Celebrating Volunteers’ Week 2022

For Volunteers Week, we want to say thank you to our incredible blind and partially sighted volunteers, who are working so hard to advocate for visually impaired people in their communities.

Over the last year, they have achieved so much – engaging with employers, healthcare and transport providers and working with retail outlets to improve access to shops and public spaces.

 

A message to volunteers from Thomas Pocklington Trust Chairman, Mervyn Williamson

Read the transcript from this video.

 

Charles Colquhoun CEO of TPT said:

“Every day I see and hear about the positive impact volunteers make to the lives of blind and partially sighted people in their communities.  I want to thank each and every one of our brilliant volunteers. We simply could not accomplish such positive outcomes or reach as many people without you.”

What volunteering means to us

Throughout Volunteers Week, we will be sharing the stories of some of our amazing volunteers. Find out about their work and what’s inspired them to advocate for others.

We asked some of our wonderful Sight Loss Council members what volunteering meant to them:

Naomi Ditchfield – Merseyside Sight Loss Council

Jack Moffat – Northumberland Sight Loss Council

"Volunteering for Sight Loss Councils facilitates you to make a difference. You are given the tools to create the change you’re looking for. Our engagement manager keeps you on track by leading you in the right direction. It’s great to play a part in making the world an easier place to be blind and visually impaired. Change won’t happen on its own– we’re going to have to do something ourselves.” Jack Moffat Northumberland Sight Loss Council Volunteer

Emma Blackmoore – Bristol Sight Loss Council

Volunteering with Bristol SLC has not only helped me broaden my skills and knowledge, it has increased my confidence. Myself and the other Bristol volunteers are a group working on different projects however we all help each other and look out for one another and the aim is all the same, to help make change

Clare Williams – Black Country Sight Loss Council

I am proud to be a founding volunteer member of the Black Country Sight Loss Council. As a Sight Loss Council member, I take part in activities, campaigns and meetings where we discuss, plan and do things to make a difference for those with sight loss, educate the general public and lobby publicly to get things changed or improved. I love this work and am very happy to be part of a group that also enables and supports each other to do things they never thought possible.

Paul Goddard – East Sussex Sight Loss Council

Jules Lee – Merseyside Sight Loss Council

Merseyside Sight Loss Council member, Jules Lee says: "I volunteer because I feel that my skills and experience can be put to good use. The projects make a real difference to the lives of blind and partially sighted people locally and, in some cases nationally. I like volunteering at the SLC because I have made some really good friends and learned how inspiring other volunteers are. We have become a very tight knit group of volunteers who are there to support and motivate one another and deliver significant change. "

Steve Keith – Birmingham Sight Loss Council

Natalie Greenhough – Black Country Sight Loss Council

I decided to volunteer for the Black Country Sight Loss Council because I thought it would be an excellent opportunity to gain work experience and help bridge my way following my degree. I am passionate about improving the experience of visually impaired people. I’m excited to be in a position where I can affect change, apply my knowledge from my degree and enhance the experience of visually impaired people in their access to sport and physical activity. Natalie Greenhough Black Country Sight Loss Council Volunteer

Paul Day – Bedfordshire Sight Loss Council

Volunteer Conference

Watch our Conference video from last year which features SLC members talking about what they got out of our volunteer conference and why our volunteers should sign up for our upcoming conference this year:

Read the transcript here

Nominations now open for Rodney Powell Award

Now in their second year, these awards recognise the contribution a volunteer or volunteering team has made to the lives of blind and partially sighted people. Categories are:

1.       Volunteering team of the year:

2.       Volunteer of the year (individual)

3.       Campaign of the year

4.       Outstanding contribution to volunteering

Find out more and nominate today

SLC volunteer stories

Check out stories of our amazing members, hear their experiences and learn about their work with the Sight Loss Councils.

Read more here

 

Feeling inspired?

Want to campaign for more accessible services for blind and partially sighted people in your area? Influence positive change by volunteering for our Sight Loss Council.

Apply online today

Publication date: 31 May 2022

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