Meet George Glass
Chairman and Co-Founder Member of BlindVoice UK (formerly Stockton Blind People’s Voice)
Chairman’s Foreword - George Glass
BlindVoice UK was formed in 1997 by a group of blind people who had a list of genuine access grievances. The vision of those pioneers means that because some people were willing to stand up and take action, BlindVoice UK can celebrate almost a decade of 'making blind people matter'. Countless lives have been changed for the better.
Anybody present at that inaugural meeting could not have predicted that within 10 years we would have a well equipped suite of offices, 3 dedicated and committed members of staff, an excellent team of enthusiastic trustees, an expanding range of high quality services and excellent prospects for a permanent future. Since the appointment of Christine Durnion as our Manager I can only liken life as being strapped to the front of an express train, my initial fears that she would be bored have been totally unfounded as she is the driving force behind our work. Aided and abetted by her Project Officer Jill Campbell, the pair work together producing amazing results.One of the greatest surprises for me is the fact that we are beginning to have a significant impact outside of Stockton and the Tees Valley. We are increasingly being approached for help by people and organisations from all parts of the country. This, after much deliberation, has necessitated a change in our constitution, our aims and objectives and even a change of name to BlindVoice UK to more accurately reflect the work that we are now doing with our transcription service. However, in our own area we will always be Stockton Blind People’s Voice.
My own quality of life along with others is improving daily. Through many successful funding applications, we have developed new and exciting services and have developed two excellent social groups and taken part in active sports funded by the Primary Club. During the past year I have been gliding, horse riding, power- boating, sailing, kayaking and I have spent an unforgettable day at the Riverside when Durham were playing Yorkshire in a county cricket match. We had a team of commentators to keep us up to date with play and we even had our own lounge.
My computer skills are improving and in May I won an individual achievement award in Adult Learners week. I am currently exploring the complexities of spreadsheets – a skill that until recently I assumed was reserved only for those with sight. This is the result of learning from two dedicated Stockton Adult Education Tutors.
I find that I am now much better informed on many things as I receive most information in a format that I can access. There is however, still progress to be made, as I still receive some documents in print, which of course are of no use to me. We will, through the marketing of our Transcription Service, continue to raise awareness in this area. Our Transcription Service has developed as an excellent social enterprise, and at the time of going to press we have reached, for the third time in three years, the final of The Evening Gazette’s Community Champions Awards, in the category of Social Enterprise Champion, for this service. We also receive much needed income – essential for our future viability.
Ten years of hard work and achievement is only the start. We must now build on what has been accomplished to ensure that blind and visually impaired people everywhere can pursue independent and
fulfilled lives.
George Glass
Chairman
Chairman’s Foreword - Page 2...
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