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Help us to make a difference:

Every day 250 people start to lose their sight in the UK.

Over 6,000 people across York live with sight loss and many of them don’t know where to go to access help. 

Over 20,000 people in York have hearing loss which makes communication difficult and can lead to social isolation where help is not available. 

Our new Living and Learning Zone will house the services people want to make life easier.  Our friendly staff will provide much needed emotional and practical support, show you what you can do to retain your independence and give you access to advice and resources, all under one roof. 

Our patron, Dame Judy Dench, says: 

“The Living and Learning Zone enables people with sight and hearing loss to recognize that life can still be fun, enriching and fulfilling. With this in mind, I wholeheartedly endorse the Wilberforce Trust’s vision for the future”

Our Vision:

With our help, people with sight and/or hearing loss can lead independent, fulfilled lives with dignity and enjoyment. Our vision is to provide friendly, accessible services, entertainment, support and professional excellence across our range of services.

It will be a place of connectedness and friendship, a place to go to lift your spirits, have your needs met and receive a welcome that will help lift the weight from your shoulders.

The Zone will act as a beacon of best practice for people with sight and hearing loss and will also cater to people with other disabilities along with sensory loss.

The Wilberforce Trust is proud to be a trailblazer in this important field supporting people whose needs are often overlooked.

Jasper’s Dad, Mark says:

“When Jasper is at a sensory session, he becomes more focussed and cooperative. His communication skills improve and he particularly loves playing with the large numbers that slot into one of the floor games. Jasper needs things that focus his attention as he gets distracted easily. At Sensory he is engaged and calm which is great to see and it’s helping him to socialize at school”

Sir Norman Stoller CBE businessman and philanthropist says:

“Why do I give? The question puzzles me because if one has never experienced that warm and satisfactory glow that comes from an unselfish act in helping others where the need is so obvious, then, one simply hasn’t lived”

Mr McConnell says:

“Thank you all, you helped me get back on my feelings and get my mojo back! You guys showed me that losing my vision is not the end of the world but the start of a new life”

Margaret says:

“Thank you for being so welcoming at the Wilberforce Café. It’s a joy to come to”

Anne said:

“My hearing loop is wonderful. It’s made listening enjoyable”

Mrs Y says:

“People don’t understand about using the phone and how it’s changed my life” after our staff helped her to modify her iPhone so that she could speak to her family overseas”

Text Wilber to 70191 to donate £10 and help us run more events like this to cope better tomorrow!

Donate Now!

See our What’s On page for upcoming fundraising events like our annual Santa FUNdraising Run.  

Nearly two-thirds of people living with sight loss are women.