The Manx Blind Welfare Society has opened a new outdoor space, designed to meet the needs of vulnerable people, at the same time as announcing the charity’s new name.

The organisation will now be known as Sight Matters after it was changed for the first time in 80 years because the previous name had the potential to ’convey negative messages to individuals who could otherwise benefit’ from their services, according to feedback from members.

It was stated that the charity are ’grateful for the honest and frank feedback’ they had received.

It launched The Freedom Field, located behind the charity’s Corrin Court headquarters in Onchan, which will provide a safe space for exercise, relaxation and reflection.

The space has three primary zones, including The Freedom Run, where assistance dogs can exercise freely, Paws For Thought: Memorial Area, a patio, garden and memorial wall displaying paw print tags bearing messages about departed pets, and The Sanctuary, a spot for blind and visually impaired people to sit down.

Chairman, Charles Fargher, told us he felt the project would be well received by the charity’s members and the public.

He said: ’I think it’s going to be received incredibly well.

’It is quite unique and given that it was scrubland for years, it’s now the most beautiful sanctuary of nature, there’s some beautiful landscaping.’

Access to the garden will be by invitation only unless you are a member of the charity.

Funds were raised through donations and money held by the charity.

’It cost about £350,000,’ Mr Fargher said. ’It’s been funded by using some capital that had been earmarked for a scheme for a number of years, plus we had the amazing generosity of the Manx public who heard about what we were doing.’

He explained they haven’t had any ’significant individual’ sponsorships.

Mr Fargher continued: ’Not as such, we’ve had some come along and we’ve been able to say "this certain part of the field has been sponsored by you".

’We haven’t needed to do it because it’s happened and it’s gotten out through word of mouth.’

The project came about when the charity questioned what they could do with the land they weren’t using, and following consultation with their members they came to a consensus about creating the garden.

Chief executive, Ian Cooil, explained The Freedom Field would become an invaluable asset to the community.

He said: ’This project is the first of its kind on the Isle of Man, potentially even further afield too.

’We’d like to say thank you for the funding support we have received thus far.’

The project has been in development for three years and an official opening will happen in due course but this has been pished back.