VICTA

About VICTA

VICTA is a national charity that provides support to children and young adults from 0 to 29 who are blind or partially sighted and their families. VICTA believes that everyone has the right to an independent and fulfilling life. VICTA’s support, advice, grants and activities enable young people and their families to build skills, develop confidence and help each other toward a more positive future.

Our vision
Independence for children and young adults who are blind or partially sighted.

Our mission
To empower children and young adults who are blind or partially sighted.

Our charity’s objectives
- To support and empower children and young people who are blind or partially sighted.
- To represent the needs and interests of children and young people who are blind or partially sighted.
- To promote learning, social and physical activities for children and young people who are blind or partially sighted.
- To support families and to enable them to help their child or young person who is blind or partially sighted reach their full potential.

When the charity was established as a family group in the 1980s, no-one envisioned that we would come this far and touch so many lives. Winning the Charity of the Year Award at the AOP Awards 2018 tells us that all the hard work is worth it, and that people do notice.

In the early days VICTA was established as a local support group where families came together for coffee and days out. For parents, it was an opportunity to talk with others in the same situation: a time to share, laugh and cry with each other about the highs and lows of living with a vision impaired child. For the children, it was a chance to meet and get to know other visually impaired youngsters, and for their siblings to share their thoughts with other siblings about living with a blind brother or sister.

From those simple days out, today, we offer a range of activities from Family Days to international expeditions. We have partnered with some amazing organisations such as Duke of Edinburgh’s Award, the John Muir Trust, British Exploring Society and the Jubilee Sailing Trust to provide opportunities for adventure, friendship and personal growth. Of course, these activities have a serious side. Depression, mental health issues and even suicide are very real concerns around our young people. By getting children and young people involved in our activities, we are giving them a lifeline. Not only do they get the opportunity to leave the confines of their four walls, they are given the chance to learn greater independence, they gain tremendously in confidence, learn new skills, experience the world out there both in the UK and internationally and make connections with others who often become lifelong friends. Many of the young people who have attended our activities go on to travel around the country and the world independently after learning that they can. For us, that’s empowerment.