Involvement Report 2020-2021: Adapting to change in challenging times - RNIB
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Involvement Report 2020–2021: Adapting to change in challenging times
Contents
3 Finding promise and renewed purpose
at the most challenging time
5 How Lived Experience drove RNIB’s
response to the pandemic
7 Technology breaks more and
more barriers down
10 Connect Voices moves to the next stage
12 Informing our campaigning as the
world changes
13 Supporting the Statutory Inquiry with a review
of RNIB’s constitution
15 Making the most of local lived experience
17 Bringing the sector together to understand
the lives of blind and partially sighted
people better
19 RNIB’s new National Involvement strategy
21 During a time of reflection, customers share
their thoughts on the RNIB
23 Summary: Ellie Southwood, RNIB Chairperson,
2017 to 2020.
2
Finding promise and renewed purpose
at the most challenging time
Author: Mandy Owens, National with involvement of blind and partially
Involvement Team sighted people an obvious priority.
Our strategic aims were reviewed, and
It has been said so often it feels like current business goals redefined.
cliché, but you cannot reflect on
2020 without saying that it was an The lived experience of blind and
unprecedented year. People with sight partially sighted people has continued
loss have faced unique challenges – to impact on RNIB’s work. Taking on
with so many aspects of their lives the challenges we set ourselves last
under threat. While everyone has year, we have involved more RNIB
faced disruption, people with sight customers in projects from concept
loss have found everyday tasks like to completion. We have laid the
shopping, getting outdoors, socialising, foundations for better collaboration
accessing information and attending with customers through staff training,
appointments become increasingly guidance and telling real stories that
difficult and, for some, almost demonstrate the value of input from
impossible to achieve. Hard fought people with sight loss.
independences have been challenged
and people have been at increased We are already looking to the
risk of isolation. future, with a new lived experience
framework which allows us to
RNIB, as an organisation, had to face demonstrate and monitor how blind
new challenges too. To help the people and sighted people contribute to our
who needed us the most, short term work. We will be conducting surveys
priorities had to change as we worked to help evaluate how well we are
on solutions to get people access to incorporating lived experience and
food, medicines and other essentials the impact it has.
in lockdown. At the same time, we
faced cuts in face to face services and But, to make this work, we need
volunteering, a drop in our traditional your help. Whether you’re a staff
fundraising activities and the pandemic member or one of our customers,
forced a sudden move to remote or your support is valued. We need staff
homeworking for most staff. to continue to involve more blind
and partially sighted people in pieces
But there has been positive change of work, and if you are a valued
too. As demand for essential services customer, we’d like you to share your
– through RNIB’s Helpline – told us experiences by joining our Connect
our support was needed more than Voices network.
ever, the importance of listening to
our customers was re-emphasised,
3
David, Head of Innovation and
Customer Voice, said: One final point: you’ll
notice this is a report with
“There has a difference, we wanted to
been a growing include audio links and further
recognition at the reading where appropriate so look
most senior levels out for the pink boxes throughout
that authentic the report.
lived experience is
critical everywhere
in the charity.
There is an
understanding that it is not enough
to have people with lived experience
sitting only on our trustee board.
There is a genuine and growing
appetite for people with little or no
sight to play a part in all that we
think decide and do and the value
that lived experience can add to our
work. We have made commitments
to take a ‘whole organisation’
approach to developing this area of
what RNIB is becoming, making it
part of our organisational DNA.”
Thanks for reading. We couldn’t do this without your support.
If you have any feedback regarding this report or you wish to join the
Connect Voices network, please contact RNIB’s National Involvement
Team at Involvement@rnib.org.uk quoting ‘Annual report’.
4
How Lived Experience drove RNIB’s
response to the pandemic
Coronavirus has had a huge impact on the lives of everyone in the UK, but blind
and partially sighted people faced their own unique set of challenges. It became
clear from the calls received by our Helpline and our groups on social media that
the pandemic was having a devasting effect on people’s lives.
