MSP enjoys visit to charity helping blind veterans
Angela touched and amazed by the work they do
A West Lothian MSP visited the Scottish War Blinded charity recently to find out more about the work of the charity and to explore the range of services they provide for veterans who are visually impaired.
The Linburn Centre in Wilkieston offers help and assistance to any veteran with sight loss, however acquired, which does not necessarily have to be as a result of combat.
Highlighting the work of the centre, Almond Valley MSP, Angela Constance said: “The Linburn Centre is going from strength to strength in supporting veterans and is now able to help at least three times as many veterans today as they did a few years ago.
“The centre is a fantastic part of the local community and I am proud that we have such an important national asset on our doorstep. I was delighted to have had the opportunity to visit the Linburn Centre and to be shown first-hand the excellent work the charity provides.
“The charity can provide specialist equipment free of charge and more veterans could be supported by this service.
“I would like to see if more could be done to identify veterans who are registered blind so that they too are able to benefit from the excellent service offered at the Linburn Centre.
“And in last week’s Scottish Parliament debate on support for veterans, I was pleased to be able to mention the excellent work being done by Scottish War Blinded at the Linburn Centre.”
Rebecca Barr, head of Scottish War Blinded said: “We were delighted to welcome Angela Constance to the Linburn Centre, and as the local MSP for the Centre it was great she could meet some of her constituents who are among those veterans benefitting from the services we provide. With the number of people living with sight loss increasing, there are more and more veterans who have vision impairment.
“This means Scottish War Blinded has expanded greatly over the past few years, and the services we provide at Linburn remain vital to the wider work of the charity.
“We continue to support veterans to live independently with sight loss, and also to gain new skills.
“At her visit Angela met veterans learning cooking skills, working on woodcraft projects, painting, gaining computer skills and taking part in Linburn’s choir.
“We are grateful for her ongoing support for the work of the charity.”