A GROUP of older people supported by a sensory loss charity have made a generous donation to help its work.

Forth Valley Sensory Centre (FVSC) has received £250 from the OAP BSL group, which it has been hosting since opening in 2006.

The group gives older people who have hearing loss the chance to get together and socialise in a friendly, supportive environment.

It is made up of around 25 British Sign Language (BSL) users who meet every Wednesday at the centre for bingo and a good catch up.

John Barrett, the chair of the group, said: “We are thankful to the centre for the use of their halls to host our group as well as allowing us use of the minibus to go on day trips.

“The centre has always been very helpful to us and we appreciate this. We want to continue to work together with FVSC to create a better future for all BSL users in the area and hope our partnership continues for many years to come.”

The group also contributed £100 in February this year to help pay for a window that was vandalised at the centre, which  has supported people with sensory loss and their families who live in central Scotland, including Clackmannanshire, for more than 15 years.

Jacquie Winning MBE, Forth Valley Sensory Centre chief executive, said: “We would like to thank everyone involved in our BSL group for older people for their generous donation, which will enable us to do even more to support people in our community who are experiencing sensory loss.

“We are proud of the wide range of groups who come together at our centre, and to be able to provide a warm, welcoming space for people to get together and enjoy each other’s company and are grateful to the people who come every week and make our centre the special place it is for everyone in the community.”

The centre is visited by around 20,000 people each year and is funded by a mix of statutory funding and donations.

The charity was recently awarded £200,000 for three years from the National Lottery Community Fund to tackle isolation and loneliness caused by sensory loss and new services will take place in community venues and hubs throughout the area to increase access and availability.