Sight Loss Councils
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slcouncils.bsky.social
Sight Loss Councils
@slcouncils.bsky.social
250 followers 480 following 270 posts
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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slcouncils.bsky.social
🎉 Essex Sight Loss Council has been shortlisted for the 2026 Community Rail Awards! Our exhibition “Do You See What I See?” at Colchester Station raises awareness of sight loss through tactile art, audio description & works by blind & partially sighted artists

Read more: https://bit.ly/4hCGQeh
Sam Leftwich, Engagement Manager for East England, is standing with her guide dog, Lizzie, with eight pieces of artwork displayed on a white wall behind her
December 15, 2025 at 12:01 PM
slcouncils.bsky.social
"Growing up I was often the only visually impaired person in the room."

💬 This month, we're In Conversation with Ada from Greater Manchester SLC.

Ada shares what inspired her to join, her proudest achievements, and a few fun facts.

Read more 👉 https://bit.ly/48KTB4h #MeetTheMembers
Close-up image of Ada, a black woman with her hair styled in wavy, long, braids that become golden blonde at the ends. She is wearing a black top and silver necklace, and is smiling at the camera.
December 12, 2025 at 8:00 AM
slcouncils.bsky.social
South East London SLC delivered a Vision Awareness Session at the new Canada Water Leisure Centre. Staff were enthusiastic and keen to improve accessibility, and #SouthwarkLeisure hopes to work with us across all sites. Great news - especially with @goalballuk.bsky.social UK training there! 💛
Denise, SE London SLC member, guiding Zehra through a glass barrier. Zehra is wearing simulation glasses and holding a long cane. The SLC members standing in front of a dark green wall, with large directional signage, reading 'Gym', 'Cycling Studio' and 'Changing Rooms'. From left to right: Liam O'Carroll, Interim Engagement Manager for London SLCs, Ching and Denise, SE London SLC members, and Gledi, North London SLC member, kneeling on the ground.
December 11, 2025 at 10:51 AM
slcouncils.bsky.social
SLCs are proud to have supported a new short film for bus drivers, now showing in depots across England.

Practical tips to make journeys safer and more inclusive for blind and partially sighted passengers.

👉 bit.ly/3HJZW65
pocklington.bsky.social Thomas Pocklington Trust @pocklington.bsky.social · 5d
Rolling out across bus depots nationwide! We’ve again teamed up with DVSA, CPT, Brighton & Hove Buses and Bus Users UK on a new short film giving drivers tips to better support blind and partially sighted passengers. Showing at all bus depots soon, watch out!
Text reads: "Our video sharing top tips for bus drivers to help blind and partially sighted passengers will be shown on screens at every bus depot in England. #MakeBusesAccessible #InclusiveTravel". TPT and Sight Loss Council logos appear in the top left. On the bottom right, there is an image of a woman entering a bus. The bus driver is smiling warmly at her.
December 10, 2025 at 4:57 PM
slcouncils.bsky.social
Great to see The Lowry acting on our Sight Loss Council volunteer accessibility feedback. From audio description and braille to inclusive plans, progress is clear. We loved testing the new Lowry 360 immersive tour. #CoProduction in Action. #Accessibility #Inclusion #MakeArtAccessible
SLC volunteers and staff together in front of a bright yellow wall with large black text reading “LOWRY 350.” The wall features silhouettes of figures and several information panels. A guide dog wearing a harness sits at the front of the group. A sign nearby reads “FREE ENTRY – Donations Welcome.” SLC volunteers are on a tour with a Lowry staff member. They are stood in an art gallery with deep purple walls, looking at a display featuring a framed painting of an industrial cityscape and an interactive panel asking, “What do you think LS Lowry’s cityscape would have smelt like?” The panel includes a wooden scent box. Additional framed artworks are visible on the walls, and another gallery space with colourful displays can be seen through an open doorway. Several SLC volunteers seated around a large rectangular table in a gallery room with blue and white walls. One volunteer is conversing with a Lowry staff member. The wall behind them displays the heading “LAND AND SEA” along with descriptive text and framed paintings of landscapes and seascapes. Additional artworks are visible on adjacent walls, and the room is well-lit with overhead lighting. SLC Engagement Manager Kelly, and SLC Co-ordinator Dave, walking with a SLC volunteer along a brick-paved path beside a canal, accompanied by a guide dog in harness. The canal is bordered by a black metal railing, and modern buildings rise in the background under a clear blue sky. Autumn trees line the path, and a few pedestrians are visible further along the walkway.
December 10, 2025 at 10:01 AM
slcouncils.bsky.social
North London Sight Loss Council led a sim-spec walk with Islington Council engineers to highlight the barriers #Blind & #PartiallySighted people face daily on our streets, leading to discussions on how the design process can remove them: https://bit.ly/3MmuAF0

