Building a future for Scotland's war blinded
Today (24 November), Scottish War Blinded celebrated the start of construction on its brand new facility in Wilkieston. The £3m project was launched by local hero and beneficiary Ben Shaw, as he took a hands-on approach to proceedings and assisted the team to break ground.
Replacing the charity’s existing 1950s facility on Linburn Estate, the new project will allow Scottish War Blinded to provide the most up to date support and services to the nation’s ex service men and women.
George Notman, facilities manager for Royal Blind and Scottish War Blinded, commented:
“Since the 1940s, the needs and demographic of those we support have evolved and we are committed to ensuring our facilities are suitable for the generation in which we are operating.”
Originally opened in 1944, Linburn supported young service men and women returning from war who required retraining in vocational skills to help build an independent future living with visual impairment. Now, over 60 years later, the charity is supporting a much higher volume of older ex-service people, experiencing progressive blindness; core needs have changed from developing vocational abilities to rebuilding social and life skills.
Therefore, the nature of the new facility will focus on providing a drop-in centre as opposed to a more intensive skills workshop, teaching skills needed in our modern world rather than the manual workforce skills of earlier generations. It will also offer a community in which individuals have the opportunity to meet like-minded people with similar experiences.
George Notman continued: “This new facility is essential in bringing our services up to date, providing effective support and skill development and ultimately delivering what our beneficiaries now need.”
Designed by award-winning architect Page/Park, which is also responsible for the Royal Blind School project, the new facility is due to open in October 2010, providing a host of modern features and activities including PC suite, art space, workshop, specialist training areas, gym, admin offices, social areas and a remembrance room. The building incorporates an open plan arrangement with the needs of its users in mind. Internal layout and organisation remains clear and simple to enable an easy mental picture, whilst bold gestures at doorways and junctions to assist independent navigation.
