Welcome to Eye Matter Matters issue 34. This is a fortnightly publication where Eye Matter shares news and information about events and activities, members’ experiences and other items of interest. Unless otherwise indicated, all articles have been written by Fiona Musgrove. If you would like to contribute an article to a future edition, please email fiona.musgrove@yahoo.co.uk
This edition includes:
Eye Matter Zoom events
- Eye Matter’s “Living Well With Sight Loss” course (in partnership with RNIB) returning for its 14th series,
- “Aspects of Love” at Eye Matter’s ’Poetry Appreciation’ group; Next session at 11am on Friday, 31st October
- Fear and Courage for Friday 7th November cathartic creative writing on Zoom.
- “Bookworms” returns Wednesday 5th November at 11am
Eye Matter Outings
- A new venue a new two-day exhibition for Sight Village London 2025.
- Eye Matter Singers Christmas Concert
- Eye Matter’s Winter Extravaganza
- An audio described performance of Sleeping Beauty
Eye Matter’s volunteering opportunities
- Voiceover training
- Members Outreach Programme
Special Features
- Richard’s Big Blind Waddle for Eye Matter.
- Feedback from ‘My Neighbour Totoro’ at the Gillian Lynne Theatre
- Eye Matter’s exclusive Edwardian treat at the Kings Gallery, Buckingham Palace.
- Sight Action Havering Information and Tech Day held at Romford YMCA on 15th October.
- How Vision for Access Community Interest Company(CIC) is encouraging change in our digital world. Founder Mark Maddison provides an insightful interview.
Forthcoming Eye Matter Zoom events
Keep up to date with our activities here.
Highlights include:
Eye Matter’s “Living Well With Sight Loss” course, in partnership with RNIB, returns for its 14th series. Starting on Thursday 30th October.
The six-week course will meet every Thursday for 2 hours between 11am-1pm providing participants with access to guest speakers alongside opportunities to meet and share experiences with other members. Boost your confidence and get practical advice, information, and resources during This free and informal Zoom course. It is an ideal way to help you adjust to your sight condition, increase your independence, and grow your confidence.
Course dates: Thursday 30th October, 6th, 13th, 20th, 27th November and 4th December.
Andy, a member from Worcester said of a recent course, “The course was brilliant and has been of practical benefit. Great content, great facilitators, and really well presented.”
Speakers will include Transport for London, low vision advice, understanding your welfare rights, sports and leisure, rehabilitation and Eye Clinic Liaison Officers (ECLOs), mental health and a well-being session and information about the RNIB resource centre. To book your place, please email suzie@eyematter.org.uk.
“Aspects of love” with Eye Matter’s poetry appreciation group
Last month, facilitator Diana Bramson read a selection of poetry based on the theme “aspects of love”, encouraging the group to share their own experiences and ideas. This included a poem of unrequited love, “Nothing I Am Will Make You Love Me More”.
It was interesting to hear two conflicting interpretations of the same poem; one member felt that the narrator just sounded desperate whereas another thought that they finally realised nobody would ever love them!
Join Diana on Friday 31st October for our next engaging poetry appreciation session. If you wish to contribute a poem on the theme “Aspects of Love”, please email a copy to Suzie before the next session or read it yourself on the day. Click here to read the full article.
Fear and Courage for our next creative cathartic writing session with Johanna Williams on Zoom.
At our October session, Jo read a carefully chosen collection of extracts and creative writing to inspire members including the following example by Harper Lee from “To Kill a Mockingbird“
“I wanted you to see what real courage is, instead of getting the idea that courage is a man with a gun in his hand. It’s when you know you’re licked before you begin, but you begin anyway and see it through no matter what.”
Here are some more inspiration for your own creations:
- Write about a time you ‘felt the fear and did it anyway’
- Write a letter to your fear
- Write about someone you believe is very courageous
- Write about what courage means to you
- Take a line or lines from one of the pieces emailed to you from a previous session and use it to start your own piece of writing
Now it’s your turn to be inspired by this theme. At the next session Friday 10th November. you can either submit your work to Jo or read it yourself. Of course, participation is always optional, and you are welcome just to listen.
“Bookworms” returns Wednesday 5th November at 11am, live on Zoom.
- November’s book is “Hospital Sketches” by Louisa Alcot
Even if you haven’t read the whole book, didn’t like it or just enjoy listening to others, come to this friendly, relaxed session and let us know your book choice for next time. All of the audiobooks are available on the RNIB Readings Services as a downloadable audio book. Please contact RNIB directly for more information.
Please see the list of future books and past Bookworms:
Eye Matter Outings
Find all our events here
A new location a new two-day exhibition for Sight Village London 2025.
- Come and say hello to Eye Matter
Venue: the ILEC Conference Centre, 47 Lillie Road, London SW6 1UD, When: Tuesday 18th Nov – 10:00am – 4:00pm
Wednesday 19th Nov – 9.30am – 3.30pm
One visitor said, “The atmosphere is buzzing, and it’s exciting, it’s interesting and if you have any questions about services or equipment for visually impaired people, this is the best place to get an answer.”
