The annual day aims to focus global attention on blindness and to that end, Henshaws Yorkshire held events at the Bond End centre including free visual impairment related workshops.

Last week’s event also saw the launch of Handmade at Henshaws.

The new initiative encompasses all the items made or grown and sold by Henshaws Arts and Crafts Centre service users and the College students.

“The day was a real landmark for us here at the Arts and Crafts Centre,” said Phill Hopkins, Centre Manager. “It was the launch of our brand 'Handmade at Henshaws.'

“Everything that is made or grown here as part of our social enterprise now comes under this brand and its logo.

“We were delighted that the Mayor and Mayoress of Harrogate could join us and the Mayor certainly left his mark with his handprint."

Handmade at Henshaws includes plants from the recently opened nursery, bags from the ‘Funky Bags’ workshop, paper and cards produced in the paper-making workshop, handcrafted jewellery and pieces of artwork.

During the event, people could visit the workshops to learn more about how visually impaired people live independently, the aids and equipment they may need for day to day living and try an awareness training taster based on how to guide a visually impaired person using sighted guide technique.

Demonstrations in Braille were given and exhibitors included the Guide Dogs for the Blind and The Macular Disease Society.