Insight Newsletter - 2023

Welcome to our Autumn Newsletter - and the first - from Fight for Sight / Vision Foundation. Read all about how we're making waves within our sight loss community as one, impactful charity.

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Reflecting and looking forward

To say there has been a lot going on over the past few months is an understatement! As we come together as one charity, we’ve already been able to extend our reach and impact, and we’re really pleased to introduce more science and medical research-based news in this newsletter. We hope it shows just how much your donations are helping.

In this edition of Insight, we introduce Ellie Southwood, our new Director of Social Impact. Ellie’s appointment means our charity is the only organisation in the sight loss sector with an Executive Leadership Team made up of 50% of people with lived experience of sight loss.

We also aim to highlight just how much your donations are helping; be it through funding PhD Studentships for researchers like Dr Nina Milosavljevic, providing organisations like Beacon Vision with funding and opportunities to knock down barriers to support for visually impaired victims of domestic abuse and providing young people who are struggling with their mental health the help they need.

Your support is continuing to make a difference. Our work would not be possible without you by our side. Thank you so much.

Read Insight Autumn 2023 below…

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Introducing Ellie Southwood

With the appointment of Ellie Southwood MBE as Director of Social Impact, Fight for Sight / Vision Foundation has become the only organisation in the sight loss sector with an Executive Leadership Team made up of 50% of people who have lived experience of sight loss.

A white, visually impaired teenage boy is sitting and looking over his shoulder, facing towards the camera with a straight-faced expression. He has short, sandy brown hair. Text: “Feeling sad, anxious, or overwhelmed? Talk to us. Text VIP to 85258 for free, confidential support, 24/7.

Providing a crucial lifeline for young people struggling with their mental health

Loneliness and isolation are critical issues for visually impaired young people, so we’ve partnered with mental health organisation, SHOUT, to offer an accessible and confidential text helpline to blind and partially sighted people in distress.

Image from The Unseen video featuring a lady resting her chin on her hands looking deflated. The room behind her is dark. #TheUnseen text in white on a black rectangle covers her eyes to give the lady anonymity.

How we’re working with Beacon Vision to tackle domestic abuse

One organisation we support through the Vision Fund is Beacon Vision. This Midlands-based organisation offer services such as health and wellbeing activities, employment skills and digital support.

Helping researchers reverse the effects of sight loss

Funding has been provided for a PhD Studentship grant to Dr Nina Milosavljevic at the University of Manchester to support her research work into reversing the effects of sight loss. PhD Studentships encourage knowledge sharing so the student can conduct vision research in the future.

Charmaine, her daughters Alex and Sophia, and childminder Rita cross the road outside the girls' school.

Remember a charity, leave a lasting legacy

Every gift in every Will, however large or small, makes a difference. Gifts in Wills help us plan for the future and invest in innovative and inspiring projects and research, which make such a huge and lasting difference to those living with or facing sight loss.

How assistive technology changed my life

Many people with sight loss use assistive technology to enhance their lives, enabling them to do things they otherwise might not be able to. Our Grants Manager, Kerry Firth, shares an insight into her experience of using assistive technology.

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Vision Foundation and Fight for Sight are merging!