To hear direct from those affected, we
Developing a new relationship
started a programme of research in
with DEFRA to make priority
‘real time’ during the first lockdown,
home delivery slots available
gathering insights from over 400 blind
for blind and partially sighted
and partially sighted people through
people who needed them.
surveys, well-being calls and facilitated
discussion groups with our customers.
Using Microsoft teams allowed us
to reach people through any device, orking with the UK Government,
W
whether it be laptop, landline, tablet, the wider public sector and sight
or mobile phone. Looking into ways loss organisations to ensure blind
customers who are not online can get and partially sighted people get
involved was noted in last year’s report, access to the right information
so it was important to us to make these in the right formats.
choices available.
Helping the Department of
Have a listen to what Health and Social Care (DHSC) to
some of those involved in create guidelines on how people
the discussion groups felt with sight loss can be supported
about the experience by others outside their home. It
rnib.in/1-Lockdown- made clear that sighted guiding is
Sessions permitted if people take the right
steps to reduce risk.
Our regional Community Connection
teams also gathered information as
part of their thousands of well-being
orking with blind and partially
W
calls. Consequently, RNIB has better
sighted members of our
understood the challenges people have
community to develop guidance
been facing and was able to provide
on the use of face coverings.
solutions, as well as much needed help
and support, including;
5
This research will inform our work
over the next year, giving us a clear Read the full report
indication of what people want, need, including all findings,
or have a right to, in order that they responses and
are treated equally to that of sighted recommendations here:
people, as well as feeling safe and Final report –
supported, now and in the future. rnib.in/LWSL-Lockdown
6
Technology breaks more and
more barriers down
This year we have used technology to Surveys like this are a great way to get
break down more barriers as the initial a snapshot of responses from a large
lockdown gave us an opportunity to group of people at once; they are quick
rethink how we engage people. We and easy for people to take part in, no
had to rely on remote methods, but we matter their location.
were able to work with people easier
and quicker than before. Liz from the team
says:
Previously, we might have been unable “The insight into
to work face to face with people as often people’s feelings
as we’d liked, due to a lack of available and experiences
resources, or budget constraints. Equally, increased our
people may have found meeting us monitoring of
a challenge, whether this be due to the situation around
travel, mobility, or simply not having access to eye care appointments. It was
the time. Here are two examples of shared with colleagues in Policy and
how technology has helped us: Campaigns team and the Sight Loss
Advice Service to support their work.
Key insights into eye care
Big thanks to the Involvement team
in the pandemic
and the Connect Voices network
Our Marketing Business Partners for their help.”
worked with our Connect Voices
network through an online survey
exploring access to eye care
appointments during 2020. The survey’s results also
helped produce new Eye
Staff wanted to evaluate the
Health material on our
effectiveness of recent marketing
website here:
communications, as well as gaining
rnib.org.uk/advice/eye-health
additional insight into how people
were feeling about attending eye
care appointments. Results from the
survey helped the team decide what
communications worked well and
should be repeated, what barriers are
still in place and how RNIB might be
able to help people in future.
7Use the Navilens Go
App to scan this code
8Pioneering technology makes telling us which accessibility features
our Kellogg’s partnership break they preferred and how they found
new ground being able to independently access
In October 2020, to mark World Sight this kind of information.
Day, RNIB worked with Kellogg’s,
Co‑op and NaviLens to trial accessible We had an overwhelming response to
packaging of the Coco Pops breakfast the survey, which clearly demonstrated
cereal in more than 50 food stores the need for greater access to
across the UK. As one blind and partially information on packaging.
sighted shopper told us, information on
Chris Silcock, Kellogg’s Managing
food packaging is often inaccessible.
