Charity Plans to Launch Visual Impairment Parliament

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Thomas Pocklington Trust invites people with sight loss to event on Monday

Leading sight loss charity, the Thomas Pocklington Trus,t is planning to launch a Visual Impairment Parliament for people living in the Tri-borough area - the three neighbouring boroughs of Hammersmith & Fulham, Westminster and Kensington & Chelsea.

Local people with sight loss are being invited to get involved by coming along a consultation event taking place at Kensington Town Hall on Monday January 19 from 2pm till 5pm.

The trust, which is based in Strand on the Green, Chiswick, says the The VI Parliament will see blind and partially sighted people selected as ‘MPs’ to represent the wider visually impaired community across the Tri-borough area.

They will discuss issues including health, transport and education and help to empower those with sight loss to influence and improve all aspects of the life of their community.

Working to improve and better link up services for people with sight loss, Thomas Pocklington Trust is working together with a number of partner agencies to implement a local Vision Strategy across the three boroughs.

Following an earlier consultation event in November 2013, they are now seeking the opinions of local residents, service providers and commissioners on a proposal to introduce the VI Parliament.

Keith Valentine, Director of Services at Thomas Pocklington Trust says: “We are really excited to be bringing the innovation of the Visual Impairment Parliament to the Tri-Borough area. The Parliament will be an excellent way of ensuring the voices of the visually impaired in the area are heard and enable them to engage with the community on a wider level.

"We would like as many people to be involved as possible, so we encourage everyone in the area with sight loss to come along on the 19th January to hear more about the Visual Impairment Parliament and how they can be a part of it."

Hammersmith MP Andy Slaughter has welcomed the proposed parliament saying: "I encourage everyone in the area with sight loss to think about getting involved with the proposed Visual Impairment Parliament. Your experiences and ideas are crucial to ensuring that our communities provide the best support for those with visual impairments."

Thomas Pocklington Trust says that all local people with sight loss are welcome to the event which is being held in the Walford-Crofton room at Kensington Town Hall, Hornton Street in W8 on January 19 from 2pm-5pm to discuss the proposals and to find out views. Refreshments will be provided.

If you would like more information about the VI Parliament or consultation event, or to confirm your place, please telephone 020 3757 8040 or email et@pocklington-trust.org.uk.

Transport can be arranged for people with sight loss who may otherwise be unable to attend. Please inform the Trust if you need transport when confirming your attendance.

If you are unable to attend the event, Thomas Pocklington Trust would still like to hear your views, and ask people to get in touch at the above phone number or email address.

January 14, 2015