Sight Loss Councils Launched in Scotland

Date posted: 30th April 2024

Thomas Pocklington Trust (TPT) is excited to announce the launch of Sight Loss Councils in Scotland following two inaugural events at the end of April 2024. 

Sight Loss Councils (SLCs), funded by Thomas Pocklington Trust, are led by blind and partially sighted (BPS) volunteers. Together, they work with organisations to ensure what they do is accessible and inclusive.  

Sight Loss Councils are delivered in Scotland by Sight Scotland, Sight Scotland Veterans and Visibility Scotland and funded by Thomas Pocklington Trust. This expansion of SLCs into the devolved nations is built on the success of TPT’s SLC model in England. 

Sight Loss Councils Scotland held its first launch event at Summerhall in Edinburgh on 25 April 2024. A further event was held on Tuesday 30 April 2024, at Visibility Scotland in Glasgow city centre. 

This first of two taster events served as an introduction to the Sight Loss Councils in Scotland for everyone interested in learning more, including potential new members, supporters and partners. 

Moreover, the event provided platform for collaboration, as SLCs in Scotland actively seek businesses interested in partnering to promote accessibility and equality.  

Emma Hughes, Director of Services at Thomas Pocklington Trust, said: 

“Thomas Pocklington Trust is delighted to be working in partnership with Sight Scotland, Sight Scotland Veterans and Visibility Scotland to launch Sight Loss Councils in Scotland for the first time. 

“This expansion builds on the success of Thomas Pocklington Trust’s Sight Loss Councils in England. Our model is centred around our core belief that only people with lived experience can truly explain what is needed to decision makers and service providers, so everyone can live full and independent lives. We are proud to be rolling out this model beyond England and its success is a testament to the hard work of all our volunteers.” 

 

Callum Lancashire, Sight Loss Council Scotland Engagement Manager, added: “I am excited to get the SLCs going in Scotland, and I hope as many people as possible come along to find out about what we are doing and how we can work together to try and improve the lives of blind and partially sighted people. The idea behind the SLCs is that we want people to talk, share their experiences, share the things they like, their struggles and hopefully collectively we can make real changes for the better.  

Callum Lancashire, Engagement Manager for Sight Loss Councils Scotland

Callum added: “Our new SLCs offer an exciting and fresh opportunity to have the voices of blind and partially sighted people heard across Scotland. If the SLCs in Scotland are to make a real difference, we need people to take part, and to achieve this we need to create a fun and supportive environment where members feel comfortable and empowered to share.”

For more information, visit Scotland – Sight Loss Council (sightlosscouncils.org.uk)