Southend in Sight

08/09/2026

British Blind Sport wants to hear from blind and partially sighted people across the UK about their sport and physical activity preferences to help shape future opportunities, particularly those who are currently inactive/mildly active.

Take a few minutes to have your say: www.britishblindsport.org.uk/forms/view/sportpreferences

The survey is open until 3rd November 2026.

Sport and Physical Activity Preferences Survey Demographic Data Please note that while this survey is anonymous, providing your post code and demographic data lets us analyse whether there are trends in sport preferences in different areas of the country and across different demographic groups. Demo...

07/09/2026

Our ten pin bowlers are back in business and meeting weekly at CJ's in Hockley, after their summer break.
They managed a few sedentary meet ups - a picnic in the park and fish and chips. Their latest activity involved a walk along the pier, getting them in training for the new season ahead.
Photo 1 shows (left to right): Clare, Karen, Ray, Paul, Sarah and Liam standing on the pier with the sea in the background.
Photo 2 shows Cole (wheelchair), Candice and Crunchie the Hearing dog with a lovely calm sea behind them.
If you would like to find out about Southend in Sight's activities for local blind and visually impaired people, please call our office on 01702 342131.

03/09/2026

RNIB is looking for more blind and partially sighted people to join Network35, its lived experience network.

This is a chance to share your views and help shape RNIB’s services, campaigns and priorities.

They are especially keen to hear from people who are underrepresented in the network, including younger adults aged 18 to 45, people newly diagnosed with sight loss within the last three years, people from Black and Mixed ethnicity communities, people in underrepresented regions, people experiencing financial difficulty and people who are in employment or looking for work.

You do not need to match all these criteria. Perhaps you fit into one or two. If so, the RNIB would like to hear from you.

No previous experience is needed, and accessible support is available.

For a copy of the role description, email [email protected]

To express an interest: https://forms.cloud.microsoft/pages/responsepage.aspx?id=fDNFXZLR_EOqWAVVfJFxvLdA9L15aLVEqT-_hbWvdHNUM0pCMkIzSDJCUkZVMzk1WVZDR0gxUDQ2VC4u&route=shorturl

Expressions of interest close at 9am on Monday 14 September 2026.

02/09/2026

Exciting news - Southend in Sight has secured TWO charity places for The London Marathon 2027 on SATURDAY 24TH APRIL.
This is the first time ever that the London Marathon will happen across two days and promises to be a record breaking event in every way.
If you are interested in running for Southend in Sight you will need to apply to us to enter our ballot by 30th September:
You will need to pay a £50 non-refundable entry fee if you are chosen.
You will need to commit to raising a minimum of £2,000 for us.
You will need to say WHY you want to run for us - you may have an association with us, have a family member or friend living with sight loss, or have lived experience yourself. Or you might just want to run and support a great local charity!
Please email [email protected] to apply or call Catherine on 01702 342131 for more information.
The poster is written in blue on a yellow background and says: "Apply to us for a charity place for the London Marathon 2027".

Southend in Sight is an independent charity providing practical support and advice for local visually impaired people.

01/09/2026

We are holding a quiz night on Saturday 10th October 2026 from 7pm at St Peter's Church Hall, Eastbourne Grove, Westcliff, SS0 0QF.
Tickets are £10 per person.
Tables/teams of 6-8 people.
Feel free to bring your own drinks and snacks - tablecloths and candelabras are optional!
Our quiz is always popular, so if you want to enjoy a fun evening while raising money for your favourite charity, please call us on 01702 34 21 31 to book your place/table or email: [email protected]
The photo shows the letters Q-U-I-Z pegged on a string with twinkly lights behind.

18/08/2026

IMPORTANT NOTICE:

Our Centre at SAVS will be shut from Monday 24th August to Friday 4th September, due to building works.

We will not be open for our daily drop-in, or for appointments during this time.

You can still call us for sight loss advice over the telephone: 01702 34 21 31.

Our charity shop at 117 Hamlet Court Road is open as usual.

We apologise for any inconvenience and thank you for your understanding.

10/08/2026

The Deafblind UK Conference 2026 takes place on Thursday 8th October from 09:30am to 4:30pm online.

Touch is central to the lives of many Deafblind people. It is not just another sense – it is often the main way to access information, communicate, build relationships and feel part of the world.

This year's online conference, In Touch: Exploring touch, tactility and deafblindness, has been created to explore the power of touch and tactility from many different angles. This event will bring together the Deafblind community, families, carers, practitioners, academics, technologists and researchers to share knowledge, experience and ideas.

For more information and to register, please click on the link below:

Book free tickets to the Deafblind Convention 2024! Connect, learn and share information about living with sight and hearing loss.

04/08/2026

Last week we were joined by local MP for Southend East and Rochford, Bayo Alaba, at our Friday drop-in session.

Bayo met with staff and volunteers to find out about the services Southend in Sight offers to local blind and partially sighted people. He then chatted to a few of our regulars over a cup of tea about the challenges they face day to day living with sight loss.

They discussed the sort of barriers that visually impaired people encounter out and about, such as uneven pavements, pavement parking and furniture as well as overhanging shrubbery. They also talked about the long wait for local statutory services. They emphasised how important Southend in Sight is in bridging that gap not only for practical advice and guidance, but also for emotional support.

CEO Lucy Martin said: “We were very pleased to meet with Bayo and to fly the flag for local blind and partially sighted people. It is important to make the people who shape the future of our country aware of the difficulties you might face accessing local services if you are visually impaired. The support we offer here at Southend in Sight gives people the confidence to live well with sight loss”.

The photo shows left to right: Chayse, Ricky, Jan K, MP Bayo Alaba, Jan P, Maggie and CEO Lucy Martin.

30/07/2026

Our next energy saving tip from Cadent:

Build your winter buffer. If you're able, adding £2 to £5 a week onto your energy account during the summer could help build up your credit before colder weather arrives.

The photo shows a man and a woman sat at a table looking at an energy bill.

27/07/2026

Due to unforeseen circumstances, our morning drop-in session is cancelled today. We apologise for the short notice.

All services will resume as normal tomorrow (Tuesday 28th).

Thank you.