Sight Loss Councils

@slcouncils

Sight Loss Councils are groups of blind & partially sighted people working to drive transformative change & raise awareness across the UK. #VisionForChange

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Sight Loss Councils@slcouncils· 19d

From tactile paving and signage to ticket machines and help points, every detail matters. Our SLC members recently carried out accessibility assessments with Avanti West Coast to help identify practical improvements for passengers with sight loss. Learn more: 🔗https://bit.ly/3T62H7r

David Parfett, Sight Loss Council Coordinator for North West England, and Sight Loss Council member Michael review a passenger assistance help point during a rail accessibility assessment. The help point displays live train information, accessibility features and mobility assistance options. Accessibility symbols for wheelchair users, hearing assistance and visual impairment are visible on the unit.

Staffordshire Sight Loss Council volunteers and staff sit together in the accessible area of a train carriage on their way to Stafford station. The carriage includes priority seating, wheelchair spaces and accessibility signage. Yellow handrails frame the seating area, while the countryside can be seen through the train windows.

Sight Loss Councils@slcouncils· 21d

🚊 Join South West London Sight Loss Council and Transport For London (TfL) for a free Try a Tram event at Wimbledon Station. Explore the tram network, meet TfL staff, and build confidence travelling independently. 📅 22 Sept 🔗 https://bit.ly/45mmAd7 #TryATram #MakeTransportAccessible

Sight Loss Councils@slcouncils· 22d

From sighted guiding to describing wildlife and habitats, Lancashire SLC recently worked with staff and volunteers at Martin Mere Wetlands to explore practical ways of making visitor experiences more accessible and inclusive for people with sight loss. 🌿 Thanks to all for such a great session!

Four participants walk along a paved pathway during a sighted guiding exercise at Martin Mere Wetlands. At the front, one participant guides another who is using a long cane and wearing simulated sight-loss glasses. The participant using the cane is dressed in brightly coloured tie-dye trousers and a wide-brimmed hat. Two other participants follow behind. The path is surrounded by tall grasses, wildflowers and trees, with open countryside visible in the distance under a clear blue sky.

Participants sit at tables in a wooden meeting room while listening during the vision awareness session. Kelly Barton, Engagement Manager for North West England, stands at the front of the room speaking beside a large projection screen displaying a Sight Loss Councils presentation. Lancashire SLC member, Steph, is seated near the front with her guide dog lying on the floor nearby. Other attendees are seated around the room taking part in the session.

Two participants walk along a paved pathway during a sighted guiding exercise at Martin Mere. One participant wears simulated sight-loss glasses while being guided by another participant using sighted guiding techniques. The route is bordered by wildflowers, long grass and trees, with other participants visible further along the path.

Sight Loss Councils@slcouncils· 23d

Accessibility starts with lived experience. We're thrilled to announce a new partnership with Avanti West Coast which will see blind and partially sighted people help shape audio station guides, accessibility improvements, vision awareness sessions & Try a Train events. 🔗 https://bit.ly/3T62H7r

Greater Manchester Sight Loss Council staff and volunteers stand on outside Stockport railway station beneath a large station sign. Four members hold long canes, including white, pink and blue canes, while posing in bright sunshine. The group stands in front of a brick station wall with station information boards and landscaping visible nearby.

Sight Loss Councils@slcouncils· 27d

Following our recent CIHT award success, Merseyside Sight Loss Council is continuing to drive change in transport accessibility. The team recently delivered a train-the-trainer session with Arriva to support more inclusive bus travel for people with sight loss. 🚌 #MakeTransportAccessible

Kelly Barton, Engagement Manager for the North West, stands with an Arriva bus trainer at the entrance of a bus at the depot. The trainer holds a long cane and wears a sight-loss simulation glasses while taking part in an accessibility training exercise. Kelly stands nearby holding a cane. A large silver tanker vehicle is parked behind them, both are wearing orange high-vis jackets.

