Richard Crawford

The founder of a much-loved social club reducing isolation and loneliness for those with visual impairment has been nominated for Local Hero, sponsored by Green Park.

Richard Crawford founded ‘The Rabble Club’, an idea grown from his experience driving a minibus for visually impaired passengers, where he became increasingly aware of how important social activities, outings and opportunities to meet others were for many of the people he transported.

Wanting a career change, Richard approached the Tilehurst British Legion, which generously agreed to provide its social club space free of charge to the group once a month.

Once known as the Reading Association for the Blind, now playfully dubbed The Rabble Club, the monthly meetings have become a thriving space where visually impaired people, along with their friends and family, can enjoy lunch, refreshments, conversation, quizzes and entertainment in a relaxed and friendly environment. A romance has even blossomed between two of the older members!

“When you walk into the Rabble club the atmosphere is warm and welcoming and the best thing is, it’s just what any of us would like to be part of, with no barriers or stereotypes,” the nominator said.

With his nomination supported unanimously by members of the group, Richard was praised for enabling “a fabulous resource for Reading’s visually impaired community” and for making a lasting difference to the lives of many local people.