Our Centre of Wellbeing
Our Rustington Centre is on the south coast.
Our centre plays a key role to support our blind veterans. For many, the first steps through the doors of our centre are our blind veterans first steps to rebuilding their lives after sight loss.
Wellbeing breaks
Our wellbeing breaks run all year round and aim to support our blind veterans in their journeys toward independence and out of isolation. For many its an opportunity to meet other blind veterans with similar interests and find comradery with fellow veterans.
Many of these weeks focus on a particular interest such as nature, history or art. We also run themed seasonal breaks at Christmas time and Easter.
For those seeking a taste of adventure, we have fantastic activity weeks. These typically involve sports and outdoor pursuits and are accessible to all abilities and needs. There is something for everyone.
Welcome weeks
The charity encourages new blind veterans to attend a ‘welcome week’ so they can meet our staff and connect with other veterans. These invaluable weeks can be attended at our Centre, in their local area or even remotely, depending on the individual veteran's needs.
The benefit of staying at our Centre for the week is that it's such an effective way to try out new activities and spend time with our wellbeing specialists who help with low vision assessments, mobility, sleep, wellbeing, physical fitness and much more.
Our Rustington centre
Centre facilities
Our centre has outdoor terraces, a fully equipped gym, a sports and activity hall, an arts and crafts workshop, communal lounges and a bar. The Centre offers a huge range of social, creative, leisure and sporting activities. Staff at our centre help our blind veterans with their fitness, mobility and wellbeing.
Accessible for all blind veterans
The centre is designed with blind veterans at their heart. Making sure they meet the needs of all who use. There are safe pathways, access to local amenities; with hand rails around the internal and surrounding grounds.
“The activities were wonderfully organised, and I left feeling a new-found confidence. I also loved how the week helped reawaken some of my more meditative and contemplative thoughts which can easily slip in the usual daily routine.”
A blind veteran talking after his Welcome Week
Support at our centre
Our blind veterans all have very different needs. So we offer different services depending on the needs of the individual.
Residential stays
Our care staff are trained to care for people with sight loss who also have additional needs. They have all the medical knowledge you'd expect, plus the patience and kindness you want. We provide support such as:
- Assistance getting in and out of bed
- Assistance with personal hygiene, such as bathing, washing, and skin and nail care
- Help dressing and undressing
- Assistance in taking medication and administering eye drops
Nursing stays
Our Centre nurses are trained to care for people with sight loss who also have additional complex medical conditions. Alongside their nursing qualifications, they're compassionate and committed. We provide support such as:
- Administering medication by injection, such as insulin
- Managing and helping with chronic wounds
- Unstable, long-term chronic conditions such as lung and heart disease and diabetes
- Providing oxygen
If you are blind veteran and have any questions or concerns, please contact the hospitality team at the centre or your Community Support Worker. They will be happy to talk to you about your stay.
The difference our centres make
different themed wellbeing weeks to run this year
volunteers donated their time to help blind veterans during the past year
veterans visited our centres for wellbeing and welcome weeks over the last year
Careers at our Rustington centre
If you are interested in finding more about these roles and what its like working at Blind Veterans UK
Read more
Apply for support
We help blind veterans of any generation, regardless of how or when they lost their sight.
Support for loved ones and carers
Learn about how we support loved ones and carers looking after someone with sight loss.
Beneficiary breaks at our Centres of Wellbeing
1 Mar 2023
From history to hobbies to the great outdoors, all our breaks are accessible regardless of age or ability.
