East Suffolk Association
for the Blind (ESAB) is one of three voluntary organisations in Suffolk
providing services for the visually impaired. The other two
are West Suffolk Voluntary Association for the Blind (WSVAB) and
Ipswich Blind Society.The organisation was established in 1914 to promote the welfare of visually impaired people in East Suffolk, with the aim being to support independent living in members own homes. We currently have 1400 blind and partially sighted people registered with us, of whom 1100 are over the age of 70.
We have a staff of 10 (all part-time) and around 150 volunteers across our large rural area which is divided into 5 discrete areas for ease of management.
During 2009, we made a total of 2530 home visits, had 220 new client referrals and spent £160,000 in delivering services to all of our clients.
Our Association has no national financial affiliations although we are affiliated to the national organisation for local voluntary groups for the visually impaired called "Visionary". Funding comes entirely from investment income, legacies and money raised from people and organisations sympathetic to our cause.
Our maxim is ‘Local Charity for Local People’. All our income is spent serving the local community.