Kelly Barton, Engagement Manager for the North West, and David Parfett, Sight Loss Council Coordinator, stand with a group of Arriva trainers in a training room. The group is gathered in front of a presentation screen displaying information about accessible bus travel for blind and partially sighted people. Kelly stands at the centre of the group wearing a purple dress, with participants positioned on either side.

Sight Loss Councils@slcouncils· 28d

Accessibility doesn't exist in isolation. From wheelie bins left on pavements to A-boards blocking routes, small barriers can have a big impact on confidence and independence for blind and partially sighted people. Tell us what's working and what needs to change. 🔗https://bit.ly/4v2MRaU

Dave Smith, Engagement Manager for South East England, sits with four people around two round tables at Southampton Sight during a Listening Month discussion. The group is gathered in a bright community hall with large windows overlooking trees and greenery. Cups, plates, biscuits, water bottles and discussion materials are arranged on the tables, with additional seating and a refreshment area visible in the background.

Sight Loss Councils@slcouncils· 29d

Tyne and Wear SLC recently met with the North East Ambulance Service at a Disability North workshop to share lived experience of accessing ambulance and NHS 111 services. The discussion has already led to an invitation to present to the Ambulance Service Board and explore future collaboration.

Jack stands beside a Disability North promotional banner displaying the question, “Could you be a Personal Assistant?” He is holding his white cane and smiling towards the camera. The banner promotes Personal Assistant employment opportunities and explains how Personal Assistants support disabled people to live their lives with greater choice, independence and control.

Attendees, including Jack and Angela, take part in a group discussion and interactive table activity during the North East Ambulance Service engagement event. Participants are sharing ideas, recording feedback and contributing their lived experiences, while representatives from the ambulance service support the session. Jack is seated at the front of the photograph with his white cane beside him, and Angela is participating in the discussion at the table.

Jack stands alongside representatives from the North East Ambulance Service and Angela during an inclusive engagement event. Angela is seated in her wheelchair beside the group. Behind them is a North East Ambulance Service banner displaying the message, “Diverse. Inclusive. Together.” The photograph highlights partnership working and meaningful engagement between disabled people and emergency healthcare professionals.

Sight Loss Councils@slcouncils· Jul 13

Shaping accessible heritage together 🎧 Essex Sight Loss Council members joined VocalEyes at the Food Museum in Stowmarket to help co-create engaging audio descriptions for museum visitors. Accessibility is strongest when people with lived experience help shape it. #DescribingHeritage

ee Mercer, a member of Essex Sight Loss Council, sits at a table during a Describing Heritage workshop at the Food Museum in Stowmarket. Wearing a light blue Sight Loss Councils polo shirt, Lee explores a historic metal and wooden object placed on the table in front of him.

Members or Essex Sight Loss Council and museum staff sit around a large wooden table in a historic room at the Food Museum in Stowmarket. One participant uses a braille device while taking part in a group discussion with museum staff and workshop attendees.

Sight Loss Councils@slcouncils· Jul 10

Staffordshire Sight Loss Council got creative, making clay tiles for a special bench at the new Breast Screening Unit at County Hospital, Stafford. The project celebrates our role in helping shape the unit, leaving a lasting legacy through collaboration, creativity and co-production. 🩵

SLC member Klaudia sits at a round table during a clay tile-making project. Various wooden clay tools and decorated tiles are spread across the table. Klaudia looks towards the camera as the session takes place around her.

Tanja, Staffordshire SLC member, paints a square clay tile blue during a tile-making project. The tile features a bee design. The table is covered with clay pieces, wooden tools, a pot of blue paint and other decorated tiles.

A blue clay tile created during the Staffordshire Sight Loss Council tile-making project. The tile is inscribed with the words "Staffordshire Sight Loss Council" and decorated with flower motifs and star-like patterns. A wooden clay tool lies beside the tile on the table.

