Vision UK announces partnership with 20 organisations (so far) as part of 2020: Year of Vision campaign

October 18, 2020

Vision UK has added 20 organisations (so far) on board to its 2020: Year of Vision campaign.

British and Irish Orthoptic Society (BIOS), The College of Optometrists, European Coalition for Vision, Fight for Sight, Guide Dogs, Manchester Royal Eye Hospital, International Centre for Eye Health (ICEH) International Glaucoma Association (IGA), Neatebox, Rehab Workers Professional Network (RWPN), RNIB, Royal Blind, The Royal College of Ophthalmologists, Royal Society for Blind Children (RSBC), Scottish War Blinded, SeeAbility, Thomas Pocklington Trust, Visionary, Wilberforce Trust and Worshipful Company of Spectacle Makers have agreed to collaborate on the collective campaign that will run across 2020.

The year 2020 is a fantastic opportunity to remind everyone in the UK about the impact of sight loss, to celebrate work undertaken both to eradicate avoidable sight loss and to support those living with vision impairment. We wish to celebrate 2020 and make it: ‘2020: Year of Vision’.

Matt Broom, CEO, Vision UK said “I am delighted to welcome all organisations to the “2020: Year of Vision” campaign. We will build on the spirit of collaboration that has already been achieved in the UK across the eye health and sight loss sectors to really highlight the importance of good eye health and inclusive society. We are asking Vision UK members and associates to use ‘2020: The Year of Vision’ as a working strapline in association with their campaigns and events. We would like organisations to recognise the importance of eye health and sight loss and sign up to create a cohesive and year-long, message to policymakers, professionals, service users and the public that eye health and sight loss are important issues to both consider and act upon in 2020 and beyond.”

Vision UK have five objectives for our members, associates and all to sign up to:

Together we will raise awareness of the need for medical research to encourage investment in eye health.
Together we will promote better eye health to prevent sight loss.
Together we will advocate for improved eye care and the best possible support for children and adults living with vision impairment.
Together we will celebrate those having a positive impact on people’s vision and daily lives.
Together we will work towards equality for people who are blind or partially sighted.

We look forward to your support on this and to working closely with you in 2020 and beyond.

Ends

Notes to Editors

For further information contact Matt Broom CEO Vision UK Matt.Broom@Visionuk.org.uk

For more information about Vision UK please go to www.VisionUK.org.uk

Vision UK is the independent partnership organisation which will work with other organisations in the eye health and sight loss sector for the benefit of blind and partially sighted people, their communities and the general population including those at risk of sight loss.
Vision UK is a member of the IAPB (International Agency for the Prevention of Blindness) and part of the VISION 2020: The Right to Sight initiative. This is an initiative led in partnership by the World Health Organization, and the International Agency for Prevention of Blindness, for the elimination of avoidable blindness. http://www.iapb.org/vision-2020

The government has just announced plans for a major shakeup of the welfare system, with £6bn of proposed cuts. Personal Independence Payments (PIP) are a lifeline for many people in our community. We understand the system needs reform, and that tough times can call for tough measures. But cutting back on PIP without making it […]

A member of Dorton College's team with three students. Two are standing to the team members left and one is on the right. They are all linking arms with big smiles on their faces. They are standing in front of the RSBC Dorton College sign, which also has purple bunting and a sign that says: Careers Day above the bunting.

No categories March 7, 2025

Dorton College careers day: giving our students the confidence to shine

Too often, young people living with a vision impairment aren’t given the career opportunities they deserve. That’s why RSBC’s Dorton College hosted a careers day recently, inviting external speakers to inspire our students and help provide them with the tools they need to enter the world of work.

A photograph of Dave The Blind Poet. He is standing in a field wearing a black coat, burgundy roll-neck top and a grey hat. The top of his cane is in view on his left. His head is faced slightly to the left and tilting upwards.

