Henshaws

Henshaws Henshaws' charity supports blind and visually impaired people and those with other disabilities to live life to the fullest 🩷

We're a charity committed to helping blind and disabled people and their families. Our specialists provide life-changing support and skill development across the North of England. Keep an eye on our FaceBook page to hear our experts talk about what they do and why it makes such a difference. Visit our website www.henshaws.org.uk
Follow us on Twitter http://twitter.com/Henshaws

Registered charity 221888

This World Sight Day, let’s make eye health impossible to ignore. 👁️ Nearly everyone will experience an eye health issue...
08/10/2026

This World Sight Day, let’s make eye health impossible to ignore. 👁️

Nearly everyone will experience an eye health issue in their lifetime. Yet more than a billion people worldwide still lack access to the services and treatments they need.

World Sight Day brings people together to raise awareness of the importance of accessible, available and affordable eye care for everyone.

It’s also an opportunity to and make eye health part of the conversation. We’re sharing five simple ways to care for your eye health today and beyond. 💚

Find out more about World Sight Day: https://www.iapb.world/world_sight_day

07/10/2026

How much have video magnifiers changed in 20 years?

The purpose remains the same, but the technology behind them has come a long way.

In our latest Then vs Now: Assistive Tech, Richard compares video magnifiers from yesterday and today, looking at how the technology has evolved and the different options now available.

We’re only giving you a glimpse in this Reel. Watch the full video to see how they compare:
https://youtu.be/JAFNrSHd5nE

What assistive technology would you like us to compare next?

[Video alt text: Richard, wearing glasses and a bright pink Henshaws polo shirt, speaks directly to camera. Behind him are framed photographs of Manchester with sections of the images missing to simulate the effects of different eye conditions. On-screen captions appear as Richard speaks.]

Darren’s been cooking up something a little different in the jewellery workshop! 🥪He’s been busy creating a collection o...
06/10/2026

Darren’s been cooking up something a little different in the jewellery workshop! 🥪

He’s been busy creating a collection of brilliant sandwich puppets, complete with all sorts of fillings. A tomato sauce bottle is nearly finished too!

The project has given Darren the opportunity to learn new beading techniques. He’s been using a spinner tool as well as hand-threading tiny beads, with a clamp helping to keep his wire steady as he works.

Darren told us:
“I've been working on these for a while. It's a lot better now than before. I am doing work that is interesting to me. I wanted to make a sandwich because I am interested in food.”

Finding a project that connects with Darren’s own interests has been wonderful, and it’s lovely to see his confidence growing alongside his skills. Great work, Darren! 🧡

He did it! A huge congratulations to Kaylen, who completed the Manchester Half Marathon for Henshaws yesterday. 👏Running...
05/10/2026

He did it! A huge congratulations to Kaylen, who completed the Manchester Half Marathon for Henshaws yesterday. 👏

Running has been part of Kaylen’s life since he was a teenager, and this year he decided to take on a bigger challenge:
“I’ve been running since I was a teenager and have always enjoyed the challenge and freedom it brings. This year, I wanted to push myself further by taking on the Manchester Half Marathon and seeing what I can achieve.”

Completing 13.1 miles wasn’t his only motivation.

“At the same time, I wanted to use the challenge as an opportunity to raise money for a cause close to my heart. I’ve chosen Henshaws because of the incredible support they provide to children and young people with visual impairments, helping them overcome challenges and achieve their potential.”
Kaylen has experienced sight loss himself in recent years, giving his fundraising an especially personal meaning.

“Taking on this event gives me the chance to push myself while hopefully making a positive difference for others.”

You certainly have! 💗 Thank you for choosing to take on this challenge for Henshaws, and congratulations on completing the Manchester Half.

There’s still time to support Kaylen:
https://www.justgiving.com/page/kaylen4henshaws?utm_medium=FR&utm_source=CL

What a summer! 💚As we settle into autumn, we’ve been looking back at some of the brilliant adventures our children and y...
02/10/2026

What a summer! 💚

As we settle into autumn, we’ve been looking back at some of the brilliant adventures our children and young people enjoyed over the school holidays.

With generous support from the Moulding Foundation, our summer activities programme was packed with opportunities to try something new and have fun.

For visually impaired children and young people, activities like these aren’t always easy to access. With the right support in place, they can be an opportunity to grow in confidence, develop independence, make connections and discover what they’re capable of.

Asael told us:
“At first, I was scared, but with lots of encouragement I felt more confident.”

