Eye Matter’s Board of Trustees meet 4 times a year on Zoom. Our next meeting takes place on 29th May 2025.

Suzie Simons

In September 2005, I lost my central vision and was registered as severely sight impaired. This life-altering experience became the catalyst for a new direction—one rooted in resilience, reinvention, and a deep commitment to supporting others living with visual impairment.

Determined to turn adversity into purpose, I undertook studies in community counselling, life coaching, and facilitation. This training equipped me to guide and empower individuals navigating the emotional and practical complexities of visual impairment.

I began volunteering with the Royal National Institute of Blind People (RNIB), contributing both in their resource centre and as a volunteer for the Living Well with Sight Loss course. I dedicated nine years to this cause, working to support and uplift the visually impaired community.

I transitioned to a new phase of volunteering with the Eye Care Liaison Officer at the Royal Free Hospital. It was here that I founded Eye Matter—a community initiative that brought the Living Well with Sight Loss course to a local level, offering accessible, peer-led support in hospital settings.

Today, I am proud to lead Eye Matter full-time. Our mission is to create an inclusive and empowering environment where people with visual impairment can build connections, access resources, and thrive. My ongoing passion for drama, music, theatre, and dance continues to enrich my life and energize my leadership, helping me foster creativity and engagement within the organisation.

I am deeply grateful for the unwavering support of my family and friends, whose encouragement has sustained me throughout this journey. Their belief in me—and in the vision of Eye Matter—continues to inspire my commitment to building a stronger, more connected community for those living with a visual impairment.

It is both an honour and a privilege to serve as the Founder and Coordinator of Eye Matter. Together, we are building a space where every member is seen, heard, and valued and Eye Matter can help members with a new beginning.

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.

Kinnari Patel

I’m a British Kenyan Indian woman who has been blind since birth. In adulthood, a secondary eye condition led to a further deterioration in my limited useful vision, bringing new challenges and changes to navigate. It was during this time that I discovered Eye Matter—and the peer support, inclusive activities, and Living Well with Sight Loss course became a lifeline, helping me rebuild confidence and embrace life with renewed energy.

I’m an ACCA-qualified accountant with a passion for making numbers work for people. Alongside my professional background in finance, I love tandem cycling, dancing, going to the theatre, and travelling—experiences that remind me how rich and vibrant life is beyond what we see.

Joining the Board of Trustees feels like a full-circle moment. Eye Matter played such a key role in my journey, and I’m proud to now contribute to theirs—bringing both my lived experience and professional expertise to support their vital work and the community that means so much to me.