Part of the St Dunstan's National Centre, Ovingdean

Image: © Jeremy Bolwell Taken: 8 Sep 2011

St Dunstan’s, established in 1915, provides lifelong support and rehabilitation to blind ex-Service men and women. Its specialist training and rehabilitation enables them to regain their independence, meet new challenges and achieve a better quality of life. It also offers support to their families. St Dunstan's was founded by Arthur Pearson, who had himself lost his sight due to glaucoma, for British soldiers returning from the front lines during the First World War suffering from blindness, and Pearson established a hostel for these soldiers. His intention was that, with training and assistance, the former soldiers could go on to lead productive lives and would not have to depend on charity, hand-outs, the government or their families. On his death in 1922 the Chairmanship fell to Ian Fraser, who was himself blinded in the war, and he held the post for 52 years. Today the charity has centres like this one (which dates from 1938) around the UK and new ones planned.

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