That’s what these experiences are all about. 💚

A huge thank you to the Moulding Foundation for their generous contribution towards our summer programme and for helping us create so many special memories.

October is Blindness Awareness Month. 👁️It’s a chance to raise awareness of sight loss and challenge some of the assumpt...
01/10/2026

October is Blindness Awareness Month. 👁️

It’s a chance to raise awareness of sight loss and challenge some of the assumptions we make.

Does being blind always mean seeing nothing at all? Does everyone with sight loss use a cane or guide dog? Does everyone read braille?

The reality is much more varied.

Our Sight Loss Myth Busters explores 20 common misconceptions about blindness and sight loss, sharing the facts behind them and showing why there’s no one-size-fits-all experience.

Read the blog here: https://www.henshaws.org.uk/hints-and-tips/sight-loss-myth-busters/

Greater understanding starts with questioning our assumptions. 💚

30/09/2026

Safe to say, Sports Day was a hit! 🏅

Our Artmakers had a brilliant time at our Arts & Crafts Centre Sports Day, with lots of teamwork and a bit of friendly competition.

The day was packed with activities, including egg and spoon and sack races, wheelchair tag, relay races, ring toss, bat and ball, human whack-a-mole and catching balls in clown trousers!

This was all made possible with a little help from our friends at Stray Runners Harrogate. They kindly donated money to the Centre as a thank you after our Artmakers helped decorate their Great Knaresborough Bed Race bed. We put their donation towards new sports equipment, and it certainly got plenty of use!

A big well done to everyone who got stuck in. 🧡

[Video alt text: Artmakers and staff enjoying Sports Day outdoors at Henshaws Arts & Crafts Centre. The video opens with a human whack-a-mole game, with Henshaws staff popping their heads through holes in a colourful handmade board while someone tries to tap them with a soft handmade foam hammer. Artmakers then take part in a game where participants wear oversized colourful clown trousers and try to catch a ball in them, followed by a relay race across the grass. The final clips show Artmakers and staff playing bat and ball together.]

The new College year is already in full swing! 💙Young people in our Partnerships Programme have been out and about in th...
29/09/2026

The new College year is already in full swing! 💙

Young people in our Partnerships Programme have been out and about in the community, building confidence and skills for the future.

Partnerships is all about preparing for life after College, with opportunities to put skills into action and work towards greater independence.

A recent trip by train was a chance to build familiarity with public transport and different environments.

It’s been a brilliant start to the year, and we’re looking forward to sharing plenty more of what our students get up to over the months ahead!

We urgently need your help following unexpected water damage at Henshaws Specialist College.Over the weekend, water badl...
28/09/2026

We urgently need your help following unexpected water damage at Henshaws Specialist College.

Over the weekend, water badly damaged one of our student bedrooms, affecting the bedroom, bathroom, furniture and essential specialist equipment.

Most importantly, the ceiling hoist the student relies on every day has been damaged and needs to be replaced.

The hoist enables the student to move safely between their wheelchair and bed. It plays an essential part in their everyday routine, comfort and dignity.

We’ve launched an urgent appeal to raise £10,000 to replace the hoist, carry out the necessary repairs and make the bedroom a safe, comfortable and accessible space again as quickly as possible.

Can you help us reach our target?

Every donation, whatever the amount, will help us respond to this unexpected damage.

Donate here: https://www.henshaws.org.uk/news/help-henshaws-specialist-college-recover-from-water-damage/

If you’re unable to donate, sharing our appeal will help us spread the word.

Thank you for your support. 💗

New theme, new inspiration for Vicky! 🎨Having finished her self-portrait, she’s moved on to her next piece, this time ta...
28/09/2026

New theme, new inspiration for Vicky! 🎨

Having finished her self-portrait, she’s moved on to her next piece, this time taking inspiration from David Hockney’s swimming pool paintings. 🏊🏽

Vicky has begun creating her own poolside scene, carefully building up the water and details of the composition. There’s plenty more to come, and we’re looking forward to seeing how her artwork develops!

If you or someone you know is aged 18+ and has a disability and/or additional support needs, why not become an Artmaker with us? 🧡

Find out more:
https://www.henshaws.org.uk/arts-crafts-centre/be-an-art-maker/

Address


Opening Hours

Monday 09:00 - 16:00
Tuesday 09:00 - 16:00
Wednesday 09:00 - 16:00
Thursday 09:00 - 16:00
Friday 09:00 - 16:00

Telephone

+443002225555

Website

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