2025 reflections from Sight Loss Councils
As we get ready to move into 2026, we asked our Sight Loss Councils to share their standout moments and reflections from the past year. From improving transport accessibility and launching new bus driver training resources with Thomas Pocklington Trust, to influencing health services and shaping the built environment – here’s what they told us.
North East England
Jack Moffat, Engagement Manager for North East England, shared how in Northumberland and Cumbria, local town councils have taken positive steps to make everyday environments more accessible for blind and partially sighted (BPS) people. This is to help BPS people navigate streets safely and confidently. He shared:
“Although we still have much to do, we are extremely proud of what we have achieved so far. Higher colour contrast, improved tactile surfaces, and cut-back vegetation are just a few of the things we’ve achieved.”
In Tyne and Wear, SLC member Darren, reflected:
“I loved offering my lived experience to local bus drivers. Since our bus driver awareness work started, I’ve noticed real changes. A driver recently came to offer assistance after taking part in a session. This shows it works!”
A massive thank you to everyone in the North East for their continued support. We look forward to continuing this work in 2026.
Jack Moffat and colleagues at the Go North East Bus Driver Academy
North West England
Across the North West, volunteers have continued to use their lived experience to drive practical improvements for BPS people and influence local services and public spaces. Mike Wright, Merseyside SLC member, said:
“My highlight for the year has to be our work with Arriva buses. By sharing our lived experience with bus drivers, we’ve helped raise awareness of the issues faced by blind and partially sighted bus users. In my role as National Transport Representative, I know volunteers in other SLCs are keen to build on this work with their local operators.”
Kelly Barton, Engagement Manager for the North West, added:
“This year has shown just how powerful lived experience can be when it’s truly listened to. Across the North West, volunteers have worked with partners to turn insight into action – improving everyday journeys, public spaces, and cultural experiences for BPS people. It’s been a privilege to support this work and see the impact it’s having.”
A huge thank you to all volunteers and partners across the North West for their commitment. We look forward to building on this progress in 2026.
Mike, Merseyside SLC member, sat on a bus with a driver wearing simulation glasses and holding a long cane, during a Bus Driver Awareness session
Yorkshire and Humberside
In South Yorkshire, SLC members have been helping to promote accessible sports opportunities for adults and children, bringing communities together to celebrate participation and inclusion.
Recognising a lack of local opportunities, SLC member, Richard, played a key role in planning a multi-sport taster day that brought together sports clubs and local residents to celebrate inclusive sport.
Richard reflected:
“I’m so pleased the day highlighted accessible sports for BPS people and raised awareness about where to access them.”
Attendee Leigh Horner shared her experience:
“It was a positive spin on living with sight loss and… knowing you can!”
Leigh felt welcomed and encouraged, enjoyed trying the activities on offer, and gained new knowledge about accessible sports. The event even inspired her to join South Yorkshire SLC and a local VI tennis group.
A big thank you to Richard and everyone involved in our Yorkshire and Humberside SLCs – we look forward to supporting more of your work in 2026.
Participants in a gym at South Yorkshire SLC’s ‘Let’s Get Active’ day this summer
West Midlands
In 2025, the Staffordshire team made significant progress, building strong partnerships with NHS trusts, local community partners, and other stakeholders.
Louise Connop, Senior Engagement Manager, said:
“Staffordshire SLC volunteers have been instrumental in improving access and navigation across hospital sites and services, ensuring that BPS voices are central to co-design and service improvements. Their work with local developments, including the new leisure centre in Lichfield, shows how collaboration can create genuinely inclusive spaces.”
The team also engaged with a local MP, raising awareness of pavement parking at a national level. Looking ahead to 2026, Louise added:
“We’re excited to build on these strong foundations, expanding influence across health, transport, and public spaces, and continuing to ensure that BPS people are heard, valued, and involved in shaping the services and environments they use daily.”
A highlight for Birmingham and Black Country SLC has been its work with West Midlands Police in Birmingham City Centre. Volunteers educated delivery riders on e-bikes and e-scooters, highlighting the impact misuse can have on cane and guide dog users.
