Sponsors
Our varied conference programme of speakers, workshops, webinars and well-being activities would not have been be possible without the amazing support we received from our conference sponsors. We are extremely grateful for their support as this also enabled us to only charge a registration fee for the event.
We are extremely grateful to be supported by our members, partners and corporate sponsors:
Members
Wilberforce Trust
Since 1833 Wilberforce Trust have been passionate about empowering people to gain confidence and independence with sight and hearing impairment including other disabilities to live fulfilling, independent lives. We provide a range of services including supported housing, supported living, sensory impairment assessments, sight registrations, rehabilitation officer support and much more. We are also the home of Club Wilber, the fantastic club for the families of children with visual impairments!
National Partners
Blind Veterans UK
Blind Veterans UK is the national charity for ex-Service men and women with severe sight loss. Founded in 1915 and previously known as St Dunstan’s, Blind Veterans UK has supported tens of thousands of Armed Forces and National Service veterans to rebuild their lives after sight loss. We help veterans to learn vital life skills and give them the tools they need to be safe in their own homes. We do this by giving veterans the free rehabilitation, training and support they need to live independent lives.
Our beneficiaries range from National Service veterans who lost their sight later in life due to age-related conditions, to Iraq and Afghanistan veterans blinded on duty. It doesn’t matter when a veteran served or how they lost their sight, we can help. We also provide services to carers and family members, whether in the form of information and advice, or by simply giving them the opportunity to take a break.
Guide Dogs UK
Guide Dogs’ aim is to help people with sight loss live the life they choose. Children and adults. Friends and family. Our expert staff, volunteers and life-changing dogs help people with a vision impairment to live actively, independently, and well.
This conference provides a valuable opportunity to work alongside colleagues across the sight loss sector – time for us all to take time out of our busy day jobs, and to come together to share common concerns, co-produce solutions and celebrate achievements. That is why we are delighted to sponsor a Visionary award again this year.
Macular Society
Macular disease is the biggest cause of sight loss in the UK, with around 300 people diagnosed every day.
The Macular Society is determined to beat the fear and isolation of macular disease with world-class research, and the best advice and support.
The Society works in close collaboration with local and regional sight loss organisations, and the members of Visionary, to support people affected by this devastating condition and to beat macular disease, for good. The conference is a great opportunity to share experiences and learn from each other, in order to continue to improve the lives of those living sight loss.
RNIB (Royal National Institute of Blind People)
RNIB is one of the UK’s leading national sight loss charities supporting blind and partially sighted people. Our vision is a world where blind and partially sighted people participate equally. We recognise everyone’s unique experience of sight loss and offer help and support to people – this can be anything from practical and emotional support, campaigning for change, reading services and the products we offer in our online shop. We’re a catalyst for change – inspiring people with sight loss to transform their own personal experience, their community and, ultimately, society as a whole. Our focus is on giving them the help, support and tools they need to realise their aspirations.
RNIB is delighted to sponsor and support the Visionary Annual Conference. We wish to build stronger more productive relationships at a local level and are seeking to engage with local sight loss charities to provide more opportunities for blind and partially sighted people and improve equity of access. Opportunities include sharing information, training, support, resources etc. where RNIB is actively seeking to collaborate. If you are interested in having a discussion, please get in touch with the team via email.
Thomas Pocklington Trust
Thomas Pocklington Trust places emphasis on education, employment and engagement to support blind and partially sighted people to live the life they want to lead. It is committed to raising awareness and understanding of the needs and aspirations of blind and partially sighted people and working with partners and developing and implementing activities and services which meet these needs to increase independence and improve lives.
The Visionary Conference is a brilliant platform for organisations across the country to come together to share knowledge, ideas and best practice. As always, we are delighted to be involved in the event to support Visionary and its members across the whole country.
Corporate Sponsors
Bayer
Bayer is a life science company with a more than 150-year history. They focus on researching, developing, and marketing specialty-focused innovative medicines that provide significant clinical benefit and value. In ophthalmology, Bayer is helping reduce the number of people impacted globally by visual impairment through innovative products and research.
For further information on the company and its people, portfolio, and commitments, please visit the Bayer website.
Novartis
Novartis is reimagining medicine to improve and extend people’s lives. As a leading global medicines company, we use innovative science and digital technologies to create transformative treatments in areas of great medical need. In our quest to find new medicines, we consistently rank among the world’s top companies investing in research and development. Novartis products reach more than 800 million people globally and we are finding innovative ways to expand access to our latest treatments. About 150,000 people of nearly 130 nationalities work at Novartis around the world.
In the UK, we employ approximately 1,500 people to serve healthcare needs across the whole of the UK, as well as supporting the global operations of Novartis. Since 2014, Novartis has invested over £200 million in R&D and is a leading sponsor of clinical trials, in the UK. For more information, please visit the Novartis website.
Optelec
Our Goal.
The Optelec mission is simple: “Improving the quality of life of visually impaired and dyslexic people – reaching out with simple and effective solutions.” Our aim is to help anyone with a sight difficulty, whether they are totally blind or have a degree of vision impairment or dyslexia, by offering simple to use and intuitive solutions.
Our Products.
Our products are designed to help with making the most of life: to allow staying in touch with friends and relatives, to participate and succeed in education and the workplace as well continuing to enjoy hobbies.
Our Support.
We pride ourselves on supporting not only our customers, but those that serve the visually impaired community. This includes local sight loss charities, opticians, hospitals, government departments and many more. If we can assist your charity, please do not hesitate to contact us.
You can access demonstrations and advice online:
Understanding electronic magnification and selecting the correct magnifier for the job: Choosing the correct magnifier — Low Vision Shop
Access a weekly video where we identify problems commonly faced by users: A Problem Solved – YouTube
www.lowvisionshop.co.uk or Tel: 0800 1456115
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