Where We Are

Getting to Howick House
Howick House is situated just of the main A59 Liverpool Road in Penwortham on Howick Park Avenue.

For those travelling by car
Take the A59 road marked to Southport and Liverpool. Take the third turning on the right after the Police Station (Crookings Lane).

For those travelling by bus
From Preston Bus Station, use bus stand 63 for Stagecoach services 100,102 and 104. Bus stand 62 can also be used for service 138 signed Longton/Amva. For more information, call Stagecoach Ribble on 0870 608 2 608. Ask to be put off at Howick Post Office. After using the crossing from the main road, a large Galloway's sign directs you along Howick Park Avenue for a short distance before coming to the main entrance.

For those travelling by train
Leave Preston Railway station by the main entrance and climb the short hill to Fishergate. Turn right towards the city centre. There are bus stops outside the Fishergate/Debenhams centre.

If in doubt, please ring the Society on (01772) 744148.

Who We Are

A public meeting in Preston's Corn Exchange in 1867 established organised welfare work for the Blind in Preston and marked the beginning of our Society.

	Howick House, Galloway's Headquarters in Penwortham

Throughout the years the services and the work undertaken by the Society has adapted and changed according to the political and social climate of the time, but perhaps more importantly it has developed to meet the needs of those people using the services offered.

The Society has operated from a number of premises in the Preston area over the years, notably the Derby School for Partially Sighted children in Fulwood and Howick House, it's present headquarters. Howick House has been used as a resource for blind people since 1949 after a legacy left by William Wilding Galloway.

The Derby School for Partially Sighted children was closed in 1988. The school buildings and offices in the Fulwood area were subsequently sold and activities were transferred to Howick House in Penwortham.

A major refurbishment was undertaken to modernise Howick House and this now provides an excellent facility as the Charity headquarters. The building now provides a centre of excellence for services across Lancashire, the Society also has premises in Morecambe and Chorley.

On 4 July, 2000 the Society changed it's name to the Galloway's Society for the Blind, formerly the Preston and North Lancashire Blind Welfare Society. The new name being much shorter, is distinctive and easier to remember. It also acknowledges William Wilding Galloway, the Society's greatest benefactor to date.

The Society is keen to develop Howick House both for use by people with a sight loss and also as a Voluntary Sector Resource Centre. To this end a number of local and national voluntary groups share the accomodation such as Action for Blind People and the Guide Dogs for the Blind. The Society is an ideal venue to hold meetings, seminars and training events, this new initiative is providing much needed income to support the Society's various services. For more information please do not hesitate to contact us.