Director, explained:
“I tried to use the camera on
“Over two million people in the UK
my smartphone (to zoom in) live with sight loss and are unable to
but I wasn’t very successful simply read the information on our
so had to ask someone cereal boxes. That’s why we partnered
else. If no one was available with RNIB to trial special boxes of
Coco Pops with NaviLens technology
I would just have to guess
– a first for food packaging. If the
the cooking instructions” trial is a success, we would hope that
it could appear on more of our cereal
boxes for visually impaired shoppers
Research from RNIB revealed that nine to access in future.”
in 10 blind and partially sighted people
felt that information on food packaging
Since working with Kellogg’s, RNIB
was difficult, or impossible to read, so
have been actively collaborating with
the trial used NaviLens’ technology
major brands from across the world
(rnib.in/NaviLens) which allows a
to better understand the landscape
smartphone to detect and playback
and represent the demand for greater
labelling and allergen information to
access to information on packaging.
shoppers, enabling blind and partially
sighted people to find out more about
the product both instore and at home.
We wanted to hear the views of blind Have you experienced the
and partially sighted people and so accessible packaging from
the opportunity to get involved was Kellogg’s? Search for the
shared through the Connect Voices ‘NaviLens Go’ app, download to
network and other social media your smartphone and scan the
channels. Nearly 100 participants took photo on the previous page.
part, each receiving the packaging
through the post to test. Participants
were then sent a survey to complete,
9Connect Voices moves to the next stage
Listening to the voices of blind and “I have been more involved
partially sighted people – and what in Connect Voices during the
they have to say – is central to RNIB’s
work and underpins our ambition to be pandemic especially during the
experts in the lived experience of sight first lockdown where I had to
loss. Connect Voices is the route for shield and now in this second
people to take to help us achieve this. lockdown too. It has massively
Founded two years ago, it gives helped my wellbeing, I have
opportunities for people to have their something to aim for, look
say and contribute to our work in real forward to, and some structure.”
time, both online and off. Our online Connect Voices member
network made a move to Facebook in
July 2020, increasing membership to
602 blind and partially sighted people
(as of 1 April 2021).
Positively, a survey to our members
In last years report we prioritised in 2020 showed that
75%
communication and integration of
Connect Voices. Given the limitations
of our current database, the move
to Facebook has given those already
familiar with social media a much felt that being part of Connect
simpler joining process. Voices also supported their
mental health.
Offline, we’ve increased the publicity
of Connect Voices on RNIB’s Connect As one Connect Voices member told us:
Radio with the introduction of a new
fortnightly slot. This regular round up “It has helped me to look outside
of opportunities provides people who
aren’t online the chance to take part. of my home and to be able
to help has assisted with my
mental wellbeing. I’m usually
out volunteering for RNIB so
this helps me keep motivated
and feel of worth as I do like to
assist others like me who have a
visual impairment.”
10Connect Voices shared
175
internal opportunities
last year
Connect Voices has become well
established in the organisation as the
route staff can take to source blind and
partially sighted people to support their
work, with 175 internal opportunities
posted to the group last year (April
2020 – March 2021).
In late 2020, Connect Voices added
a new research element, called the
Connect Voices Tracker survey, that
ensures we hear from people more
often and allows us to respond swiftly
to emerging needs.
Each version of the quarterly survey
features a range of topics to help RNIB
understand how people are feeling and
measure our impact to create the right
changes at the right time. We hope to
reach at least 400 people each quarter,
through Connect Voices and our
offline channels to ensure we get the
most representative views as possible.
Ultimately, findings will directly shape
RNIB’s priorities and future focus.
Hear a summary of our
findings from October –
December 2020 here
rnib.in/2-Tracker-
Survey-Q3
11Informing our campaigning as the
world changes
In 2020 everything changed Lindsay, Campaigns Manager added;
dramatically for blind and partially
sighted people and we continue to feel “This approach was invaluable as
the impact of those changes. it made certain that our work was
informed by the right people,
It’s crucial RNIB, as an advocate for whilst also helping to build
people with sight loss, ensure our volunteers understanding of RNIB,
campaign work is targeted where it our processes and how and why
is most needed. With this in mind, certain decisions are made. It was
we decided to undertake a review our a thoroughly enjoyable session”
campaign priorities for 2021, working
with our campaign volunteers to get
an authentic understanding of the Lived experience provides us with the
day to day challenges people were evidence we need to share with both
experiencing. Doing so helped us central and local government, helping
to prioritise our campaigns for the us to make a real case for change on
year ahead. This is one area we have a range of issues. Everyone knows and
improved in line with our goal last understands their own experience,
year of: working towards a culture our role in campaigns is to draw that
of involving people from the very out and turn it into a collective voice.