Sight Village is the UK’s leading exhibition and an integral part of the blind and low-vision landscape, attracting thousands of visitors eager to explore the latest technology, products, and support services. It offers a unique opportunity to discuss and engage with new innovations in a sensory-rich environment where you can see, touch, and fully experience products and services. More information is available on the Sight Village website www.qacsightvillage.org.uk.
Information is also available in alternative formats, please call 0121 803 531.
Eye Matter Singers Christmas concert
- WHERE: St Pancras & Somers Town Living Centre, 2, Ossulston Street, London NW1 1DF
- WHEN: Saturday, 6th December
- TIME: 4pm Meet and greet at 3:30pm at St Pancras Station, Midland Road Exit, near the Thameslink barriers.
- COST: £5 donation.
Come and join us for some festive cheer and to eat, drink and be merry!
Eye Matter’s third “Winter Extravaganza”!
LOCATION: The Crown London Hotel, 152 Cricklewood Broadway, London NW2 3ED
DATE: Thursday, 11th December 2025
TIME: 11:30am-6:00pm
Meet & Greet: 10:15am at St. Pancras International, Midland Road Exit, near the Thameslink barriers
- COST: Tickets are subsidised at £45 per person.
- Eye Matter never wants financial constraints to be a barrier, so please contact us if this amount may prove prohibitive. Equally, please donate towards the Extravaganza if you are able to, as this will allow more people to attend.
- Donations for raffle prizes are appreciated.
- Join Eye Matter for a fun-filled day and indulge in a sumptuous four-course lunch. Please see menu below. Please let us know of any dietary requirements and we will do our utmost to accommodate them.
- Drinks can be purchased at your table or from the bar.
- The Extravaganza will also feature stunning performances from 60s inspired band “The Beats”, quizzes, a festive raffle, and much more.
- Dress to boogie, sparkle and enjoy!
Festive Menu
(Bread rolls served on the tables)
Starter
Warm up with a comforting choice of: Creamy carrot and coriander soup – gently spiced and full of flavour (Vegan)
or
Beetroot, lentil & feta salad – a vibrant, earthy, nutritious, sweet and tangy fusion (vegan adaptation available)
Main Course
Slow-cooked turkey and root vegetable casserole – tender turkey with sweet parsnips, carrots and squash, infused with smoked paprika, sage and thyme
or
Butter bean and root vegetable casserole – a rich, plant-based alternative, packed with wholesome flavour and seasonal veg (vegan)
All served with:
Crispy mini roast potatoes
Golden Yorkshire pudding
Steamed Brussels sprouts & savoy cabbage
Rich, savoury gravy
Dessert (2:15pm)
Traditional Christmas pudding – rich, spiced, and fruit-packed, served with a choice of warm brandy sauce or custard
or
Fresh fruit salad – light, refreshing, and naturally sweet
Fourth Course
Freshly brewed teas and coffees
Buttery mince pies – a festive favourite, packed with sweet mincemeat and wrapped in crumbly pastry
An audio described performance of Sleeping Beauty Pantomime
WHERE: London Palladium, 8 Argyll St, London W1F 7TF
WHEN: Thursday 8th January 2026 at 7:30pm
Touch tour time tbc
COST: £37 per person.
Please bring a picnic to have after the touch tour, before the performance
Sleeping Beauty Panto will make all your dreams come true at The London Palladium, celebrating ten years since panto spectacularly returned to London’s home of variety.
Starring Catherine Tate, Palladium pantomime royalty Julian Clary and impressionist Jon Culshaw, Sleeping Beauty also sees the return of Palladium panto favourites Paul Zerdin, Nigel Havers and Rob Madge along with West End stars Emily Lane and Amonik Melaco.
Eye Matter’s volunteering opportunities
- Eye Matter encourages peer support amongst its members.
- No experience is necessary
- Provides work experience within a safe environment.
- All work is done through Zoom or on a phone (unless stated otherwise).
- You will learn to work both independently and as part of a team.
- These roles are for anyone who wants to support others or upskill for future employment opportunities
- Training is provided
Voiceover training
- Required participation of six (one hour) sessions over six weeks.
- An alternative number is required (preferably a land line).
Click here to read the testimonials of members who have benefitted from this project.
Members Outreach Programme
- coordinated by Eye Matter’s member liaison officer, the wonderful Irena Valchera.
- This role includes assisting Irena to reach out to our ever-growing membership.
- Check on their wellbeing, confirm their continued interest in membership, and ensure that they are able to join our Zoom sessions.
- Minimum commitment of one call per week.
If you are interested in any of these opportunities, please email suzie@eyematter.org.uk
Special features
Richard’s Big Blind Waddle in aid of Eye Matter has raised over £700 to date.
Eye Matter member, Richard Simpson is registered blind/Seriously Sight Impaired due to glaucoma) despite this or perhaps because of this, he will be ‘waddling’ the Athens Marathon (26.2 miles) for Eye Matter on Saturday 9th November 2025.
