Bedfordshire Sight Loss Council: Meet the Members

Meet the Staff

Amy Askew, Engagement Manager for East of England. Amy has long, dark hair and is weating a black dress with green abd pink flowers on it. Amy is stood in front of a large flower arrangement, made up of burnt orange and foliage.

Amy Askew

Amy Askew is the Engagement Manager for the East of England, supporting the Essex and Bedfordshire and Hertfordshire Sight Loss Councils, currently covering Sam Leftwich’s maternity leave.

Amy is registered sight impaired due to being born with congenital cataracts, a condition that is hereditary in her family. As a result, many members of Amy’s family live with varying degrees of sight loss, and some also have glaucoma.

With over 15 years of experience as an English teacher in the UK and internationally, Amy has supported young people with diverse educational needs to reach their potential. She has long aspired to work more closely with blind and partially sighted people and regards her role at Thomas Pocklington Trust and the Sight Loss Councils as a privilege.

Amy is committed to making positive changes in the lives of blind and partially sighted people and is passionate about creating a future where all children, including those in her family, can thrive with equal opportunities and independence.

Meet the Members

Photo of Paula, Bedfordshire and Hertfordshire SLC member. Paula is standing in a restaurant with a pitched roof and exposed beams - set tables are in the background. She has long, blonde hair and is wearing a pink and black print top. She is smiling at the camera.

Paula McGuiness

Paula was born with a sight defect that was not detected until she was three years old. Paula now has total night blindness and some tunnel vision but, fortunately, still has some daylight vision.

Paula lives in Hertfordshire and is a big lover of animals. In her spare time, Paula enjoys socialising, going to the cinema to watch sci-fi films and listening to RNIB audiobooks.

Paula took an early retirement five years ago due to a medical condition after a career in the finance industry dealing with insurance claims.

Paula said: “I am looking forward to helping make a difference and dealing with the barriers we all endure on a daily basis.”

 

 

Headshot of Phil Rutter, Bedfordshire SLC member. His head is slightly tipped back and he is smiling.

Phil Rutter

Phil has been blind since 1972 due to detached retinas. He lives in Luton, Bedfordshire and enjoys watching live music, karaoke, all sports, going to the gym, and walking.

Phil gained a degree in human resource management and spent his career as a HR manager at an international automotive supply company. He is a guide dog owner and was chairman of the local GDP branch for 25 years. He is currently working with his sixth guide dog.

Phil continues to be a Guide Dog ambassador, and is also a volunteer for the local child, bereavement, and emotional well-being service. He also set up, and helps run, the local vision impaired peoples social club.

Phil says: “I became a Sight Loss Council volunteer so I can do whatever I can to help better the lives of blind and partially sighted people. As an SLC member, I can be actively involved in projects which can ensure that these aims are achieved.”

Paul Reason headshot. Paul is wearing a maroon jumper, white short and glasses and is smiling at the camera.

Paul Reason

Paul was diagnosed with diabetic retinopathy in 2022.

Paul has lived in Hatfield in Hertfordshire for the past two years after moving down from Norfolk.

In his spare time, Paul likes listening to audiobooks and collects Jaws memorabilia, which happens to be one of his favourite films. Paul said:

“I have decided to become a member of Bedfordshire and Hertfordshire Sight Loss Council because I would like to make more people aware and have better understanding of sight loss and blindness. I particularly want to help people with their transportation and accessibility needs.”

Headshot of Paul Day, Bedfordshire SLC member. He is wearing a blue jumper and smiling at the camera.

Paul Day

Paul has had rod cone dystrophy since birth. He was registered as partially sighted at a young age, and severely sight impaired in his early 20s. Paul lives in East Bedfordshire and enjoys discovering new music.

Paul is an enthusiastic advocate for rail travel, including heritage railways. He has been involved with his local railway society in North Herts for many years and currently holds the position of Honorary President.

Paul was motivated to join Bedfordshire Sight Loss Council to work with councils and organisations. He wants to help improve their services for blind and partially sighted people. By sharing his own experience of sight loss, he wants to influence change.

Paul took early retirement from his ‘Advice Worker’ role at RNIB in June 2022. He previously worked in various public sector roles, including IT Procurement.

Stefan Crocker

Stefan joined Bedfordshire Sight Loss Council in 2021. He has retinal dystrophy and night blindness. This is caused by a rare genetic condition called Bardet Biedl Syndrome.

Stefan feels his good communication skills, positivity, and problem-solving skills help him maximise life.

Stefan has a wide range of interests which include current affairs, comedy sport and live music. Travelling is also a passion of Stefan’s, which he says has provided him with first-hand experience of just how accessible buses, trains and taxis are.

Stefan said: “I am dedicated to improving the lives of sight impaired people. I want to do this by sharing my lived experience of both excellent and poor service, highlighting how organisations can improve their services for blind and partially sighted people.”

Photo of John, Bedfordshire and Hertfordshire SLC member. He is wearing a red, navy, and white sports shirt and is standing on an indoor bowls green, holding a black bowls ball in both hands. The photo appears to be taken through a window, with dark curtains or a frame, framing the shot.

John Hollowell

John was diagnosed with type 2 diabetes in 2018 and was registered severely sight impaired in 2022 due to diabetic retinopathy. He lives in a small village in north Bedfordshire with his wife and their pets – two cats and a dog.

John joined the Bedfordshire and Hertfordshire Sight Loss Council in 2024. When he first began losing his sight during the Covid lockdown, he didn’t receive the support he needed, and feels strongly that no one should have to go through this journey alone – or without proper support from health and access services.

John is passionate about sport. He is a dedicated bowls player and competes internationally for the England para team – something he takes great pride in. He hopes to make sport and leisure more accessible for other blind and partially sighted people.

Headshot of Stuart, Bedfordshire and Hertfordshire SLC member. Stuart is standing in from of a cream wall, smiling at the camera. He has short dark hair, and a blue/grey jumper on.

Stuart Lewis

Stuart was registered severely sight impaired in 2023 due to diabetic retinopathy. He lives in Hertfordshire with his wife and five children, and enjoys listening to audiobooks and spending time with his family.

Stuart said: “I wanted to volunteer with Bedfordshire and Hertfordshire Sight Loss Council because I am passionate about helping to make my local community more accessible and inclusive for people living with sight loss.”

Ehtessam Hussain

Ehtessam joined Bedfordshire and Hertfordshire Sight Loss Council because he wants to make a positive difference for blind and partially sighted people in his local area. He has been sight‑impaired since childhood due to Bardet–Biedl Syndrome (BBS).

Alongside his work with the SLC, he has also volunteered with RNIB. He is passionate about improving accessibility in transport and the built environment, and wants to help ensure that visually impaired people can navigate the world with confidence and independence.

Ehtessam has lived in Luton for many years with his family. In his free time, he enjoys meeting friends, socialising, exploring new places and watching films.

Headshot of Bedfordshire and Hertfordshire SLC member, Kay Dear. She is standing against a cream wall, smiling at the camera.

Kay Dear

Marion Burchell

Back to top

Share this page