Jobs boost for visually impaired

A charity which helps blind and visually impaired people find jobs has been given a £215,000 funding boost.

The Henshaws Society for Blind People in Newcastle will use the Lottery cash to help people get jobs, go into further education or do voluntary work.

Over the last three years more than 50 students have benefited from the charity's Skillstep to Success scheme.

Now the programme can continue for another three years to help people build their personal and IT skills.

The funding will also enable Henshaws to create a drop-in suite at its Newcastle based centre where current, past and potential Skillstep students will be able to use the computers to improve their IT skills.