A collection of handmade clay tiles arranged inside a cardboard box during the Staffordshire Sight Loss Council tile-making project. Most of the tiles are painted blue and feature different designs, including rainbows, hearts, flowers, a bee, waves, and messages such as "Staffordshire Sight Loss Council", "Love is Love", "Thank You NHS", and "Thank You".

Sight Loss Councils@slcouncils· Jul 9

Award-winning accessibility! 🏆 Our Bus Driver Vision Awareness Training was named Bus Initiative of the Year at the CIHT Awards 2026. Thanks to our volunteers, staff and partners for helping make bus travel more accessible for blind and partially sighted people. 🔗 https://bit.ly/4y4VUuH

Dave Smith, Engagement Manager for South East England, stands on stage with a CIHT Awards presenter. Dave is wearing a black tuxedo and holding a long cane, while the presenter is wearing a green dress. A dark curtain forms the backdrop, with stage lighting visible to one side. Dave and the presenter are holding a framed award and trophy for the camera.

Sight Loss Councils@slcouncils· Jul 8

As #SightVillage Birmingham comes to a close, thank you to everyone who visited the Sight Loss Councils stand over the past two days. A highlight was Louise Connop's session with the Rail Delivery Group on accessible rail travel, Passenger Assist and travelling with confidence. #VisionForChange

Louise Connop and Dominic Lund-Conlon sit at the front of a seminar room during their presentation at Sight Village Birmingham. Louise holds a microphone while addressing the audience, while the looks on. Rows of attendees are seated facing the stage area.

Staffordshire SLC members sit behind the Sight Loss Councils exhibition stand at Sight Village Birmingham. The stand displays information leaflets, sight loss simulation glasses, long canes, keyrings and a runner-up award certificate. A large Sight Loss Councils banner stands beside the table, with visitors and exhibitor stands visible throughout the exhibition hall.

Sight Loss Councils@slcouncils· Jul 8

📍 We're back at #SightVillage Birmingham today! Volunteers from Birmingham & Black Country and Staffordshire SLCs are sharing how people with sight loss are driving positive change. This morning, the team also met Birmingham's Lord Mayor and demonstrated sight loss simulation glasses.

Taryn, Birmingham and Black Country SLC member, stands beside Birmingham's Lord Mayor at the SLC stand during Sight Village Birmingham. The Lord Mayor is trying on sight loss simulation glasses while the volunteer looks on and discusses the experience with him.

Sight Loss Council volunteers and Birmingham's Lord Mayor stand together at the Sight Loss Councils exhibition stand at Sight Village Birmingham. The Lord Mayor is wearing sight loss simulation glasses. The stand features information materials, long canes, an award certificate and a Sight Loss Councils banner, with other exhibitors and visitors visible in the background.

Sight Loss Councils@slcouncils· Jul 7

#ThankYouDay 💙 Today we're celebrating the 200+ Sight Loss Council volunteers who use their lived experience to improve accessibility, influence services and drive positive change in their communities. Thank you for your time, passion and dedication. #VisionForChange #Volunteering

Sight Loss Council volunteers take part in a workshop at the 2026 SLC Conference, seated around a round table in a meeting room. Participants wearing conference lanyards are engaged in discussion, with water bottles, glasses, notepads and a coffee cup on the table. The workshop takes place in an conference room with the group talking to each other.

Sight Loss Councils@slcouncils· Jul 7

📍 Come and see the West Midlands Sight Loss Councils at #SightVillage Birmingham today and tomorrow! Meet our volunteers, learn how people with sight loss are driving change, and catch Senior Engagement Manager Louise Connop's talk on accessible rail travel at 12.30pm today.

Louise Connop, Senior Engagement Manager, and Sergeant Jo Pritchard, volunteer sighted guide, stand behind the Sight Loss Councils exhibition stand at Sight Village Birmingham. The stand features a large Sight Loss Councils banner, information leaflets and promotional materials on a black-covered table. Other exhibitors and attendees can be seen in the background of the exhibition hall.

