Visibility Scotland

19/09/2025

Last week, our staff members Andy and Jody paid a visit to one of Visibility Scotland’s service users, Derek Reid.

Derek has a special apple tree that was planted by his father, over 20 years ago. The tree naturally produces deliciously sweet apples, and this year, it has produced an amazing load.

Derek has generously donated a large batch of these delicious apples, which will now be available at our Café every Tuesday.

Come along and enjoy the taste for yourself!

ID – Dererk stands next to his apple tree, smiling wearing a jacket. The red apples stand out amongst the green tree.

19/09/2025

The team at Visibility Scotland is proud to celebrate the recent achievement of one of our community members, Charlotte Bennie.

Charlotte has been invited to speak at the prestigious Wigtown Book Festival! The festival celebrates literature, music, film, arts and theatre while welcoming local and international talent.

Venue: The Open Book, 2 High St, Wigtown, DG8 9HQ
Date: Friday 3rd October 2025
Time: 10:30am - 11:15am

Charlotte has used both her talent in writing and sharp wit to bring attention to the barriers and frustrations she faces as a Guide Dog owner in rural Southwest Scotland.

Using assistive technology , Charlotte will share her writing and give audiences first-hand experience of adaptations that make text accessible. Charlotte prefers the term "blinkie" when describing her vision impairment, saying:

"For the last thirty years, I’ve spent much of my time wrestling with accessible technology and opening people’s eyes to my life as a blinkie.

In 2005, I mastered word processing using Word and Supernova. Since then, I’ve embarked on writing a series of fantasy novels; set in an alternative Wigtownshire. Lovely, warm climate but unicorns, dragons and especially, carnivorous trees make life rather difficult. Never mind the creatures from Elsewhere!

Whenever anything upsets me, such as the interminable pavement parking or abandoned wheelie bins, I bash out several hundred words on this laptop. Brings down the blood pressure, cheers me up and, when friends read these diatribes, they always comment on how I’ve opened their eyes to problems faced by us blinkies which had never occurred to them as sighted people."

All are welcome to join us in celebrating Charlotte at Wigtown Book Festival.

ID:
Image one: Charlotte in her garden, smiling at the camera.

Image two: Charlotte and her guide dog Christie enjoy a walk in the forest.

18/09/2025

Yesterday members of the Visibility Scotland team attended the strategy conference hosted by RNIB

Our CEO Laura Walker, and Susan Shippey, Head of Strategic Partnerships at Sight Scotland and Sight Scotland Veterans gave a presentation on the important work being done by Vision Collaborative Scotland to promote positive change and equitable service provision of vision rehabilitation.

We also heard from many incredible speakers, including but not limited to Minister of Public Health and Women’s Health Jenni Minto MSP, Chair of Optometry Scotland Eilidh Thomson, Hannah Tweed from Health and Social Care Alliance Scotland, and Professor Andrea Williamson from the University of Glasgow.

It was a fantastic day, and so inspirational to see the work being done across sectors for vision impaired and blind people. There's still a long way to go, but progress is being made.

ID:
Image one: Visibility Scotland CEO Laura Walker and Sight Scotland / Sight Scotland Veterans Head of Strategic Partnerships Susan Shippey stand together at a podium speaking. On the lefthand side of the image a BSL interpreter translates their presentation, and a screen in the background displays the words "SVS Conference 2025, putting accessibility at the centre of eye care" followed by the speaker's names.

Image two: Laura Walker, Visibility Scotland CEO, sits at a table with three members of the Visibility Scotland staff team. All are smiling.

16/09/2025

New Knowledge Centre post - Scanning as a visual field loss compensatory strategy

Living with visual field loss, such as homonymous hemianopia or quadrantanopia, can make everyday activities more challenging. Things like reading, moving around safely, or even finding items at home can become frustrating and sometimes dangerous. It can often feel like you are not getting the full visual picture.

At Visibility Scotland, we offer a scanning-based vision rehabilitation programme designed to help you adapt and compensate for these changes. It’s all about learning practical techniques that make a real difference day to day.

To find out more about our scanning tips and tricks, click the link below:

This page provides an introductory guide to scanning as a functional coping technique for those with left and right sided visual field loss.

08/09/2025

Visibility Scotland recently had the pleasure of hosting a special art and wellbeing session in collaboration with Freedom and Joy and the incredibly talented Nicola Beedie.

Sharon from hellofreedomandjoy said “Adults from all backgrounds came together to explore the power of positive “I am” statements, sparking confidence, creativity, and self-expression through a range of artistic mediums.”

