Suzie Simons

I am Suzie Simons. I lost my central vision and was registered as severely sight-impaired in September 2005. This life-altering experience became the catalyst for my determination to make a meaningful impact in the lives of others facing similar challenges.

In response to this, I embarked on a path of retraining and personal growth. I studied counselling within the community, life coaching, and facilitation training. This educational journey equipped me with the tools to offer guidance, support, and empowerment to those seeking to navigate the complexities of life with a visual impairment.

My passion for giving back led me to volunteer at the Royal National Institute of Blind People (RNIB) in their resource centre, where I also actively participated in the “Living Well with Sight Loss” course. I dedicated nine years to this cause, working diligently to support and uplift the visually impaired community.

Subsequently, I transitioned to a new phase of volunteering at the Royal Free Hospital, volunteering for the Eye Care Liaison Officer, where I started Eye Matter, bringing the Living Well with Sight Loss course to my local hospital. This role allowed me to continue my mission of offering assistance and guidance to those in need, further deepening my connection to the visually impaired community.

I am now wholeheartedly committed to leading this remarkable organization on a full-time basis, striving to create an inclusive and supportive community where individuals with a visual impairment can flourish.

Beyond my professional pursuits, I maintain a diverse and vibrant array of hobbies, including a profound love for drama, music, theatre, and sports. These interests bring joy and enrichment to my life and continue to inspire me in my mission.

I am profoundly grateful for the unwavering support of my family and friends, who have stood by me through every step of my journey. It is their encouragement and belief in the cause that has fuelled my determination to create a brighter future for those with a visual impairment.

I consider it an honour and a privilege to be a part of the Eye Matter family, a community dedicated to creating positive change and fostering connections that truly matter. Together, we are making a difference in the lives of our members.

Suzie Simons
Founder and Coordinator

Warren Marks

Having spent all my working life in the food business, focusing on almost every part of the supply chain from raw materials to selling the end product I am finally retired and enjoying volunteering. In the past, I have volunteered and worked with children in a holiday and youth club setting and have volunteered for Suzie for Eye Matter since the charity was created.

I am an avid sports fan with a special love of Tennis.

Maggie Rosen

I am a journalist, editor and copywriter. I have lived with sight loss from congenital uveitis since childhood. I decided to get involved with Eye Matter because of its focus on social interaction and exchange of practical advice from others with similar challenges. There are many organisations that offer guidance to critical medical, financial and disability rights services. While those issues are being addressed one way or another, visually impaired people want to get on with the other aspects of their lives. This is where Eye Matter comes in.

Rachel Bowden Waterson

I am registered blind having been diagnosed with autoimmune uveitis and secondary glaucoma more than 20 years ago. My  background is in music and theatre, but I have  also worked for several national charities in senior  events roles.  I love audio described theatre,  reading, travel and spending time with family and friends. I am delighted to be a part of  Eye Matter and all that it offers  visually impaired people.

Fiona Musgrove

I was 20 years old when life changed dramatically due to a severe reaction to taking antibiotics, which left me blind within one year.  Despite this, I am now a mum and more recently a grandmother.   Aged 40 years old I decided to create opportunities for local people to access theatres, sports and much more.  Since 2011 I have been involved with several voluntary and charities delivering tennis and sight loss awareness to over 2000 children.

Like the other trustees of Eye Matter, I am a strong advocate of encouraging social interaction both virtually and in person through the wide variety of activities available.

I was honoured to be asked to join this energetic charity and look forward to contributing and working as part of this team.