Five years of driving accessibility and inclusion across Bedfordshire and Hertfordshire
Bedfordshire and Hertfordshire Sight Loss Council is proud to celebrate its fifth anniversary, marking half a decade of championing accessibility and inclusion for blind and partially sighted people across the region.
Since its launch in 2021, the Sight Loss Council (SLC) has worked tirelessly to improve accessibility across transport, the built environment, health, and sport and leisure. Led by a team of volunteers with lived experience of sight loss, the SLC has developed strong partnerships and delivered impactful projects that continue to make a real difference.
By working in partnership and championing co-production, the SLC ensures blind and partially sighted (BPS) people are involved in decisions that affect everyday life. This approach has helped deliver real, practical change over the past five years and has established the council as a respected voice on access and inclusion across Bedfordshire and Hertfordshire.
Volunteers at the heart of change
At the heart of Bedfordshire and Hertfordshire SLC are its volunteers. They bring lived experience, insight, and determination to every partnership, helping organisations better understand the everyday barriers faced by BPS people.
Volunteers play a central role in shaping projects, delivering awareness sessions, and working alongside decision-makers to embed accessibility from the earliest stages.
Our work across Bedfordshire and Hertfordshire
Transforming transport accessibility
Transport has been a key focus for Bedfordshire and Hertfordshire SLC. Over the past five years, members have worked closely with Luton Rising, sharing insight to support accessibility improvements around the Luton DART system. This is an important transport link for blind and partially sighted passengers travelling to and from Luton Airport Parkway.
The SLC has also developed a strong partnership with Govia Thameslink Railway (GTR). Through the ‘Your Station, Your Community’ project, members helped create audio guides for key stations, including Stevenage station. As part of this work, we also supported confidence-building coffee and chat sessions, and took part in station accessibility assessments.
Antony Merlyn, Accessibility Engagement Manager at GTR, said:
“Working in collaboration with local Sight Loss Councils and Thomas Pocklington Trust has enabled us to further understand the barriers that can be faced by blind and partially sighted people.”
Outside of this project, members also tested the Aira app, designed to support independent navigation through stations.
Paul, Bedfordshire and Hertfordshire SLC member, said:
“I am a great supporter of rail travel, so working with Govia Thameslink Railway on improving accessible rail travel has been a highlight. Testing the Aira app and producing audio descriptions for stations and trains were particularly rewarding.”
Bedfordshire SLC trialling the AIRA app at Stevenage station
Building inclusive sport and leisure spaces
Sport and leisure has been another important focus for the SLC, particularly through its partnership with the Forest of Marston Vale. This collaboration has supported a range of improvements designed to make the site more welcoming and accessible for BPS visitors.
The work has included Vision Awareness Sessions for staff, rangers and volunteers, audio-description workshops resulting in accessible content within centre brochures, and the launch of an audio guide for the Wetlands Trail in July 2025. The SLC has also provided ongoing advice on the redevelopment of the sensory garden, with recommendations around tactile pathways, guide dog-safe-planting, water features and improved seating.
Jo Roberts, Community Engagement Officer at the Forest of Marston Vale, said:
“Working with Bedfordshire & Hertfordshire Sight Loss Council enables us to fill gaps in our knowledge. The VI awareness session was incredibly useful, and we are already thinking about the small changes we can make to improve the experience of our woodlands and forest centre.”
SLC member Stefan, who helped deliver training sessions, said:
“I was delighted to share my lived experience. Their interest and enthusiasm to learn was fantastic.”
SLC member Paul, who also supported the project, added:
“Improving accessibility at the Forest Centre was particularly important and valuable to me. It’s been wonderful to see the positive results.”
From left to right: Engagement Manager, Sam Leftwich, Jo Roberts, Community Manager at Marston Vale, and SLC member Stefan
Members making a difference
For many volunteers, being part of the SLC offers the opportunity to turn lived experience into positive change.
Stuart, who joined after learning more at a local sight loss group, said:
“I kept thinking, why isn’t anyone standing up for us? I want my independence, and if I can suggest something that makes life easier for someone else, that makes me happy. Being part of the SLC gives me a sense of purpose.”
Looking ahead to 2026, Stuart added:
“Transport is huge for me, and I’m excited to get more involved. I’d also love to help promote being active within the blind and partially sighted community.”
Paul echoed this sentiment:
“Joining an SLC has been refreshing. It’s great to meet others with similar experiences and work together on projects that deliver real change.”
Looking ahead
Reflecting on the milestone, Amy Askew, maternity cover for Samantha Leftwich, Engagement Manager for East England, said:
“It’s an honour to work with Bedfordshire and Hertfordshire Sight Loss Council. Together, we advocate for blind and partially sighted people across transport, health, the built environment, and sport and leisure.
“A highlight has been our work with the Forest of Marston Vale, from audio guides to sensory garden development and vision awareness sessions. As many members of my family and I live with varying degrees of sight loss, I’m personally passionate about ensuring services are accessible for everyone.
“As Bedfordshire and Hertfordshire Sight Loss Council looks to the future, the focus remains on growing partnerships, influencing decision-makers, and ensuring blind and partially sighted people can live the lives they choose. With ongoing work across transport, leisure and community development – and further projects planned for 2026, we are committed to continuing our role as a strong, informed voice for accessibility across the region.
Would you like to join Bedfordshire and Hertfordshire Sight Loss Council?
We are currently recruiting blind and partially sighted volunteer members living in Bedfordshire and Hertfordshire. If you want to use your lived experience to help shape local services and influence change, get in touch.
Publication date: 09 February 2026