Sussex

Formerly two Sight Loss Councils (SLCs), East and West Sussex Sight Loss Councils joined forces in January 2025 to become Sussex SLC.

We are proud of our work across the region to make services more accessible and inclusive to blind and partially sighted (BPS) people. Highlights of our recent projects include: 

  • working with Govia Thameslink Railway to increase the accessibility of its stations, including the trials and roll out of the AIRA app to its 236 stations. 
  • Developed the ‘Top tips for supermarket staff assisting blind and partially sighted customers in store’ resource to help make shopping more accessible.

This merge was a natural step as many of our projects and stakeholders, such as NHS Sussex, Govia Thameslink Railway and Brighton and Hove Buses, provide services across both East and West Sussex. 

Dave Smith“We’re excited to announce that East and West Sussex Sight Loss Councils (SLCs) have joined forces to become Sussex SLC.

“Like the other SLCs, we will also be working across the county and engaging with organisations from both the public and private sector. We will be working with service providers to raise their awareness of the daily challenges and barriers blind and partially sighted (BPS) people face.”

David Smith, Engagement Manager (South East)

Meet the members

Our projects primarily encompass the Sight Loss Councils national priorities of increasing the accessibility of public transport and the built environment, alongside retail.

Our work has also fed into other national campaigns such as #MakeHealthAccessible, and we’re engaging with leisure providers to improve the accessibility of gyms and leisure centres for blind and partially sighted people.

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 also 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.

“Sight loss councils are a great way to highlight and solve particular issues facing blind and partially sighted (BPS) people in their communities.

“Becoming a SLC member is a great way of giving something back to the BPS community and to meet new friends.”

Paul, Sussex Sight Loss Council member

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

Dave stood with Transport Minister Simon Lightwood, Victoria Garcia, Ed Wills and another outside of Coaster bus at a bus stop. They are stood infront of the bus and smiling a the camera. The green bus says 'Accessible Travel' and the words 'Stephen Barnwell' at the top.Bus driver training materials showcased at Transport Minister visitSight Loss Councils met with the Local Transport Minister in Brighton on 3 December to celebrate International Day of People with Disabilities and share details of our free bus driver training materials created with Brighton & Hove buses. Read more
From left to right: Carl Martin, Accessibility Lead at GTR, Dave Smith, Engagement Manager for South East England, Paull Goddard, East Sussex SLC member, Lauren Eade, SLC coordinator, with staff members from GTR. They are stood together in a line in the ticket hall at Chichester Station.AIRA app extended to 236 rail stations  Govia Thameslink Railway (GTR) has extended the AIRA Explore guiding app to all its 236 rail stations to enhance accessibility, following its work with Sight Loss Councils (SLCs). You can now use the app for free at all Great Northern, Southern and Thameslink managed stations.  Read more
[8 people, including SLC staff members and volunteers sitting on a bus with blue seats and smiling at the camera.]Launch of new approved bus driver trainingSight Loss Councils and Thomas Pocklington Trust (TPT) have marked the end of 'Catch the Bus Month', September 2024, with the launch of a new approved bus driver training materials for bus and coach drivers. Read more
Dave Smith, Engagement Manager for South East England, is pictured next to a large hedge which is overhanging into the pavement. Dave is holding his long cane and looking at the camera.Blind residents encourage people to cut it backSight Loss Councils and Thomas Pocklington Trust are encouraging residents to cut back and report overgrown trees, bushes and hedges to increase blind and partially sighted people’s independence. We are... 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
Delegates at the accessibility event, using their smart phones on a range of products to trial the NaviLens app.‘Shop for cheese with ease’ – SLC event successLast month, around 30 blind and partially sighted people attended Sussex Sight Loss Councils ‘Shop for Cheese with Ease’ event, to explore the supermarket accessibility. Read more
Four people looking towards five small pieces of art, in black frames, on a grey wall.East Sussex SLC produce ‘Top Tips for Describing Art’ guideArt galleries, artists and museums across England are set to benefit from the launch of a describing art guide created by and for blind and partially sighted (BPS) people. Read more
Six male and female sighted guides stood in a row smiling at the camera. They are pictured with Sight Loss Council Engagement Manager Sam, pictured with her guide dog.Sight Loss Council sighted guides needed in Sussex. Can you help?Sussex Sight Loss Councils are recruiting sighted guides to support their blind and partially sighted volunteer members. Can you help? Read more
East Sussex SLC members at their 1st birthday meeting. They are sat around a table, with two birthday cakes on it. From left to right: Iris Keppler, Elaine Dampier, Ola Adeleke, Linn Davies, Lauren Eade, Dave Smith, Rich Wheeler, and Zehra Yunel.East Sussex SLC celebrates first birthdayEast Sussex Sight Loss Council has celebrated its first birthday and its work to drive real change for blind and partially sighted people. Read more
Several people shown walking on a path in a park. The path is surrounded by a variety of trees and shrubs, including cherry blossom trees.East Sussex SLC joins Brighton & Hove Walking FestivalEast Sussex Sight Loss Council is offering free guided walks to Brighton and Hove residents to share what it feels like to walk blind through the city. Read more
Group shot of those attending the sim spec walk. Engagement manager Dave Smith, is with SLC members Iris and Graham, and members of the Highways Transport team at Brighton and Hove City Council.Brighton and Hove City Council to review street furniture policyBrighton and Hove City Council Highway’s Transport team joined East Sussex Sight Loss Council this week to participate in a sim-spec walk. This forms part of East Sussex SLC’s ongoing work with the team to review their street furniture policy. Read more
Group shot outside Hove Town Hall. From left to right: : Dave Smith, Lesley Heath, Jazmine Hayes, Iris Keppler, Michelle Jamieson, Jonathan Martin, Freya Woodhouse, Jez, Steve Saunders, guide dog Rosie and James Hammond.Brighton & Hove City Council walk blind through HoveMembers of Brighton & Hove City Council’s Transport Projects and Engineering team experienced how it feels walk blind through Hove’s busiest streets ahead of redevelopment plans. Read more
Overhead shot of a blind person walking on a sidewalk. They are using a cane and have a big shopping bag over their shoulder.Walking blind through Hove redevelopmentMembers of Brighton & Hove City Council’s Transport Projects and Engineering Team will experience how it feels to navigate Hove’s busiest streets with a visual impairment. Read more
Sight Loss Council member Paul Goddard deep in conversation with Carl Martin (Govia Thameslink Railways) at the Make Transport Accessible event.Accessible Travel in Brighton and Hove forum success with transport providersBlind and partially sighted people met with transport providers at East Sussex Sight Loss Council’s first ever forum to discuss key issues most important to them. Read more
East Sussex Sight Loss Council member pictured with Engagement Manager Dave Smith at Brighton train station on a sim specs walk.Brighton and Hove city officials experience how it feels to walk blind through cityBrighton and Hove city officials experience how it feels to walk blind through city Read more
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