Click on following two options below to view year reports, or read on for an introduction to Christine Durnion
Click here to view 2006 - 2007 report
Click here to view 2005 - 2006 report
The appointment of our first Manager was a major development for BlindVoice UK. But would be able to find the right Manager? Would we be able to find someone with all of the essential managerial and developmental skills as well as a good understanding of the problems faced by blind and visually impaired people? It seemed to be a daunting prospect and we envisaged a fairly long learning curve as our new Manager came to terms with the demands of the job. Surely we would not be fortunate enough to find the perfect applicant!
Well we did! Christine Durnion decided to give up the security of employment with Stockton Council and accept a three-year contract with the challenge of securing a permanent future for BlindVoice UK. Our job advertisement attracted some superb applicants but Christine emerged as the clear winner and was offered, and accepted, the job of Communications Manager for BlindVoice UK.
Why is Christine just right for us? She became Manager of the new innovative Open Technology Centre based in Stockton Central Library in 1998, and not content with running and developing a new and fast-moving service Christine recognised that the ICT facilities in the Centre had the potential to open up a whole new world for the local blind and visually impaired community. Through outreach she developed a strong effective partnership with BlindVoice UK that has gone from strength to strength in what it has been able to achieve improving the quality of life and equal opportunities for blind and visually impaired people in the borough.
This included the development of the “Ann Kallagher Suite of Technology” for the blind within the OTC; the provision of a successful Brailling service; the development of a partnership with Adult Education to provide expert computer tuition for the blind; and the successful planning of several high profile “Showcase” events for the benefit of the blind. This impressive list contributed to Stockton Borough Libraries receiving the Beacon Council Award in 2003 for “Libraries as a Community Resource”.
Christine has described our partnership as one of the most rewarding challenges of her career and her work was recognised when her colleagues nominated her for the Public Servant of the Year Award 2003 where she became a finalist at a reception in London.
Christine has an impressive list of managerial qualifications. She has excellent ICT skills and has an in depth knowledge of Community Learning and Skills for Life through her studies at the University of Teesside. She has recently obtained City & Guilds 7407 Certificate in Further Education Teaching.
The fact that a Manager of Christine’s calibre was prepared to give up her career with the Local Authority to work for the development of BlindVoice UK has given a tremendous boost to our confidence. She obviously has great faith in what we are trying to do and with her drive and ambition it is difficult to see how we can fail.
Christine Durnion
Manager