This year we celebrate our tenth anniversary as a membership organisation.
There are currently over 1,000 members in Wales, who enjoy a wide range of discounts and benefits but also play a vital role in shaping the organisation's work.
RNIB Membership is open to all blind and partially sighted people and their family, friends or carers. It brings together people with sight loss and provides a community where people can share their experiences and knowledge with each other and RNIB.
Bob Teague, from Newport, is one of Wales' RNIB Member Representatives - he's been nominated by members in Wales to represent them in meetings with RNIB's senior management and trustees, as part of the organisation's governance. Being an RNIB member has made a big difference to his life: "I'm glad to be involved with RNIB Membership as it's given me the opportunity to speak for and represent other blind and partially sighted people. After suffering from a brain haemorrhage several years ago, not only did I lose my sight, but I also lost my source of income, my family and my home. Since being elected as a Member Representative I feel that I have grown in confidence, but I also feel that I'm not alone: I feel that I have a large organisation supporting me when I am campaigning on their behalf."
Members have been an integral part of several high profile RNIB campaign successes including increasing audio description on television by 20 per cent and new European regulations to improve disabled people's rights on buses. Members also worked with Debenhams to help staff understand the issues blind and partially sighted people face when shopping for clothes. The feedback members gave has shaped the training Debenhams staff now receive.
Gwenda Fitzpatrick, RNIB Cymru's Membership Officer, is always keen to recruit new members: "I've seen the impact that being a member of RNIB can have on people like Bob, but also the vital contribution that he and others make to the organisation. By sharing their views and experiences, they ensure that everything we do is informed by the needs of blind and partially sighted people.
"Everyone gets something different from their RNIB membership: whether it be getting involved in the campaigning and governance side of things, or whether it's making new friends and socialising a bit more. Members in Wales benefit from a range of discounts on products and services, can keep up-to-date through our regular newsletters and members magazine, and are welcome to attend any of the many events we hold right across Wales each year. If you or someone you know might be interested in becoming a member, then I would urge you to get in touch."
For more information about RNIB Membership email membership@rnib.org.uk, ring 0303 123 5555, or visit our Membership page.