Led by Nicola, the session created a welcoming and inspiring space for participants to connect, express themselves, and experience the therapeutic benefits of art. We’re so grateful to Nicola and for facilitating such a thoughtful and engaging workshop, and to Freedom and Joy for their continued partnership.

Looking ahead, we’re excited to welcome Food Heroes in September for a fun and informative session on food and nutrition, another opportunity to try something new and connect with others.”

Image descriptions:
One: A group of Visibility Scotland service users and a member of staff sit around a table creating artwork, sipping tea, and looking at the artwork of others.

Two: A Visibility Scotland service user sits in a chair holding a piece of artwork she has just completed up to the camera.

Three: A collage of shells around a note which reads“I can do anything that I put my mind to”.

Four: A Visibility Scotland service user stands next to a piece of artwork laying on the table, he is smiling.

02/09/2025

It's always wonderful to collaborate with Sight Scotland, especially when it comes to the Sight Loss Councils. Check out what we've been up to!

We recently had a fantastic day at Visibility Scotland where members of Glasgow Sight Loss Council took part in media training delivered by Sight Scotland’s Cause and Engagement team.

The session was designed to give council members the skills and confidence to engage effectively with the media, an essential part of raising awareness and driving change.

As part of the training, members worked through case studies and role-played media interviews. This hands-on approach gave them the chance to practise skills in a safe space, get feedback, and refine their techniques.

For more information about Sight Loss Councils, please visit our website at https://ow.ly/vkJ050WPx9b, or call 0800 024 8973.



[Image description: Staff and members of Glasgow Sight Loss Council posing indoors in front of colourful textile art panels on the wall behind them.]

29/08/2025

New Knowledge Centre resource: Driving and vision changes after stroke

As many as 50% of stroke survivors experience a change in their vision. For some people, this change can be permanent.

Our new resource provides information about driving and vision changes after stroke, including a guide to the DVLA’s “exceptional case pathway” — a process that may allow certain stroke survivors with permanent visual field loss to regain their driving licence, depending on eligibility and the outcome of an on-road assessment.

You can access the full resource by clicking the link below:

A guide to driving and vision changes after stroke, including information on the DVLA exceptional cases pathway.

26/08/2025

Want to find out more about assistive technology, support, services, groups and much more?

Visibility Scotland will be joining RNIB Scotland, Sight Scotland Veterans, Deafblind Scotland and many other fantastic organisations at the Glasgow Vision Zone 2025.

The event takes place on Wednesday 03 September from 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM in the Moir Dyer Room at Mitchell Library in Glasgow. The event is free to attend for all. For more information, visit the link below!

Vision Zone events bring together a variety of excellent services and charities covering your local area. What's On Glasgow - your guide to events in Glasgow!

21/08/2025

Looking for a feel-good way to stay fit and give back? Step up for Visibility Scotland!

Join Visibility Scotland and run the Great Scottish Run on 05 October 2025. Your fundraising helps us continue to provide free support to vision impaired people Scotland-wide.

Sign up today to run, walk, or roll for a great cause. We’ll support you every step of the way!

Email: info@visibilityscotland.org.uk
Call: 0800 987 1087

Alternatively, get in touch by visiting our website, linked below.

We help and support anyone, of any age, living with a visual impairment across Scotland - Contact us

21/08/2025

18/08/2025

We have some wonderful news to share: our EyeCan CYP project has been awarded a grant of £50,000 over two years!

Funded by The Essentia Foundation - Scotland and administered by Foundation Scotland, this grant will enable Visibility Scotland to continue empowering vision impaired children and young people with essential life skills that foster independence and confidence. Our holistic approach focuses not just on overcoming barriers, but also on unlocking potential, equipping young people with the tools to thrive in all aspects of life.

We’re incredibly grateful for this support and excited to continue empowering young people to see beyond limits. A very very big thank you to Essentia and Foundation Scotland!

To learn more about EyeCan CYP, visit the link below:

Visibility Scotland's EyeCan CYP project provides support to vision impaired children and young people up to 25 and their families.

13/08/2025

Susan Shippey has written an absolutely brilliant piece about what's on the horizon for vision impairment services in Scotland.

We're proud to work with her as part of Vision Collaborative Scotland, undertaking ground-breaking research and working to sustainably improve outcomes and support pathways for those with vision impairment Scotland-wide.

Susan Shippey on exciting new developments in vision impairment services