Telephones for the Blind Fund

Overview

The Telephones for the Blind Fund, with the charity number 255155, is a UK-based nonprofit organization dedicated to providing communication devices and services for people who are registered blind or visually impaired and are on low income. The fund supports individuals in England, Wales, Northern Ireland, and Scotland.

Activities

The fund operates by offering grants to individuals who meet specific criteria, focusing on those who live alone or with a disabled partner and cannot afford a landline or mobile phone. Their policy includes making contributions towards quarterly telephone rental costs and covering the full cost of new telephone line installations when necessary. Additionally, they provide free mobile phones, such as the Doro PhoneEasy 612, with no additional costs to the recipients.

Purpose

The primary goal of the Telephones for the Blind Fund is to enable visually impaired individuals to maintain independence through access to communication. This is achieved by providing essential communication tools, thereby improving their quality of life.

History and Governance

Registered with the Charity Commission on May 1, 1970, the fund has a long-standing commitment to assisting those with visual impairments. It is managed by a board of four trustees.

Financial Activities

In recent years, the fund has reported significant expenditures aimed at supporting its charitable activities, with a total expenditure of £451,359 in the financial year ending December 2023, compared to a total income of £1,249 during the same period. Despite these financial figures, the organization remains committed to its mission of providing critical communication services.

Impact

The Telephones for the Blind Fund plays a crucial role in enhancing the social and economic inclusion of visually impaired individuals by ensuring they have access to necessary communication tools. This support is vital for maintaining independence and facilitating connections with family, friends, and community services.

[1] http://www.tftb.org.uk [2] https://register-of-charities.charitycommission.gov.uk/en/charity-search/-/charity-details/255155/full-print [3] https://register-of-charities.charitycommission.gov.uk/en/charity-search/-/charity-details/255155 [4] https://www.rnib.org.uk/sightline-directory/organisations/telephones-for-the-blind-tftb-e2777f94-597e-4e6a-9fba-4c95e0724da6/ [5] https://www.blind.org.uk/about-us/