COUNCIL’S GENEROUS STAFF HELP VISION IMPAIRED YOUNGSTERS GET CRAFTY

Vision impaired children will have lots of new craft items to use thanks to the generosity of staff at a Norfolk council.

Staff at Broadland Council donated the gifts as part of a Christmas ‘Giving Tree’ initiative, set up by Council Chair Cllr Caroline Karimi-Ghovanlou, who has chosen Norfolk sight loss charity Vision Norfolk as one of her two charities she is supporting during her year in office.

Cllr Karimi-Ghovanlou visited Vision Norfolk’s Norwich hub to hand over the presents to Josh Bartholomew, who runs the charity’s Children, Young People and Families programme, and Andrew Morter, its chief executive.  The presents will be used during the charity’s craft sessions for vision impaired children and young people.

“The giving tree was an idea I had had in my head for some time, and I decided to give it a go at the council offices, “said Cllr Karimi-Ghovanlou. 

“Our staff really embraced the idea; I think they liked that they were able to donate something specific which they knew would be of immediate use for the vision impaired children.  Many of the staff even wrapped up the items.

“The tree was donated by Taverham Garden Centre, so as well as making the offices feel really festive, we were able to embrace the true meaning of Christmas.”

Cllr Karimi-Ghovanlou chose Vision Norfolk as one of her Chair’s charities as she has personal experience of the work the charity does for young people.  Her grandson Gabriel has cortical vision impairment, and has been attending sessions at the charity for most of his life.  The other charity she is supporting during her year in office is The Hamlet Centre.

“We are extremely grateful to Caroline and to the wonderful staff at Broadland Council who generously donated the craft items,” said Josh Bartholomew.  “Our craft sessions play a central role in engaging vision impaired young people.”

Vision Norfolk’s Children, Young People and Families programme supports children, young adults and their families at every stage of their sight loss journey.  It provides emotional and practical support, together with specialist information, advice, guidance and signposting to other relevant organisations. 

It also holds a variety of activities and events for those of pre-school age through to those transitioning into adulthood, with activities to suit their wants and needs.

More details at www.visionnorfolk.org.uk/children-young-people-and-families.