West of England

Welcome to the West of England Sight Loss Council. Formerly known as Bristol Sight Loss Council, we launched in May 2019 and have been championing the voices of blind and partially sighted people across the region ever since.

We’re passionate about driving real change. Campaigning, influencing, and collaborating with local organisations to make the West of England a more inclusive and accessible place for people with sight loss.

Over the past few years, we’ve:

Partnered with Great Western Railway to create the UK’s first audio-described train station guide, helping blind and partially sighted passengers navigate independently.
Worked with First Bus to improve services, including hosting popular ‘Meet the Bus’ events that connect drivers and visually impaired passengers.
Collaborated with Bristol City Council to produce an awareness video for taxi drivers on how to assist blind and partially sighted passengers.
Advised arts and cultural venues across the region to enhance their accessibility, from audio description to staff training.
Delivered public awareness campaigns highlighting the importance of accessible information and inclusive design.
Trained healthcare professionals to help take better care of blind and partially sighted patients needs.

Now we’re expanding to include South Gloucestershire and North Somerset, and we’re looking for new members to join us.

If you’re blind or partially sighted and want to be part of a passionate team creating meaningful change, we’d love to hear from you. Together, we can make the West of England a place where everyone can thrive.

Meet the members

“The West of England Sight Loss Council was one of the first established Sight Loss Councils, paving the way for blind and partially sighted people in the area. We work with a variety of organisations – from councils and hospitals to transport providers – to help improve people’s lives.

“Having been in the area for several years, it’s great to see the improvements we’ve made, especially in the health sector where we are leading the way. This could not have been achieved without our volunteers and partners, whose time and energy make it all possible”

Why should I volunteer?

If you want to make a real difference in your local area on the issues that affect blind and partially sighted people, joining our Sight loss Council could be the perfect volunteering opportunity for you.

Join us

You will work with policy makers and local service providers to improve access for blind and partially sighted people in your local community. It is also a great opportunity to come together with other blind and partially sighted people in your area.

“Joining West of England Sight Loss Council allows me to help blind and partially sighted people in my community. It has also helped me gain more confidence, skills, and meet lots of people who are on similar journeys. It gives me more purpose.”

Emma, West of England Sight Loss Council

This is your chance to develop your skills and influence positive change.

Hear from our volunteers about why you should join us

Training and development

It’s really important to us that you get as much as possible out of volunteering. You’ll receive relevant training and the opportunity to learn and/or enhance your skills. Whether you’re interested in public speaking or honing your social media skills, there’s something for everyone to get involved in.