Welcome to Blatchington Court Trust

The Blatchington Court Trust building in the sunshine, and volunteers helping young people with sight loss on a walk in the countryside, and pedalling double buggies in a park

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Welcome

Thank you for your interest in learning more about Blatchington Court Trust. We're an established charity based in Hove, looking for a strategic, inspirational and experienced leader to join as our new Chief Executive Officer.

As our new CEO, you'll lead this well-regarded, financially secure local charity to further develop our work for children and young people with sight loss across East Sussex.

Who we are

Blatchington Court Trust (BCT) stands as a beacon of support and empowerment for young people under 30 with sight loss and their families across Sussex.

Established following the sale of a former school for the blind in Seaford, Sussex, BCT has been dedicated to enriching the lives of our beneficiaries for nearly three decades. Our charity’s roots trace back to the closure and asset sale of the original institution, with the proceeds being used to create a trust committed to providing comprehensive services and opportunities for individuals facing sight loss challenges.

Over our 30-year journey, we have evolved into a vital resource for our community, offering a diverse range of services aimed at informing, empowering, and enriching the lives of those we serve.

Blatchington Court Trust volunteers and some of the young people they help

What we do

Our work in educational advocacy ensures that students with sight loss thrive within their educational settings and achieve their full potential, while grants are available to remove barriers faced by people with sight loss, particularly through the provision of technology.

We create spaces where individuals can connect, learn, and build confidence, from providing benefits advice in partnership with Possability People to organising a wide range of events and activities, including snowboarding, craft making and our hugely popular summer BBQ.

Our commitment to fostering emotional wellbeing and support is evident through our provision of counselling services and wellbeing support programmes, which aim to help individuals explore their thoughts, feelings, and experiences.

Through these initiatives, we continue to be a driving force in promoting understanding, acceptance, and empowerment within the sight loss community. With our team of dedicated staff members and the support of trustees, we remain steadfast in our mission to make positive change and provide hope and empowerment for young people with sight loss and their families across Sussex.

Where we are now

Our annual turnover is around £580,000. We are fortunate to be in a secure financial position, thanks to our income being derived from investments and ownership of our building.

However, we recognise the potential for complacency stemming from this financial security and fundraising opportunities remain largely unexplored. Looking ahead, we want to explore those opportunities to further enhance our financial sustainability and do more for young people with sight loss and their families in Sussex.