West of England

Welcome to the West of England Sight Loss Council page. Formerly known as Bristol Sight Loss Council, we launched in May 2019.

We are passionate about campaigning and advocating for the needs of blind and partially sighted people and meet once a month to discuss accessibility issues raised by the community.

Over the last four years we have:

  • produced a video with an NHS Trust to promote the importance of the Accessible Information Standard
  • worked with Bristol City Council to produce a video for taxi drivers about assisting people with a visual impairment
  • worked with arts and culture venues to develop their accessibility including increasing audio description
  • supported First Bus in improving their services for blind and partially sighted people including organising two ‘Meet the Bus’ events
  • worked with National Rail to produce the first ever audio guide of a mainline train station

We are now expanding Bristol Sight Loss Council to cover two neighbouring local authorities, South Gloucestershire and North Somerset.

As a result, we looking for blind and partially sighted people who are passionate about creating change, and living in North Somerset or South Gloucestershire, to join us.

Meet the members

 

Alun Davies“We are really excited to be expanding our Sight Loss Council to cover North Somerset and South Gloucestershire. All Sight Loss Councils are led and supported by blind and partially sighted people. Our aim to make a real impact and positive change in local communities.

“We are calling out to all blind and partially sighted people in in North Somerset or South Gloucestershire. If you want to improve access and awareness amongst service providers and businesses in your area, we want to hear from you!”

Alun Davies, Engagement Manager for South West England

Why should I volunteer?

If you want to make a real difference in your local area on the issues that affect blind and partially sighted people, joining our Sight loss Council could be the perfect volunteering opportunity for you.

Join us

You will work with policy makers and local service providers to improve access for blind and partially sighted people in your local community. It is also a great opportunity to come together with other blind and partially sighted people in your area.

Bristol SLC member, Emma Blackmore is smiling at the camera in a selfie. She is wearing glasses and has her white SLC hoodie on.“Joining West of England Sight Loss Council allows me to help blind and partially sighted people in my community. It has also helped me gain more confidence, skills, and meet lots of people who are on similar journeys.  It gives me more purpose.”

Emma, West of England Sight Loss Council

This is your chance to develop your skills and influence positive change.

Hear from our volunteers about why you should join us

Training and development 

It’s really important to us that you get as much as possible out of volunteering. You’ll receive relevant training and the opportunity to learn and/or enhance your skills. Whether you’re interested in public speaking or honing your social media skills, there’s something for everyone to get involved in.

Stay in the know

If you want to stay up to date with news from the Sight Loss Councils, sign up to our mailing list.

A close up photo of a stethoscope, sitting on a pale grey piece of fabric.Volunteer-led project to make health accessible for blind and partially sighted people: lessons learntWest of England Sight Loss Council developed a high impact partnership with North Bristol NHS Trust to make health accessible for blind and partially sighted (BPS) people. Read more
Three members from the Sirona Diabetes and Nutrition Services team are sat down, trying on simulation specs. They are talking to each other as they try them on.West of England SLC works with Sirona care & healthWest of England Sight Loss Council has delivered two vision awareness sessions to staff at Sirona Care and Health Service. Read more
A close up of houses situated in Lansdown Crescent, Bath. The Georgian houses form the shape of an oval, and are iconic in Bath City Centre.Bristol SLC expands and changes name to West of EnglandBristol Sight Loss Council has expanded into North Somerset and South Gloucestershire to work with more partners. It has also changed its name to West of England SLC as a result. Read more
Two nurses from Southport Hospital, walking down a staircase as part of a vision awareness session. One nurse is being guided, whilst wearing simulation spectacles.Professionals celebrate influence of SLCs as part of National Co-Production WeekHealth, social care and wider partners from across the country are celebrating the influence of Sight Loss Councils as part of National Co-Production Week. Read more
Network Rail staff and Bristol Sight Loss Council members, joined by Thomas Pocklington Trust staff, stood in a line near a platform at Bristol Temple Meads railway station. They are facing the camera and smiling.First station in the country to launch audio guide for blind and partially sighted peopleNetwork Rail has teamed up with Bristol Sight Loss Council (BSLC) to launch a first-of-its-kind audio guide to Bristol Temple Meads station, to assist blind and partially sighted people with wayfinding. Read more
A man in a blue jumper reads from a piece of paper using a magnifierMake AIS work films premiere at University Hospitals Bristol and Weston NHS Foundation TrustUniversity Hospitals Bristol and Weston NHS Trust and Sight Loss Councils launched two new films to improve health information for blind and partially sighted people. Read more
Image showing doctors notes and medical equipmentTackling barriers to health and social care in BristolBristol held a Health and Social Care VI forum recently that invited a panel of leaders and senior managers from the health services and local authorities to talk about the special provisions they are taking to best cater for the needs of blind and partially sighted Bristolians.  Read more
Image of Gaol Road Bridge, a colourful and ornate bridge in Bristol. There are trees surrounding the bridge, which crosses a riverbed. There is a church spire in the background of the picture.Audio described diversionary routesBristol Sight Loss Council has worked with Bristol City Council to create two audio described diversionary routes. This follows the temporary closure of Gaol Ferry Bridge for essential repairs.   Read more
Image showing people conversing in meeting regarding Mayoral ManifestoBristol SLC unveils Mayoral ManifestoBristol Sight Loss Council unveiled its Mayoral Election Manifesto to raise awareness of the issues regularly faced by blind and partially sighted people in the city. Read more
Three people in business attire sat around roundtableBristol SLC calls on employers to get Disability ConfidentTo mark the International Day of Disabled People on 3rd December 2021, Bristol Sight Loss Council is calling on Bristol employers to make it easier for blind and visually impaired people to apply for jobs by committing to becoming Disability Confident Employers. Read more
‘We’re making a real difference’ – Anela’s storyAnela Wood is a member of our Bristol Sight Loss Council. She talks about the work she has done with the council, helping Southmead Hospital improve their check in system and providing vision impairment awareness training to staff at local GP surgeries. Read more
Clifton suspension bridge in BristolVideo: How to assist blind and partially sighted taxi passengersBristol Sight Loss Council has worked with Bristol City Council and Avon and Somerset police to produce a video with practical guidance on how taxi drivers can assist blind passengers. Read more
Clifton suspension bridge in BristolWebinar recording: Bristol Sight Loss Council Mayoral Hustings (28 April 2021)Bristol Sight Loss Council, in partnership with other disability charities, hosted a hustings with the leading mayoral candidates for the local elections in Bristol on 6 May. Read more
Two photos side by side of two different Meet the Bus event attendees sat on a bus.Making transport accessible in the West of EnglandRead more on our "Meet The Bus" events in Bristol and Gloucestershire in partnership with First Bus and Stagecoach respectively. Read more
Back to top

Share this page