Steve, BABC SLC member, said:
“My highlight has been working with delivery riders and West Midlands Police to raise awareness about the challenges blind and partially sighted people face. It’s been amazing to see drivers adjusting their behaviour, using bells, and following speed restrictions, and to know our sessions are making a real difference.
“Delivering vision awareness sessions across police departments and sharing our work on national TV were real milestones for the team. I’m proud of what we’ve achieved, and I look forward to continuing this partnership well into the future.”
The team in the West Midlands are doing incredible work. We can’t wait to see what’s in store for 2026.
Birmingham and Black Country SLC in Birmingham City Centre with West Midlands Police
East Midlands
In the East Midlands, SLC members have continued to use their lived experience to influence local services and community spaces. Their insight has helped ensure a more accessible county for BPS people.
Matt Harrison, Engagement Manager for East Midlands, reflected on his team’s achievements.
“Our relationships with local transport operators continue to grow. In Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire, volunteers have been instrumental in mapping Nottingham and Derby stations as part of a project with East Midlands Railway to produce text and audio guides.
“This work will help BPS passengers navigate key stations more independently, and we are also exploring wayfinding solutions at unstaffed stations.”
He added:
“Our arts and culture projects have also been a real success. Volunteers have worked with Crich Tramways Museum and Village in Derbyshire, and Creswell Crags in Nottinghamshire, to make these fascinating spaces more accessible. We’re looking forward to continuing this work and further increasing accessibility in 2026.”
A big thank you to all the volunteers across Nottinghamshire SLC and Derbyshire SLC for their time, insight, and dedication.
Members of Nottinghamshire SLC during a visit to the Holocaust Museum
East of England
In Essex, the SLC has been working with Greater Anglia railway to deliver Vision Awareness sessions to all train conductors, helping staff understand the experiences of BPS passengers.
Another highlight has been their collaboration on their joint ‘Do You See What I See?’ art exhibition, which uses art to raise awareness about living with visual impairments. The exhibition encourages visitors to engage in a variety of ways, including feeling tactile artworks and listening to audio descriptions, as well as showcase the creativity of blind and partially sighted artists.
Amy Askew, Engagement Manager for the East of England, said:
“The sessions and exhibition have been thoughtful, insightful, and informative. Both Greater Anglia and Essex SLC believe these initiatives are making a big difference for BPS people when they travel, while also demonstrating the active participation of our community in the arts.
“We are extremely proud of the exhibition, which has been shortlisted for the 2026 Community Rail Awards in the ‘Community Creative Projects and Station Arts’ category – this is very exciting for us!”
Lee Mercer, Essex SLC member, added:
“The ongoing commitment from Greater Anglia to raise awareness among all staff is fantastic to see. As a rail customer, I have personally benefited from this increased understanding, which makes my journeys easier and more comfortable.”
In Bedfordshire and Hertfordshire, SLC members worked with Govia Thameslink Railway on the Your Station, Your Community project. Within this initiative, they created audio descriptions of local train stations and ran coffee-and-chat mornings to help build confidence in using trains among blind and partially sighted passengers.
Another highlight from the year was their work with the Forest of Marston Vale, a longstanding walking project. Volunteers delivered Vision Awareness Sessions and audio description workshops, resulting in multiple image descriptions being added to two of the Forest’s main brochures. They also created an audio guide for one of the more accessible routes, the Wetlands Trail, which launched with volunteers in July, and supported the redevelopment of the sensory garden, with further accessibility work planned.
Amy Askew added:
“It’s been a real pleasure to work with Bedfordshire and Hertfordshire SLC on these projects. The team’s insight and dedication have helped ensure local transport and community spaces are more accessible, and we look forward to continuing this work into 2026.”
Paul Day, member of Bedfordshire and Hertfordshire SLC, reflected:
“It was great to work with Marston Vale on this project. I enjoy walking and visiting countryside venues, so improving the accessibility as a blind visitor of the Forest Centre was particularly important and valuable to me.”
