jordan.baker@cvac.org.uk

halifax society for the blind

In this video, we introduce Halifax Society for the Blind, a longstanding part of the Calderdale community since 1888!

Originally set up to teach braille, the charity has expanded its services over the years, now offering a state-of-the-art sight centre, home visits, guide dog support groups, technology help, and a community café.

For 135 years, the Halifax Society for the Blind has been committed to improving the lives of people with sight loss and vision impairments in Halifax and the wider Calderdale area, supporting those in our community with an unwavering dedication.

Our Place

Project Colt

Our Place originally started in October 1991 as Sunday Care, this service was based across 4 centres in Calderdale for older people to have company, Sunday lunch and a game of bingo.

In 2002, it became Weekend Care after securing funding to become a day centre at the weekend, providing respite for family carers before becoming ‘Our Place’ 

Due to COVID, Our Place unfortunately had to close its doors, but still delivered for those in need. These included essentials such as food, well-being activities, as well as treats and Christmas presents.

Our Place then became self-funding and re-opened at the Maurice Jagger Centre on Sundays before moving to Boothtown Methodist Church and also began service on Wednesdays.

Project Colt: Decades of Difference

VAC are thrilled to introduce addiction recovery and enterprise champions, Project Colt, as our first spotlighted charity in the Decades of Difference project.
Russell Davis, Manager at Project Colt comments:
“Being a part of the Decades of Difference project has been a great experience for Project Colt. To be the first ones spotlighted is a real honour.
It is truly fantastic to be involved in something that recognises everything we as an organisation have done to continue supporting those who need us for over 20 years. We can’t wait to see who VAC spotlights next!”

how to get involved

If your organisation has been operating in Calderdale for more than a decade* and is interested in being a part of the Decades of Difference project, please send an email to:

jordan.baker@cvac.org.uk

Please include the following:

  • Name
  • Email
  • Telephone
  • Your Organisation
  • Why your organisation wants to be a part of Decades of Difference
 
*Please note there may be a waitlist to join the project*

VAC + Membership

What's included?

You will receive a VAC Member welcome pack with useful information on getting the most out of your membership and a few extra treats!

Every member of VAC will be invited to our Annual General Meeting (AGM) and has voting rights for resolutions and proposals either in person or by proxy.

When you sign up to be a VAC Member, you will be assigned a Go-To Contact from the VAC team.

They will be your main point of contact for your membership, helping to answer questions and signposting you to the right place within VAC and/or our partnerships.

We want the VAC membership offer to be responsive to the needs of our members.  Member check ins keep us up to date on your organisation’s news and developments but also on any challenges or support gaps that may be affecting the VCSE sector.

The information we receive during our member check ins will highlight trends and challenges that we can then explore support and solutions for via our membership offer and partnerships with local providers and authorities.

To support VAC members to feel connected and informed, we have created a unique Member Area on the VAC Website.

The online dashboard will keep you and your colleagues up to date on the latest member opportunities, training and news.

The Member Area also has a forum function, allowing VAC Member organisations to interact and support each other.

A quarterly newsletter to keep our members up to date on not only VAC Membership updates and opportunities but also specifically created content on topics of interest to the local voluntary, community and social enterprise sector. 

The Bimonthly Member Network is for VAC Members to connect with other VAC Members!

A perfect opportunity to support one another, find out about other local services and explore new collaborative opportunities and partnerships with fellow VAC members.

40% Discount on VAC Room Hire – We offer a range of flexible rooms for hire located in Halifax, West Yorkshire. Our rooms include a fully equipped, large training room with SMART board and flipchart facilities seating up to 25 theatre style, two smaller meeting rooms seating up to 12 and a small office with computer facilities suitable for one-to-one meetings or rent-a-desk.

25% Discount on Virtual Office – Perfect for start ups or smaller organisations, our Virtual Office service offers a postal address, pigeonhole and reception facilities.

25% Discount on ID Badge Printing – Competitively priced to accommodate for smaller orders, our in-house ID Badge service supports both design and printing.

Based on feedback and insight we gain from our members, our training and events offer will complement local infrastructure support training programmes.

All sessions are cost effective and VCSE sector driven.  As a VAC + Member, you will receive a considerable discount on all VAC Training and Events.

VAC Membership

What's included?

You will receive a VAC Member welcome pack with useful information on getting the most out of your membership and a few extra treats!

Every member of VAC will be invited to our Annual General Meeting (AGM) and has voting rights for resolutions and proposals either in person or by proxy.

When you sign up to be a VAC Member, you will be assigned a Go-To Contact from the VAC team.

They will be your main point of contact for your membership, helping to answer questions and signposting you to the right place within VAC and/or our partnerships.

We want the VAC membership offer to be responsive to the needs of our members.  Member check ins keep us up to date on your organisation’s news and developments but also on any challenges or support gaps that may be affecting the VCSE sector. 

The information we receive during our member check ins will highlight trends and challenges that we can then explore support and solutions for via our membership offer and partnerships with local providers and authorities.

To support VAC members to feel connected and informed, we have created a unique Member Area on the VAC Website.

The online dashboard will keep you and your colleagues up to date on the latest member opportunities, training and news.

The Member Area also has a forum function, allowing VAC Member organisations to interact and support each other.

A quarterly newsletter to keep our members up to date on not only VAC Membership updates and opportunities but also specifically created content on topics of interest to the local voluntary, community and social enterprise sector. 

The Bimonthly Member Network is for VAC Members to connect with other VAC Members!

A perfect opportunity to support one another, find out about other local services and explore new collaborative opportunities and partnerships with fellow VAC members.

20% Discount on VAC Room Hire – We offer a range of flexible rooms for hire located in Halifax, West Yorkshire. Our rooms include a fully equipped, large training room with SMART board and flipchart facilities seating up to 25 theatre style, two smaller meeting rooms seating up to 12 and a small office with computer facilities suitable for one-to-one meetings or rent-a-desk.

Competitive rate on ID Badge Printing – Competitively priced to accommodate for smaller orders, our in-house ID Badge service supports both design and printing.

Based on feedback and insight we gain from our members, our training and events offer will complement local infrastructure support training programmes.

All sessions are cost effective and VCSE sector driven.