Innovation in the sight loss sector

Action for Blind People (Action), The Royal National Institute of Blind People (RNIB) and SeeAbility have agreed to formally explore working more closely together, by combining forces as equal partners.

The aim would be to rationalise which charity does what and allow each to focus on their particular areas of specialisation in pursuit of the UK Vision Strategy, launched in 2008. There may also be some potential to share resources for common functions.

In a joint statement from all three CEO’s Stephen Remington, Chief Executive, Action for Blind People said: “Our three organisations share the same aims and aligning our work makes so much sense - blind and partially sighted people will be able to access the right practical and emotional support to meet their aspirations as and when they need it.”

Lesley-Anne Alexander Chief Executive of RNIB added: “We share a joint commitment to improving services across the sight loss sector and have begun discussions on the potential opportunity to maximise the strengths of all three excellent organisations. There is a lot of work ahead but we firmly believe that joining together in this way will provide improved services and a more unified voice for blind and partially sighted people. This is an important and exciting time for the three organisations. We also hope that in time others would want to join”.

David Scott-Ralphs, Chief Executive of SeeAbility said: "We know at SeeAbility that people with complex needs are most likely to have sight problems and least likely to get the right help and support with their eye care. Joining together in this way is the best way to achieve maximum impact for all people living with sight loss”.

Discussions are currently at a very early stage, and details of how the proposed new alignment of services might operate are being developed, though all three organisations hope to be working in this new way by 2012.