beginning. Next, we will meet with various staff
teams to hear their thoughts and
Ten volunteers joined our virtual collectively, the feedback will define
discussion group in which we our future campaigns.
considered key issues such as transport,
technology, eye health, education and
employment, prioritising them in order
Steve, one of our key
of importance.
campaigners in this
The discussion proved to be a lively discussion, had the
exchange, with volunteers sometimes following thoughts
differing in opinion and raising rnib.in/3-VolSteve-
compelling arguments in terms of comments
how we prioritised future work. It also
allowed us time to talk more candidly
about where campaigners felt RNIB
would have most impact and the
additional knowledge and skills needed
to campaign effectively.
12Supporting the Statutory Inquiry with
a review of RNIB’s constitution
In February 2020, RNIB’s Board of In April and May 2020, RNIB consulted
Trustees established a group of more with the members on amendments to
than 30 blind and partially sighted its constitution. Meetings were held
people, known as Constitutional remotely with Ellie, our then Chair of
Members, to consult on changes Trustees, and Matt, our CEO joining
to our organisational structure each group. The Board reviewed the
and constitution (i.e. our Royal outcomes and agreed the amendments
Charter and Bye-laws). proposed by the members.
The Charity Commission for England The Constitutional members work
and Wales’ Statutory Inquiry into had concluded at this point. However,
RNIB concluded with a report feedback from the members also
(rnib.in/safeguard-report) that made made a clear and compelling
a number of recommendations, statement that the proposed changes
including the need for us to make to the charity’s constitution should be
some changes to our governance. seen as part of wider organisational
improvements, bringing the voice
The Constitutional Members were of people with lived experience of
a deliberately diverse group of sight loss into all levels of the RNIB’s
people, including those from regional work. Trustees agreed, and the second
and country networks, members phase of work started, looking more
of Connect Voices, long-standing closely at three key themes:
volunteers and members from our
Board Committees. We also included rustees’ relationship with sight
T
people from the world of business loss, covering education as well
and the public sector, some of whom as understanding of sight loss
had worked with RNIB previously and and ongoing engagement and
some who hadn’t, to bring a different communication.
perspective to discussions.
eviewing RNIB’s Involvement
R
strategy and associated structures.
Audio Hear members
talking about the
importance of bringing raining and development
T
lived experience to support blind and partially
into RNIB’s work sighted people to better
rnib.in/4-Constitutional-Members contribute to RNIB’s work, or
that of any other organisation,
including at board level.
13In August to October 2020, staff Dan, Head of Organisational
representatives and the National Effectiveness, considers the
Involvement team facilitated nine contribution from blind and partially
online discussion groups and liaised sighted people:
with members via email and phone
to develop an action plan to realise “I’ve seen two really
these themes. tangible shifts this
last year,
Involving people outside of the involvement of
organisation can be a daunting people through the
prospect, but this example of a Constitutional
successful collaboration on highly Members process,
sensitive and sometimes complex and listening in
matters has proved that we can real-time to how
overcome any perceived barriers. people were being affected during the
first lockdown. These have materially
sharpened our focus – particularly on
Encouragingly, most of the original
emotional wellbeing and access to
constitutional members continue to
information, both of which have ripple
remain engaged with us in some way,
effects across all other areas if they are
either through this work, as members
not addressed. This helps us
of our Involvement Advisory group or
substantially in setting achievable
the Connect Voices network. Through
targets that have meaningful impact
these channels they continue to share
for people, which is something that
their lived experience and work with
RNIB has struggled with previously”
us to embed the changes they have
helped to shape.
