West Yorkshire Sight Loss Council: Meet the members

Meet the Staff

Headshot of Iain Mitchell, Senior Engagement Manager for York & Humber. He is looking at the camera smiling. he is wearing a white shirt and grey, patterned tie.

Iain Mitchell

I am the senior Engagement Manager for York and Humberside.

I originate from the other side of the Pennines but fell in love with Yorkshire when I studied at university here.  I jumped at the chance to come back in 2021.

I have two lovely rescue dogs; I enjoy walking them and the unconditional love they provide. I enjoy performance of all types and history is a subject I often delve into as a keen quizzer.

However, my real Achilles Heel is my love for Liverpool FC. I still have my season ticket and go to as many games as I can.

I was born with Albinism, Nystagmus, and photo sensitivity. I strongly believe that we need to keep the challenges that blind and partially sighted people face as an active, open, and ongoing conversation. It is only then we can enjoy the same level of opportunity in accessing the goods and services which are available to all members of our local communities.

We welcome everyone with a visual impairment to join us in the work we do. We want to raise awareness and influence change to help blind and partially sighted people to live the lives they want to lead.

Selfie style photos of Vicky thompson, SLC Coordinator for Yorkshire and Humberside. She has long, dark hair and is wearing glassed. She is stood outside on a lawn, in front of a historical building. The sky is black.

Vicky Thompson

Vicky Thompson is the Sight Loss Councils Coordinator for Yorkshire and Humberside, Vicky has seven years of experience in sight loss sector,  and more than two decades in community engagement.

She has worked across both local and national sight loss charities, developing peer support networks, coordinating regional services, and building strong partnerships shaped by the voices of blind and partially sighted people.

Vicky strongly believes in improving inclusion and representation for blind and partially sighted people and is committed to ensuring lived experience drives meaningful, long-lasting change across the region. Outside of work, she enjoys time with her children, walking and using art to unwind.

Meet the Members

Photo of Caroline Devonport, West Yorkshire SLC member. She has long dark hair, tied in two plaits. She is wearing a dark top, a red scarf and red beret. She is stood against a white wall, smiling at the camera.

Caroline Devenport

Caroline is a costume teacher and maker who is passionate about historical garment construction. Their research focuses on uniforms, exploring their cultural and social significance. Outside of work, they enjoy embroidery, reading, and collecting books. After being certified as Sight Impaired in 2024, they became involved with the Sight Loss Council to advocate for accessibility and inclusion.

Head shot of Pete Hoey, North Yorkshire SLC member. Pete is standing in front of a painting of an old building. He is wearing a flat cap and glasses, and smiling at the camera.

Pete Hoey

Pete was born blind due to Cataracts and developed Glaucoma when he was 12 years old. He lives with his wife in Halifax – near Happy Valley!

Pete enjoys soul and jazz music, loves travelling, and enjoys eating out at different restaurants.

Pete has a background in health and social care. He has also worked in several sight loss charities over the years.

Pete says “I am really looking forward to joining West Yorkshire Sight Loss Council. I am hoping that with my knowledge from being a Peer Welfare Rights advisor, I can help create change for people with sight loss.”

Headshot of Chris Reason, West Yorkshire SLC member. Chris is wearing glasses and looking at the camera.

Chris Reason

Chris was born in Australia, brought up in north London, but has lived in the north of England since he was 18. Chris worked as a musician in theatre before becoming a script writer.

Chris started to lose his vision due to glaucoma, and this contributed towards his decision to retire three years ago.

Chris splits his time between Hebden Bridge and Saltairem and is married with three grown-up children. He enjoys reading and enjoying the “magnificent” West Yorkshire Countryside.

Chris said he is delighted to be part of the Sight Loss Council and to be working with such a friendly and welcoming group of people.

Headshot of David Quarmby, West Yorkshire SLC member. He is wearing a dark shirt and stood against a cream wall. He is looking at the camera.

David Quarmby

I have been registered blind since my mid-teens.

I was a social worker for 14 years in Leeds, before moving into the Probation Service. During this time, I was a founding member and Co-Chair of the National Disabled Staff Network for the Probation Service.

I was also proactive in promoting Disability Rights and Equal Rights through the Trade Union movement. I was a member of the TUC Disability Committee for over 5 years.

More recently I have been a founding member and Chair of a user led organisation who provides peer technological support for visually impaired people in Kirklees. This gives people freedom to continue doing whatever they want to do, despite their sight loss.

The issues that visually impaired people deal with are complex and wide ranging. They largely result due to our views and requirements not being understood or included in the design and policy making process.

My motivation for becoming a member of West Yorkshire Sight Loss Council is to look at and promote ways of dealing with these equality issues strategically. I want to help ensure that we can achieve equality in all aspects of our daily life.

Headshot of Anna Lawson, West Yorkshire SLC member. Anna is stood against a black background and wearing a maroon shirt. She is smiling broadly at the camera.

Anna Lawson

Anna began losing her sight at the age of seven and now has no sight.

Anna is from Wales, but has lived in Yorkshire for many years. She works as a Professor of Law and Disability Studies,  specialising in disability equality and human rights.

Steven Draycott headshot. Steven has dark short dark hair and is wearing a white button-up shirt.

Steve Draycott

Steve is a semi-retired physiotherapist with 35 years of experience in the NHS and now lives in Leeds with his wife. His professional journey includes 20 years as a clinical specialist and a decade as a workplace trade union representative. Currently, he works part-time at a private practice.

Sports have always played an important role in Steve’s life. He is an active member of tandem riding and serves as the chairman of Tandem Trekkers near Huddersfield. Steve also enjoys walking, playing the saxophone, dancing in Latin ballrooms, and socialising with friends. In the past, Steve was a competitive runner and a goalball player.

Steve said: “The reason I joined Sight Loss Councils was to help identify and change problems that visually impaired people have daily within the environment that has been created around us. I feel very passionately that we need to influence decision-makers within Government, business, and sport so that the needs and requirements of blind and partially sighted people are routinely considered within the planning process.”

Leanne, London SLC member is sitting on a park bench with her guide dog. She is looking forwards, laughing.

Leanne Best

Leanne was registered blind at birth, as her eyes did not fully develop during pregnancy.

She has recently returned to West Yorkshire Sight Loss Council (SLC) following a brief stint in London, where she also served on the SE London SLC.

Leanna enjoys spending time with family and friends, and her interests include watching movies and listening to audiobooks.

Leanne says: “I am looking forward to rejoining West Yorkshire Sight loss Council so I can help improve the lives of blind and partially sighted people in my area.”

Tony O'Brian

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