Visionary is the new name for the National Association of Local Societies for Visually Impaired People (NALSVI) and whilst we might have changed our name to something more pronounceable and easier to remember our ethos is unchanged.
Our aim is, and always has been ‘to promote the relief of persons who are blind or visually impaired’.
We support independent local sight loss charities - the organisations that deliver vital services to visually impaired people at a local level. Read more about the work of local sight loss charities.
Our history began in 1991 with the formation of The National Association of Local Societies for Visually Impaired People (NALSVI). Charitable status followed in 1995.
For 18 years NALSVI was run by a dedicated volunteer Executive Committee, supported by one part-time member of staff. In August 2009, in order to move the organisation forward, the Executive Committee appointed NALSVI’s first Chief Executive, Angela Tinker.
Recognising that the charity’s name was neither memorable or nor easy to say Angela suggested a name change to Visionary – linking local sight loss charities and also recommended that the charity should incorporate. Both proposals were agreed to by the Membership at a Special General Meeting on 9th December 2009
The necessary Charity Commission and Companies House paperwork was finalised in April 2010 and Visionary –linking local sight loss charities was born!