| UNISON City of Edinburgh Branch |
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BLINDCRAFT AWAKENS FROM IT'S SLUMBER The early days In 1793, Edinburgh became the location for the world's third foundation devoted to the welfare of blind people. Relief for the "indigent and industrious blind" was sought through the teaching of handcrafts, so the trainees could aim for useful employment and ultimately seek to support themselves. The foundation was called the Royal Blind Asylum. A programme of expansion was soon embarked on and by 1880 product sales had reached £18,275. In 1928, permanent workshops were established in Gillespie Crescent. In 1944, the Disabled Persons Employment Act enabled central government to provide national support for workshops for blind and disabled people. Recent History In 1972, on the current BlindCraft site, a purpose built factory with modern equipment was opened. The organisation however, kept their ethos of producing hand crafted products, predominantly quality beds. The City of Edinburgh Council enjoys responsibility for BlindCraft running it as an autonomous business. With over two thirds of their staff registered blind or disabled, BlindCraft practices social inclusion as a fundamental principle. They employ staff from Fife, East, West and Mid Lothian as well as the City of Edinburgh. One of our main aims is to develop staff. However over the last few years Blindcraft has been plagued by Industrial relations problems & serious financial losses with the result that the windows business was closed and staff numbers were significantly reduced. I am pleased to say though that the staff, a new management team and the Trade Unions have all been working together to try to turn around the fortunes of the organisation with the emphasis now being on their core product of beds. That work is now bearing fruit with some major and prestigious contracts being in the pipeline with organisations such as John Lewis, Youth Hostels and major universities. In addition to this new products and designs are being developed and launched I am certain that all this work by staff will ensure the long term future of Blindcraft and am hopeful that in time the Staff numbers can begin to grow again. If you are a council employee you get a discount at Blindcraft! and UNISON are currently in discussion on a discount scheme for our members - so do support this community based organisation and buy your bed from them! Kevin Duguid |
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