Mark, Constitutional
Member reflects on his
experiences and how his
opinion of the RNIB has
changed: rnib.in/8-
Marks-opinion-of-RNIB
14Making the most of local lived experience
2020 saw us breathe new life into One visually impaired voter told us:
our local customer groups, the
Network Committees. “When voting in the 2019 General
Election, I had to ask staff
Renamed Local Action groups, or
Advisory groups, lead volunteers members at the polling station
continue to work with the Community to reposition the Tactile Voting
Connection teams to look at ways Device twice before I could cast
of reaching more blind and partially my vote. Even then, I left the
sighted people, while ensuring the work
polling station not sure if I’d cast
itself represents the diverse cultures
and demographic of the UK. the vote I wanted.”
In turn, the community connection
teams utilise the knowledge and lived Ongoing work with blind and partially
experience at grassroots level to further sighted people can only improve the
develop services and support needed accessibility and confidentiality of
in their region. Our work in devolved voting for thousands of people with
nations is a great example of what we sight loss in Scotland.
can achieve.
James, County Director, added:
In Scotland, the group has been
integral to the work RNIB has done on “I would like to
Accessibility of Voting. Our volunteers thank the
co-produced our response to the tremendous
Electoral Commission’s consultation; contribution made
took part in Scottish Government focus by our volunteers
groups and have taken part in trials of who work with us to
new accessible voting methods led by ensure that
RNIB Scotland – in partnership with accessible
the Scottish Government, Electoral information is made
Commission and the Forth Valley available in the devolved Scottish
Sensory Centre. Social Security system. Improvements
were also made to the accessibility of
the transport system. RNIB Scotland
would not be the social change
innovator that it is without our work
with the blind and partially
sighted community.”
15In Wales, campaigners and the Action Ansley Workman, RNIB Cymru County
and Advisory group have been central Director, added:
to raising the profile of the RNIB Cymru
manifesto “A Wales without barriers “There is no doubt
for people with sight loss” which is a that the direct voice
crucial opportunity to influence the and experience of
next Welsh Parliament in the elections blind and partially
taking place in May 2021. sighted people
is making
Campaigner and Advisory a difference.
group member, Tafsila We have seen many
Khan, is the face of our politicians have
manifesto and her ‘lightbulb’ moments when talking to
powerful video highlights the blind and partially sighted people
barriers she faces in the built about the everyday barriers they face.
environment. RNIB Cymru’s We wait to see how the next Welsh
manifesto calls for the 2021 Senedd Parliament ensures that we have a
elections – RNIB – See differently. Wales without barriers for people
https://bit.ly/3uQfAB8 with sight loss”
Our blind and partially sighted The local Action and Advisory
volunteers have been central to Groups are a work in progress and
focus groups commissioned by Welsh will continue to be developed in
Government to outline the barriers conjunction with blind and partially
that they face in accessing voting sighted people in 2021.
and we are working closely with the
Welsh Government and Electoral
Commission in Wales.
16Bringing the sector together to
understand the lives of blind and partially
sighted people better
In 2020, national charities, RNIB, Across the charities, we held
Guide Dogs and Thomas Pocklington conversations with nearly 800 blind
Trust have come together to launch a and partially sighted people,
major research study, uncovering the discussing a wide range of topics
realities of life for blind and partially including their sight condition, wider
sighted people in the UK today. health and wellbeing, employment
and benefits, use of technology and
This exciting and important piece their social life.
of research will help us get a better
understanding of the experiences of We explored what improvements
blind and partially people, in turn people think are needed to increase
helping us to offer the right kind of their independence and better their
support and make a more positive quality of life. We also held in-depth
difference to people’s lives. interviews with customers; grouped
by demographic; to find out exactly
RNIB has done this kind of research in how they felt about the topics that
the past, although these reports are were important to them.
now somewhat outdated.
