WARRINGTON North MP Charlotte Nichols visited the Warrington Visually Impaired People (WVIP) to learn how the charity and its members have been coping during a 16-month closure because of the coronavirus pandemic.

It was also an opportunity for WVIP Manager Gail Bretherton to tell the Labour politician what the charity is all about and the services it offers.

Gail said: “We bring our members to the Fairfield and Howley centre twice a week for lunch that is prepared by our chef Howard Isherwood on a Tuesday and Thursday.

“Our members arrive around noon and sit down with their friends for a cup of tea or coffee and a good chat.

“Howard is currently standing in for our cook who had to leave during the pandemic so if anyone knows a cook that would like to do a few hours a week then we’d love to hear from them as I would like to get him back in the office.”

After lunch, Howard usually puts on some entertainment in the form of a quiz, bingo or raffle and quite often he arranges for a group to come and sing or play in the lounge for a singalong and trip down memory lane.

Meanwhile, Gail leads a chair-based exercise club on Wednesdays or if the weather is suitable she will organise a trip to a park so members can stretch their legs in the fresh air.

The charity also provides services outside the centre. There is an eye clinic help desk at the hospital, funded from a member’s legacy, and the WVIP has been commissioned by the council to provide a home visitors service with four staff who visit members at home and help them maintain their independence.

Gail said: “It was great to meet Charlotte and tell her about the many challenges and adjustments that we have made to keep in touch with our lovely members.

“Most are elderly and vulnerable, so we needed to find additional ways during the pandemic to reduce their feeling of isolation and make sure that they were keeping fit and well and safe from Covid-19.”

The pandemic also created opportunities for the charity.

Operations officer Adrian Horne said: “The charity has been at the community centre for ten years and Gail suggested we take the opportunity to freshen up the place.

“Keith, her husband, has done a fantastic job of re-painting rooms, giving them a much-needed breath of fresh air to the centre.

“The dining area carpet was professionally cleaned, and all the dining chairs were recovered. I even got to use my carpentry skills to turn an alcove storage area into a room where staff and volunteers can now make drinks and snacks.”