Our long history in Sheffield began over 150 years ago, when two local ladies, the Harrison sisters, Anne and Eliza Harrison became involved. They were the daughters of local manufacturer, Thomas Harrison, who built Weston House, which was later bought by the city for use as the museum and park that we now know as Weston Park Museum. Following the death of Anne, Eliza remembered her sister’s particular interest in, and pity for, the blind. Eliza lived frugally in order for her to devote her every penny to establishing some permanent benefit for the blind. One year later, she founded the Blind Institution with a small committee of women. The rest is history…

A brief history of some of SRSB’s milestones: 

1860

The first workshops opened on West Street on the 17th September. This picture dates from 1905 following redevelopment of the workshops and retail shop.

The workshops provided training in trades like brush, basket and furniture making to provide blind people with employment.

1880

The “School for the Mental and Industrial Training of the Young Blind” opened on Manchester Road. Children were taught a range of skills to prepare them for work.

After offering a full programme of education, in its last forty years operated by Sheffield City Council Education Department, the school closed in 1997 with children integrated into mainstream schools.

1899

Overend Cottages in Crosspool were purpose built for the organisation and provided accommodation for blind people in a small terraced complex of houses and flats.

Photo of the cottages as originally built, before housing was built on the opposite side of Selborne Road.

1921

Following a visit by King George V, we became known as The Royal Sheffield Institution for the Blind.

1935

Cairn Home in Crosspool opened in 1935 to provide residential care for elderly blind people and is still in use today.

1939

The Mappin Street Centre first opened to provide an entertainment centre for blind people and head office accommodation.

Over the years through until 2007 a range of other activities and services were also provided at the centre.

1959

Cairn Home extended to also accommodate 12 elderly blind women.

1960

The Royal Sheffield Institution for the Blind, as we were still known at that time,celebrated its 100th Anniversary.

1989

Cairn Home completely refurbished, all bedrooms being fitted with en-suite facilities.

1996

To reflect the change in the way the organisation was developing the charity also became a company limited by guarantee and changed its name to The Sheffield Royal Society for the Blind.

2001

Cairn Home Extension completed and Overend Cottages were completely refurbished.

2009

SRSB’s new Mappin Street Centre opened.

Cairn Home opens its new sensory garden.

2010

	HRH The Earl of Wessex, KG KCVO, Prince Edward, officially opened the new Mappin Street centre on 18th February.
	SRSB celebrated its 150th Anniversary with a variety of events throughout the year, culminating in a Masquerade Ball on 17th September, the same date that the first workshops were opened in 1860.

2011

We launched our updated website in order to provide better information for our clients and supporters as part of our rebranding and new marketing strategy.