British Blind Sport (BBS) is a national registered charity based in Leamington Spa. Since its beginnings as a registered charity in 1976, British Blind Sport has become the leading voice for visually impaired people (VI) in the world of sport and leisure, both at home and internationally.
The work of the charity enables visually impaired people to have the same opportunities as sighted people to access and enjoy sport and recreational activities in the UK.
BBS is a membership organisation open to all visually impaired children and adults. The activities are run by the members themselves, as volunteers, through Sports Sections which include: archery, athletics, bowls, cricket, football, goalball (a sport devised for the blind and for which BBS is the National Governing Body), shooting, swimming and ten-pin bowling. Additionally, we link to information about VI judo, chess, golf, riding, sailing, skiing and water sports. There is active encouragement of those VI people who wish to pursue their chosen sport through mainstream sports clubs too.
British Blind Sport is most fortunate to have Sally Gunnell OBE as President with Jack Charlton OBE, Sharron Davies MBE and Chris Lowe as Vice Presidents.
The Board of Trustees is supported by a management team of four full-time and two part-time staff. Additionally 4 full time staff - Regional Development Officers - have recently been appointed as a result of a Big Lottery Fund (Young Peoples Fund) grant. Their initial appointment is for 3 years and they cover the North East, East, South and South West regions of England
Sport offers many benefits to VI people including: improved health and mobility, broadening horizons, new friendships, plus greater confidence and independence. BBS encourages as many blind and partially sighted children and adults as possible - there are over 1 million registered blind people currently in the UK - to participate in sport at all levels, from 'grassroots' to Paralympic representation.
British Blind Sport needs to raise a minimum of £300,000 per annum towards its activities; this is achieved through the efforts of fundraising officers and the members themselves.
The charity receives no regular funding and depends almost entirely on donations from companies, charitable trusts and foundations and individuals.
If you want to join this busy, proactive charity simply ring 01926 424247 and ask for Caroline Baxter, or simply download a membership form from this site.
