Volunteer and join our Sight Loss Council community
Blind and partially sighted people are coming together to work with businesses and service providers to improve the accessibility of their services. They are also looking for other blind and partially sighted people to join them. volunteer and join our community.
Sight Loss Councils (SLCs), funded by Thomas Pocklington Trust, are led by blind and partially sighted volunteers who use their lived experience to create positive change.
There are currently over 15 SLCs operating in different regions across England. This is set to expand over the coming years.
Our expansion
In the South of England, West Sussex Sight Loss Council (SLC) is due to launch in February 2023 and South West London SLC in March 2023. There is also a new SLC launching in North Yorkshire early this year.
Existing Sight Loss Councils in Bedfordshire, Essex, Northumberland, Tyne & Wear, Worcestershire, York and West Yorkshire are also recruiting.
To support this growth, existing Sight Loss Council members have created a series of short films about what being a member involves and why other blind and partially sighted people should join them.
This includes using their lived experience to create positive change for others, increasing accessibility, building confidence, learning new skills, meeting like-minded people, having a voice, feeling valued, attendance with other members at a national member conference, and more.
Here, Sight Loss Council member Julie Stevens explains what she gets from being a volunteer and why he feels you should join us.
Why should you become a volunteer?
Mariza Jurgens, London Sight Loss Council, said:
“My experience as a Sight Loss Council member was one of the greatest honours of my life.”
Paul Hopkins, Birmingham Sight Loss Council, said:
“Never think you don’t have anything to offer because just living your life everyday as a visually impaired person means you are going to have picked up some life hacks. You’ll have experiences that will really benefit someone else somewhere along the line.”
Iain Mitchell, Senior Engagement Manager, added:
“Sight Loss Councils are made up of individuals with lived experience of sight loss. They come together to work with businesses and service providers to raise awareness, provide invaluable insight, and make positive change within their communities.
“Projects are led by SLC members who will speak with the wider sight loss community to find out what really matters to them. This could include access to transport, health providers, making our streets and communities accessible, and more.
“We have places available to join our new Sight Loss Councils. I would encourage any blind or partially sighted people in the region to get in touch to find out more, and to help spread the word about Sight Loss Councils across their community.”
Here, Sight Loss Council member Paul Goddard explains what he gets from being a volunteer and why he feels you should join us.
Join us
Join Sight Loss Councils to help ensure visually impaired people in your area can live the lives they want to lead.
Publication date: 23 December 2022