With just days to go until Vision Awareness Week 2015 begins, organiser Manx Blind Welfare Society has been delighted by the public support shown so far.

Starting on 14th September, Vision Awareness Week includes plenty of opportunities to get involved and learn about the support and services provided for blind and visually impaired people in the Isle of Man.

There has already been a huge amount of interest in the events, but there’s still time to get involved.

Society Volunteers Coordinator & Events Organiser Debbie Thomson said: ‘We have been delighted by the response to our programme of events for Vision Awareness Week 2015. It looks like there’s a lot of interest in getting involved, learning more about visual impairment and raising funds to support our work.

‘We have schools, businesses, Scout packs, fellow charities and people from all walks of life ready to take part in Vision Awareness Week, and we’d love to hear from anyone else who wants to join in.’

She added: ‘We want people to understand the challenges of being visually impaired in the Isle of Man, but also to raise awareness of what can be achieved by blind people when barriers to learning, work and social environments are removed. The aim of the week is to highlight simple steps we can all take to enhance the daily experience of blind and visually impaired people by anticipating and meeting their needs.

‘The more people who get involved, the further we’ll be able to spread the message of Vision Awareness Week.’

The events start with an open day at the Society’s headquarters Corrin Court in Onchan from noon on 14th September. Visitors will be able to tour the building, meet staff and volunteers from the Society and partner organisations, as well as try archery alongside visiting members of Blind Veterans UK.

On Friday, 18th September, businesses, schools and other organisations are invited to go ‘Bright for Sight’. This is a day when you can be sponsored to dress in colourful clothes, decorate offices in striking colours, bake brightly-coloured cakes or try any other creative way you can think of to make the day bright and raise funds for the Society’s essential work with blind and visually impaired people in the Isle of Man.

The next day, Saturday, 19th September, there will be an acoustic shooting competition at Corrin Court. Several teams have already signed up for the contest, which relies on hearing rather than sight, but there are still some spaces available.

Vision Awareness Week concludes on Sunday, 20th September with the return of Walk My Way, the Island’s biggest guided walking event. Individuals and teams are invited to join those who have already signed up now for the guided walk from the War Memorial on Harris Promenade towards the former Summerland site and back. Walkers will be paired up, with one person blindfolded and the other guiding, and can walk as much of the route as they feel comfortable with.

In addition, staff and volunteers from Manx Blind Welfare Society will be delivering talks and training to local businesses and organisations throughout the week.

Debbie concluded: ‘It is going to be an extremely busy week, but also a very important one as we raise awareness of what it means to be visually impaired in the Isle of Man, the ways our community can help and the services and support available now.

‘If anyone would like to get involved, they can contact the Society on 674727 or by emailing enquiries@mbws.org.im.’

To find out more about Vision Awareness Week 2015 and the work of MBWS, visit www.facebook.com/manxblindwelfaresociety.