Our Story
At Beacon, we’ve been supporting people living with sight loss in innovative ways since 1875. From teaching braille in the 1800s, to helping people get the most from assistive technology today, we’ve always been passionate about supporting those living with sight loss to live the fullest and most independent lives possible.
Today, our Centre in Sedgley provides a wide range of support for those living with sight loss across the Black Country and Staffordshire.
From helping with low vision, wellbeing, digital skills and employment, to simply being there to provide advice, we’re there to make the day-to-day challenges easier so our members can focus on getting the most out of life.
These days, we support thousands of people with sight loss across our region, as we have done for many years. Here’s how it all began…
Our History
Our journey through time
1875
Wolverhampton Society for the blind is launched. The purpose of the organisation is to give local people with sight loss the opportunity to learn to read and write using braille. This is the organisation that eventually goes on to become Beacon.
1882
We acquire a house on Alexandra Street, to provide a place where our members can live and work.
1899
We become one of the first charities in the UK to open a shop! The retail unit on Victoria Street in Wolverhampton sells baskets, chair seating and mats made by the men and women in the workshop on Alexandra Street.
1926
The organisation is renamed ‘The Wolverhampton, Dudley and Districts Institutions for the Blind’, to reflect our increasing reach in the region.
1961
We purchase land in Sedgley to build our first centre.
1963
Our Sedgley centre opens its doors. It includes a concert hall, handicraft centre, braille library, offices and a large single-storey building especially for workshops.
1968
The institute creates a new fund to allow a residential home to be built in the area. At the time, the nearest specialist homes for the blind are in Birmingham and Stoke-on-Trent.
1973
Beacon House opens, providing residential accommodation for those living with sight loss in the Sedgley area.
1976
A further 15 bungalows are built, funded by the industralist Sir Charles Hayward.
1991
We become Beacon Centre for the Blind, as well as increasing the range of services on offer.
2003
The workshop facilities close, and plans begin to redevelop the site.
2009
The new Beacon Centre that we all know and love opens up to the public.
2018
Beacon’s digital manufacturing hub, Fab Lab, opens in July following funding from 5/344 Transport and General Workers Union Benevolent Fund Charity.
2020
Our charity suffers its most challenging year in our history, being significantly impacted by the Covid Pandemic. Beacon Centre closes temporarily in restrictions for the first time ever, but continues to support our members.
2021
Launched our new Beacon People Values, co-created by our teams.
2022
Beacon marks the 20th anniversary of our Forget Me Not Tree appeal where we remember loved ones who are no longer with us.
2025
Beacon will celebrate our 150th anniversary.
Annual Accounts
We are committed to transparency and accountability in all our operations at Beacon. Our annual accounts, presented here, offer a comprehensive overview of our financial activities and performance over the past year. This document not only reflects our dedication to managing resources effectively but also our ongoing commitment to making a significant impact in the lives of individuals with sight loss. By sharing these details, we aim to foster trust and confidence among our supporters, partners, and the communities we serve. We invite you to review our financial journey as we continue to work towards a world where sight loss is no longer a barrier to achieving one’s potential.