Lions ChildSight UK in Action: Supporting Local Schools

Our volunteers have been hard at work bringing free vision screenings to young pupils across our area!

To date, we have screened 182 children across 6 local primary schools:

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  • Alanbrooke Academy

  • Sowerby Primary Academy

  • Thirsk Community Primary School

  • Keeble Gateway Academy

  • Osmotherley Primary School

  • New Park Primary Academy

    • Why Early Screening Matters

    National figures show that 1 in 5 children have undiagnosed vision issues, and up to 80% of early learning is visual. Early detection allows for effective treatment before the age of seven, helping children thrive in reading and classroom activities.

    Help Us Expand to Northallerton & Bedale!

    Having established the project in the Thirsk area, we are now looking to bring free screenings to schools in Northallerton and Bedale for the 2026–2027 school year.

  • For Schools: If you are a teacher, governor, or parent connected with a local primary school, please get in touch via our contact form to schedule a free screening session.

  • For Volunteers: We need enthusiastic local volunteers to join our club and become trained screeners (requires an enhanced DBS check and some free time during school hours).

    • A New Place to Rest at Holy Rood House

    Following a request for support from Holy Rood House—a dedicated retreat and counselling centre based in Thirsk—our Lions members were delighted to donate and build a new garden bench for their grounds.

    Holy Rood House offers a compassionate, healing space for guests and clients, many of whom are recovering from trauma or navigating difficult life challenges. The center's beautiful gardens play a key role in that recovery, providing a calm environment for reflection and peace.

    With several of their existing garden benches deteriorating and no longer fit for purpose, our team stepped in to assemble and install a sturdy replacement so visitors can continue to enjoy the gardens comfortably.

    Pictured above: Lion President David and Vice President John testing out the newly assembled bench in the Holy Rood House gardens.

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