What is new is that the sector has
come together to work collaboratively
on a new piece of work which is
much bigger in scale than we have
ever seen before, creating a shared
understanding and giving us the
evidence to determine which
organisation is best placed to tackle
specific issues.
It’s also the first time we have
explicitly addressed the complexities
of emotional wellbeing and self-
identity at different stages of sight
loss, as well as that of friends, family,
and carers.
17Our participants recognised the value Hilary, Head of Research and Insight
of speaking to a wide range of people
and appreciate the opportunity to take “This ground-
part and have their voices heard: breaking piece of
research has only
“Any research that we want to been made possible
by the participation
provide answers must be good
of hundreds of blind
and take a broad view not just and partially people
one person’s view, like me. I who have given up
have strong view on certain their time to take
things and some other people part. I would personally like to say a
heartfelt thanks to everyone who has
might not see things in the
been involved and given their views.”
same way, because maybe the
area they live in could be better
or worse than mine’
Male participant aged 72.
The full programme of research is very
nearly complete, and we are currently
collating and evaluating the findings.
We have also put in place a customer
group for the research, to guide the
decisions we make; ensuring that past
our initial conversations, blind and
partially sighted people will remain key
to this work.
The findings will be shared cross the
charity sector and provide us with a
much-needed benchmark to work from.
Doing so will allow us to better support
people with what matters to them, and
design services, products and campaigns
which better reflect their needs.
18RNIB’s new National Involvement strategy
Following the Constitutional Members’ Sue, National Involvement
consultation, we worked with existing Manager said::
participants to create a new look
Involvement strategy for 2021. “During the
discussions the
This strategy encapsulates exactly how customers were
we will work together with blind and very open and
partially sighted people over the next honest about what
year and turns our value of having had worked well
‘blind and partially sighted people are and what could
at our heart, influencing everything be improved. That
we do’ into a reality; so it’s crucial we was sometimes
involve people in its creation. uncomfortable to hear – no one likes
to hear when things haven’t gone
The previous strategy made a great well, but it was important to get
start, laying the foundations and the full picture so we could move
putting systems in place that made towards finding solutions. One of the
it easier for staff to source and work main issues the customers raised was
with people and for people to get the lack of quality information and
involved. Throughout 2019 and 2020, communication, particularly from
we created our ‘Connect Voices’ Trustees and Senior leaders. This point
network of customers, developed an also came up in another piece of work,
interactive training programme to so it confirmed there were issues that
upskill staff and instilled the voice we needed to address.”
of blind and partially sighted people
in our recruitment process, ensuring
people are able to input into decision
making on who we employ. Constitutional Member
Andrea, who took part in
Working together over three months,
this work, gives her
the Involvement manager and seven
thoughts here: rnib.in/6-Andrea-
people from the original Constitutional
The-Involvment-Strategy
members consultation reviewed the
previous strategy and developed a
more relevant and current strategy
for the future.
19When we spend time talking to We now have a bigger and better
people so openly, it serves as a timely strategy to take us into 2021.
reminder that we tend to use certain The aims of the strategy are:
language that isn’t well understood
outside of RNIB. The group highlighted e will use simple language to
W
that words we use regularly do not describe how we work with blind
translate well to the public. We are and partially sighted people,
going to move away from jargon and removing terminology that
talk more about ‘working with blind is confusing.
and partially sighted people’ as this
has a clearer meaning for everyone
and better articulates what we want to e will develop a way of measuring
W
say and do. the value lived experience brings to
RNIB’s work.
Another interesting conversation
looked at how we measure the
contributions from people through e will review and improve how
W
their lived experience and the value we communicate about the lived
this has. It is a difficult thing to be experience of sight loss to internal
able to measure and it was interesting and external audiences.
to hear customers talk about how
they felt their contribution should
e will simplify our structures for
W
be recognised.
working with blind and partially
We’ve started to look at how we sighted people to allow for
measure lived experience in RNIB creativity and flexibility in how
and the value this brings. We will we do this
start by gathering feedback through
questionnaires and having simple There is no doubt that the insight
conversations with people who have gained from people has been
supported us. This will provide us significant in creating the vision we
with a benchmark as to what good have today and with the continued
involvement looks like and the value support from blind and partially
this has not only to the work, but to sighted people, we’re confident
customers, staff and the organisation we will achieve these aims.
as a whole.
