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Children & Young People
Posted Apr 2026

Joel: Accessing opportunities and gaining independence

A split image of Joel. On the left, he works on a laptop with a young woman and on the right he is kayaking on a river. The Henshaws Sight Loss Support Team logo is in the bottom right corner.

Introducing Joel

Joel is a service user our Children, Young People and Families (CYP) team has been supporting since 2020.

He has participated in many activities and opportunities thanks to Henshaws. These include getting creative in art sessions, both Henshaws own online Artzone sessions and art sessions with the charity 42nd Street. He has also taken part in physical activities including golf and bowling.

That’s only a handful of the opportunities he has accessed. Below, his mum describes even more of what Joel has done with Henshaws, and the impact support from the CYP team has had on them both.

Joel bowls down a neon-lit bowling alley, with glowing blue and green lights reflecting across the lanes and ceiling. Bowling balls rest in a rack to the side, and score screens are visible in the background.
Joel sits at a table covered with papers and pots filled with pens and pencils. He gestures while holding a pen, while the young woman beside him looks down at a phone and notes, listening.

In Joel’s mum’s own words

I am truly overwhelmed by the incredible support and service provided by the Henshaws CYP Team for my son, Joel.

Over the past months, the change in him has been extraordinary. His confidence has grown so much, and he is developing a level of independence we once could only imagine. Tasks that used to be difficult or required my assistance are now things he approaches with assurance and pride.

What has touched me the most is seeing Joel believe in himself. Through his participation in Workplace Experience, kayaking sessions, the Post‑16 programme, the Christmas Carol Concert, Theatre Workshop, and activities at Hide Out Youth Zone, his self‑esteem has blossomed.

It shows in the way he carries himself and, in the choices he makes every day. Watching him take these steps has filled me with joy and hope.

I know this is only the beginning, Joel is on an upward journey, and I am confident he will continue to achieve even more.

Thank you, Henshaws, for the life‑changing impact you have had on Joel. I am deeply grateful!

Joel is kayaking on a river in a residential area, with houses visible in the background. He is holding a double-sided paddle, wearing a black coat with a grey hoodie underneath and a red life vest.
Joel leaning in to look at a laptop screen with a Spiderman design open on Canva, sat beside a young woman.
An action shot of Joel in a gym using a skipping rope. He is wearing a light grey tracksuit, and ellipticals and ball racks are visible in the background.

The impact of our support

To sum up, Joel has gotten involved in many opportunities with Henshaws. These have enabled him to develop new skills, grow in confidence, and become more independent.

We’re really proud of Joel. He’s now much better at trying new things, and this shows in the wide range of opportunities he has taken up.

Our Children, Young People And Families service supports people in Greater Manchester and the surrounding areas aged 0-19 who are visually impaired, and aged 0-25 who are visually impaired and have additional needs. We also support family members too, including parents and guardians, and siblings.

If you think you or someone you know could benefit from our CYP service, visit the page on our website to find out more.

Find out more

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