Giving thanks to our staff

Our staff and volunteers are at the heart of our work to rebuild the lives of blind veterans after sight loss. This is why a recent hamper donation from Thea Pharmaceuticals was raffled off during our Llandudno Centre staff training week – a fitting treat for those who, like Team Thea, work so hard to support our veterans.

Thea Pharmaceuticals have been active supporters of our charity, via their employee fundraising and match funding scheme, since 2015. They have also supported initiatives such as Sponsor a Wreath.

‘Team Thea’, as they are known within the charity, has recently committed to a new two year fundraising partnership which will see them taking part in national events, undertaking their own challenges and putting their own creative ideas to work to raise vital funds.

Meet Adam

The beautiful hamper bursting with delicious treats was won by Adam who works at our Wellbeing Centre in Llandudno. 

Adam has worked as a Wellbeing Support Worker for three and a half years. He works with our blind veterans when they come to stay at the centre to help them access our activities and make the most from their stay.

We asked Adam to tell us about his experience working at Blind Veterans UK.

It's impossible to describe a typical day in my role as every day really is so different, different activities and different veterans to work with. I could be fixing a phone for one of our veterans in the morning and teaching them to use it, after lunch I could be jumping in to the sea with another and before tea I might be helping a group with arts and crafts.

Our team helps veterans to reconnect with or try new activities, hobbies and interests – things that made them the person they were prior to their sight loss. I get to do a bit of everything, there is never a dull moment.

My favourite thing about the role has to be working with all of our blind veterans who come and visit the centre. It is incredibly rewarding to see someone happy and to know that you helped to put a smile on their face. Hearing their stories and being a small part of their lives makes the job what it is.

I love getting outside and exploring so for me I particularly enjoy our adventure weeks, water weeks and driving weeks. These are so much fun. It’s fantastic to be able to support our veterans getting around the barriers their sight loss might present and see them smiling while enjoying activities they may previously have thought off limits to them.

The cycling week would be my absolute favourite as my grandma was always so proud to tell people how my job was to take blind veterans out on a tandem bike.

Adam and the rest of the Llandudno Centre Team are looking forward to welcoming Team Thea to the Llandudno Centre later this year when they will be coming to take part in a volunteering activity and find out more about the work we do.