Steve is a real all-year Santa

HE doesn't look much like Father Christmas. Steve Robinson has a Santa twinkle in his eye, certainly, but he is slim, prefers sober business suits to a fur-lined red number and is not given to unprovoked ho-ho-hos. But just like Santa, Steve is big on giving. And when he dishes out the cash, it is like Christmas for the local causes which benefit.

As the Yorkshire manager of the Lloyds TSB Foundation For England And Wales, Steve handed out more than £2 million in grants to Yorkshire charities this year.

And that money goes a long way: the maximum single gift is £30,000; most come in under £5,000.

"The grassroots is what we are all about," he said.

His Yorkshire office is one of nine regional offices of the foundation, each committed to helping "underfunded charities that work to improve the lives of local communities, especially those who are disadvantaged and disabled".

Beneficiaries include village halls, scout groups, community associations and playgroups.

Steve loves his work. "I have a fabulous job. I meet people who are doing work that they are so committed to."

The voluntary sector are "another NHS" he said. Without their unsung efforts, society would be so much the poorer.

Steve has visited hundreds of different Yorkshire charities in his five years in post. A one-to-one meeting helps him make a more rounded assessment than that afforded by reading the application form alone.

The personal touch is important and unusual - many other charity foundations are based solely in London.

Steve would love more local charities to get in touch. To discover how the system works, I joined him on a visit to the York Blind & Partially Sighted Society last week. It is applying to the Lloyds TSB Foundation for help to meet a forecasted shortfall in funding of £10,000.

As soon as you arrive at the society's home in Bootham, you realise it needs more funds. A recorded announcement greets you at the door giving directions to the office: turn left, up some stairs, through a doorway - hardly an ideal setting for people with impaired vision.

From reception, we are taken up another set of stairs to the office of the chief executive, Diane Roworth. It is so cramped that files sit on the draining board on the small sink behind her desk.

She explains that the society is 12 years old, and was originally established in a tiny office in Cumberland Street.

The society aims to help people with sight problems retain their independence. It runs a resource centre where people can try out various aids and equipment. Other roles include offering advice and information; sending out a quarterly newsletter in large print, braille and tape formats to the 1,000-strong membership; running a volunteer visiting service for blind people at home; and organising social activities.

"You may get some people who have fairly recently lost their sight and want to know what facilities are available," Diane said.

"Or you have people who have a long-term impairment who want to try the latest technology."

The society sells an impressive array of devices to help its clients. These include everything from writing guides to large print Scrabble. All are welcome to try out the large range of magnifiers, including a special CCTV camera which boosts print size many times.

In the society's little kitchen, visitors can see another set of gadgets. Talking tin can tops announce what's inside, and liquid level indicators prevent you from over-filling a cup or glass.

Demonstrating these devices is not easy in the cramped Bootham HQ.

"We do our best by taking things down to the hallway, or using the bar lounge if we can do," Diane said.

"But (a) these people aren't getting as good service as they should, and (b) we know more people would come if they could get into the building better."

This is frustrating for her and potential visitors. "If you have a visual impairment it can have an impact on most areas of life. People want to be able to use whatever is out there."

Finding a more accessible and affordable building within the city centre will not be easy. "We are looking to the future, but it is how we are going to manage a transfer from here into somewhere else."

Their rent would be likely to triple. Buying a property is out of the question with "prices in York so astronomically high".

Steve listens, makes the occasional suggestion and sympathises. He cannot wave a magic wand and summon up a new headquarters for the York Blind and Partially Sighted Society. But, through the foundation, he can help with its running costs.

The society is mainly paid for through York council and health care contracts, plus the money raised with the help of 50 or so volunteers. But the withdrawal of funding from the Royal National Institute for the Blind, itself facing a deep cash crisis, has bitten hard.

Without the Lloyd TSB Foundation's help, the society would have to raid its meagre reserves. "We couldn't sustain it," Diane said. Any hope of building up a fund for a new HQ would be scuppered.

Steve seems convinced. "We'll be more than happy to look at your application form," he tells Diane. "We have supported the organisation a couple of times in my time as regional manager."

Smiles all round. The completed application will be considered at the next meeting of the foundation trustees. If they agree to a grant, the money could be with the society three months later.

Santa Steve could be giving the wonderful work of York Blind and Partially Sighted Society a lifeline this Christmas.

Case studies

:: Family Matters, based in York, works to tackle the crisis of breakdown in family life with a preventative and foundation-building approach.

Parenting programmes in York include taster workshops, called "one-stops", for parents of pre-school, primary or secondary children.

Family Matters also runs five-week courses where parents try out different ways of communicating with their children and discuss the results at the next session.

The £8,000 Lloyds TSB Foundation grant will fund the development of nine new "one-stop" programmes and three, five-week courses within York.

:: York Council for Voluntary Services (CVS) is a one-stop shop for the voluntary sector in York.

Its role is to place and support volunteers in placements with local charities as well as supporting voluntary organisations by offering information, advice and practical help with payroll, networking, supporting volunteers and training.

York CVS also works closely with Askham Grange prison for women.

It provides a full-time voluntary placement for women as part of their rehabilitation and seven of the eight women who have taken part have gone on to paid employment afterwards.

The Lloyds TSB Foundation grant of £10,000 will enable the CVS to stay open and continue its service to the local community.

How to apply

Groups are encouraged to contact the foundation before applying, and then work within its guidelines.

Check these out on the website www.lloydstsbfoundations.org.uk or contact the Yorkshire office on (01904) 628200, or write to Lloyds TSB Foundation, Lloyds TSB Bank, St Helens Square, York YO1 8QW

The York Blind & Partially Sighted Society is at 61 Bootham, York. Telephone (01904) 636269. Website: www.a-vip.com/yorkaccess

Updated: 09:34 Friday, December 19, 2003