Several Sight Loss Council members and visitors are gathered around the Sight Loss Councils exhibition stand at Sight Village Birmingham. SLC member, Taryn is speaking with a visitor across the information table, while Tony is seated beside leaflets, promotional materials and an award certificate. The exhibition hall is busy with attendees, exhibitor stands and a guide dog visible in the background.

Sight Loss Councils@slcouncils· Jul 6

🎧 Helping shape the future of audio description! West of England and Gloucestershire & Swindon Sight Loss Council members joined VocalEyes at the Holburne Museum in Bath to explore how museums can make audio description more engaging and accessible. 👉 Next stop: The Food Museum, Stowmarket.

Hilary, a member of West of England Sight Loss Council, sits at a table examining an object during the Describing Heritage workshop at the Holburne Museum in Bath. A staff member sits opposite, while workshop materials are spread across the table. The room has bright yellow walls and a large window overlooks trees outside.

Yahya Pandor, Engagement Manager for South West England, holds a framed artwork during the Describing Heritage workshop at the Holburne Museum in Bath.

Aimee, a member of Gloucestershire & Swindon Sight Loss Council, and Hilary, a member of West of England Sight Loss Council, stand outside the Holburne Museum in Bath following the Describing Heritage co-creation workshop with VocalEyes. The historic museum building, with its grand stone façade and columns, forms the backdrop

Sight Loss Councils@slcouncils· Jul 6

⏰ One week left to apply for our Sight Loss Councils Coordinator role in Yorkshire & Humberside. Support volunteer-led influencing work and help blind and partially sighted people drive local change. Applications close 13 July. Apply now: https://www.pocklington.org.uk/about-us/workattpt/

Job vacancy advert. Text over a photo of people in discussion reads: Job Opportunity. Sight Loss Councils Coordinator. Yorkshire & Humberside. Apply now via out website. Images of the TPT and Sight Loss council logos are placed at the bottom of the graphic

Sight Loss Councils@slcouncils· Jul 3

"Some people you'll never meet, but you've helped them." As host Fern Lulham reflected at the 2026 Rodney Powell Awards, that's the impact of our volunteers. Read about the winners creating change for blind and partially sighted people across the UK: 🔗 https://bit.ly/3SGurPS

Lee, Essex SLC member, is wearing a black tuxedo jacket, white dress shirt and black bow tie and is seated at a round banquet table during the Rodney Powell Awards. The foreground contains blurred glassware, bottles and a table number card, while the background shows other attendees seated at tables in the softly lit function room.

Audience members seated around round tables at the Rodney Powell Awards event. In the foreground, three attendees sit facing the front of the room, while additional guests fill the background. Tables are set with glasses, bottles and table numbers in a hotel conference venue with patterned carpet and warm lighting. The image captures the audience's attention during a speech.

Helen Mitchell, Trustee at Thomas Pocklington Trust, watches nomination videos during the Rodney Powell Awards, with Host Fern Lulham and attendees in the background.

A close-up of an audience member applauding during the Rodney Powell Awards, with other attendees in the background.

Sight Loss Councils@slcouncils· Jul 2

Surrey Sight Loss Council is launching this summer! 🎉 If you're blind or partially sighted and want to use your lived experience to create positive change, we'd love to hear from you. Find out more and get involved: https://bit.ly/4sfmo9C #Surrey #JoinUs

Two Sight Loss Council volunteers sit at a table during the annual conference, engaged in conversation. Water bottles and hot drinks are visible on the table, with meeting room seating and conference facilities in the background.

Sight Loss Councils@slcouncils· Jul 1

🎧 The most important conversations start with listening. This July, Sight Loss Councils and Thomas Pocklington Trust are inviting blind and partially sighted people to share what matters most through #ListeningMonth2026. Take our 10-minute survey: 🔗 https://bit.ly/4v2MRaU

Sight Loss Councils@slcouncils· Jun 30

Members of Merseyside Sight Loss Council visited Liverpool Metropolitan Cathedral for a tactile, interactive tour. After previously sharing accessibility feedback, it was fantastic to see how small changes and the right support created a more inclusive experience. #MakeArtAccessible

Merseyside Sight Loss Council members explore the baptismal font during a visit to Liverpool Metropolitan Cathedral with the Dean.