Recorded especially for this report, RNIB’s Development Director,
Keith, talks about his hopes for the RNIB and the importance
of working together with blind and partially sighted people.
rnib.in/7-Keiths-Thoughts
20During a time of reflection, customers
share their thoughts on the RNIB
“Before Connect Voices I felt “I have been involved with
that the RNIB were quite sight the RNIB for many years but
orientated and only aiding my love for volunteering for
the elderly. I can see that the organisation has most
they are changing, and they definitely grown over the
are coming around to new last 9 months during the
technologies and the ways in Coronavirus pandemic and
which we can change things also my appreciation for the
for the good of each other. organisation and its impact
I have really enjoyed being a and role in our community.
member of Connect Voices I have seen the RNIB make huge
during lockdown. It’s got me strides during the pandemic
involved a lot more than other and I have been amazed at
things have done before. I like how I have felt that my opinion
the fact that you post about has been valued by a large
campaigns and get people organisation. I have a renewed
to contribute as sources of love and appreciation for
information. Thank you so the organisation and look
much for involving me with forward to many more years
Connect Voices.” volunteering with the RNIB.”
Alex, Connect Voices member. Vivienne, Long-Standing Volunteer
21“When I started at the RNIB “I’ve been a volunteer for
it was as a volunteer lead in RNIB since around 2012
the South of England. I learned and more recently I have
to set up and facilitate group started to see an increase
sessions, and arrange a venue, in things people can get
which I had done a few days involved with. I have become
before lockdown. Then of course a Connect lead, which means
lockdown happened, and we I get to work with staff
started phone groups instead. and volunteers, which has
This was a massive learning increased my confidence. I’m
curve as I’d never done part of the Communications
anything like that before. This Advisory panel and help
year though, the virtual way put together the regular
of connecting has bought Volunteer update. We are
me great friends all over the able to discuss what and
country. I had never volunteered how communications are
anywhere before, and now, sent out and if anything is
because the RNIB taught me incorrect, which has been
that my life skills and lived a big problem in the past. I
experience were valuable, I lead believe that the panel are
the phone group, I am governor really helping to get this right.
of our Local Health authority Overall, I feel that, we’re really
and have been involved with being listened to which is a
RNIBs Constitutional Members great feeling and it is lovely to
consultation. Thank you RNIB.” be able to make a difference.”
Karen, South West Action Amanda, Long standing Volunteer.
Group Member
22Summary: Ellie Southwood,
RNIB Chairperson, 2017 to 2020.
It’s been another important year give so generously to our recruitment
for RNIB’s commitment to involving processes. The insight of our customers
blind and partially sighted people is a valuable asset; and one which will
in all we do. Regularly involving continue to help us recruit RNIB staff
people from across the UK is critical in future.
for our credibility and for ensuring
we’re representative of a range of Over my 10 years as an RNIB Trustee,
experiences. We’re continuing to reach I’ve seen huge shifts in how we involve
out further to increase the diversity people in our work. It’s not always easy
of people involved with us and we are for large, well-established organisations
particularly keen to see the experiences like ours to open themselves up and
of blind and partially sighted people find inclusive and meaningful ways for
from BAME communities reflected people to shape and inform our work.
more prominently in our work. I’m proud of the progress we’ve made
and look forward to this becoming
I’m delighted that blind and partially an established hallmark of how RNIB
sighted people were involved in serves blind and partially sighted
recruiting my successor Anna as people in future.
Chair. This feedback was invaluable in
influencing our decision – I’m really Ellie Southwood
grateful for the time that volunteers
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