Bedfordshire Sight Loss Council: Meet the Members

Amy Askew

Amy Askew is the Engagement Manager for the East of England, supporting the Essex and Bedfordshire and Hertfordshire Sight Loss Councils, currently covering Sam Leftwich’s maternity leave.

Amy is registered sight impaired due to being born with congenital cataracts, a condition that is hereditary in her family. As a result, many members of Amy’s family live with varying degrees of sight loss, and some also have glaucoma.

With over 15 years of experience as an English teacher in the UK and internationally, Amy has supported young people with diverse educational needs to reach their potential. She has long aspired to work more closely with blind and partially sighted people and regards her role at Thomas Pocklington Trust and the Sight Loss Councils as a privilege.

Amy is committed to making positive changes in the lives of blind and partially sighted people and is passionate about creating a future where all children, including those in her family, can thrive with equal opportunities and independence.

Paula McGuiness

Paula was born with a sight defect that was not detected until she was three years old. Paula now has total night blindness and some tunnel vision but, fortunately, still has some daylight vision.

Paula lives in Hertfordshire and is a big lover of animals. In her spare time, Paula enjoys socialising, going to the cinema to watch sci-fi films and listening to RNIB audiobooks.

Paula took an early retirement five years ago due to a medical condition after a career in the finance industry dealing with insurance claims.

Paula said: “I am looking forward to helping make a difference and dealing with the barriers we all endure on a daily basis.”

Phil Rutter

Phil has been blind since 1972 due to detached retinas. He lives in Luton, Bedfordshire and enjoys watching live music, karaoke, all sports, going to the gym, and walking.

Phil gained a degree in human resource management and spent his career as a HR manager at an international automotive supply company. He is a guide dog owner and was chairman of the local GDP branch for 25 years. He is currently working with his sixth guide dog.

Phil continues to be a Guide Dog ambassador, and is also a volunteer for the local child, bereavement, and emotional well-being service. He also set up, and helps run, the local vision impaired peoples social club.

Phil says: “I became a Sight Loss Council volunteer so I can do whatever I can to help better the lives of blind and partially sighted people. As an SLC member, I can be actively involved in projects which can ensure that these aims are achieved.”

Paul Reason

Paul was diagnosed with diabetic retinopathy in 2022.

Paul has lived in Hatfield in Hertfordshire for the past two years after moving down from Norfolk.

In his spare time, Paul likes listening to audiobooks and collects Jaws memorabilia, which happens to be one of his favourite films. Paul said:

“I have decided to become a member of Bedfordshire and Hertfordshire Sight Loss Council because I would like to make more people aware and have better understanding of sight loss and blindness. I particularly want to help people with their transportation and accessibility needs.”

Paul Day

Paul has had rod cone dystrophy since birth. He was registered as partially sighted at a young age, and severely sight impaired in his early 20s. Paul lives in East Bedfordshire and enjoys discovering new music.

Paul is an enthusiastic advocate for rail travel, including heritage railways. He has been involved with his local railway society in North Herts for many years and currently holds the position of Honorary President.

Paul was motivated to join Bedfordshire Sight Loss Council to work with councils and organisations. He wants to help improve their services for blind and partially sighted people. By sharing his own experience of sight loss, he wants to influence change.

Paul took early retirement from his ‘Advice Worker’ role at RNIB in June 2022. He previously worked in various public sector roles, including IT Procurement.

Stefan Crocker

Stefan joined Bedfordshire Sight Loss Council in 2021. He has retinal dystrophy and night blindness. This is caused by a rare genetic condition called Bardet Biedl Syndrome.

Stefan feels his good communication skills, positivity, and problem-solving skills help him maximise life.

Stefan has a wide range of interests which include current affairs, comedy sport and live music. Travelling is also a passion of Stefan’s, which he says has provided him with first-hand experience of just how accessible buses, trains and taxis are.

Stefan said: “I am dedicated to improving the lives of sight impaired people. I want to do this by sharing my lived experience of both excellent and poor service, highlighting how organisations can improve their services for blind and partially sighted people.”

Kay Dear

Ehtessam Hussain

Marion Burchell

Stuart Lewis