Karen Froggatt has joined the York Blind & Partially Sighted Society (YBPSS) as chief executive to oversee the society’s growth plans.
Karen brings significant charity sector experience to the role from previous positions with RNIB and Victim Support, which YBPSS chair Jim Wallace says will help the organisation extend its services and support across York and the surrounding area:
“Karen is a highly experienced executive director and senior manager with a very strong track record, and we are thrilled to have her join our team,” he says. “Her work within the voluntary sector means that she is ideally placed to help us develop and make our services more widely available. Karen’s skills and experience, along with her passion and personality, will be of huge benefit to the organisation over the coming years.”
Established in 1979, YBPSS is a user-led organisation that enables local people to regain confidence and independence following sight loss. Services include sight support advisors in York, Scarborough and Bridlington hospitals to support people to manage the emotional aspects of newly diagnosed sight loss or the deterioration of an existing sight loss condition and an Equipment and Advice centre in the charity’s York city centre premises. The centre is a key resource in the local community and offers a safe place for people to visit, discuss and explore their needs with trained advisors. YBPSS also provides a free counselling service, home visits, peer support, leisure and learning activities and advice on accessible technology.
Karen Froggatt says, “I’m very excited to join York Blind & Partially Sighted Society. Our vision is to help more people live well with sight loss, and this vision will drive the future growth of the organisation. I’m looking forward to leading that growth.”
Karen’s first tasks in her new post will be to recruit an income generation manager, look for new trustees to join the board and review the YBPSS brand positioning and marketing strategy.
