Notes of a Meeting of the Communications Group

COMMUNICATIONS GROUP

MINUTES OF MEETING 8th MARCH 2004

(Held at the RNIB)

ATTENDEE: ORGANISATION: Mike Brace VISION 2020 UK/OPSIS Charlotte Goodman AFBP Mark Drury NLB Megan Gilks NLB Natalie Madigan SeeAbility Libby Halford Childhood Eye Cancer Trust (Formerly Retinoblastoma)/SPECS Jo Humphries VISION 2020 Anna Robinson St. Dunstan’s Michael Roberts Iris Fund Emily Buchan CBM Kate Bodoano CBM Paul McDonald RNIB Nazrine Memon Sight Savers

Apologies were received from the following individuals and organisations with a commitment to be involved in future meetings if organised:

APOLOGY FROM: ORGANISATION:

Margaret Hallendorff Royal College of Ophthalmologists Julie Buckler Fight for Sight Lance Clarke NALSVI Alison Wade Guide Dogs for the Blind Megan Munsell Orbis Ron Bramley Thomas Pocklington Trust Carolyn Fullard National Blind Children’s Society John Sanders Nystagmus Network Gareth Davies NLBD Tom Bremridge Macular Disease Society Claire Hicks Impact Foundation Blind in Business In addition to the above 25 organisations, a further 13 were identified and had been written to, but no indication regarding their willingness and interest in attending a forum was received at the time of the meeting. An additional 15 organisations (including Eyecare Trust, Lions International and representatives in the UK from World Blind Union) were identified who could also be invited operating in the area of visual impairment on an international or national or regional basis.

1. Introductions and Chairing the Meeting

Mike Brace checked from those present whether anyone wished to Chair the Meeting or whether they were comfortable with him undertaking this role. All AGREED that MB should chair the meeting.

Mike Brace welcomed all for attending and explained briefly the reason for the invitation. VISION 2020 UK is an umbrella organisation working within the Visual Impairment Sector to improve communication and partnership working. Whilst visiting many organisations and also speaking to significant numbers of visually impaired people, a common cry is “why can’t the organisations work more closely together” or “why don’t the organisations at least talk to each other”?

This was also brought into focus last autumn when it appeared that at least seven campaigns drawing attention to visual impairment issues were scheduled within the same four week period, but apparently had no links with each other.

2. Map any publicity campaigns etc. already in place for this year

A discussion then took place about the range and timing of events scheduled by those organisations present. It was AGREED that the compilation of a sector-wide event list would be useful and MB undertook to look at whether this could then go on the VISION 2020 UK website, with the calendar being amended if organisations provided the information. MB would circulate any initial list for correction by those organisations present, before sending it to any non-attending organisations to make additions. 3. Look at establishing a calendar of newsletters/ publications already produced by members to ensure widest and most timely coverage

This was also agreed to be a useful communications tool and those present at the meeting undertook to let MB have a list of such publications. MB would circulate a proforma asking for the basic details.

4. Consider establishing a Communication Officer’s Network for circulation of information, publicity materials, initiatives, etc.

This was thought to be useful and for simplicity the Group should be called the Communications Group. Most in the room were committed to be involved in such a group and it was suggested that we should arrange the next meeting to coincide with Sight Village in July, if a suitable seminar room could be found. The proposed date was Wednesday 14 July and MB will confirm time and venue.

5. Date for further meetings

As above, provisionally Wednesday 14 July in Birmingham – venue and time TBA.

6. Any Other Business