For centuries Sheffield has been renowned for its famous blind musicians, especially the blind fiddlers.
Sam Goodlad was the first benefactor of the Sheffield blind. He spent his spare time organising concerts for the blind fiddlers at his tavern called "Q in the Corner" - he organised concerts in public halls for paying customers. Apparently he also sent his orchestra onto the streets and to other public houses to enable them to maintain an independent living status.
It seems that Sam Goodlad set a good example to others that followed, however he was limited to entertainment and it would require others to become actively involved in other areas to help the Sheffield blind.
During the Industrial Revolution around the 1730's the population in Sheffield grew, along with it came disease and in some areas it was rife. It was noted that "Hand in hand with disease walked blindness".
A group of charitable people, mainly women and clergymen developed an organisation called "Sheffield Home Mission and Sabbath School". These people visited blind people in their homes offering goodwill, prayer and small gifts.
Eliza and Anne Harrison, daughters of Thomas Harrison an eminent saw manufacturer in Hollis Croft, became involved in this organisation which then became more than a visiting service.
The Harrison family lived in what is now Weston Museum and Weston Park. So living in a house as big as that which was surrounded by 12 acres of park we can assume they were a very wealthy family.
When their father died in 1818 he left an immense fortune which Eliza and Anne began to use for this charity.
In 1858 Anne died and a year later her sister Eliza founded "The Blind Institution" along with a committee of women. By 1860 premises were taken on lease in a yard behind a stationers on West Street. This became an industrial school for the blind, the object of which was to "Instruct the blind in trades". The first of these trades were hamper and basket making, brush making, mat making and weaving of matting for Church & Chapel aisles.
To attend the school was free. Items that they made were sold, which in turn paid for new materials, rent, teachers wages and a small wage to those who made the products. The school became known as "The Manufactory of the Blind Institute".
In 1867 the institution which had then amalgamated with "Sheffield Home Mission & Sabbath School for the Blind" were given notice to quit. The committee which now consisted of men and women launched an appeal and within weeks £974 had been raised. This, together with a £100 legacy from Reverend T. Mountain, was enough to buy the property.
The institution was now placed into the hands of trustees and reconstituted according to proper rules. A meeting was held which gave the trustees power of administration. The institution was also renamed as "The North of England Manufactory for the Blind". Its object was stated to be "the instruction and employment of the blind of both sexes in trades and occupations of a useful character and also of the education of the blind of both sexes".
By 1881 the premises were virtually self-supporting. However, the building was unsuitable and dilapidated. At a cost of £3,591 a new building was opened in 1884 with a new name, "The Sheffield Institute for the Blind".
The name changed yet again to "The Royal Sheffield Institute for the Blind". Records indicate that after 1921, when His Majesty King George V visited the West Street workshop, officers of the institute sought permission to use the prefix "Royal" in its name.
By 1937 it was decided to build new premises where the needs of blind people could be met more advantageously. Premises were acquired and the building was opened in July 1939, this is where we are today - Mappin Street.
War years intervened and the main hall was used as a restaurant. After the war the building was redecorated and eventually used for its original purpose as a social and entertainment centre, plus head office administration.
Since 1945 the type of services and the way they were delivered changed and adapted to reflect the needs of visually impaired people in Sheffield.
In 1996 the name changed to The Sheffield Royal Society for the Blind to reflect the change to a modern, progressive voluntary organisation, a process which is ongoing. Today, whilst the actual service we provide may be very different from those provided in 1860, our underlying principles remain much the same - "To support and enable visually impaired people to live their lives to the full".
In April 2005 a letter was sent out to all service users outlining an exciting plan to re-develop the centre at Mappin Street in partnershipn with a construction developer. This involved demolition of the existing building and the construction of a brand new state of the art centre on the bround floor of a much larger building, and at no cost to the society due to the use of the upper floors as student accomodation.
Following a long planning period and a move to temporary premises in Darnall, the new 'Mappin Street Centre' was completed mid 2009.
Supporting Blind & Partially Sighted People in Sheffield”
5 Mappin Street, Sheffield S1 4DT
Telephone: 0114 272 2757 E-mail: info@srsb.org.uk
Registered Charity Number 1047257
Page last checked on 09/07/2010.
© 2001-2010 Sheffield Royal Society for the Blind