Essex SLC brings sight loss awareness exhibition to Great Yarmouth
A new exhibition, created by Essex Sight Loss Council volunteers in partnership with Greater Anglia, has opened at Great Yarmouth railway station. It highlights the realities of life for blind and partially sighted people.
The exhibition, titled ‘Do You See What I See?’, opened to the public on 28 January and builds on a successful project launched at Norwich and Colchester stations last year – now shortlisted for a national Community Rail Award.
The exhibition showcases artwork exploring the many ways sight loss affects people’s perception of the world. Each piece reflects the lived experiences of blind and partially sighted (BPS) people, helping visitors gain a deeper understanding of their day-to-day realities. The exhibition also challenges common misconceptions about how blind and partially sighted people create, interpret, and engage with art, highlighting the creativity, insight, and innovation that emerge when lived experience leads the narrative.
Group shot at the launch, from left to right: Scott Dolling, Greater Anglia Partnerships Manager, Amy Askew, Engagement Manager for East England, Sue from GA’s customer service team, SLC member Alex and guide dog Rosie, and Site Manager, Phil
Volunteers share their experience
Alex Ramzan, Essex Sight Loss Council member, says:
“As a member of the Essex Sight Loss Council, I am thrilled to see our art exhibition – ‘Do You See What I See?’ – being embraced by Greater Anglia and in place now at Great Yarmouth Railway Station.
“The artwork raises awareness around the experience of sight loss in a creative way. It also celebrates art that is produced and created by blind and partially sighted people.”
Lee Mercer, another SLC member, added:
“When you live with sight loss, how you perceive the world around you can be uniquely different, in ways that others may not even realise.
“We don’t all just see “nothing”, and viewing this collection will hopefully help people understand the range and variety of our experience.”
Highlights of the exhibition
The exhibition features railway-themed heritage signs designed by Clarke Reynolds, also known as Mr Dot, which incorporate Braille and tactile lettering. These pieces invite visitors to experience the artwork through touch as well as sight.
Additional artwork by Lindsey Whitelaw was created from detailed descriptions shared by blind and partially sighted people, capturing the unique and personal ways individuals interpret their surroundings.
Speaking about designing the heritage signs, Clarke said:
“It’s a great honour to be asked to create a bespoke braille rail sign for this exhibition. It’s amazing to shine a light on the beauty of braille and the beauty of blind and partially sighted artists across the country.”
Tactile Braille heritage signs displayed at Great Yarmouth station
Lindsey Whitelaw, added:
“It was a great privilege to work with people living with sight loss to help them realise work which will then help others to understand better the issues surrounding different degrees of sight loss and visual impairment. I certainly learnt a lot myself.”
Abstract artwork depicting a grey interior space with contrasting warm and cool tones.
Supported by Greater Anglia
The exhibition was supported with funding from Greater Anglia’s Customer and Community Improvement Fund, which is designed to support local, community-focused rail improvements across its network. This project is a celebration of the work Essex SLC does across the county to improve accessibility for BPS passengers and ensure transport services are inclusive.
Greater Anglia’s Partnerships Manager, Scott Dolling, said:
“We are pleased to support this initiative to help raise awareness and increase understanding of what the world can look like for blind and partially sighted people. Great Yarmouth is a busy station, so I hope that the artwork will be seen by many people, offer food for thought, and help raise the profile of Thomas Pocklington Trust, Sight Loss Councils and the valuable work that they do.
“We are always looking to enhance the role of the railway in support of the community it serves, and our Customer and Community Improvement Fund is a way of supporting further locally focused enhancements in line with community needs.”
Amy, Sue and Phil cutting a ‘Do You See What I See?’ celebration cake
SLCs making transport accessibility a priority
Sight Loss Councils make transport accessibility a priority because blind and partially sighted people shared with them that it’s one of the issues that matters to them most. Across the country, they work directly with transport providers to remove barriers and increase access. This project is a celebration of the work they have done in collaboration with Greater Anglia to improve accessibility for BPS passengers.
The exhibition will remain on display at Great Yarmouth and is part of a broader SLC partnership with Greater Anglia. This includes staff vision awareness sessions and ongoing work to make rail travel more accessible for blind and partially sighted people.
Access the exhibition audio descriptions for Great Yarmouth
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Publication date: 03 February 2026