Foresight

The Foresight Project is a registered charity based in Grimsby in North East Lincolnshire. Formed in 1999 Foresight was set up as an umbrella organisation representing all the blind and visually impaired groups and societies within North East Lincolnshire. At the time the groups were all operating independently with many services and activities being duplicated, without fully meeting the needs and requirements of the blind and visually impaired community.

From the initial meetings a steering group was formed to conduct a survey throughout the blind and visually impaired community of North East Lincolnshire to determine their needs and requirements and to provide a blueprint for the future of the group. Funding was soon secured from ERDF and the Big Lottery (amongst others) and since then Foresight has never looked back.

Obtaining the prestigious Queens Award for Voluntary Services in 2007 was a defining a moment in Foresight’s short but meteoric history, (one of just 71 awards given out to organisations throughout the UK) before being honoured by a visit from Princess Anne. “Thank you very much for having me, and good luck in your new centre” was the kind words of Her Royal Highness after she officially opened Foresights new premises at Newmarket Street off Freeman Street in Grimsby.

Foresight aims to provide ways forward for the sensory impaired and disabled people of North East Lincolnshire by organising events and outdoor activities that are designed to offer opportunities that non sensory impaired and able bodied people take for granted. Foresight strives to improve individual quality of life, combat social exclusion and encourage personal development through volunteering and training opportunities.

Facilities at the centre include art and craft workshops, state of the art computer facilities, a recording studio and an activities room. HLC currently funds some of Foresights indoor activities and training including Advanced Digital Photography, Visual Impairment Awareness, Excel and Word Processing courses. Norma Durham a participant on Word Processing Next Steps course said: “I’m doing better than I thought I would”. The course follows on from the 10 week Introduction to Computers course. Norma continued “I wanted to learn a bit more than turning it on and playing games. I have learnt basic Word Processing including how to set out a letter, tabs and indents. You learn with fun, it’s not too heavy and you don’t have to sweat over what you are doing if you get it wrong”. Hillary Bradshaw another participant on the course said she was finding the course “interesting” and that she was “trying to keep up with her children”. “The course has helped me to meet other people and boost my confidence”.

Learning with fun is certainly a policy endorsed by Foresight. Outdoor activities include Sailing, Archery, Swimming, Golf, Ten Pin Bowling, Rifle Shooting, Gliding, Flying, Fishing and Walking. Enough even to whet the most active appetite.

Foresight also offers a befriending service for visually impaired people over the age of 18, offering support and help were it is needed, such as reading, companionship and shopping. Volunteers will pick you up, help you shop, and then take you back home and put all your shopping away! They will even stop for a cup of tea and a chat if you so wish. Who doesn’t need a befriending service like this?!

As Bev Milson, Project manager says “Foresight relies hugely on it’s volunteer involvement, without it a lot of the services couldn’t be provided”.

Foresight also offers places to students studying Social Work at Hull and Lincoln Universities.

Contact Bev Milson on 01472 269666 for further details.

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Special thanks to Geoffrey Miller and Foresight for the photographs.