With these fantastic projects in the pipeline, we look forward to seeing what 2026 has in store for the East of England
Samantha Leftwich, Engagement Manager for East of England, alongside Greater Anglia colleagues at the opening of the ‘Do You See What I See?’ exhibition
London
Across London, our SLCs have been busy improving accessibility and raising awareness across the capital. From helping BPS passengers navigate stations with confidence, to delivering vision awareness sessions at leisure centres and bus garages, the work of our volunteers has made a real difference.
Liam O’Carroll, Interim Engagement Manager for London SLCs, said:
“It’s been a busy and productive year for our London SLCs. In North London, volunteers visited bus garages to help drivers better understand the experiences of blind and partially sighted passengers. In South East London, SLC members have primarily focused on sport and fitness, delivering vision awareness sessions at leisure centres – so successful that plans are underway to expand these sessions to six more centres across Southwark. Over in South West London, volunteers ran ‘Try a Train’ events in partnership with GTR, helping passengers navigate stations with confidence.”
Haren, South West London SLC volunteer, added:
“Our continued work on London SLCs’ E-Bike Charter and taking Lime and Forest on sim-spec walks was a real highlight for me.
“It’s fantastic to see Voi signed up and other operators engaging with us. Knowing our experiences are being listened to and acted on shows we’re making progress toward a more accessible city for blind and partially sighted people.”
Thank you to everyone in our London teams, working to make the capital more accessible.
Hal Stevenson, Director of Policy for UK and Ireland at Lime, during a sim-spec walk earlier this year
South East England
In Sussex and Hampshire, SLC members have been working with local authorities, contractors, and shopping centre staff to improve accessibility in public spaces and raise awareness of sight loss. A key focus has been the ‘Cut It Back’ campaign, which highlights how overgrown vegetation on pavements and pathways can obstruct routes, and create hazards for BPS people.
Dave Smith, Engagement Manager for the South East, said:
“Through the Cut It Back sessions and simulation walks, delegates quickly understood the challenges BPS people face when navigating pavements, shopping centres, and public spaces. They have already updated guidance for residents and contractors, and the sessions have helped promote more inclusive practices across the county.”
SLC volunteers also delivered simulation walks in Hampshire shopping centres. These gave staff first-hand experience of the challenges BPS customers face. The sessions have informed staff training and improved signage. This is as well as guidance for managing hazards like wet floor signs and advertising boards.
Further simulation walks are planned for early 2026, continuing to embed accessibility best practice across the region.
Hampshire SLC during the sighted guide element of the Vision Awareness Session at West Quay Shopping Centre
South West England
Across Gloucestershire and the West of England, strong progress has been made to ensure health services are more accessible for BPS people. By working closely with NHS partners, SLC members have influenced real, practical change. From improving accessible information and providing staff awareness sessions, to reviewing the physical accessibility of clinics and hospitals. This work helps ensure BPS people are better supported throughout their experience of using health services.
Reflecting on this work, Yahya Pandor, Engagement Manager, said:
“Health and wellbeing play a central role in our lives, yet they are often areas where BPS people face significant barriers. By bringing lived experience directly to decision-makers in the NHS, we’ve helped turn good intentions into meaningful action. I’m incredibly proud of what our members have achieved together.”
Thank you to everyone across Gloucestershire and the West of England who has dedicated their time to our work.
NHS Staff taking a quiz as part of a Vision Awareness Session at Bristol Eye Hospital
Thanks to our SLCs and partners
We’d like to extend our heartfelt thanks to all SLC members, local partners, and stakeholders who have worked with us throughout 2025.
Your insight and dedication have been instrumental in improving accessibility across transport, public spaces, health services, and cultural and retail spaces. Together you have made a real difference for blind and partially sighted people, and we look forward to building on this momentum in 2026.
Passionate about making a difference for blind and partially sighted people?
Want to influence positive change in your community? Sight Loss Councils, led by blind and partially sighted volunteers, are recruiting new members across the UK.
Our volunteers use their lived experience to create positive change for others. Together, we tackle local issues and work with businesses and service providers to improve the accessibility of their services.
See where we’re currently recruiting and how you can get involved.
Publication date: 18 December 2025