Blind veterans join us at our centres for Christmas

Published on 22 Dec 2023

Over 40 blind veterans from across the UK will spend a Christmas holiday with other vision-impaired ex-service men and women at our two Centres of Wellbeing in Llandudno and Rustington.

The veterans, most of whom were facing the prospect of spending Christmas Day alone, will now come together to enjoy traditional Christmas festivities at our two centres including lunch with all the trimmings before watching the King’s Christmas Day speech.

Alan

One such blind veteran is 85-year-old Alan from County Durham who has said that he needs the support of his friends more than ever as he’s set to spend Christmas with the Charity following the recent death of his guide dog, Frances.

He says: “My wife Vera sadly passed away in May 2021 due to Covid and Frances has been a real friend and lifeline particularly since then. Vera and I used to love going on holiday to the Blind Veterans UK centres but since she died I’ve also been going for Christmas to make sure I’m with friends.”

Blind veteran Alan standing beside a Christmas tree at our Llandudno Centre for Christmas — Blind veteran Alan at our Llandudno Centre for Christmas

“I know I will be sad this year. I’ve now lost Vera and my guide dog, and it has been very hard. But I also know that being with friendly faces over Christmas will make a huge difference to me.”

Alan
Blind veteran

Our Llandudno Centre Manager, Kathy Boardman, says: “We are really looking forward to welcoming some of our blind veterans to Llandudno for Christmas and the New Year.

“The majority of those joining us would otherwise be alone for the festive period but now they will be surrounded by other blind veterans and staff.”
 
It will be extra special for our blind veterans joining us to stay at our Rustington centre as they are the first guests staying with us at our new south coast home.

Norman

One of those first guests joining us is Norman, 92 and from Oxfordshire.

Norman has lived alone since his wife sadly died five years ago and says: “Christmas is a difficult time of year for many people my age and there are many that will be spending the day alone. I am so fortunate and blessed to be spending the festive period with Blind Veterans UK and not sat in my flat by myself.

“I’m particularly looking forward to Christmas dinner; I do all my own cooking at home and I’m a terrible chef. I always say if there is no smoke coming from my kitchen, then I’m having salad!”

Blind veteran Norman holding a walker surrounded by staff dressed in Christmas jumpers at our new Rustington Centre — Blind veteran Norman with staff at our new Rustington Centre

We moved to Rustington from our former south coast home at Ovingdean, Brighton earlier this year with a small number of permanent residents. Although the centre is beginning to welcome visiting guests for holidays and rehabilitation, this will be phased over the coming weeks and months as there is still some ongoing building and landscaping work to compete. The Rustington Centre will be formally opening in the spring 2024.

During their stays our veterans will have the opportunity to join in with a whole host of activities including Christmas wreath making, baking, a pantomime evening and reindeer racing!

Wally

Another blind veteran looking forward to spending the festive period alongside our staff and other blind veterans in Llandudno Centre of Wellbeing is 78-year-old Wally from Lincolnshire.

Wally says: “I'm so excited to be going down to the centre for Christmas this year and I’m looking forward to meeting the other blind veterans who will be there. It’s so important to be around others who are going through the same thing as you.”

Wally’s daughter Sharon says “It’s nice for me knowing that he’ll be looked after and won’t be on his own. He really enjoys his stays at the centre, there’s so many activities, always something to keep him occupied, and he really enjoys talking to other people who are in the same boat as him.”