Welcome to the world of Eye Matter, where we create connections that truly matter for people with visual impairment. Our mission is to entertain, educate and empower. Eye Matter has delivered over 200 Zoom events this year including book clubs, concerts, Zumba, creative writing, poetry and drama workshops. Our regular outings have included theatre trips, art galleries, sledging, zip wiring, sports days, comedy evenings, climbing the O2 and much more.
We appreciate there are times when support is needed in sight loss journeys and this is provided in our twice monthly ‘Surviving to Thriving’ Zoom grief programme (supported by our regular blog) and a twice a year in-person session.
Many of our facilitators are themselves visually impaired, enabling them to provide a more empathic service. Membership is completely free and allows access to a multitude of exciting opportunities both through Zoom and in-person.
In the home of champions for our Eye Matter visually impaired champion Richard Simpson.
The 42nd Authentic Athens Marathon took place, November 9, 2025, with over 70,000 people. Although specific numbers for disabled participants were unavailable it would seem that there was only one blind marathon winner - Richard Simpson and his guide Theo.
It took place under a changeable sky, upon a dual carriageway (closed from traffic) and marked by a blue line, from marathon to the Stadium in Athens(26.2miles). A time limit of 8 hours was allocated for medal qualifiers. Evidently, although this is a standard length in some African marathons it is shortened to 4 hours to create a more competitive event.
Unlike most blind runners Richard wasn’t tethered to Theo as he felt confident enough using his white cane and remaining sight (out of only one eye) yet, did need a sighted guide for some aspects of safety. Theo was able to warn Richard of the many cables taped to the surface which monitored each participant, frequent appearances of pot holes, uneven surfaces,water stations and ensuring he was safe when runners were coming too close. Richard explained how some participants insisted on pushing between them or barging past him oblivious of Richard’s white cane much to the annoyance of other runners. The two men first met (April 2023)whilst completing the 500 miles Camino de Santiago which is a network of ancient pilgrimage routes that stretch across Europe, all leading to the shrine of the apostle Saint James in the cathedral of Santiago de Compostela in north-western Spain.
Richard confessed that although he was used to long distance walking,he found the first stage very demanding due to the gradual incline. The Athens Marathon's challenging Hill begins around the 18 km mark and continues until approximately the 31 km mark, covering a distance of about 13 km. During this section, runners ascend approximately 210 meters, reaching a peak elevation of 247 meters above sea level. Richard added once accomplished he was ecstatic and they were able to continue downhill at a brisk pace for the last 10miles into the Stadium. With an average of 4miles an hour and only two calls of nature breaks, they achieved this magnificent challenge, in around 7 hours. Throughout the marathon Richard and Theo received so much encouragement from fellow participants,crowds lining the route and a standing ovation once they entered the stadium.
Over the past year, Richard has been involved in various activities, not only to improve his over -all fitness, but also his stamina. He has walked alongside the Thames Pathway (starting in Greenwich and reaching Buckinghamshire), several Park Runs and a strict gym regime. He said after completing the marathon “I have never felt better and am looking forward to my next challenge!”
On behalf of Eye Matter we would like to sincerely thank Richard for his time, money and determination put into this amazing achievement. We have nearly raised £2000 so please continue to dig deep and show your appreciation to Richard’s achievement as the one an only blind man to conquer the 2025 Athens Marathon.
www.justgiving.com/campaign/richardsbigblindwaddle?utm_medium=CA&utm_source=CL
Thanks for this recognition- see you all there in two weeks time x With Sight Village – I just got recognised as one of their top fans! 🎉
A week of connection, movement, and joy awaits! On Monday, join the Eye Matter Singers for festive fun—no auditions, just singing for well-being! Tuesday brings audio-described chair yoga with Jackie and a friendly social. On Wednesday, bounce with Suzie and Rachel to share ideas and survival tips for living with visual impairment. On Friday, enjoy a social and Neurobics with Steve Wax, a fun brain and body workout funded by The National Lottery. For more information please email: suzie@eyematter.org.uk
Zoom schedule for week starting 10th November
Monday 6pm-7pm Eye Matter singers
This will be the ninth of 12 weekly Zoom sessions ahead of our in-person concert on Saturday, 6th December in London. All members welcome, whether you can attend the in-person concert or not and there are no auditions as we sing for fun and well-being. We will continue to learn a wonderful selection of upbeat festive songs so please come and join in the fun.
Tuesday 6pm audio described chair yoga with Jackie followed by a fun and friendly social.
Jackie, from Strictly Chair Yoga, leads members through a series of gentle movements designed to relax and stimulate. This is part of a series of Chair Yoga sessions kindly supported by the Boost Charitable Trust.
Wednesday 11am- Bounce.
Hosted by Suzie and Rachel - Come and discuss and bounce ideas off each other. Discuss and swap survival hacks for living with a visual impairment
October’sBounce provided a diverse range of questions from our members:
Question 1. What's App polls used to work well on my iPhone, but they have developed a fault, trying to show me calendar options rather than letting me reply to a pole. Help!
Question 2. What is screen recognition?
Question 4. Has anyone managed to get Meta live AI working on their Meta glasses?
www.eyematter.org.uk/bounce-notes/
Friday 11am fun and friendly social followed by Neurobics,. (
aerobics for the memory) Nurobics is a fun brain workout facilitated by Steve Wax. These sessions have been generously funded by The National Lottery.
Neurobics Brain & Body Fitness – is a preventative and rehabilitative treatment programme which supports people to “Challenge the Body, Stimulate the Brain & Lift the Heart.” These sessions aim to recognise that, “Brain & Body Fitness has become a vital element for lifelong well-being, and Neurobics can help you to manage, postpone or eliminate cognitive decline as well as support those recovering from brain injury.”
Members are engaged in a variety of games designed to stimulate their brains including writing words and numbers simultaneously, memory word games in different subjects, and number games.
