Our history
Supporting the community since 1922
For over a century Sensory Services by Sight for Surrey has been supporting and serving the community. We provide a vital service to children and adults who are Deaf, hard of hearing, blind, partially sighted and deafblind across Surrey to live independent lives.
As a strategic partner of Surrey County Council, we deliver countywide sensory support as well as a range of services funded by charitable fundraising.
The story of how the charity was set up
Sensory Services by Sight for Surrey, formed as the Surrey Voluntary Association for the Blind, was established following the monumental Blind Act of 1920 in response to the lack of support for blind and vision impaired people in Britain.
Over 100 years later and our story continues to evolve, and we now support over 8,500 children and adults who are Deaf, hard of hearing, blind, partially sighted and deafblind to live independently through expert, hands-on sensory services.
Our timeline
1920
The Blind Person’s Act
1922
The Surrey Voluntary Association for the Blind (SVAB) is formed under the President, Lord Ashcombe (Henry Cubitt) who owned and lived at Denbies in Dorking. There were 496 blind people registered.
1944
First purchase of a residential house for blind and vision impaired people in Claremont Road, Surbiton. Further hostels were set up in Camden House, East Molesey (1950) and Corkran Road, Surbiton (1953).
1975
The offices at Rentwood, Fetcham, become the charity’s permanent base.
1962
SVAB was registered as a charity under the National Assistance Act. It was run for many years by a handful of volunteers out of one room in a house in Kingston.
1961
Insight magazine was published by SVAB as a quarterly issue and could be purchased for 9d. (75p in today’s money)
1992
80th Birthday and a name change to Surrey Association for Visual Impairment. A specialist team for deafblind people was created, including a Communicator Guide Service.
1996
Low Vision Aid and Resource Centre opens to give professional advice on equipment.
2013
Our Children and Young People’s Service (CYPS) team was formed.
2017
Began using the working name Sensory Services by Sight for Surrey to reflect the pan-sensory contract
2016
Take on Deaf and hard of hearing services across Surrey
2014
Name change to Sight for Surrey
2022
Dame Judi Dench becomes Patron during our Centenary year.
2023
Her Royal Highness the Duchess of Edinburgh visits the charity.
2026
Sensory Services by Sight for Surrey move to Bridgehead House, Ashtead after more than 50 years residing at Rentwood, Fetcham