A group of vision impaired people from Great Yarmouth had the chance to get up close and personal horses, donkeys and mules when they were given a special tour of the Redwings Horse Sanctuary at Caldecott.
Around 20 blind and vision impaired visitors and volunteers were able to pet animals ranging from tiny Shetland ponies to huge shire horses as they were taken around the sanctuary, which is home to around 100 rescue horses, donkeys and mules.
The group, from sight loss charity Vision Norfolk’s Great Yarmouth hub, visited the centre as part of their ongoing programme of special leisure and sporting activities to help tackle the social isolation which visual impairment can cause.
They also heard all about the work which Redwings does across the county and beyond to rescue abandoned, mistreated and neglected horses and donkeys from across the UK, giving them a safe place to live and providing essential veterinary treatment, rehabilitation and lifelong care.
Vision Norfolk Great Yarmouth hub co-ordinator Ed Bates, who is himself blind, said, “We are very grateful to the team at Redwings for looking after us so well and arranging a special tour which enabled people to touch many of the animals and get a real feel for the important work that Redwings does.
“Being able to get out and about is so important for people living with sight loss, who often struggle with isolation as well as practical issues such as travel. We are so grateful to our fantastic team of volunteers who made the trip possible.”
The trip was part of Vision Norfolk’s extensive programme of social, leisure and sporting activities aimed at vision impaired people in the county. For more details, visit www.visionnorfolk.org.uk/supporting-you/activities.
