Essex Sight Loss Council: Meet the Members

Meet the Staff

Headshoto f Samantha Leftwich, Engagement Manager for Bedfordshire SLC. She is sitting outside, looking at he camera, smiling. She has long dark hair and is wearing a black top.

Samantha Leftwich

Sam studied a BA Hons in Special Education at university, before working in primary schools. In this role she supported children with special educational and learning needs.

She has volunteered in numerous roles within the sight loss sector, working with BASIS, Guide Dogs UK, and participating in several focus groups on behalf on RNIB.

Sam loves music, art, theatre, and is fascinated by the power and influence of music on emotional and physical needs.Sam was a member of Essex SLC, before starting her new venture as Engagement Manager for East England.

She is looking forward to building new working relationships with service providers and cannot wait to meet and welcome new volunteers to the Sight Loss Councils.

Whilst she can’t promise not to make members sing, she does promise to empower and support them, advocating for positive change in the area.

Meet the Members

Headshot of Essex SLC member, Lee Mercer.

Lee Mercer

Lee is a volunteer from the south of Essex, hailing from near Southend-on-Sea. He works for a specialist disability job board and training company called Evenbreak. Lee has lived with type 1 diabetes for several years and lost his sight in 2018 due to Diabetic Retinopathy.

Lee enjoys a good story and likes nothing more than sitting down with an audio book or an audio described movie. He also loves going on long walks with his sighted guide, exploring the country parks, woodlands, and other outdoor areas of Essex.

Lee also volunteers at his local scout group, for the RNIB social media team, and with the sensory training team at Essex Cares Ltd where he shares talks about his lived experience.

Lee says:

“I always try to do as much as I can to increase the understanding of sight loss, and disability generally. I want to make people more accepting and confident when interacting with disabled friends, family, and colleagues. Joining Essex Sight Loss Council gives me the opportunity to speak to more people and improve the relationship between local companies and their visually impaired customers.”

Headshot of Mohammed Mohsanali, who is standing against a cream wall. He is wearing a blue, gingham, shirt, and looking at the camera.

Mohammed Mohsanali

Mohammed lives in Essex with his family and has been severely sight impaired since the age of 4 due to retinal detachments. In his spare time, Mohammed enjoys outside listening to the sounds of nature and walking.

Mohammed is a big advocate for ensuring equality for blind and partially sighted people in his community. He is a campaigner for sight loss charities such as RNIB and even Transport for All. Mohammed was successful in winning a campaign for allocating tactile paving at a crossing point in Newham.

Mohammed says “I am looking forward to joining Essex Sight Loss Council because I want to be instrumental in helping improve the lives of blind and partially sighted people.”

Essex SLC member, Alex Ramzan, standing outside with his guide dog.

Alexander Ramzan

Samantha Fox, Essex SLC member, on the beach with her dog.

Sam Fox

Image shows South West London SLC member, Harry Meade. He has his head turned to the camera and is smiling. he is standing in front of a door, smiling.

Harry Meade

Joy Drury

Cathy Tatum

Daniel Hymers

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