, restaurant, conference centre, health and wellbeing space and a community plaza.
