21st January Member outreach training
28th January Voiceover Training
29th January Facebook Training
Charu leads a peer support training programme for Eye Matter members.
Eye Matter is seeking confident iPhone and Android users within their membership who are interested in sharing their skills with other visually impaired individuals. To support this initiative, we are excited to introduce our Volunteer VoiceOver Training Manager, Charu Bansal, who has been working with us since September 2024, alongside volunteer IT Trainer Jackie Brown (from RNIB), who regularly facilitates a short training program designed to enhance teaching abilities.
Charu Bansal, from London, was diagnosed with retinitis pigmentosa in 2012. At first the symptoms were “manageable” affecting colour contrasts and becoming light sensitive, but, during COVID her sight drastically deteriorated. Despite this, throughout lock-down, she was determined to learn more about technology believing it would enhance her life, “I was using Siri and was quite happy with it, But soon realised, one day it would not be enough. I could no longer do simple things such as checking my emails, calling friends and family and was unable to read any type of text.”
In 2022 Charu was introduced to Eye Matter who were providing a range of activities during the Pandemic she explains, “during these zoom events I came to know about VoiceOver and android, talk back. I did the living with sight loss course with Eye Matter that totally blew my mind, and I knew that there was no looking back. I could be independent again.” Charu added, “one thing was clear that technology is the only lifeline that is going to give me the confidence and resilience required to move ahead in life.” Consequently, she contacted RNIB and was finally accepted on a Technology For Life (TFL) voice over training course. “VoiceOver took away the struggle and stress that I was having before.”
After waiting a long time to receive training with the RNIB and understanding the importance of gaining technology skills Charu is keen to support Eye Matter’s new initiative to train members to support others. “if we only just look back in our life and see the struggles and hardships we have had to go through before using VoiceOver, I think that’s quite enough to give us the motivation.”
Charu’s responsibilities include providing iPhone VoiceOver and android talk back training skills, matching trainees with trainers for the six-week course and regular communication with each party. “I feel so grateful that I am part of this superb project with Eye Matter and have been given this opportunity to make a difference in our community.”
Since her engagement in September 2024 Charu has countless examples of members feeling more confident after participating in this course. Some members felt more confident from the knowledge gained whereas some members just needed reassurance about using a smart phone. Whilst others revealed that they were now able to check emails, Independently read important documents and keep connected to family and friends.
Charu said how one member was “so pleased when she was finally able to send her first voice message using VoiceOver and that was to me!”
Unlike other programmes this course is tailor made to each individual’s level of learning. All trainers have a visual impairment which gives an empathetic understanding within the relationship. Every trainer is paired with a trainee with different needs and levels of support. Trainers are advised on identifying an individual needs and level of support required. From this information a tailor-made programme can be delivered with a supportive document issued and regular communication with Charu throughout the process.
Like many of us living with sight loss technology plays a vital role in keeping us communicated with the world around us and providing peer support can make such a difference.
If you would like to become a Trainer or participate within this programme, please email with the subject “Voice Over.”
We are delighted to announce an exciting new volunteering opportunity at Eye Matter.
We will be initiating a member outreach program, which will be coordinated by our new volunteer member liaison, Irena Valchera. We are seeking volunteers to assist Irena in reaching out to our members to ensure they are doing well, confirm their continued interest in membership, and ensure that they are able to join our Zoom sessions.
The first training will be on Tuesday 21st of January at 11am on the usual Zoom link.
Unfortunately, only those able to make this training will be able to start volunteering, however, the next training will be on Tuesday 18th March.
If you would like to support Eye Matter, even committing to make one call per week would be beneficial. If you are able to contribute more time, that would be greatly appreciated too. Volunteers will receive basic training for this role.
To join our member outreach team, please email suzie@eyematter.org.uk with the subject line “Outreach Volunteer.”
Thank you for considering this opportunity to support our community!
We are seeking confident iPhone and Android users within our membership who are interested in sharing their skills with other visually impaired individuals. To support this initiative, we are excited to introduce our Volunteer VoiceOver Training Manager, Charu Bansal, alongside volunteer IT Trainer Jackie Brown, who will facilitate a short training program designed to enhance your teaching abilities.
Our next training session is scheduled for 28th of January at 2pm. This is for existing trainers and new ones. We will be running this training every 3 months and we’d really love all our trainers to attend where possible.
Eye Matter is delighted to announce another training opportunity
Facebook’s positives and pitfalls
Facebook is an exciting way to communicate with family, friends and a great source of information for blind and partially sighted people who are often isolated. It provides links to a host of organisations and private groups dedicated to supporting our needs, yet we are aware that myths and high-profile incidents raise concerns for many members.
Eye Matter is working collaboratively with RNIB’s Digital Skills and Engagement team to design a specific session based on accessing Facebook. This pilot course is aimed at those who are concerned about using Facebook or are interested in learning more about the benefits of this social media platform.
This course will be delivered by Eye Matter’s social media manager Fiona and will include an interactive section for Members to ask questions which, if necessary, will be passed onto RNIB’s Digital Skills Engagement Team.
An exclusive toolkit will be sent to all those who attend containing helpful tips and contact details for further support.
If you are interested in attending this event, please email with the subject title “Facebook training”.