#InclusiveDesign #StreetsForAll
Liam O'Carroll, Interim Engagement Manager for London Sight Loss Councils, is walking along a pavement next to restaurant tables and chairs. He is holding his long cane, and about to walk into a planter, directly in front of him. Liam O'Carroll, Interim Engagement Manager for London Sight Loss Councils, is stood at a meeting table, holding a folded, cane. Attendees of the sim-spec walk and awareness session are looking on as he demonstrates its use.
December 9, 2025 at 9:00 AM
slcouncils.bsky.social
Over the weekend we hit 2,000 followers on Facebook! 🎉

Thanks to everyone who’s joined our community so far. Not following yet? Every like, share, and comment helps us reach more people and make a bigger impact.

Follow us today! https://www.facebook.com/SightLossCouncils/
Graphic with a dark teal background and a white rectangle in the centre. Inside the rectangle, large light blue text reads ‘2k’ with smaller dark teal text above saying ‘Thank You’ and below saying ‘Followers’. At the bottom, the Sight Loss Councils logo appears with light blue circular dots in the top right and bottom left corners.
December 8, 2025 at 10:00 AM
slcouncils.bsky.social
As #IVD25 ends, we thank our volunteers who make change happen. Our Senior Engagement Managers said you raise awareness, fuel change, and show compassion in action every day.

Your lived experience drives real change. Thank you, for all you do.

Join our team: https://bit.ly/3Ige7Ox
A group photo of several Sight Loss Councils volunteers and Engagement Managers standing together after the 2025 Rodney Powell Awards. Several people have their arms in the air, whooping and cheering. Dark blue text on a white background at the bottom reads: Happy International Volunteer Day. Every contribution matters", alongside the Sight Loss Councils logo and tagline 'A vision for change.'
December 5, 2025 at 7:00 PM
slcouncils.bsky.social
What does volunteering mean to our Sight Loss Council members?

For Amy, it’s having a voice.
For Chloe, it’s impact and community.
For Jordan, it’s confidence and connection.

Everyone brings something unique and every contribution matters.

More stories: https://bit.ly/48h2aoq #IVD25
A dark blue graphic with a photo of a female SLC volunteer, talking into a microphone with four female audience members around her. To the right, dark blue writing on a light blue text box reads: "Volunteering means having a voice and using it to bring communities, business and government into our mission for a more accessible life." The Sight Loss Councils logo appears in the bottom left corner
December 5, 2025 at 4:01 PM
slcouncils.bsky.social
198 volunteers across 25 Sight Loss Councils are improving accessibility in communities every day.

Every contribution matters - and yours could too.

Learn how to get involved: 🔗 https://bit.ly/3Ige7Ox

#IVD25 #InternationalVolunteerDay
A dark blue text box featuring a quote from a Sight Loss Council member. The quote reads: ‘I joined Sight Loss Councils because I wanted to make a real difference. I love that we’re really pro-active, and from the moment I joined there was so much to get involved with.’ The Sight Loss Councils logo and tagline ‘A vision for change’ appear underneath. To the right of the quote, overlapping the white text box, is a photo of James who is holding a long cane, standing against a light-coloured wall.
December 5, 2025 at 12:01 PM
slcouncils.bsky.social
Today we're celebrating our incredible volunteers this #InternationalVolunteersDay! 🌟

Across the UK, our Sight Loss Council volunteers turn national priorities into local action, using their lived experience to remove barriers and create real change. #IVD2025 #VolunteerDay
Graphic with text that reads ‘Sight Loss Councils are celebrating International Volunteer Day’ at the top, alongside the Sight Loss Councils logo and tagline ‘A vision for change.’ Below, a yellow speech bubble on a blue background contains the words ‘THANK YOU’ in bold blue letters
December 5, 2025 at 9:00 AM
slcouncils.bsky.social
Gloucestershire SLC is expanding into Swindon 🎉

There are 7,400 residents are living with sight loss in Swindon and we’re here to make services inclusive and accessible.