Merseyside Sight Loss Council members tour the altar area at Liverpool Metropolitan Cathedral with the Dean.

Sight Loss Councils@slcouncils· Jun 26

Almost 200 blind and partially sighted volunteers, staff and partners came together in Leeds this month, for the 2026 Sight Loss Councils Conference. 💙 From inspiring speakers to practical workshops, the weekend showed how lived experience can drive change. 🔗 https://bit.ly/43TIR1x #SLConference

Staff and volunteers seated at the front of a conference room during the 2026 Sight Loss Councils Conference in Leeds, listening to a speaker and laughing as they listen. Delegates gathered around tables in the background.

SLC members from Yorkshire and Humberside, London, Hampshire and Scotland Sight Loss Councils sit around a table taking part in a discussion during a workshop. Stevie, West Yorkshire SLC member, speaks whilst holding a pen and gesturing across the table as others listen and contribute.

Hayley and Antony, Greater Manchester SLC members stand side by side during a break, smiling at the camera. Antony holds a paper coffee cup in one hand, his long cane in the other.

Sight Loss Councils@slcouncils· Jun 23

Bringing heritage to life through audio description 🎧 Our partnership with VocalEyes continues through the #DescribingHeritage project, with Yorkshire and Staffordshire SLC members helping museums shape more accessible experiences for blind and partially sighted visitors. #VisionForChange

Tony, West Yorkshire SLC member, Verity, North Yorkshire SLC member, and a staff member sit around a table in a meeting room with glass walls. Tony examines a metal artefact with both hands while the other two observe.

A Japanese bullet train is displayed inside the National Railway Museum in York. The streamlined train, with a white body and yellow front, sits beneath a large circular display structure illuminated with coloured lights. The museum's vast exhibition hall stretches into the background, featuring multiple historic locomotives and trains under a high steel-framed roof. Visitors can be seen walking around the exhibits and viewing the collection from both floor level and an upper gallery.

A group of Staffordshire Sight Loss Council members, Gladstone Pottery Museum staff and project partners stand together for a group photograph following a workshop session at Gladstone Pottery Museum. The group is arranged in a workshop room with cream-coloured walls, tables and chairs visible around the space.

Sight Loss Councils@slcouncils· Jun 22

Huge thank you to GT3 Architects, who raised over £4,000 for SLCs and Thomas Pocklington Trust by taking on the Yorkshire Three Peaks Challenge. Their support will help us continue driving change and improving accessibility for blind and partially sighted people. 👉 https://bit.ly/4a6B9Vk

17 staff members from GT3 Architects stand beside a dry stone wall on a sunny day. Some are standing and others are crouching at the front. They wear outdoor clothing, backpacks and walking gear. The group is standing on a pavement next to a road, with trees, a stone wall and a clear blue sky in the background.

Sight Loss Councils@slcouncils· Jun 19

As #BetterTransportWeek comes to a close, we're launching a new partnership with Avanti West Coast 🚆 Our Sight Loss Councils in Greater Manchester, Lancashire & Staffordshire will lead a year-long project to make stations more accessible for blind and partially sighted people. More details soon 👀

Members of Staffordshire Sight Loss Council stand outside Stafford railway station. From left to right: Ian, Louise Connop, Senior Engagement Manager, Geoff, Brandon Peat, Accessibility Lead at Avanti West Coast, Klaudia, Staffordshire SLC member, PJ, SLC Coordinator for the West Midlands, and Tanja, Staffordshire SLC member.

