Southampton Sight

08/10/2026

MEET THE TEAM

How well do you know the Southampton Sight staff? We asked the team some quick-fire questions to help you get to know them better.

Name: Sonia

Job Title: Sight loss Advisor

When did you start working for Southampton Sight: March 2011

Describe your job in three words: Rewarding, challenging, impromptu.

What is your favourite part of your job: Helping others

What is your favourite sweet treat: Chocolate

Name one thing you couldn’t live without: My Family

Share a fun fact about yourself: I can recite Twinkle twinkle little star in French

Keep an eye out for whos next!

Image Description: At the top is white text over-layed on a dark blue background which reads 'Meet the team'. Below to the left reads 'Sonia' in pink on a light blue background. More text in dark blue reads 'Sight Loss Advisor. Joined: November 2021. To the right is an image of Sonia. On the next slide is the quickfire questions.

05/10/2026

Working can be fun! Who knew?

Last week the Southampton Sight team had a proper fun-filled day with Specsavers at their annual staff fun day. This year’s theme was “Out of this World” and there were some amazing costumes on display!

We ran the tombola, chatted to staff about the work we do supporting people living with sight loss, and raised some much-needed funds for Southampton Sight along the way.

And the tombola gods were definitely feeling generous! There were plenty of lucky winners and some very happy faces.

We also had the chance to spread the word about our corporate team away days because what better way to bring your team together than with a day of fun, a few laughs and supporting a great local cause?

Good people, good fun, great conversations and money raised for Southampton Sight. We’re struggling to think of a better day at work.

Thanks to the Specsavers team for having us.

Image descriptions:
Image one: a group of Southampton Sight staff and volunteers wearing their branded t-shirts pose in front of a pull up banner. Toby the guide dog sits in front of the group.
Image two: a member of Specsavers staff reaches into a blue tombola drum to select his tickets.
Image three: a member of Specsavers staff happily holds her prizes.
Image four: Kim from Southampton Sight stands with a group of Specsavers staff who are dressed up as aliens. As well as wearing her branded t-shirt, Kim holds her white cane and is wearing alien antenna and comedy glasses.

01/10/2026

Small actions make a life-changing difference.

Southampton Sight recently had the pleasure of speaking with around 20 NHS colleagues, doctors and admin staff alike, about sight loss in general, and the part every person plays in the patient eye-care pathway.

With the understandable focus on frontline staff, it can be all too easy to overlook and under estimate the importance of all sectors and departments within a modern hospital setting. Administration is far more than a simple behind-the-scenes necessity, but can fundamentally shape a patient’s experience, sight loss journey and, ultimately, their life. A delay in processing a Certificate of Vision Impairment, for example, makes an immeasurable difference, offering a lifeline of timely local authority and charitable support to help maintain independence, confidence, and inclusion. Without it many would fall through the cracks, leaving them vulnerable to financial hardship, poor mental health, and isolation.

A big thank you to everyone who took part, asked questions and reflected on how their role contributes to the bigger picture. Clinical expertise and thoughtful administrative work go hand-in-hand, making a lasting difference to not only a patient’s care, but their experience, wellbeing, and a better life lived differently.

24/09/2026

Studying the Science of Giving – University of Southampton Students Compete For Southampton Sight

A massive ‘Thank You’ and ‘Good Luck’ to a team of Master’s students studying MedTech Innovation and Design at the University of Southampton who have chosen Southampton Sight as the focus for their fundraising challenge this week.

As part of a university-wide competition, these kind-hearted eggheads are busy raising awareness and funds on our behalf. Your hard work, creativity and support mean so much to us and to the blind and visually impaired people we support across Southampton.

The clock is ticking on their challenge, but there is still time to help them finish on a high! If you would like to donate, please visit their GoFundMe page below. Every small donation and share makes a big difference: https://www.gofundme.com/f/help-us-support-southampton-sight

We are a team of Master’s students studying MedTech Innovation and Design at the Univer… Rima Masri needs your support for Help Us Support Southampton Sight

22/09/2026

We're delighted to have been selected as a recipient of the Palladium UK Community Investment Fund.

Delivered through Palladium's Let's Make It Possible programme in partnership with the Kyeema Foundation, the fund supports organisations creating positive impact in communities across the UK.

This funding will help us launch VisionWorks a new employment readiness programme providing digital skills training, workplace mentoring, assistive technology support and personalised pathways into employment, alongside well being support and connections to employers.

Thank you to Palladium and Kyeema Foundation for their support.

Read more about this year's recipients: https://thepalladiumgroup.com/news/Investing-at-Home-Inaugural-UK-Community-Investment-Fund-Winners

10/09/2026

MEET THE TEAM

How well do you know the Southampton Sight staff?

We asked the team some quick-fire questions to help you get to know them better.

Name: Kris

Job Title: Head of Income Generation / Senior Sight Loss Advisor

When did you start working for Southampton Sight: Nov, 2021

Describe your job in three words: Varied, Empowering, Rewarding

What is your favourite part of your job: Problem solving

What is your favourite sweet treat: Pepsi Max

Name one thing you couldn’t live without: Books

Share a fun fact about yourself: I play the classical guitar

Keep an eye out for whos next!

Image Description: At the top is white text overlayed on a dark blue background which reads 'Meet the team'. Below to the left reads 'Kris' in pink on a light blue background. More text in dark blue reads 'Head of Income Generation/Senior Sight Loss Advisor. Joined: November 2021. To the right is an image of Kris. On the next slide is the quickfire questions.

