Latest news
March 2026
Our longstanding member Jim is about to undertake the Camino de Santiago pilgrimage in Spain in aid of our charity.
You can read his story below and, if you’d like to donate, all funds raised will go towards helping other members receive support.
January 2026
Woodoaks Farm in Maple Cross has been working closely with us and several members over the last few years as they develop the farm into a community space. Today they came to give our members a talk about the farm and bring certain aspects of it to life. This included members smelling items used to make compost, handling feathers from various birds found on the farm, and even touching worms found in the compost for the bravest participants!
Thank you to Sue and their volunteers, who made the talk so interesting and accessible.
Later that week we were invited to join the Woodoaks team to plant a Discovery apple tree in their new orchard. Members Marge, Kat and volunteer Jenny dug the hole and planted the sapling, making sure to secure the plastic tube around it so the deer couldn’t reach it. We look forward to returning in the future to see how it has grown and hopefully pick some apples from it in about five years’ time.
December 2025
This week we celebrated Christmas with parties at our Monday and Wednesday clubs. Party games, prizes and a shared buffet lunch were all enjoyed by our Monday group.
On Wednesday, our annual and traditional Christmas lunch was enjoyed by a reduced number this year due to illness. However, all members, whether able to be there in person or not, received cards and gifts delivered by Father Christmas!
September 2025
Working Age Group member Charles lost his sight suddenly while studying at university. His passion is cars and tinkering under the bonnet. Over the last few years, he has been able to get back into a little mechanics with the help of a volunteer, but he really missed driving.
A Facebook plea resulted in Steven offering to let Charles drive his car on his large open field, and Charles’ dream of getting behind the wheel again was realised this weekend. It was very moving to watch his face light up, and the grin widen, as he grew in confidence with Steven by his side. A massive thank you to Steven and his son for making one young lad’s dream come true.
september 2025
A trip on the River Thames is always a favourite, and even the rain this time didn’t dampen spirits. Very heavy downpours meant most people stayed indoors, but a few ventured onto the top deck to admire the mansions alongside the river and hear the commentary about the area.
May 2025
We were delighted to celebrate member Cathy’s 100th birthday with her at our Wednesday session. Cathy has been coming to our club for many years and is an inspiration to us all. She is the first member in the history of the charity to celebrate this milestone, and we put on a party with games and cake for everyone to enjoy. Congratulations, Cathy!
May 2025
Our Monday Club enjoyed another fun morning of ten-pin bowling. Everyone was able to make good progress throughout the morning, and much laughter could be heard. There was also a healthy competitive spirit between the members!
May 2025
We had a fantastic night hosting our inaugural fundraising quiz night. The quiz tested all the senses as well as the brain and included rounds of smelling, tasting, feeling and listening. Thank you to everyone who came along, and congratulations to the winning team, Cloudy Bear!
February 2025
Our Working age Group continue to enjoy getting together to socialise and take part in different activities.
This month they were guided through the process of making beautiful daffodil 3D labels.
The craft session is one of many activities we embark on throughout the year and is a great way of coming together to chat, laugh and provide peer support.
december 2024
On Wednesday 18th December, members gathered at our newly refurbished hall for our annual Christmas lunch party. Our volunteers cooked a full Christmas lunch for over 50 people before a visit from Father Christmas saw him distribute gifts to everybody.
Much laughter, gift sharing and carol singing was had by all. We wish all our members, their families and our supporters a very Merry Christmas and a happy and healthy 2025!
November 2024
On the 23rd November, we moved back into our hall, after the completion of the accessiblity project.
For details of the project itself, photos of the updates as well as a details of the re-opening celebrations, please click the link below.
October 2024
On October 16, Wendy, one of our visually impaired members took the brave step of having a sponsored head shave with all donations going to our charity. Wendy has been a member for over 20 years and has benefitted greatly from the support she has been given. John, our regular visiting barber offered to do the honours in front of the other members and we are grateful to him for his support.
She was able to raise over a £1,200!
Thank you Wendy!
June 2024
In April 2024 we were so pleased to learn that we had been successful in being awarded a grant from the National Lottery Community Fund for £184,000.
With this added to our own fundraising we have been able to start our pre-build work at the hall this week which is exciting. It is estimated that the project will be completed by mid-October and we will use this page to give regular updates.
We have managed to secure alternative accommodation for the duration of the build at Halsey Masonic Hall, Watford and we are very grateful for them. Our members will continue to meet twice weekly and once a month for the Working Age Group so support is not interrupted.
october 2023
In October of 2023, we hosted a fundraiser event at Shendish Manor to raise money for our accessibility project. As part of the night, a delicious dinner was had, alongside a raffle, silent auction and live auction. We would like to thank all of the donors of the prizes which included a signed Chelsea shirt, golf at the Grove and the Centurion Club as well as an amazing hand knitted golfer, made by one of our very own members.
It was a very enjoyable evening with games such as heads or tails and dancing to round the night off, and we were able to raise an amazing total of £12,300. Thank you very much to everyone who attended for their generosity! Further, a huge thank you to everyone who donated their time to help organise and set up the event.
March 2023
We are delighted to have started a goalball club in Watford in conjunction with RNIB and Goalball UK.
Goalball is a team sport played by the visually impaired and after 2 very successful taster sessions, funding has been secured to continue the club with monthly training sessions.
Training will take place on the 3rd Sunday of each month 1.30-4pm at Watford Central Leisure Centre. To find out more details please contact us or email: watfordgoalball@gmail.com.
February 2023
On a rare cloudless day in February, we thoroughly enjoyed a visit to the Royal Hospital Chelsea. On arrival we were met by two residents who were to be our guides for the tour.
Our tour consisted of a visit to the Chapel and dining room, as well as a walk around the grounds with fascinating information about the history of the buildings and hospital. Our visit was rounded off with a delicious lunch in the next door National Army Museum before heading back to Watford by coach.
January 2023
One of our amazing volunteers, Hilda, celebrated 50 years of volunteering for the charity with a presentation by members and fellow volunteers. As Hilda can be found in the kitchen each week cooking everyone’s lunch, fish and chips were delivered for everyone to enjoy and the kitchen door was firmly shut to her! Hilda was presented with flowers and a certificate as well as having several visually impaired members say a few words of thanks.
November 2022
Our thriving working age group enjoyed a very competitive game of ten pin bowling for this month’s meeting. Everyone had a great time with a few Strikes achieved and very energetically celebrated.
September 2022
The Volunteers and Trustees of Watford Social Centre for the Blind were presented with the Queens Award for Voluntary Services (QAVS) by The Lord Lieutenant of Hertfordshire this week. The QAVS is the highest honour bestowed on voluntary groups and is equivalent to an MBE.
It is even more poignant as it was award by the late Queen Elizabeth II and signed by Her Majesty before her death. The crystal award and certificate were presented to Mrs Jenny Marsh, Lead Volunteer and Chairman of the Trustees in the presence of all the volunteers and trustees and witnessed by the charity’s visually impaired members.
March 2021
Back to enjoying some activities in a socially distanced manner today. Members enjoyed scrabble and darts as well as doing some needed keep fit and then testing their knowledge with a quiz. Lots of chatter and laughter which is always good for everyone.
december 2024
Donations
If you would like to donate to the Watford Blind Centre, providing support ranging from contributing to our accessibility project to supporting in making our lunches and outings more affordable for our members, please scan the QR code above or click the button below to be redirected to our JustGiving site.