Sight Loss Councils@slcouncils· Jun 18

🏆 We won! Our Bus Driver Vision Awareness Training has been named Bus Initiative of the Year at the #CIHTAwards26. Developed by Sight Loss Councils and supported by @pocklington.bsky.social, the training is helping make bus travel more accessible for blind and partially sighted people. 🚍

Dave Smith, Engagement Manager for South East England, stands on stage after receiving the Bus Initiative of the Year Award. Wearing a black tuxedo and holding his long cane, Dave smiles alongside a presenter in a green dress as they pose for a photograph with the award. Both are facing the camera and smiling.

Sight Loss Councils@slcouncils· Jun 18

‘Through Our Eyes’ is now live in Southport Blind and partially sighted volunteers from Merseyside SLC have created a powerful photography exhibition capturing journeys along the Liverpool–Southport line. 👉 Read more: https://bit.ly/4v0Cbd7 📍 Visit it on Platform One at Southport station

The Through Our Eyes photography exhibition on display at Southport railway station. Mounted panels feature photographs taken by blind and partially sighted volunteers from Merseyside Sight Loss Council, showcasing destinations along the Southport to Liverpool rail line. An introductory panel explains the project and its aim to share different visual perspectives.

Members of Merseyside SLC view the Through Our Eyes photography exhibition on the platform. Display panels featuring the photographs are mounted along a fence, while two guide dogs in harness stand beside attendees looking at the artwork. A train is visible in the background.

Kelly Barton, Engagement Manager for the North West and Laura Turnbull, Community Events and Engagement Manager at Merseyrail, stand beside the Through Our Eyes photography exhibition at Southport railway station. Kelly is holding a long cane. Behind them, exhibition panels displaying photographs by blind and partially sighted volunteers from Merseyside Sight Loss Council are mounted along the platform, while other visitors view the artwork further down the platform.

Naomi, Merseyside Sight Loss Council volunteer embraces her guide dog in front of the Through Our Eyes exhibition at Southport railway station. Behind them, display panels feature the photographs, alongside information about the project

Sight Loss Councils@slcouncils· Jun 17

Great to see collaboration in action for #BetterTransportWeek 👏 Sight Loss Councils are working with operators like Brighton & Hove Buses to improve journeys for blind and partially sighted people - from accessible services to driver training. Explore our bus driver resources: bit.ly/3HJZW65

Dave Smith, Engagement Manager for South East England is pictured with around 12 people inside a bright, modern room at the event. At the centre, someone holds a sign reading “Better Transport Week – Better transport connects communities.” A guide dog wearing a harness sits at the front of the group. Behind them are digital display screens and, to the right, a red Brighton & Hove Buses banner with the slogan “Let us show you the city.” The group is standing close together, facing the camera.

Sight Loss Councils@slcouncils· Jun 12

A week on from our SLC Conference in Leeds, we’re saying a huge thank you to our sighted guides. Their time and support helped make the event accessible for all. One shared: “It’s a chance to make a difference and meet amazing people…” We’re so grateful 🩵 #SLConference

Tina, a support worker, is pictured sitting on the floor in the hotel lounge with four female sighted guides in high-vis jackets, and a guide dog, during the 2026 SLC Conference.

Three sighted guide volunteers stand side by side indoors at the SLC Conference. Each is wearing a high-visibility yellow vest labelled “Sighted Guide.

Sight Loss Councils@slcouncils· Jun 11

Still feeling the magic of the Rodney Powell Awards 💙 Huge thanks to Fern Lulham for hosting and to every nominee and winner making a difference for blind and partially sighted people. Every action matters, and your impact ripples far beyond what you see. #RPA26

Fern Lulham, talks into a microphone at the front of the conference room as she opens the 2026 Rodney Powell Awards. The backs of two volunteers' heads are shown in the foreground as they listen to her.

Sight Loss Councils@slcouncils· Jun 10

Still riding the post-conference high 💙 Dr Amit Patel & guide dog Kika reminded us that change happens through “a thousand small moments, carried forward by people who care enough to keep showing up.” Thank you to all our volunteers creating change every day. #SLConference #VisionForChange