07/09/2026

STOP SCROLLING. SOUTHAMPTON SIGHT HAS BEEN SHORTLISTED FOR A VISIONARY PARTNERSHIP AWARD

Well, this is a bit exciting. We have officially been shortlisted for a Visionary Partnership Award.

And yes, we did nominate ourselves. We thought, if you don’t shout about the good work you’re doing, who will? So we put ourselves forward, crossed our fingers and waited to see what happened. Turns out, it worked. We are now officially shortlisted, which means we can proudly say we nominated ourselves and someone else agreed we were worth talking about. We’ll take that.

But partnership really is something we genuinely care about. At Southampton Sight, we know that people living with sight loss can sometimes face a maze of information, services and support. By working in partnership, we can help make that journey a little easier by connecting people with the right support at the right time. We are incredibly proud of the relationships we have built with organisations, professionals and, most importantly, the people we support.

So to have our approach to partnership recognised by Visionary is a pretty big deal.

Obviously, being shortlisted is lovely. But now we want to win. There, we said it.

So if you are part of the Visionary family and you have a vote available, we would be incredibly grateful if you would consider voting for Southampton Sight. We promise that if we win, we will be gracious, humble and absolutely unbearable for at least 48 hours.

Watch this space...

And wish us luck.

Image Description: The image is of the Visionary Logo, featuring a stylised pink and green eye symbol above the word 'Visionary'. Beneath the logo is a grey banner with the words 'Shortlisted 2026'.

03/09/2026

What if one conversation could change the way a future doctor supports someone with sight loss?

This week, one of those conversations happened in a room full of 4th Year Medical Students. And while we would like to say the students were completely focused on Tom’s talk, we suspect Toby, his guide dog, may have stolen the show.

Tom, one of our Trustees and someone who lives with sight loss himself, joined the students as they began their Ophthalmology week at Southampton University Hospital Trust. Tom shared a frank, honest and uplifting insight into life with sight loss, including what happens after the diagnosis and the difference the right support can make.

Because this is where partnership really matters.

At Southampton Sight, we have been supporting the sight loss community for over 127 years. One of the things we hear again and again is, “I didn’t know where to go for help.” A diagnosis can be overwhelming. Knowing what support is available should not be.

That is why we work closely with health professionals and our partners across the community, helping to make the journey from diagnosis to support as clear and straightforward as possible. We want these future doctors to know that their role does not end when the appointment does. Sometimes the most important thing they can do is know who to refer someone to next.

And if Toby helps them remember that message, then frankly, we are happy for him to take the credit. A huge thank you to Tom for sharing his experience, to Toby for his excellent work as chief distraction officer, and to the students for being so open and engaged.

And to all our brilliant volunteers and partners, thank you. We really could not do what we do without you.

Image Description: Tom is stood in a hall at Southampton University Hospital wearing a dark suit, patterned tie and black shoes, speaking with both hands raised as he gestures. On the floor beside Tom is his Guide dog Toby lying down calmly.

27/08/2026

My Work Placement at Southampton Sight

This summer, I had the opportunity to complete my work placement at Southampton Sight where I learned a lot of new skills and about the history of Southampton Sight.

During my work placement, I learned and did a lot. For example, I went to the Patient Hub at the hospital with members of staff where they helped patients and nurses/staff learn more about the support that Southampton Sight provides. I also shadowed Kim during appointments such as the Low Vision Clinic.

I created quizzes for the lunch group and helped create NaviLens codes to put around the site.

I also helped with cookery classes for young people with sight loss. For my project I researched cooking with sight loss for young people and how to adapt the kitchen and using high contrast equipment to make it accessible when cooking.

As well as this, I completed online courses and attended webinars which helped me understand the Access to Work programme and the help and support provided when starting work. I attended team meetings and help organise things such as board games and ingredients in the cupboards.

I really appreciate the skills I have developed such as communication, active listening and teamwork. My placement also helped me improve my skills in using assistive technology.

I particularly enjoyed creating the quizzes for the lunch group and helping the young people with cooking because I was able to show my creativity and become more involved with the charity.

Overall, I really appreciate the opportunity that Southampton Sight provided for me and I couldn't be more grateful. I really enjoyed completing my work placement, meeting new people, learning about the support provided and being involved with Southampton Sight. Most importantly, I was able to improve the key skills that I will need in the future.

Image Description: Image 1 and 2, show Laneisha putting up Navilens posters around the centre. Image 3 is of her helping with the childrens cooking. Image 4 is of Laneishas pizza creation.

24/08/2026

MEET THE TEAM

How well do you know the Southampton Sight staff?

We asked the team some quick-fire questions to help you get to know them better.

Name: Jackie Powers

Job Title: CEO

When did you star working for Southampton Sight: May 2016

Describe your job in three words: Varied, fulfilling and stressful

What is your favourite part of your job: Definitely the members

What is your favourite sweet treat: Ice Cream

Name one thing you couldn’t live without: A doggy companion

Share a fun fact about yourself:
I was a long jump champion when I was 7 years old – maybe because I was so scared of snakes being under my bed I would run and jump onto the bed at bedtime – I put this to good use when I did the long jump event at school.

Keep an eye out for who's next!

Image Description: At the top is white text overlayed on a dark blue background which reads 'Meet the team'. Below to the left reads 'Jackie' in pink on a light blue background. More text in dark blue reads 'Chief executive officer. Joined May 2016. To the right is an image of our CEO Jackie. On the next slide is the quickfire questions.