East Cheshire Eye Society

26/05/2026

Emotional Impact of Inaccessible Healthcare Survey:

Accessible healthcare helps us stay independent and empowered to manage our own health and wellbeing. If healthcare is not inclusive it can impact patients in many ways.

As part of internships being undertaken through the Thomas Pocklington Trust Get Set Progress program, a group of visually impaired people are researching the emotional impact of inaccessible healthcare on patients living with sight loss.

If you are blind or visually impaired, they would love to hear your opinions and about your experiences. Please share with any other blind or visually impaired contacts in your network. Complete the survey by clicking the link below.

The survey closes Friday 5 June 2026.

The aim of this survey is to identify the emotional impact of inaccessible healthcare among blind and partially-sighted patients. This survey is part of GSP project, and is undertaken by VI interns across the sight loss sector. This survey is fully anonymous and will only be used for research projec...

25/05/2026

Have your say on self-driving taxi services:

Self-driving taxis are expected to begin a public pilot in the UK soon, starting in London later this year - and they could have a major impact on blind and partially sighted people as passengers and pedestrians.

After holding focus groups in recent months, RNIB is running a short survey to understand the wider community’s hopes and concerns for the technology: Tell us your concerns and hopes for self-driving taxis by clicking on the link below.

Your views will help RNIB work with industry and the UK Government to make sure car and pedestrian journeys are accessible and safe for everyone. The survey should only take a few minutes to complete, and your feedback will directly support RNIB's campaigning and policy work.

If you need support completing the survey, email the campaigns team at RNIB ([email protected]) or give the RNIB Helpline a ring on 0303 123 9999.

Thank you for your support!

Thank you for taking part in this survey about self-driving taxi services, sometimes referred to as autonomous ride-hailing services or 'robo-taxis'. Your responses will help inform RNIB in working with industry and the UK Government to make taxi and pedestrian journeys as accessible and saf...

22/05/2026

Are you passionate about making a difference in the community? We’re seeking a dedicated and dynamic Charity Manager to lead our organisation and drive impactful change for people with sight loss.

30 hours per week
Salary – £32,534 wte (£26,027 actual)

East Cheshire Eye Society is a small charity, formed in 1875, and very well established in the local community. We provide a range of support services to people across East Cheshire with a vision impairment.

About the Role:

As Charity Manager, you’ll provide strategic, operational, and administrative leadership to ensure the smooth running of the charity. You’ll be the key liaison between Trustees, partners, volunteers, and the community, representing the charity with professionalism and enthusiasm.

You’ll be based in our Resource Centre in Macclesfield town centre, working with a small team making a big difference for people with sight loss.

What We’re Looking For

· Experience in charity management or a related leadership role

· Strong organisational and communication skills

· Ability to work collaboratively with diverse stakeholders

· Passion for supporting people with sight loss and commitment to inclusion

· Fundraising and marketing experience is desirable

· Awareness and understanding of visual impairment, with a passion for supporting people and a commitment to inclusion.

· Access to personal transportation, for which an essential user allowance will be available, is desirable.

Why Join Us?

· Be part of an enthusiastic team making a real difference

· Opportunities for professional growth and development

· Flexible working arrangements

If you’re ready to make a real impact and be part of a charity that’s making a difference, apply now to join our team.

We’re committed to building a diverse and inclusive organisation, and we warmly welcome applications from candidates who consider themselves to have a disability. As a charity supporting people with a visual impairment, we recognise the insight, expertise and authenticity that lived experience brings. We actively encourage applications from people with lived experience of visual impairment, and we will provide any adjustments needed to support you through the recruitment process and in the role.

How to apply:

Please send your CV and a short cover letter by email to Louise Hastings: [email protected].

If you prefer to apply by post, you can send your application to: Louise Hastings, Chair, East Cheshire Eye Society, 11 Market Place, Macclesfield, Cheshire SK11 1EB.

We welcome applications in any accessible format, including large print or audio.

The closing date for the application is: 5pm, 22nd May 2026

Interviews will be held on: 10th and 11th June 2026

To arrange an informal discussion please email [email protected]

For more information about our charity, visit www.eastcheshireeyesociety.org.uk

21/05/2026

Have a vision impairment and want to get active or stay active? You can find a trained guide runner to accompany you.

Ian Christopher is a local runner who has trained and registered with England Athletics and Blind British Sport.

Use the link to find out more: https://www.englandathletics.org/find-a-guide/

20/05/2026

Participants are needed for research into patients’ experiences across the Eye Care Support Pathway (ECSP).

RNIB are conducting a qualitative research project to build a rich, inclusive picture of patients’ experiences across the Eye Care Support Pathway (click on the link below for details). The findings will be used to inform RNIB and NHS England system and service improvements.

As part of this research, RNIB are recruiting people who are willing to share their experiences of living with an eye condition and navigating their eye care journey. Participants will take part in a short diary study, capturing reflections on their day‑to‑day experiences, support needs, and interactions with services, followed by an in‑depth interview to explore their eye care journey in more detail.

RNIB are recruiting across different stages of the ECSP, however, the recruitment agency is currently finding it particularly challenging to identify individuals at Stage 4 (living well with their condition) and those who have had vision rehabilitation.

Please could you reach out to Lily Bond at RNIB [email protected] - if you are interested in taking part in this research.

Please not that the closing date is 27 May 2026.

If you're affected by sight loss, we're here for you

19/05/2026

TAVIP Masterclass: All Things Kindle

Date: 20 May 2026

Time: 7.30pm

Type: Webinar

Amazon Kindle is a digital reading ecosystem that lets you buy, store, and read books, magazines, and newspapers across a range of devices and free apps, meaning you don’t need a dedicated Kindle device to access content. The Kindle app is available on iOS, Android, Windows, and Mac, and all your purchases sync automatically across devices. The Kindle library is one of the largest in the world.

In recent years the accessibility of Kindle has come on massively with new tools designed specifically for the visually impaired user, both for those who use screen readers and for those who use other assistive tech.

We will also cover the on-device screen reader and assistive reader for Echo devices, and discuss the benefits of the Kindle platform. Whether you are new to Kindle formats or have used them before, the Masterclass should be of interest to everyone regardless of your level of vision.

If you have any specific questions about Kindle devices or apps then do send a quick email to [email protected] before the session and we will aim to address them during the session.

This Masterclass is being led by Jemma Brown who is a TAVIP member, and who also works for a local sight loss charity as an Independent Living Advisor. In her role she helps people with a whole range of technology including smart speakers, mobile phones, apps and of course kindle devices.

Jemma was born with congenital cataracts, microphthalmia and microcornea. She grew up partially sighted but was registered blind in 2014 due to complications of her condition. She lives in Southampton with her guide dog, Mary and enjoys gaming, reading, technology, and getting out for walks.

Jemma will be joined by Paul Porter who is a TAVIP Trustee with many years’ experience as a technology specialist and who has led a number of TAVIP Masterclasses.

The zoom details for the Masterclass are as follows:

If you are already logged in you can enter our ID 2222 397 064, or Connect to the TAVIP Zoom Room by clicking or tapping the link below.

If you’d prefer, you can dial in on 0203 695 0088 and enter our meeting ID 2222 397 064. You don’t need to enter a participant ID.

Zoom is the leader in modern enterprise cloud communications.

19/05/2026

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