Release date: Thursday 16 December 2010
Joint statement from Action for Blind People, RNIB and SeeAbility
Action for Blind People (Action), The Royal National Institute of Blind People (RNIB) and SeeAbility have agreed to formally explore working more closely together, by combining forces as equal partners.
The aim would be to rationalise which charity does what and allow each to focus on their particular areas of specialisation in pursuit of the UK Vision Strategy, launched in 2008. There may also be some potential to share resources for common functions.
In a joint statement from all three CEOs Stephen Remington, Chief Executive, Action for Blind People said: "Our three organisations share the same aims and aligning our work makes so much sense - blind and partially sighted people will be able to access the right practical and emotional support to meet their aspirations as and when they need it."
Lesley-Anne Alexander Chief Executive of RNIB added: "We share a joint commitment to improving services across the sight loss sector and have begun discussions on the potential opportunity to maximise the strengths of all three excellent organisations. There is a lot of work ahead but we firmly believe that joining together in this way will provide improved services and a more unified voice for blind and partially sighted people. This is an important and exciting time for the three organisations. We also hope that in time others would want to join".
David Scott-Ralphs, Chief Executive of SeeAbility said: "We know at SeeAbility that people with complex needs are most likely to have sight problems and least likely to get the right help and support with their eye care. Joining together in this way is the best way to achieve maximum impact for all people living with sight loss".
Discussions are currently at a very early stage, and details of how the proposed new alignment of services might operate are being developed, though all three organisations hope to be working in this new way by 2012.
End of media release
For further media information please contact:
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Action for Blind People: Chris Dyson or Savannah Wiza, Acting PR Managers, on 07739 819954.
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RNIB: Susan Duncan, Media and PR Manager, on 020 7391 3291 or 07968 482812.
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SeeAbility: Jayne McGann on 01372 755020
Notes to editors
About Action and RNIB
Action for Blind People is a national charity with local reach, providing practical help and support to blind and partially sighted people of all ages. As part of RNIB Group, it brings together a unique combination of complementary strengths and expertise to deliver services in line with the UK Vision Strategy. If abbreviating "Action for Blind People", please use "Action" rather than AFBP or ABP. Contact Action for Blind People at www.actionforblindpeople.org.uk.
RNIB is the leading charity working in the UK offering practical support, advice and information for anyone with sight difficulties. To find out more visit: www.rnib.org.uk.
About SeeAbility
SeeAbility is a specialist charity supporting people who have sight loss and multiple disabilities, including learning and physical disabilities, mental health difficulties, acquired brain injury and life limiting conditions. To find out more visit: www.seeability.org.
About The UK Vision Strategy
All three charities are active partners 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. 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
To find out more visit: www.vision2020uk.org.uk/ukvisionstrategy.