Join us as a volunteer, or partner with us, to improve accessibility across the area.

Find out more: 🔗https://bit.ly/4oBAWhd
Kahl, a Gloucestershire SLC member, is stood with Yahya, Engagement Manager for south West England. They are in front of a Sight Loss Councils banner, smiling at the camera and both are holding their long canes.
December 4, 2025 at 10:00 AM
slcouncils.bsky.social
On #IDPD, we’re celebrating what real inclusion looks like – and the blind and partially sighted volunteers in our Sight Loss Councils who push it forward.

When something isn’t accessible, our members push to change it. Inclusion becomes real when lived experience leads the way.

A dark blue social media graphic for International Day of People with Disability. On the left, white text reads: Sight Loss Councils are celebrating International Day of People with Disability – 3 December 2025,” with the Sight Loss Councils logo below. On the right, a photo of a woman in a white Sight Loss Councils hoodie speaking into a microphone appears inside a large quarter-circle shape. A lighter blue curved shape sits behind it as part of the grpahic design,
December 3, 2025 at 11:41 AM
slcouncils.bsky.social
London SLCs supported Thomas Pocklington Trust Campaigns team in meeting Alex Mayer MP last week. We shared lived experience, Reflect & Engage insights and London SLCs' #EBikeCharter.

SLC member, Haren, said it was “a great chance to raise safety concerns for blind & partially sighted people.
Photo shows Haren, Alex Mayer MP, Bhavini and Liam O Carrol from Left to right. They stand outside smiling, two guide dogs are also present
December 2, 2025 at 9:30 PM
slcouncils.bsky.social
Our work to improve bus travel for blind and partially sighted people continues 🚍

Essex SLC delivered a Vision Awareness session to #FirstBus drivers - real stories, practical tips, great feedback. 

Accessibility starts with understanding: https://bit.ly/48zaWOv
A male and female bus driver, during the sighted guiding session. They are on the forecourt, walking towards the camera with a white, single-deck bus behind them. The male driver is wearing a pair of simulation glasses and is being guided by his colleague. A group shot of Essex SLC, bus drivers, and trainers, on board the bus. Everyone is in yellow high-vis jackets and looking forward to the camera, smiling.
December 2, 2025 at 10:03 AM
slcouncils.bsky.social
New episode of @pocklington.bsky.social 'Through Our Eyes' podcast 🎧

A brilliant conversation about the real challenges blind and partially sighted students face when choosing a university.
Well worth a listen - and a share!

Listen here: f.mtr.cool/mjnvdemnmd
The TPT logo is positioned top left. Underneath this in small text reads: "Through Our Eyes Podcast-Episode 2" in an outline box. The title reads: "Selecting a course and university" below, text reads: "A podcast made by and for blind and partially sighted students. Stay tuned!, listen to our website and all major streaming platforms". Four rectangle badges with the texts: "listen on" and the logos of Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Amazon Music and YouTube. On the right is a mobile phone icon with a podcast app open showing the artwork for the 'Through Our Eyes' podcast.
December 1, 2025 at 1:50 PM
slcouncils.bsky.social
This #BlackFriday, remember: not all disabilities are visible.

Make shopping accessible for blind & partially sighted customers with some simple changes. Check out our Top Tips for Retailers resource: http://bit.ly/3ipqGfz

#MakeRetailAccessible #AccessibilityMatters
A person standing outside a shop with large Black Friday sale posters checks their phone, which displays a store listing and directions for an electronics retailer
November 28, 2025 at 12:17 PM
slcouncils.bsky.social
#Merseyside SLCs met 2nd-year radiography students at the @liverpooluni.bsky.social for a vision awareness session.

