To mark the start of our 220th birthday year we have secured an exciting partnership with the National Lottery Community Fund, the largest funder of community activity in the UK. They have awarded us an incredible £495,000 grant to ensure that adults who have learning disabilities or are autistic have the opportunity to learn about vital eye care and how to access the services they need, in their local communities.

The new programme called ‘Every Day in Focus’ will be led by Eye Care Champions including people with lived experience of learning disabilities.  They will work with local groups to reach and empower 7,000 people who have learning disabilities or are autistic and over 5,000 eye care professionals.  Work will begin in The North West – including the 5 counties of Greater Manchester, Cheshire, Merseyside, Lancashire and Cumbria - and will also cover all of London’s 32 boroughs.

Lisa Hopkins, Chief Executive of SeeAbility said:

We are delighted to work with the National Lottery Community Fund, who share our values of putting people with learning disabilities in the lead to ensure communities are stronger and more inclusive.  This is exactly the kind of positive impact we want to create as we mark SeeAbility's 220th birthday.

Across 2019, SeeAbility will be marking its 220th birthday with a series of events and by spotlighting the talents and achievements of people who have learning disabilities or who are autistic.  Their aim is to forge many more new partnerships with like-minded organisations who share their vision of making society more inclusive and welcoming for all.