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Blind Veterans UK

The 110th Annual Report of the Council of Blind Veterans UK 2024/25

Blind Veterans UK, now in its 110th year, provides rehabilitation, training and lifelong support to blind and vision-impaired veterans of the British Armed Forces, including National Service, as well as emergency service personnel injured on duty. In 2024/25 the charity supported around 3,600 beneficiaries — estimated at just 10% of those eligible — and is working to reach many more. The Rustington Centre of Wellbeing, formally opened by HRH The Duchess of Edinburgh in 2024, is now the charity's sole residential facility following the difficult decision to close the Llandudno Centre in April 2025. Volunteer numbers at Rustington grew from 47 to 73, contributing 3,008 hours. The annual deficit has been reduced to below £4 million, with elimination targeted by 2028/29. A new membership organisation is under consultation to foster camaraderie and give partners and carers a formal voice.

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About

Vision rehabilitation (delivered by ROVIs, tech practitioners and wellbeing workers); Member Support Hub (helpline for equipment, IT and rehabilitation support); National Creative Wellbeing Programme (VI-friendly activities posted to beneficiaries at home); Digital Inclusion team; equipment recycling service; community outreach and peer support groups; military engagement events; income maximisation and benefits advice; social prescribing; Rustington Centre of Wellbeing (respite, rehabilitation and wellbeing breaks)

Key Metrics

Key Metric 1 3,600 blind veterans supported at any given time during 2024/25 — estimated to be only 10% of those potentially eligible for support
Key Metric 2 Volunteer numbers increased from 47 to 73 at Rustington Centre; 3,008.75 volunteer hours provided in 2024/25
Key Metric 3 Annual deficit reduced to below £4 million and projected to fall further; Llandudno Centre closed April 2025, Rustington Centre now sole residential facility with 34 bedrooms

Key Outcomes

  • Rustington Centre formally opened by Patron HRH The Duchess of Edinburgh in 2024; phased transformation programme phase one completed, providing financial stability for further change
  • Deficit reduction programme on track to eliminate annual deficit by 2028/29; Llandudno Centre closure generated property sale revenue and reduced running costs significantly
  • Engaged with Op Courage (veteran mental health); built links with Defence Medical Rehabilitation Centre Loughborough; joined Vision Partnership focusing on lived experience leadership, political influencing and evidence-based rehabilitation improvement

Geography

UK-Wide

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