To learn more about Richard’s fundraising and to support him, please click here:
https://www.justgiving.com/campaign/richardsbigblindwaddle
As preparation, Richard is currently walking the 182.5 miles of the Thames pathway from the Thames barrier to the rivers source in Gloucestershire. Follow Richard’s adventures on the Eye Matter Facebook page here.
Feedback from ‘My Neighbour Totoro’ at the Gillian Lynne Theatre
One member said, “thank you for organising this theatre trip, and my warmest thanks to Amy who was my guide and companion for this event. Keep up the good work.”
On Saturday 11th October, 37 Eye Matter members and sighted guides had the pleasure of visiting My Neighbour Totoro at the Gillian Lynne Theatre. Attendees were treated to a wonderfully immersive touch tour, where they had the opportunity to explore the beautiful costumes, interact with props — including puppets such as the dust sprites and frogs — and even meet the three Totoros in varying sizes, from a tiny tot to a towering giant, as big as the house on stage!
The brilliant Royal Shakespeare Company team, alongside the front of house staff, were incredibly helpful and welcoming. They ensured everyone’s headsets were working and went out of their way to assist us, whether helping us navigate the venue or getting everybody seated. Their support truly brought the magic of My Neighbour Totoro to life.
Eye Matter’s exclusive Edwardian treat at the Kings Gallery, Buckingham Palace.
Members met last month at our visit to the Royal Mews. We were also joined by another audio describer, Tory. The tour began in a stunning upstairs room featuring a beautiful glass-domed ceiling and a grand table that could seat 25 people. Eye Matter attendees were offered tea and biscuits before Catherine gave us an overview of everything the tour would entail.
Once inside the first gallery, entitled “The Green Room”, Catherine described the artwork, including portraits of royal individuals and groups. From Queen Victoria and her children to King Edward VII and his elegant, socially prominent wife, Queen Alexandra. Finishing With Queen Mary and King George V. The contrast between these royal couples was striking – Edward and Alexandra came across as distinctly modern, while George and Mary exuded a sense of deep tradition, brought to life through the description of their attire, surroundings and a collection of stories.
The tour delved into the lives and tastes of two of Britain’s most fashionable royal couples – King Edward VII and Queen Alexandra, and King George V and Queen Mary – from their family life and collecting habits to their glittering social circles and grand state occasions. There were more than 300 objects from the Royal Collection on display, of which nearly half had never been exhibited before. The exhibition featured work by some of the period’s most celebrated artists and designers, such as, Carl Fabergé, Frederic Leighton, Edward Burne-Jones, Laurits Tuxen, John Singer Sargent and William Morris. Please click here to enjoy the audio described photos and Richard’s fantastic review.
Sight Action Havering Information and Tech Day held at Romford YMCA on 15th October.
Eye Matter was delighted to be amongst 18 exhibitors at this
warm, welcoming, and friendly event. The lively atmosphere was filled with members of the visually impaired community. Suzie said “It was a brilliant Opportunity to showcase Eye Matter And the ways in which we empower, educate and entertain members whilst making new connections.”
A huge thank you to Eye Matter’s patron, Mike brace CBE DL who attended the event and to everyone who supported us and a warm welcome to our new members.
How Vision for Access CIC is encouraging change in our digital world.
- Founder Mark Maddison provided Eye Matter with an insightful interview.
Mark founded Vision for Access CIC in May of this year. It was born from Mark’s lived experience of being partially sighted and continuously facing accessibility barriers online. Mark, from South Shields explained, “Even as someone confident with technology, I found that many websites, forms, and digital platforms were still inaccessible or poorly designed for screen reader users.” From many years of working within the charity sector Mark can understand the concerns of smaller organisations wishing to improve their inclusion for blind and partially sighted people, “I wanted to use my experience to bridge that gap by helping businesses and service providers understand accessibility from a lived-experience perspective and make practical, affordable improvements that benefit everyone.
Mark feels that the biggest barriers preventing access to digital content, for blind and partially sighted people, often relate to a lack of awareness and understanding. He adds, “Many people still assume accessibility is a complex technical issue, when it’s often about simple design choices and good habits, like adding alt text, using proper heading structure and ensuring good colour contrast. He also suggested another barrier is inconsistent accessibility standards; even when one part of a website is accessible, another might not be. Finally, Mark highlighted that there’s a lack of user testing with people who have sight loss, which means accessibility isn’t considered from the outset, and issues go unnoticed until it’s too late.
Through the work of Vision for Access CIC, Mark hopes that employers will be encouraged to provide opportunities for the 75% of blind and partially sighted people of working age who are currently unemployed. Alongside better awareness, Mark suggests that many employers want to do the right thing but worry about “getting it wrong” or assume workplace adjustments will be expensive or difficult. Education is key – showing them how accessible technology, remote working, and small adaptations can make a huge difference. Blind and partially sighted people also need to be represented in recruitment campaigns, leadership discussions, and policy decisions so employers can see our value firsthand. He states, “It’s about moving from token inclusion to genuine empowerment.”
To find out more about Vision for Access CIC and to read the full article please click here.