British Wireless for the Blind Fund

A photograph of vibrant purple crocuses emerging from the ground, basked in sunlight. Overlaid, text reads: “I’m grateful for nature... Views of the hills. Birdsong is beautiful. I think a lot of people miss these things because they spend so much time looking at screens.”

Has Spring sprung?

It might still be winter, but today much of the UK got a much-needed dose of sun.

To celebrate, we wanted to share these lovely words from Janet, who told us how much she values birdsong and the sounds of nature in her life, since losing her sight.

Happy (nearly) spring! 🐦‍⬛🎶

A man with sight loss sits at a wooden desk using a keyboard and laptop, with an accessible radio beside him. A quote on the image reads: “Without this radio, a big part of my life would be missing.”

For Krishna, audio isn’t just background noise – it’s connection, companionship and confidence. Living with sight loss can make everyday tasks more challenging, but having the right equipment means staying independent.

Support us in unlocking the power of audio for people living with sight loss.

A historical photograph from the 1920s showing a lady seated and listening to a large wireless set that is situated on a side table, in front of a window. The lady appears relaxed and engaged by what she is listening to.

Radio took off in the 1920s.

In 1928, our founder Sir Ernest Beachcroft Beckwith Towse, who had lost his sight in battle, recognised radio's deeper potential.

Nearly a century on, the technology has changed but our mission continues: unlocking audio content to people living with sight loss.

February marks Age-related Macular Degeneration (AMD) Awareness Month.

AMD affects central eye vision and is one of the most common causes of sight loss in later life.

Regular eye examinations are an important way to monitor your eye health and spot changes as early as possible.

A cartoon line drawing of a horse, smiling as it listens to music with headphones on. Overlaid text reads: Happy Lunar New Year.

2026 is the year of the horse! 🐴

Happy Lunar New Year to everyone celebrating! And happy listening to anyone living with sight loss who is enjoying one of our free audio devices today.

#LunarNewYear #YearOfTheHorse

Collage of four BWBF beneficiaries of different ages and backgrounds, including a parent and child with an iPad, an older woman with her radio, a young woman holding an iPad, and an older man listening to his radio. A purple heart in the centre represents care, love and community.

Happy Valentine’s Day from all of us at BWBF 💜

Sending love to all our community, and especially those living with sight loss, whether you’re surrounded by people, or enjoying some quiet company.

Quote from BWBF beneficiary Maureen expressing love for her radio, which she listens to from morning until bedtime.

For many people living with sight loss, a radio brings companionship, comfort and connection throughout the day.

On #WorldRadioDay, we’re sharing Maureen’s words - a reminder of why accessible audio matters.

We won't ever stop giving free tech, but we know that sometimes access to equipment isn't the only barrier.

We're so excited to launch more services, and collaborate more closely than ever with the the sight loss sector to ensure our everyone can find empowerment & connection through tech.

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- Pilot projects offering flexible & personalised tech support
- Our broadest ever range of free tech & devices, along with more support to use them
- A volunteer drive so we can be there when you need us and how they need us

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Two women sit side by side as they look at each other. They are both gathered round an iPad that they are holding between them. They look engaged and positive.

📣 Coming soon! New services and support for people with sight loss.

It's gonna be a big year for our little charity. We're evolving from giving free tech to our community, to also offering a rich range of tech support and confidence building. Here are a few things to watch out for in 2026...

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Text reads: You were kind and open and generous. That human support really mattered.

When Paul found us after his vision worsened with Retinitis Pigmentosa, the practical pluses of the smart speaker we gave him were just the tip of the iceberg.

"It’s about mental wellbeing," he said. "These tools help people stay connected, curious, and alive.”

#RetinitisPigmentosaAwarenessMonth

Over the years, they've sparked creativity, and brought connection and joy to countless lives.

What a legacy! 🎶💛

#BlackHistoryMonth

An older Ray Charles plays the piano on stage as he sings.

A photograph of Stevie Wonder singing passionately into a microphone while playing the piano.

A photograph of Blind Willie Johnson's gospel record 'You'll need somebody on your bond'.

At BWBF, we believe that sound can uplift, unite, and transform lives.

This #BlackHistoryMonth, we’re celebrating the achievements of Black musicians with sight loss.

Legends like Ray Charles, Stevie Wonder, and Blind Willie Johnson didn’t just break barriers—they shaped the very fabric of music.

Quote on a purple background from Steve, the son of a BWBF beneficiary, explaining that his mum can now use her voice to call him, family members or a neighbour in an emergency.

When Steve got in touch with us, he was making daily visits to support his mum, 94-year-old Audrey. As her vision deteriorated, life was harder and she was having falls.

With a voice-activated device from BWBF, Audrey can now call Steve, and other family members, providing peace of mind.

We’re looking for new trustees with experience of sight loss, fundraising, accessibility and tech or senior leadership to join our board and help guide us on the next chapter of our incredible journey.

Interested? Got questions?

blind.org.uk/about-us/car...

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In an orange box, text reads: Create a better future for people living with sight loss. An arrow points to a second grey box, with the text: Join us as a Trustee.