Great questions, lots of engagement, and plenty of love for guide dogs Dotty and Kip. An essential step toward more accessible healthcare 👏

#MakeHealthAccessible #InclusiveHealth
Naomi, Merseyside SLC member, is stood with her guide dog, addressing students. Mick, fellow SLC member is sat beside her, looking on. Two female students during the sighted guiding session. Two fellow students are behind them, also learning sighted guiding techniques..
November 27, 2025 at 4:03 PM
slcouncils.bsky.social
🎉 What a day!

SE London Sight Loss Council’s first Live Well, Get Active Day brought 30 blind and partially sighted people together to try VI cricket, tennis, Zumba, yoga, spin, and more. Thanks to everyone who made it possible. 

Read the full write-up via the link: https://bit.ly/3XjUPxZ
Five people of varying ages engage in a spin class in a spin studio, illuminated by colorful lights, with a view of trees outside.
November 27, 2025 at 9:03 AM
slcouncils.bsky.social
Two awards ceremonies in one day - and SLCs were part of both! 🎉

Our Vision Awareness Training for Bus Drivers, developed with @pocklington.bsky.social, has been Highly Commended at the UK Bus Awards. Huge congrats to everyone involved!

#MakeTransportAccessible #InclusiveTravel
pocklington.bsky.social Thomas Pocklington Trust @pocklington.bsky.social · 19d
Big news! Our Vision Awareness Training for Bus Drivers, created with SLCs & partners, was Highly Commended at the UK Bus Awards 2025! Proud to equip drivers to make travel safer & more inclusive for blind & partially sighted passengers.
Alison, Sussex SLC member, her guide dog, Jen Sweeny, Corporate Engagement Manager for TPT, and Lauren Eade, SLC coordinator for South East England Sight Loss Councils being photographed by a photographer against the UKBA backdrop , holding their Highly Commended certificate.
November 26, 2025 at 4:16 PM
slcouncils.bsky.social
Proud to support last nights #CiTTiAwards25 - celebrating innovators shaping the future of urban mobility.

SLC volunteer Nikki and Engagement Manager Dave judged and presented awards, ensuring accessibility is part of key transport conversations. 🎉

#MakeTransportAccessible
Dave Smith, Engagement Manager for South East England, and Nikki, South West London SLC member, are stood in front of a dark blue CiTTi awards banner before the awards ceremony. Dave is wearing a tuxedo, Nikki a long black dress with leopard print scarf. Both are holding their canes and smiling at the camera.
November 26, 2025 at 12:41 PM
slcouncils.bsky.social
Huge luck to @pocklington.bsky.social, SLCs, & partners at the UK Bus Awards! Our Vision Impairment Awareness Training is up for the 'Partnership for Excellence' award, today!

We're so proud of our team, whose lived experience is helping make bus travel safer and more inclusive 🎉#VisionForChange
November 25, 2025 at 10:03 AM
slcouncils.bsky.social
Today, London SLCs will meet Alex Maher MP, Chair of the Micromobility APPG, to discuss the impact of e-bikes & e-scooters on blind & partially sighted people. Insights from our Reflect & Engage report and work with operators to improve street safety will be shared, as well as LSLCs #EBikeCharter.
Haren, SW London SLC member, walks with his guide dog Addy along a pavement beside a row of parked e-bikes, highlighting the challenges blind and partially sighted people face navigating London’s streets safely.
November 24, 2025 at 12:30 PM
slcouncils.bsky.social
1/2 A big moment for #Staffordshire SLC yesterday 🎉

After attending a recent SLC meeting where she heard directly from SLC members, Dr Allison Gardner MP raised #PavementParking in the House of Commons, giving Staff SLC a shout-out too!
Five Years Waiting: Campaigners Celebrate a Birthday No One Wanted - Thomas Pocklington Trust
bit.ly
November 21, 2025 at 2:28 PM
slcouncils.bsky.social
Join SE London SLC & #GoviaThameslinkRailway for a hands-on Try a Train event on Friday 5 Dec 🚆

Build confidence, explore #LondonBridge station, take a guided trip to East Croydon, and join a Q&A with staff.

Spaces are limited - book now: bit.ly/4qTIcYd

#Railway200 #MakeTransportAccessible
Antony Merlyn, Accessibility Engagement Manager, at GTR is talking to a group of attendees at a previous Try a train event on a platform at Sutton Station.
November 20, 2025 at 10:02 AM