Living Paintings has received a £2,500 donation from the Shanly Foundation to help fund its book clubs and library of unique books for blind and partially sighted people.
Founded in 1989, Living Paintings is based in Kingsclere, Berkshire, from where it provides a free postal library of Touch to See books for blind and partially sighted people of all ages. The distinctive books feature tactile images and have audio soundtracks to direct fingertips across the raised surfaces, bringing the stories to life and allowing the reader to feel and ‘see’ the pictures being described. The books are often narrated by familiar voices, including Martin Freeman, Mel Giedroyc and Sir Derek Jacobi.
Over 800 blind and partially sighted people in Berkshire and Buckinghamshire are reached by the life changing service. Living Paintings provides them with this service completely free, meaning donations are vital.
Camilla Oldland, CEO of Living Paintings, comments: “Our charity is dependent on voluntary donations and we would not be able to achieve all that we do without the generous support of organisations such as the Shanly Foundation. Thanks to their grant I am delighted that we are now able to guarantee that over 800 blind and partially sighted people living in Berkshire and Buckinghamshire will benefit from our very special service throughout next year.”
Tamra Booth, trustee of the Shanly Foundation, comments: “Living Paintings is such a unique charity and one which the Shanly Foundation is honoured to continue to support, as we have done since 2009. Being able to provide something as stimulating as Touch to See books for those who have difficulty reading printed words and seeing colour images is something we are very proud to be involved in”.
2019 will be Living Painting’s 30th anniversary, during which time the charity will host a number of special events and campaigns to mark the occasion. To donate, or for further information about the charity and how to volunteer, visit livingpaintings.org