Why I reached out to my local MP – and why other volunteers should too
Working with your local MP can be a powerful way for Sight Loss Council (SLC) volunteers to create change for blind and partially sighted people. In this guest blog, Greater Manchester SLC volunteer Hayley Kellard shares how inviting her local MP on a walk around Stalybridge led to new connections. It also created opportunities to raise awareness and start conversations with organisations across the area. Her experience shows how one simple conversation can open unexpected doors.
How one conversation with my local MP opened new doors
“Last year, I decided to contact my local MP, Jonathan Reynolds, to ask if he’d be willing to join us for a walk around Stalybridge to experience some of the everyday obstacles that blind and partially sighted people face.
I was really pleased when Jonathan accepted the invitation and we arranged a date.
On the day, Jonathan also brought along Tafheen Sharif, former local councillor, which was an unexpected bonus. We’d been trying to make contact with somebody at Tameside Council for quite a while without much success, so it was a great opportunity to start building that relationship too.
Despite the very rainy weather, we spent time walking around the town, pointing out the barriers that can make getting around much more difficult than many people realise. Jonathan and Taf were both genuinely engaged throughout, asking lots of questions, listening carefully to our experiences, and taking the time to understand the challenges we were highlighting.
One Walk, Many Opportunities
Kelly, David and I all came away feeling positive about the afternoon and hopeful that we’d made people think differently about accessibility.
At the time, I thought we’d simply had a productive conversation. What I didn’t realise was just how many opportunities would come from that one walk.
A few months later, Taf invited Greater Manchester SLC to speak at the ‘Tameside Equalities Together’ meeting. This opportunity came directly from the conversations we’d had during the walkaround. From there, we went on to deliver a vision awareness session to around 25 people.
It was a fantastic session, with everyone fully getting involved in the exercises and discussions, and asking questions throughout. It was clear that people were keen to learn more about sight loss and how they could make their services and communities more accessible.
Opening more doors
Towards the end of the session, somebody from our local Citizens Advice approached us to ask if we’d be able to provide a similar session for their organisation.
We were also approached by someone from Transport for Greater Manchester, who asked whether we could carry out walkarounds at a couple of the stations they oversee.
For me, this showed how one conversation and one local walk can lead to so much more. A simple invitation to an MP had developed into opportunities to raise awareness, build relationships, and influence organisations that have a real impact on people’s daily lives.
Our initial walk with Jonathan also helped us to get an introduction to the then Metro Mayor, Andy Burnham. Unfortunately, our planned meeting didn’t go ahead as he had other ideas about becoming Prime Minister! Still, it shows how one meeting with your MP can lead to so much more, and I’d encourage other Sight Loss Council volunteers to do the same.
Looking back, that’s probably my biggest takeaway from the experience. If there’s an issue in your area around transport, the built environment or accessibility, don’t be afraid to reach out to your MP. They can help open doors, connect you with local councils, and introduce you to people who are in a position to make changes happen.
You never know where that first conversation might lead.”
Greater Manchester SLC with Councillor Tafheen Sharif and council staff
Thank you to Hayley for sharing her experience. Her story shows how one conversation can lead to new opportunities and raise awareness. It also highlights how small actions can help make local communities more accessible for blind and partially sighted people.
Through Sight Loss Councils, volunteers work with local organisations and decision-makers to improve accessibility and inclusion. We’d love to hear from volunteers, local organisations and community leaders. Get in touch if you’d like to work with us to make your area more accessible and inclusive.
Join us
Passionate about making a difference? Want to influence positive change? Our Sight Loss Councils, led by blind and partially sighted volunteers, are recruiting new members. Join us today!
We use our 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.
Join us to help ensure visually impaired people in your area can live the lives they want to lead.
Publication date: 24 July 2026