We’re looking for new Trustees 👥

For nearly 100 years, we’ve been using tech to change the lives of people with sight loss. Could you help us write the next chapter, with new services and a re-brand that inspires support?

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Quote from a person living with sight loss about staying connected and having companionship. Quote in orange text on a purple background with a pink heart and signal icon below.

For many people living with sight loss, access to audio content provides more than entertainment.
It’s connection. Comfort. And company, especially during the quieter moments of the day.

A woman smiles as she holds the Relish radio we gave her in front of her

A boy, Ryder, smiles as he holds up the iPad we gave him. On the screen, text reads 'a great big thank you'

Doreen smiles as she sits in her arm chair with her Echo dot by her side

Mother and son Jeanette and Riley smile with the Echo Dot Kids from BWBF on the shelf behind them

We're a small charity, but last year was huge!

- We gave out 32% more devices than in 2024
- We launched our new, accessible website
- We gave a bigger range of audio devices, iPads & other tech than ever

We're excited to share what's ahead, including new & enriched services for our community. ❤️

An older lady who lives with sight loss in a blue sweater holding a white mug in a cosy kitchen with wooden cabinets and appliances. On the worktop next to her is a radio from the charity BWBF.

“The radio is a big help in winter, when you don't go out much, it makes even more of a difference," says Norma, whose eyesight deteriorated with age related macular degeneration.

Your support can bring warm companionship to more people who need it this Winter.

https://blind.org.uk/support-us/

Quote on yellow background: 'I'm no different from anyone else - it's just my headlights don't work.' signed Jason, a BWBF beneficiary.

“I’m no different from anyone else – it’s just my headlights don’t work.”

Jason’s words remind us that sight loss doesn’t define who someone is - it’s just one part of how we experience the world.

Janet, a BWBF beneficiary, sitting in her garden with a one-button radio on a table in front of her. A text box on the image reads: “I love birdsong. I think a lot of people miss these things because they spend so much time looking at screens."

For many people living with sight loss, audio opens up moments that might otherwise be missed.

By providing accessible audio tech, we help people stay connected to the world around them - in ways that feel natural, personal and part of everyday life.

Bold white text saying 'Thank you!' on a purple background with a small orange bow below the text.

Thank you to everyone who supported our Christmas Appeal.

Your generosity makes a direct difference to people living with sight loss across the UK.

If you didn’t get the chance to donate over Christmas, our appeal is still open 💛

www.blind.org.uk/christmas25

Quote from a British Wireless for the Blind Fund beneficiary about loving their radio that they switch on from morning until bedtime, highlighting daily companionship.

Graphic with a quote about being able to use a radio independently without asking for help.

Quote describing the joy of listening to audiobooks and discovering a new world through reading.

Quote about an Alexa device providing companionship, including saying goodnight and enjoying the response.

For many people living with sight loss, audio isn’t just sound - it’s confidence, connection, routine and company.

That’s why we provide accessible audio devices, helping people stay connected in everyday ways.

You'll be joining a friendly, ambitious and flexible team that is determined to make a real difference for our community.

We are particularly interested to hear from applicants with lived experience of sight loss.

Find out more and apply:

blind.org.uk/about-us/car...

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We're looking for two people to help us make that vision a reality.

- A full-time Project Manager to design and build the service from the ground up
- A part-time Volunteer Coordinator to nurture a nationwide network of technology support volunteers

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Bold text on a purple background reads, 'We're recruiting. Project Manager. Volunteer Coordinator.'

Looking to start 2026 with a new & meaningful career move?

This year we'll be launching a flexible, specialist support service to help people with sight loss confidently use technology to live independently, stay connected, access information, and engage with the world on their own terms.

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Joanna and her children Charlie and Mathilda smile happily in a selfie photo. They are huddled close together.

“My early memories of school are of being left at the back of the classroom. I’m determined my children get the education and understanding that I didn’t get.”

Find out how you can give a gift this Christmas, and re-write the story of sight loss for other families. 💜

blind.org.uk/support-us/j...

A woman sitting on a sofa with her arms wrapped around her young son. They are huddled together, warmly smiling at the camera. The boy wears glasses and a red football kit and holds an iPad in a turquoise case. Festive graphics, including snowflakes and gift icons, surround the photo.

Gift joy this Christmas 🎁

Thanks to your kindness, we can unlock the power of audio for more people living with sight loss.

Donate here: www.blind.org.uk/christmas25

Mark been an incredible source of guidance, balancing his own perspective on life with sight loss, with a commitment to serving the wider and diverse needs of our community. We are so grateful for his contributions.

Thank you Mark for lifting us up and helping make us the best we can be. ❤️

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A photograph of Mark Noble, our former Trustee, smiling to camera.

We want to say a huge thank you to Mark Noble, who retired from our Board of Trustees this week.

Mark first encountered BWBF when we gave him a radio shortly after he lost his sight. From that moment, he went on to be a firm, lifelong supporter of the charity - eventually joining our Board.

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