Sight Loss
Ama: Feeling unsure to being reassured
Posted Nov 2025
At Henshaws, we know that passion helps us to transform lives. Every day, we see people with sight loss and disabilities overcome barriers, embrace independence, and discover new opportunities. From the young person learning to navigate school with confidence, to the amazing lady who mastered using a smartphone at 104 years old, the stories we see unfold remind us why we do what we do: because everyone deserves the chance to live life beyond expectations.
Where We Started
Henshaws is proud to be one of the UK’s oldest charities, founded in 1837 thanks to the vision and generosity of Thomas Henshaw. What began as an asylum for the blind has grown into a hub of support, creativity, and empowerment that now spans across the North of England and beyond. Nearly two centuries later, the heart of our mission remains the same: to stand alongside people with sight loss and disabilities, helping them shape their futures with confidence and independence.
Our Mission & Core Values
We are driven by three core values: Ambition, Respect, and Empowerment. Our ambition means we don’t settle, setting high goals for those we support and always aiming for more than what seems possible. Respect guides all of our interactions: we listen to each person’s experience, treat everyone with dignity, and value their unique journey. Empowerment lies at the heart of Henshaws, meaning we provide people with the tools, encouragement, and freedom to take control of their lives, grow their confidence, and make informed choices. These values shape everything we do, whether that means teaching practical skills, helping find emotional strength, or exploring creative outlets. We are here to unlock potential and to celebrate ability over limitation.
How Passion Drives Our Services
Passion takes many forms at Henshaws, and you can see it reflected in the wide range of services we provide. For children and young people, our different programmes and groups work to build independence and confidence from an early age. For adults, our sight loss support team delivers everything from patient support in hospitals to digital training in the community. Our Arts and Crafts Centre sits as a vibrant home where creativity thrives and Artmakers are encouraged to bring their unique ideas to life. Our Specialist College holds the hands of countless students as they find their feet and prepare for life in the wider community. Our online hints and tips library ensures that support reaches people far beyond our physical spaces, ensuring that people never feel alone in their journey.
Each of our services shares one idea: that people can achieve incredible things with the right encouragement and knowledge.
Real Voices, Real Experiences
The impact we have can be seen in those we have supported, and their phenomenal family and friends. As one member of our team put it, “I truly believe that Henshaws is about what people can do, not what they can’t. From the moment someone is diagnosed, we’re there to walk beside them, offering support that helps turn fear into hope.” These stories remind us why our work matters, because every journey of independence starts with someone believing it’s possible.
Why Passion Matters at Henshaws
Passion helps to keep Henshaws thriving. It’s what connects our inspiring past with our bright future, and what drives everything in between. Without it, we would simply be a service provider; with it, we are a community of care, creativity, and resilience. We know that passion matters because it can turn challenges into opportunities, and it transforms the impossible into something achievable. That’s why we’re here, and that’s why we’ll keep going for as long as people need us.
The journey Thomas Henshaw started becomes more important every day, and we know we can’t do it alone. Every donation, every volunteer, and every voice of support makes a huge difference.
Get involved today; with people like you behind us, our amazing teams can keep changing lives, building confidence, and crafting communities where everyone feels valued.
