Programme
We held our second online conference between 24 – 26 November 2021. We welcomed members, partners and guests who shared their positive outcomes from the storm of the pandemic and how they continuing the momentum of transforming services, to support blind and partially sighted people, in the new world we live in. Our core theme was Rainbows, Disruptions and Transformations:
Rainbows: Organisations have created positive outcomes from the storm of the pandemic. We shared learning, adaptations and the positive impact which these will have on future support and services offered to blind and partially sighted people.
Disruptions: We encouraged and supported each other to positively manage and evaluate our own disruptions, whilst challenging our own practices. In doing so we, of course, acknowledged the huge disruptions we have all experienced during the pandemic.
Transformations: The sight loss sector continues to face immense hurdles due to the pandemic. Radical transformation will be required in overcoming these challenges and will be necessary to keep pace with the economic, social and structural changes we are experiencing. Transformation is vital if we are to ensure that blind and partially sighted people are not left behind and receive the timely support the required.
Below, is an overview of the programme for the event and an audio version of the delegate pack. The Visionary Team are now planning the 2022 Annual Conference.
Wednesday 24 November 2021
10.00 Opening Address
10.20 Keynote Session 1
Paul Evans: CEO, Leadership through Sport (image below right)
10.50 Break
11.15 Workshop Session 1: Six Choices
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- Strengthening your resilience: Taking care of yourself as you care for others
- Money, Money Money: Income Generation Q & A with a panel of experts
- Empowering volunteers who are blind or partially sighted to become effective leaders
- Learning from COVID-19: Positive examples of habilitation services development and adaptation to the needs of children, young people and their families
- Shaping tomorrow while running today
- Challenging the Odds: Enabling the fellowship to flourish online when the internet seems too scary
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12.15 Break
13.15 Well-being Session with Dosti Dance
13.45 Break
14:00 Workshop Session 2: Six Choices
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- Making sense of climate change
- Together we are believed, reassured and supported
- Provocation, preparation and performance – communicating confidently online and in person
- Heart of a charity, mindset of a business
- Post 16 education for blind and partially sighted students: breaking down barriers and learnings from a pandemic
- Hard to reach or not reaching hard enough!
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Thursday 25 November 2021
09.00 Well-being session with Angela Da Castro
10.00 Keynote Session 2
Dr Nikita Kanani: GP and Medical
Director for Primary Care for NHS England and
NHS Improvement
Lucy Caldicott: CEO, Changeout.org (image below, right)
11.45 Workshop Session 3: Six Choices
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- Led by experience: How community led models can both empower and deliver
- Space in between
- Shine on access: A spotlight on accessible information
- Patient Voices Influencing the Low Vision Service in Wales
- Children and Young People’s Sight Loss MOT
- Digital support groups: How we utilised data, evaluation and dashboards to create client focussed digital support
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12.45 Break
13.45 Well-being Session
14.15 Annual Visionary Quiz
Friday 26 November 2021
09.15 Visionary AGM
10.00 Keynote Session 3:
Dr Amy Kavanagh: Disability Campaigner and Activist
10.45 Break
11.00 VI Charity Sector Partnership, Workstream Sessions: Seven Choices
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- Mental Health and Well-being
- Access to Technology
- Talent Development and Lived Experience Leadership
- Sector Information Sharing Kickstarter
- Establishment of a sector wide Insight base
- Crisis Response Plan
- Joint Awareness Raising and Campaigning
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12noon Break
13.00 Annual Visionary Awards
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