VISUALLY impaired people in Bournemouth and Poole are set to benefit from vital grant money received by the Dorset Blind Association.

The charity was given a total of £16,000 from the Lloyds TSB Foundation, which will help fund a co-ordinator for the Home Support Service in Poole.

The service provides support for people with sight loss to maintain full, independent and socially active lives.

A further donation of more than £1,700 from the Co-op’s Community Fund will help with the running costs of the charity’s social clubs in Bournemouth.

Chief executive Jonathan Holyhead said: “Demand for our services is growing constantly and like many other charities we are finding it increasingly difficult to secure all the funding and other resources we need to meet that demand. These grants represent a real boost to our work.

“The donation from the Lloyds TSB Foundation safeguards our community support service in Poole for the next two years and the contribution from the Co-operative Group, South and West Region will further enable our social clubs to improve the general sense of well being of those who attend, which in turn helps them to maintain a positive, healthy outlook on life.”

To find out more about volunteer opportunities with Dorset Blind Association, or to make a donation, call 01202 712869 or visit the website dorsetblind.org.uk.