A CHARITY that has helped blind and partially sighted people in Herefordshire for 89 years has changed its name.

Herefordshire Association for the Blind is now known as Herefordshire Vision Links to emphasise its role in offering a helping hand to people with limited sight as well as those who are totally blind.

The association was formed in the county in 1919 to try and support people blinded in the First World War but needs have changed with people living longer and developing age-related problems with sight.

At the moment there are more than 4,000 people in Herefordshire with serious loss of sight but most with some vision.

Chief executive officer Julian Reeves said Vision Links offered help in areas such as: Volunteers are on hand at Hereford County Hospital to offer help and support to people registered as partially sighted or blind.

Its resource centre in Widemarsh Street has a wide range of equipment designed to make the best use of partial sight and Vision travels around the county to help those not able to visit the centre.

The Widemarsh Street base is a drop-in centre for people reliant on a cane or dog to navigate through the streets of Hereford to find find a place to rest.

To overcome social isolation, Vision Links has a home visiting team of volunteers to make regular visits to people who are registered blind.

Various clubs also meet at its centre. There are some organised outdoor activities and it is hoping to tackle social exclusion by making it possible for many more with sight loss to enjoy what the rest of the population takes for granted.

Vision Links works with local authorities, businesses and shops to make them more aware of the needs of blind and partially sighted people.

Mr Reeves said the charity needed funds to continue its work. He hoped that, when considering donations, people would remember there was a local charity purely concerned with supporting the blind and partially sighted.