Housing & Support Services
Our Houses
The Trust provides supported housing in the community, offering accommodation and staff support to individuals with visual impairments and additional disabilities.
Houses accommodate between two and five tenants and are adapted with the specific needs of each tenant group in mind. They are situated in local communities with good access to shops, transport, leisure and recreational facilities. They offer a range of properties from detached bungalows to two storey detached houses.
The People Who Use Our Services
We provide services for adults who have a visual impairment. Many of our clients have additional disabilities and we are looking to maintain or develop their level of independence.
Additional disabilities can be either physical, learning or both and we provide services for people with a wide range of abilities and needs.
Whatever their level of ability, our clients are encouraged to maximise their potential and enjoy lively social lives.
As well as supporting those tenants living within our supported housing schemes, we can also provide domiciliary care and support and rehabilitation services to individuals living within their own homes.
Our Staff
Our staff team are selected for their skills and experience as well as for their friendly approach. All receive continuing training to equip them for their specialised role in supporting people with visual and other disabilities. They are supported by a growing band of volunteers. The management team is led by Mr. Keith McKee, the General Manager who is responsible for overseeing the running the Charity and it's services.
Support is provided by two
Service Managers
Mrs. Caroline Hide
Mrs Margaret Daley
A Locality Manager - Ms. Mavis Irvin
A Finance Manager - Miss Carrianne Dodsworth
A Volunteer/Fundraising
Co-ordinator
Mrs Barbara Kendall
Two Rehabilitation Officers
And Our Administrator - Mrs Judith Fenwick
Our Origins
As a charity, the
Wilberforce Trust is the successor to
The Wilberforce Home For The Blind. This was formerly The Yorkshire
School For The Blind,
which had been located in the King's Manor in York since 1833.
This had been founded in memory of William Wilberforce, the great
emancipator, who had died the previous year.
The Wilberforce Home For The Blind, which was located on the western outskirts of the historic City of York, aimed to provide a proactive service to assist residents and clients to maximise their capabilities, their independence and their lives in the community.
The Wilberforce Trust strives to achieve the same aims within community based settings.
Our Services
The Trust provides up to 24 hour support to meet daily living, social and emotional needs of our clients. Staff support aims to assist tenants to maintain their tenancies; live as independently as their abilities allow; develop new skills; and meet individual care needs where required.
Opportunities and encouragements are provided to build confidence, to understand options and to make choices. Support is provided to maintain contact with family and friends.
Rehabilitation Services
Specialise in assisting people to maximise their potential through training in mobility and orientation, communication and independent living skills. They develop educational, creative and recreational activities, and provide information and advice to families.