Leading Blind and Sight Impaired Charity Appoints Former Client and Volunteer as CEO
4Sight Vision Support (4SVS) has named Kirstie Thomas as its new Chief Executive Officer as it celebrates 100 years of supporting blind and sight impaired people across West Sussex.
Sight-impaired Kirstie is the Charity’s current Services Manager, with overall responsibility for planning, coordinating and delivering 4Sight Vision Support’s services for both children and adults. Kirstie, who has a genetic form of macular degeneration, was initially supported by 4SVS when she was diagnosed with Stargadt Disease over 23 years ago at the age of 20.
Impressed by the services provided by the Charity, Kirstie firstly volunteered on the Shoreham Fundraising Area Committee. In 2009 Kirstie was then employed initially as a Volunteer Coordinator and increasingly grew her role within the organisation, gaining invaluable experience and knowledge of sight loss, low vision and the complex needs of blind and sight impaired people.
4SVS Chair of Trustees, Dr Norman Boyland comments,
"Along with her own personal experience of sight loss, Kirstie has been a key architect of the strategic development of our services over the years, and her previous management experience, passion, drive and commitment will serve the Charity well as we develop our services to meet the future needs of our clients."
Kirstie Thomas, Chief Executive Officer, 4Sight Vision Support
Kirstie says,
“I feel extremely proud and privileged to have been offered this opportunity and look forward to working with the incredible team here at 4Sight Vision Support, to provide the very best standard of tailored support for blind and sight impaired people."
The Charity’s vision is for blind and sight-impaired people to live Life Without Limits and its mission is to make a positive difference to blind and sight impaired people in West Sussex at every stage of their lives.
Dr Boyland thanked Nik on behalf of the Board and says,
"During his tenure, Nik has championed the needs of blind and sight impaired people at every level. As a result of Nik’s campaigning, a Sensory Impairment Needs Assessment (SINA) was commissioned by WSCC Director of Public Health in 2020, and its findings will be published any day now. In addition, Nik has worked tirelessly to secure funding from the NHS Trust towards our Sight Care Advisor Service in our local hospitals."
The independent Charity relies on support from volunteers, fundraising events, donations and grants to fund its vital services and earlier this year it was awarded the prestigious Queens Award for Voluntary Service.
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Further Information
For more information, please contact Chloe Neilson-Hopkins, Fundraising Manager on 01243 838555, or email Cathy Clark, Fundraising Volunteer.
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