No categories March 4, 2025

Young people unlock their imagination at The Blind Poet’s workshops

Dave Steele, popularly known as The Blind Poet, is an internationally acclaimed and award-winning poet, author, speaker and singer – and an advocate for people with vision impairment.

Members of the Youth Forum group and VI mentors in line against a wall. They are all smiling an posing for the camera creating a warm, friendly and dynamic atmosphere.

No categories March 3, 2025

Helping young people be heard: RSBC’s Youth Voice Strategy Day

Recently, RSBC’s Youth Forum, Young Ambassadors and members of the RSBC team came together for a Youth Voice Strategy Day at our Life Without Limits Centre in London. The mission was simple: young people were tasked with coming up with their own objectives and create a roadmap for the future, which would help RSBC identify […]

Three young people sitting in an Camden Roundhouse podcast studio facing the camera. There are microphone stands on the table in front of them and two are wearing headphones, one is holding a pair of headphones.

No categories February 19, 2025

The Roundhouse becomes London’s first venue to use Navilens – with RSBC’s support

Iconic music and performing arts venue, the Roundhouse in Camden, has provided creative space that empowers people and communities since the 1960s. Its team is focused on unleashing the creative potential of young people and artists, giving them the opportunity to experiment, develop their skills, and be part of unforgettable moments with a lasting impact.

A photo of a young women, Joné sitting at a table wearing black glasses smiling at the camera. She is leaning her head on left fist. She has light brown hair and is wearing a black sleeveless high neck top.

No categories February 14, 2025

A volunteer’s journey: Meet Joné

Joné has been volunteering with RSBC since August 2024. We spoke to her about why she wanted to become a volunteer and what her experience has been like so far.

A young boy with short ginger hair and red glasses expresses joy as he holds a tall glass of chocolate milkshake with whipped cream and a cookie. To the right, a woman with long, curly brown hair and a black and grey striped sweater smiles back at him while holding a yellow cocktail in a stemmed glass. The table is set with silver utensils and a marble surface, and there are decorative plants in the background, contributing to a warm and inviting café atmosphere.

No categories January 30, 2025

George and Nicola’s story

George is an energetic and confident eight-year-old boy who lives in a bustling household with his mum, Nicola, his dad, and his baby brother Ted. It’s a home that’s filled with love and resilience as the family faces the challenges and celebrates the triumphs that vision impairment brings.

The picture features five young individuals walking on a textured cobblestone pathway with a brick and stone backdrop. Two of them are positioned on the right, while three occupy the left. On the centre right is a young man using a white cane. He has short brown hair and is dressed in a blue jacket and jeans. He links arms with a curly ginger-haired young woman wearing all denim. On the centre left stands a young woman in a green shirt and jeans holding a football, a young man holding a binder and another young woman wearing a pink shirt. They are all smiling and looking at the young man with the cane as if he had just said a joke, creating a dynamic composition. The lighting is bright, suggesting it's a sunny day, adding a lively atmosphere to the scene.

No categories January 27, 2025

Preparing for uni: student finance and DSA

Mark Wright, RSBC’s Futures Coordinator, talks about how you can make sure your finances are up and running before you head off to university.

A small boy, on the stage of The Snowman, exploring the set. He's standing in front of an over-sized pink dressing table. Next to him is a staff member from the theatre, talking him through the set and props.

No categories January 13, 2025

Our adventure with The Snowman

In December we were invited to audio-described performance of ‘The Snowman’ at the Sadlers Wells, Peacock Theatre, along with a touch tour of the set, props and costumes.

Patrick, a light skinned man white grey/white hair and Julie, a light skinned woman with long brown hair standing and smiling next to each other with a RSBC photo frame around them

No categories January 9, 2025

Here’s to 2025: a year of hope and possibility

As the new year dawns, many of us will find ourselves reflecting on what we’ve accomplished so far, and what the future holds. As RSBC’s CEO, it’s certainly something that I’ve been doing in recent days. As I look ahead to the next 12 months, I feel so much hope for what this tremendous organisation […]