ESVS - East Sussex Vision Support

07/06/2026

Soon-to-launch East Sussex Sight Loss Council seeks visually impaired volunteers

A new advocacy group led by blind and partially sighted volunteers is set to launch in East Sussex early next year and urges people to get involved.

The new East Sussex Sight Loss Council (SLC), which will also cover Brighton and Hove, will work to influence positive change across the region and tackle issues affecting blind and partially sighted people, such as cluttered pavements and inaccessible medical information.

East Sussex SLC funded by Thomas Pocklington Trust, will join a network of Sight Loss Councils across the country, working to improve access to products and services at a local and national level.

Kevin Satizabal, Sight Loss Councils Engagement Manager (South East) said: “If you are a visually impaired person enthusiastic about advocating for change and sharing your stories with key decision makers, sign up to volunteer. You'll receive training and support, have the opportunity to meet other people and play a real part in advocating for a more accessible world.”

East Sussex Sight Loss Council will meet once a month and base its work on three priority areas: Employment and skills, Health and Well-being and Inclusive Communities.

To find out more visit our website at: www.sightlosscouncils.org.uk/east-sussex. To apply to volunteer, please email [email protected], call 020 8996 1937 or fill in the online application form here: https://www.tfaforms.com/4843521

Our volunteers enable blind and partially sighted people of all ages to live the life they want to lead. You should complete this form to apply for a specific volunteer role with Thomas Pocklington Trust (TPT). Please ensure you read the advert and role description carefully before completing th.....

05/06/2026

This is an invitation to an event in Brighton which might be of interest

The store is in North Street easily accessed from Brighton station or if coming by bus from Eastbourne, Seaford etc.

No booking is required, just pop in, they will be demonstrating the Ray ban glasses and there will be a chance to try them out.

03/06/2026

In the middle of volunteers week I would like to share my own experience of volunteering. In doing so I want to encourage in particular other blind and partially sighted and other disabled people that the benefits and opportunities can and should be open to all

My first experience that I remember of volunteering was around the age of 7 or 8 as a member of the cubs doing bob a job , this took place during the Easter holidays . And I recall clearing snow which was common at that time.

Over the years
volunteering has been useful to learn skills, develop confidence, work as part of a team and make friends.

When made redundant in my late thirties, doing a voluntary role, kept me active and disciplined and gaining new experience working with people new to IT, the reference I got from this helped me back into paid employment.

Having now retired volunteering is a great way to use my time, using my skills and enjoying serving others.

ESVS has a fantastic team of volunteers but we would always welcome more, training and support is available as needed and it is a lot if fun as well as being really worthwhile.

As a parkrunner I am also so grateful for my guide runners who make it possible for me to run safely and all the other volunteers who enable the event to go ahead. It is also great fun being a volunteer for junior parkrun on Sunday mornings

It you are interesting in finding out more about volunteering please contact the ESVS office or comment below

02/06/2026

02/06/2026

We’re delighted to be at Evelyn Glennie Court, Somerset Street, Brighton today with a fantastic range of stalls dedicated to supporting people with sight loss.

Joining us are some wonderful organisations offering advice, equipment, and services, including East Sussex Vision Support, Wealden Talking News, Sight Loss Council, Optelec, Synapptic, Possability People, Ageing Well, and Age UK West Sussex, Brighton & Hove.

We’re here from 11am to 2pm, so do pop in if you’d like to explore helpful equipment, discover local support, or just have a friendly chat. Everyone is very welcome — we’d love to see you

01/06/2026

Today is the beginning of volunteers week. On behalf of Daniel and the Trustees we would like to express our gratitude to all our fabulous volunteers whose contribution makes such a difference to the lives of blind and partially sighted people

Please feel free to share experiences whether as a volunteer yourself, of the way a volunteer has made a difference to yourself or someone you know

We are always pleased to welcome new volunteers including any members who may be interested, please get in touch with the office at 01323 832252, e-mail
[email protected]

Paul Gillett
ESVS vice chair

23/04/2026

Free theatre tickets for visually impaired audiences!

Visually impaired audiences are invited to attend the Enhance performance of Beaverhausen by Veronica Von Beaverhausen on Thursday 28th May, 6:30pm at Komedia Brighton.

10 free tickets are available from Extant for visually impaired and blind adults to attend Meet Extant 4-5pm, the Touch Tour at 5:30pm and Performance at 6:30pm.

Venue address: 44-47 Gardner St, Brighton and Hove, Brighton BN1 1UN

To request a free ticket please email [email protected] and [email protected] and include a phone number, as well as any access requirements. These tickets will be on a first come, first served basis and priority is given to visually impaired adults.

In Partnership with Extant and Komedia Brighton, Event information:

Join us for Meet Extant from 4-5pm

Hosted by Extant, the UK’s leading visually impaired performing arts company, come along and meet Liz Porter, Enhance advocate and trainee Enhance facilitator, and Caroline Jeyaratnam-Joyner, our Enhance Training Manager. Snacks and drinks will be provided alongside networking and discussions. Inspired by topics found within Beaverhausen, Liz and Caroline will present a discussion point for everyone to consider. Meet Extant will take place 4-5pm in the Basement Space and after the event we'll head to the touch tour together.

Touch Tour – 5:30pm -
We invite visually impaired audiences to come along and experience the programme notes and touch tour before the show begins at 5:30pm. The notes encapsulate the visual aspects of the show and are written with access for visually impaired audiences at the core. The Touch Tour offers exploration of set, props, and costume: offering an immersive space in which to imagine the work before the show begins. Please note this is not an audio described performance.

Beaverhausen– 6:30pm, 60 minutes –

Beaverhausen is a silly sausage and q***r gender-bending drag king who serves "an open hearted celebration of q***r culture" with an extra dollop of big prat energy.

He will leave you feeling camp, GAY and gorgeous. Join Beaverhausen as he takes you on a mission to save his hometown from something terrible....

Its drag, its burlesque and its bonkers!!!

WINNER: Brighton Fringe “Cabaret & Variety” Bursary.

Age suitability: 18+
Content Warnings: Audience Interaction, Strong Language, Nudity and Loud Noises.

Information:

Beaverhausen (the third, twice removed) is the ultimate prat and silly sausage extraordinaire. This q***r gender-bending drag king serves big prat energy and will leave you feeling camp and probably quite gay. Join Beaverhausen as he takes you on a mission to save his home town from something terrib...

17/04/2026

Great day at the Brighton 10k last Sunday. 12th April , completed in 69:51.

Photo shows myself and guide runner Jon Elsom with our medals after completing the race

17/04/2026

We’re pleased to share details of this upcoming event in Brighton for Disability Pride:

Disability Pride: Radical Reset!
Sunday 10 May
12pm–5pm
Daltons Brighton, seafront next to the pier

An afternoon featuring artists, poetry and speeches.

Tickets: £3
Available via Eventbrite by searching: Disability Pride Radical Reset
Tickets will also be available on the door.

There will also be BSL interpreters from 1pm–4pm.

Please do support if you can and share with anyone who may be interested.

06/03/2026

Keith Dickman is doing a Lego and Fire Walk in Hailsham at the cattle market on Saturday 28th March to raise funds for ESVS. The event will take place between 5and 8pm if you are abke Togo out and support him

The just giving link is https://www.justgiving.com/page/keith-dickman-31?utm_source=CL&utm_medium=D

Any donations gratefully received

Help Keith Dickman raise money to support East Sussex Vision Support