West Sussex Sight Loss Council: Meet the members

Dave Smith

My name is Dave Smith and I’m the Engagement Manager for the South East.

I’m registered blind and have little useful vision nowadays (light perception on a good day). I was diagnosed with having Retinitis Pigmentosa and Retinal Telangiectasia in 1991 but after 2 Cataract operations and a significant drop in my vision, I was registered blind in 1997.

I have worked in the disability sector for nearly 25years, working for RNIB for almost 15 years and then smaller Surrey based disability charities for the past 10 years. I have held many different job roles during this time and, as a result, have a good understanding and knowledge of the sector with particular expertise in IT/Access Technology, Employment and Vision Impairment Awareness.

Lauren Eade

Lauren is the Sight Loss Council Coordinator for South East England.

After experiencing sight problems for many years, she was eventually
diagnosed with Cerebral Visual Impairment (CVI) in 2020 and registered
as partially sighted. CVI is the commonest cause of childhood vision
impairment in England, but many barriers exist to getting a diagnosis
and support.

Lauren’s experiences have made her passionate about improving
access for blind and partially sighted people across all areas of life. She
was previously a member of East Sussex Sight Loss Council and
joined Thomas Pocklington Trust in 2024.

In her spare time, Lauren enjoys reading, spending time with friends and
family, and walking in the local countryside.

Clinton Corin

My name is Clinton and I live in the seaside town of Worthing.

My sight loss issues started in 2016 when I was in my mid-forties.

I work in health care, and I am currently working in clinical research.

There is a real lack of disabled people having access to services, I have discovered this through my own experiences and work.

I love the outdoors and I am passionate about running, hiking and adventure. I would love to help to encourage and support people to reach their goals and desires, even though they have sight loss.

Most things are still possible – as I have discovered. I am looking forward to working together to change the things that the sighted community take as normal to make this more achievable.

James Langley

James has Nystagmus and Ocular Albinism. He has been partially sighted since birth.

James is the Events Coordinator and Community Liaison at Sight Support Worthing. He is also a Trustee for Look Sussex, a small charity that runs activities and social events for children with visual impairments in Sussex.

James said: “I’m passionate about raising awareness and challenging perceptions of visual impairment.”

Judy Blowe

Coming soon!

Louise Taylor

Coming soon!