The regional/country groups are a forum for members in each area to come together to share information and best practice, and offer peer support across the Visionary network. They are represented by a an individual from one of the member organisations from each region/country.
Each region or country has a dedicated lead from the core Visionary team who is the point of contact for the members within this area. They work closely with the regional representative and work alongside leads from our partners (England Vision Strategy (EVS), RNIB, Blind Veterans UK, etc). This allows us to work more cohesively within each area and increase our understanding of what is happening across the country.
Covers: Cornwall, Devon, Dorset, Gloucestershire, Somerset and Wiltshire
Regional Representative – Julian Garner, Devon in Sight
Visionary Regional Lead – Gareth Brydon
Covers: Bedfordshire, Berkshire, Buckinghamshire, Hampshire (Including the Isle of Wight), Kent, Oxfordshire, Surrey and Sussex
Regional Representative – Nik Demetriades, 4SIGHT
Visionary Regional Lead – Lesley Smeardon
Covers: Greater London
Regional Representative – Cathy Low, London Vision
Visionary Regional Lead – Gareth Brydon
Covers: Cambridgeshire, Essex, Hertfordshire, Norfolk and Suffolk
Regional Representative – Gina Dormer, Norfolk and Norwich Association for the Blind
Visionary Regional Leads – Gareth Brydon for Cambridgeshire, Hertfordshire, Norfolk and Suffolk; Lesley Smeardon for Essex
Covers: Herefordshire, Shropshire, Staffordshire, Worcestershire, Nottinghamshire, Lincolnshire, Derbyshire, Northamptonshire, Leicestershire, Wolverhampton, Birmingham, Warwickshire, Rutland and Walsall
Regional Representative – Susan Hoath, Vista
Visionary Regional Lead – Gareth Brydon
Covers: Merseyside, Manchester, Cheshire, Lancashire, Cumbria
Regional Representative – Rob Cooper, Henshaws
Visionary Regional Lead – Sarah Halliwell
Covers: North, South, East and West Yorkshire
Regional Representative – Hayley Grocock, Wakefield District Sight Aid
Visionary Regional Lead – Gareth Brydon
Covers: County Durham, Northumberland, Teeside and Tyneside
Regional Representative – Susan Coulson, Gatehead and South Tyneside Sight Service
Visionary Regional Lead – Sarah Halliwell
Covers: devolved country of Scotland
Country Representative – Maggie Chapman, Scottish Council on Visual Impairment (SCOVI)
Visionary Country Lead – Alison Oliver, Visionary CEO
Covers: devolved country of Wales
Country Representative – Joy Smith, Vision Support and Rebecca Phillips, Wales Council for the Blind (WCB)
Visionary country Lead – Gareth Brydon
The Membership Advisory Group (MCG) has been established as a non-decision-making body that provides consultative input to Visionary’s planned projects. It provides a strategic focus to share regional intel and developments and a non-trustee sounding board for Visionary strategic planning. The group also brings voices from different regions together to share and learn on topics that resonate with a wider region to encourage problem solving and constructive debate. Finally the MCG offers informal networking after meetings among regional reps to share best practice and consider ways of cross-regional working.
The MCG representatives are currently the same as the regional representatives.
If you are interested in finding out more about the regional groups, or would like to become a representative, please contact visionary@visionary.org.uk.