Latest News on the SeeAbility eye 2 eye Campaign

'You and Eye' a DVD by The Misfits

'You and Eye' is and educational film that was created by SeeAbility's eye 2 eye project in Bristol.  The film contains three short stories - having an eye test and getting glasses, having a cataract operation, and the importance of support workers picking up signs of sight problems.

The film was made in partnership with The Misfits, a local Bristol theatre group for people with a a learning disability.  The films script has been written by David Melling, Leigh Harris and The Misfits with Profile Vision, a Bristol film production company, filming and producing the film.

Support workers Jenny and Frances, who have been involved in the project, said "we hope the film will give a positive message to people to take care of their eyes and that there is nothing to fear about getting your eyes tested".

David Melling, eye 2 eye Development Officer for Bristol said "The Misfits have really enjoyed this experience and they have all developed new skills and confidence.  Kevin enjoyed playing a doctor and Louise has enjoyed the speaking parts".  Some of the actors said "we were nervous at the beginning of filming but we got used to it.  The rehearsals were fantastic and we hope the film will help people to go for eye tests or treatment and help them see better in the future".

With the DVD we developed a support booklet to include other things we were not able to add to the DVD.

The Film can be viewed shortly on the following website:  www.lookupinfo.org where you can also download the booklet.

House of Lords Sight Pioneeers Dinner 9th November 2006

The House of Lords was the prestigious setting for the SeeAbility Sight Pioneer Dinner on Thursday 9th November. Lord Sebastian Coe, one of SeeAbility's long standing Vice Presidents was called away at the last moment on Olympic business but made a specially recorded video to play on the night.

Lord Archer armed with his gavel raised £50,000 through a highly competitive auction. All those attending raised a further £40,000 to enable people with learning disabilities to have the specialist eye tests they need to prevent them from potentially losing their sight.

The evening was sponsored by Deloitte and David Jones, Partner said, "Deloitte is pleased to have been able to support the SeeAbility Sight Pioneer Dinner and we are delighted that it raised so much money for such a worthwhile cause to prevent people from loosing their sight unnecessarily"

Campaign Report Highlights Key Achievements for SeeAbility's eye 2 eye Campaign in 2005-06

Since launching the eye 2 eye Campaign at 10 Downing Street in June 2005, SeeAbility has achieved progress in its aims to improve access to eye care for people with learning disabilities across the country.

Highlights of the eye 2 eye Campaign include:

• Raised just over £1.1 million towards our overall target of £2 million.
• Provided direct support to over 1,000 people with a learning disability in danger of losing their sight.
• Established 6 eye 2 eye officer posts in Birmingham (2), Bristol, Sheffield, West Sussex and Barnsley who are working in these communities to support people with learning disabilities.
• Recruited an excellent eye 2 eye national manager and an information officer who is an expert on visual impairment and learning disability.
• Developed an opportunity to establish a national information service with RNIB for people with disabilities.
• Launched "SeeAbility Sight Pioneers" our major donor programme and secured the support of Sir John Major as its patron.