Chief Executive's reaction
Lesley-Anne Alexander, Chief Executive of the Royal National Institute of Blind People (RNIB) says:
"We welcome reassurance from the Prime Minister that Big Society is not just about budget-cutting. Indeed, Mr Cameron's announcement of a well funded Big Society Bank, which will enable organisations like charities and other voluntary groups to access start-up finance, is extremely welcome and needs to be implemented swiftly.
"This will be particularly important if service providers are to be "paid by results" which is sound in principal, but could lock organisations that don't have access to start-up capital out of the process."
Communities of interest
Mr Cameron talks about creating communities with 'oomph' which we wholeheartedly applaud. RNIB has fostered networks, across the UK, of dynamic and vocal blind and partially sighted people who together have worked to achieve change in their communities and also helped shape Government policy.
It is important, therefore, to remember that communities are not just geographical.
There are 'communities of interest' which also need to be nurtured and encouraged. We need to ensure that the most marginalised people, like older blind and partially sighted people, who are often dispersed across communities and who seldom speak out or lobby for change, don't lose out as the "loudest" groups take centre stage.
Measuring impact
The real test of success will be to measure the impact on some of the most disadvantaged people in society, of which blind and partially sighted people are a significant group.
The Government needs to work with the third sector to ensure that vulnerable people are involved in the planning and delivery of services and get the vital support they need to live independently in their communities.
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For more information please call the RNIB Press Office on 020 7 391 2223, or email: susan.duncan@rnib.org.uk. Outside office hours call 07968482812.
Notes to Editors
About RNIB
Every day another 100 people in the UK will start to lose their sight. There are around two million people in the UK with sight problems. RNIB is the leading charity working in the UK offering practical support, advice and information for anyone with sight difficulties. If you, or someone you know, has a sight problem RNIB can help. Call the RNIB Helpline on 0303 123 9999 or visit www.rnib.org.uk.
RNIB is a partner in the UK Vision Strategy, a ground-breaking UK-wide initiative which seeks a major transformation in the UK's eye health, eye care and sight loss services. The strategy was launched in April 2008 in response to a World Health Assembly global resolution to reduce avoidable blindness by the year 2020 and to improve support and services for blind and partially sighted people. To find out more visit: www.vision2020uk.org.uk/ukvisionstrategy.