Bedfordshire

Bedfordshire Sight Loss Council launched in February 2021.

We meet once a month in Central Bedford. These meetings allow us to get together to discuss the progress of our current projects, identify future engagement and work opportunities, and have a social catch up with tea, coffee and biscuits too.

We are currently looking for new members to join us, If you are blind or partially sighted and live in the area, we need you.

Meet the members

 

Headshoto f Samantha Leftwich, Engagement Manager for Bedfordshire SLC. She is sitting outside, looking at he camera, smiling. She has long dark hair and is wearing a black top.“We are really excited to continue our work at Bedfordshire Sight Loss Council.

We will be working and engaging with local sight loss organisations, goods, and service providers, to raise awareness of the daily challenges blind and partially sighted people face in the county.

“We are actively seeking new members to join our team. If you are blind or partially sighted and live in Bedfordshire and want to be a voice for blind and partially sighted people in your local area, this role could be for you.”

Samantha Leftwich, Engagement Manager for East England

Why should I volunteer?

If you want to make a real difference in your local area on the issues that affect blind and partially sighted people, joining our Sight loss Council could be the perfect volunteering opportunity for you.

Join us

You will work with policy makers and local service providers to improve access for blind and partially sighted people in your local community. It is also a great opportunity to come together with other blind and partially sighted people in your area.

This is your chance to develop your skills and influence positive change.

Hear from our volunteers about why you should join us

Training and development 

It’s really important to us that you get as much as possible out of volunteering. You’ll receive relevant training and the opportunity to learn and/or enhance your skills. Whether you’re interested in public speaking or honing your social media skills, there’s something for everyone to get involved in.

Stay in the know

If you want to stay up to date with news from the Sight Loss Councils, sign up to our mailing list.

 

Our highlights

From left to right: SLC members Eileen, Phil, Stefan, and Hubert, pictured with Sam and guide dog Lizzie at the 2023 SLC Conference. They are stood together next to our SLC banners, all smiling at the camera.Bedfordshire Sight Loss Council celebrates impact on third birthdaySight Loss Council partners are celebrating the impact Bedfordshire Sight Loss Council has had on their work, as Bedfordshire SLC celebrates its third birthday. Read more
Members of Bedfordshire SLC are stood with Samantha Leftwich, Engagement Manager for East England. They are stood on a platform at Stevenage train station as part of the Aira trial. They are all holding their smartphones in one hand, their long cane in the other.SLCs trial smartphone app to improve assistance at stationsSight Loss Councils are working with Govia Thameslink Railway to trial an app that connects blind and partially sighted people to a remote advisor to improve assistance in railway stations. Read more
Bedfordshire SLC Engagement Manager, Samantha, and guide dog Lizzie, pictured with SLC members Stefan, and Phil, and Ethos Farm Staff. They are stood in a group, smiling at the camera.Bedfordshire SLC continues its work with Luton RisingBedfordshire Sight Loss Council is continuing its work with Luton Rising on the accessibility of the newly launched Luton DART shuttle service. Read more
Image shows the Luton DART train driving alongside a platform.Bedfordshire SLC test Luton Rising Passenger Assist serviceBedfordshire Sight Loss Council visited Luton Rising to test their end-to-end end passenger assistance service.  Luton Rising is currently undergoing accessibility trials of the DART ahead of their launch. Read more
Landscape image of Millenium Country Park Wetlands. A body of water with a large number of ducks sitting on it. The sun is setting, and the sky has a lovely hazy orange hue to it.Bedfordshire SLC delivers VI Awareness session at Marston ValeThis month, Bedfordshire Sight Loss Council (SLC) visited the Forest Centre at in the Forest of Marston Vale to deliver a VI Awareness session and provide feedback on the sensory garden. They also discussed how audio description could be used to enhance the experience for blind and partially sighted visitors. Read more
Image shows the Luton Rising DART shuttle train, going through a platform.Bedfordshire Sight Loss Council inform Luton DART developmentBedfordshire Sight Loss Council has informed the development of a new Luton DART (Direct Air-Rail Transit) to help #MakeTransportAccessible. Read more
group of people in a meetingBedfordshire SLC meet with Bedford Council to discuss accessibility of town centreBedfordshire Sight Loss Council met with Bedford Borough Council to discuss the challenges blind and partially sighted people face following recent and ongoing developments to Bedford's High Street. Read more
Two women in meeting in small officeHow to improve mental health care for visually impaired people in BedfordshireBedfordshire, Luton and Milton Keynes, Integrated Care System, invited Bedfordshire Sight Loss Council to their transforming mental health care event on 29 September. The event focused on how to improve mental health support across Bedfordshire, Luton and Milton Keynes. Read more
player learning to serve with tennis coach on her rightWebinar recording: Bedfordshire Sight Loss Council Sport and Leisure VI forumBedfordshire Sight Loss Council held a Sports and Leisure VI Forum on on 25 January, to discuss inclusive sports happening in Bedfordshire. Read about the webinar's highlights or watch a subtitled recording. Read more
a beautiful sunny view of Millennium Country Park sensory garden pathImproving public rights of way for blind and partially sighted people in BedfordBedfordshire Sight Loss Council member Hubert met with representatives from Central Bedfordshire to try out a new walking route through Marston Forest Centre. He shares why this work on accessibility is so important. Read more
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