As many as 80 jobs to be created at Blind Veterans UK’s new Rustington centre – apply now

Whether you have a passion to help those who have served their country or are an experienced healthcare professional, Blind Veterans UK is building a team for its new centre at Rustington in West Sussex.

The charity helps vision-impaired ex-servicemen and women to rebuild their lives after sight loss and is moving from Brighton to its purpose-built premises in September.

Caring for a small number of permanent residents, as well as regular holiday and respite stays, the team will provide rehabilitation, practical and emotional support for the many thousands of blind veterans who will be able to visit. This new team will help Blind Veterans UK’s beneficiaries to regain their independence and live the life that they choose.

New jobs on offer

You don’t need to have experience in some of the new roles but just a desire to provide the best possible care and support for those you are helping.

Most urgently, the charity needs to recruit for housekeeping roles, as well as carers and Registered Nurses, before the new centre opens in mid-September. There are also roles in security, administration and transport.

Experienced healthcare professionals –from nurses and healthcare support experts to occupational therapists – will also be needed. Flexible hybrid working is available, where appropriate for the role.

Health and Wellbeing Service Manager Kellie Darcy-Pattenden said: “We are looking for people with a real passion to make a difference to those who have served their country. We can provide training but that desire to want to help is the most important thing.”

Just check the website for the latest roles available at www.blindveterans.org.uk and apply. Or if you think you have the right skills for a job which is yet to be advertised, just get in touch via the website.

Centre helps veterans with independent living

As the average age of the veterans the charity supports is rising, Blind Veterans UK is moving to its new premises to offer the best available care and support.

The building, which is the former RAF Benevolent Fund Princess Marina House, has been completely refurbished.

Kellie added: “The new centre has been purpose-built to enhance any vision our veterans may still have, and make it more accessible for those with no sight at all. We have worked closely with a design company which specialises in sight loss to create a building which our veterans would like to spend time in.”

A gym and therapy suite have been added and all of the bedrooms are ensuite. Contrasting flooring, wall textures and digital signage make it easier to get around, while Alexas and hi-tech systems will enable veterans to navigate independently.

The new centre has direct access to the beach – for a walk along the promenade – and is a 10-minute walk from the town centre.

Get in touch

Blind Veterans UK supports around 4,000 vision-impaired ex Service men and women and has one other centre at Llandudno in Wales. The majority of the veterans they support served many years ago and have lost their sight later in life, though it also helps younger veterans who served in Iraq, Afghanistan or the Falklands and have lost their sight in service, accidents or due to illness.

If you know someone who needs their help, get in touch or use the new eligibility checker on their website

Fine out more about their work or apply for one of their new roles at www.blindveterans.org.uk