Tyne and Wear Sight Loss Council celebrates fifth anniversay
As Tyne and Wear Sight Loss Council (SLC) marks its fifth anniversary, we are taking the opportunity to reflect on their work to improve accessibility and inclusion for blind and partially sighted people across the region.
Since its formation, Tyne and Wear SLC has worked closely with local authorities, transport providers, architects, and leisure organisations. This partnership approach ensures the voices of people with lived experience are heard and acted upon.
Over the past five years, this approach has led to meaningful improvements across Newcastle, Sunderland and the wider North East. As a result, Tyne and Wear SLC is increasingly recognised as a trusted voice on access and inclusion.
The SLC’s work has also featured in local news and radio which has helped raise awareness of sight loss, highlight everyday barriers, and amplify the role of the SLC.
Volunteers at the heart of change
This volunteer-led approach has helped Tyne and Wear SLC establish strong partnerships across transport, the built environment and sport and leisure, leading to practical improvements for blind and partially sighted people across the region.
Volunteers play a central role in building relationships with councillors, service providers, and decision-makers, ensuring blind and partially sighted people are involved from the earliest stages of planning and design.
This commitment to co-production has helped establish the SLC as a respected partner across the region.
Darren Cook, Tyne and Wear SLC member, said:
“I’ve been involved with Tyne and Wear Sight Loss Council for around three years, and I feel like I’ve made real progress as a volunteer. When I first started, I didn’t really know what I was doing, but now I feel capable of so much more.
“Transport has been a big focus for me, and the work we’ve done with Go North East has been a massive success. Being welcomed on board – excuse the pun – has been brilliant.
“I’ve also enjoyed being involved in sport and leisure. After helping at the first Let’s Get Active event in October 2024, I’m really looking forward to working on the next one this August.
“I feel proud of what I’ve achieved with the SLC so far and hope to continue this work into the future.”
Steve Holliday, fellow SLC member, added:
“Being a part of the Sight Loss Council allows me to connect with like-minded volunteers who are focused on building a better world for the sight-impaired community.”
Our work in Tyne and Wear
Improving transport accessibility
Transport has been a key priority for Tyne and Wear SLC. In partnership with Go North East, the SLC delivers regular vision awareness sessions for bus drivers, led by volunteers with lived experience. The sessions focus on practical ways drivers can make travel more accessible for BPS passengers.
The training has been well received, helping drivers build confidence, improve communication, and better understand the realities of travelling with sight loss. The partnership continues to develop, with further collaboration planned around vehicle design and ongoing awareness work.
The SLC is also working closely with Neuron to address the impact of e-scooters on BPS people. By sharing lived experience and advising on safer deployment, parking, and public awareness, the partnership aims to reduce street-level hazards and improve confidence for people navigating busy streets.
Influencing inclusive design from the start
Through its partnership with GT3 Architects, Tyne and Wear SLC has been able to influence the design of new leisure centres from the earliest stages. By embedding inclusive design from the outset, new facilities are easier to navigate and are more welcoming for people with sight loss – avoiding the need for costly retrofitting later on.
Getting active and building confidence
Sport and leisure has also been an important focus across the North East. Tyne and Wear Sight Loss Council’s ‘Let’s Get Active’ events highlight local opportunities for BPS people and have received strong support from both participants and providers.
These events have helped increase participation in local sports clubs, including Durham Visually Impaired Cricket Club and Newcastle tennis clubs, supporting physical activity, mental wellbeing, and opportunities to build confidence and social connections.
Jack Moffat, Engagement Manager for the North East, highlighting a street obstacle during a sim spec walk with Newcastle City Council
Working together: what our partners say
Andrea Morrison, Training Coordinator at Go North East, said:
“It has been amazing for our drivers to work with Jack and his team. Jack’s personal insight and lived experience brought real depth to the sessions, helping our drivers better understand the challenges faced by blind and partially sighted people when using public transport.
“His engaging approach, combined with practical tips and simple adjustments, made the sessions both informative and impactful, leaving a very positive and lasting impression on everyone involved. Thank you again for all of your help.”
Judith Atkinson, Senior Architect at GT3 Architects, added:
“Working with the Sight Loss Council has been instrumental in deepening our understanding of inclusive design for blind people and those with sight loss.
“Jack has been informative, insightful and truly inspirational. He has helped us, both as designers and as people, to better understand the everyday experiences of blind individuals – insights we would never have gained otherwise.
“His clear understanding of how our designs work has enabled him to guide us in creating better, more inclusive public buildings.”
Looking ahead
This year, Tyne and Wear SLC will continue to focus on accessible transport across the region, increase accessibility in sport and leisure settings, and expand their work with local healthcare providers to improve services for blind and partially sighted people.
Jack Moffat, Engagement Manager for North East England, reflected:
“It has been a privilege to be involved with Tyne and Wear Sight Loss Council over the past five years. Through strong partnerships, we have helped break down barriers and create more accessible opportunities for people with sight loss.
“Our volunteers continue to be the driving force behind this work, bringing passion, insight and determination.
“As we look to the future, we are focused on growing the SLC and strengthening our influence across transport, the built environment and health. We are here to continue improving everyday life for blind and partially sighted people across Tyne and Wear and the wider region.”
VI Cricket technques being demonstrated during the North East SLCs’ Let’s Get Active day
Would you like to join Tyne and Wear Sight Loss Council?
We are currently recruiting blind and partially sighted volunteer members living in Tyne and Wear. If you want to use your lived experience to help shape local services and influence change, get in touch.
Publication date: 29 January 2026