VISION 2020 UK Communications Group Report

VISION 2020 UK Communications Group reportsOrganisation: Action for Blind People (Action) Name of author of report: Chris DysonAchievements Action for Blind People proclaimed a saint! BBC TV has once again proclaimed Action as a ‘saint’, after filming members of our South London Team, profiling their success in securing welfare entitlements, and providing Job Club technology training for a service user. ‘Saints and Scroungers’ will screen this fascinating feature in the autumn. This is the third time Action has received a halo from the popular BBC programme! (3) Lifestyle tips to reassure people concerned about sight loss Action for Blind People (Action) has launched a new lifestyle campaign, using top tips on posters and postcards to reassure people concerned about sight loss. The campaign – being trialed in Devon – is targeting opticians, pharmacies and GPs. The story featured in Optometry Today, Optician magazine, NB (New Beacon online), and in South West regional press. (2 and 3) Link to full story below: https://www.actionforblindpeople.org.uk/assets/Uploads/press- releases/Lifestyle-campaign-for-people-with-sight-loss-in-Devon.pdfAction’s hate crime research Action’s research into discrimination against people with sight loss is helping to keep concerns about hate crime on the news agenda; BBC Radio Four’s In Touch (17 June) was the latest broadcaster to cite Action’s historic research. This follows BBC1’s Inside Out (West Midlands) feature about Action’s hate crime reporting centre, broadcast earlier this year. (3)Seeing the capability of employees with sight loss Talk Direct, one of the largest O2 franchises in the UK, is the latest recipient of Action’s ‘See the Capability, not the Disability’ award, recognising their commitment to a visually impaired Rotherham employee. Supporting media relations promoted the abilities of people with sight loss in the workplace and raised awareness of our employment support service. (3) Link to full story below: https://www.actionforblindpeople.org.uk/your- community/news/action/rotherham-o2-store-wins-award-from-action/Action’s calendar stars become service ambassadors Action’s blind and partially sighted calendar stars are telling their stories to the media in a campaign to promote our core services. June’s star was youngster Stephen Ball; his greatest achievement with Action’s transitions service was to team-up with a crew of visually impaired sailors to take to the seas in the London to Dorset Small Yacht Race. In July, it was Michael Church in the spotlight, promoting our Living with Sight Loss programme through his 1 personal account of how one of these courses helped to transform his confidence. (3)Living with Sight Loss and Finding Your Feet A programme of training and courses to help people with sight loss to network and become more independent is being supported by a rolling Comms campaign. Helping to generate interest, enquiries and sign-ups, this quarter’s online and media coverage focused on Hampshire, Bristol and the Isle of Wight. (2 and 3) Key Projects/Objectives ‘See the Capability, not the Disability’ employer awards Action will continue to present these awards to deserving businesses, spreading positive messages about the abilities of, and opportunities for people with sight loss in the workplace (3) Living with Sight loss and Finding Your Feet A rolling programme of training and courses to help people with sight loss to network and become more independent, with on-going support from the Comms Team (3)Lifestyle tips to reassure people concerned about sight loss Action’s new lifestyle campaign – using top tips on posters and postcards to reassure people concerned about sight loss – will be expanded across England, subject to completion of successful trials in the South West. (2 and 3) Organisation: Association of Optometrists (AOP) Name of author of report: Anne GrenyerAchievementsOptical Confederation conference Practitioners, educators, policy-makers and industry heads from across optics gathered in London in May for the annual meeting of the Optical Confederation (OC). The meeting provided an opportunity for all elements of the profession to review the changes and achievements in the sector over the past 12 months and to discuss the financial, clinical and regulatory challenges which lie ahead. (1)AOP Awards 2014 Nearly 7,000 votes were received in the first month for this year’s AOP Awards. All nominees have been sent new marketing materials, helping them to promote their nomination – and the importance of eye health – in their local community. (1)NHS Call to Action The AOP and Optometry Today (OT) - the journal of the AOP – promoted the 2 NHS Call to Action on and offline. Video highlights include an interview with Mike Bewick and coverage at the Vision UK Conference in June. (1)Promotion of the Which? consumer report An OC press release was distributed in June to promote the recent Which? report on public satisfaction with eye health provision in the community. The survey revealed that local independent stores came top in the polls with a customer score of 88% with members-only store Costco coming second with a score of 86%. OC Chairman, Don Grocott, commented on the importance of an eye health examination. (1)Key Projects/Objectives AOP Awards 2014 – now in its fourth year, the AOP Awards will take place on 23 October. Voting is now open and will close on 31 August (1) ** colleagues are encouraged to take part in the public voting Peer review roadshows – the AOP is running a series of peer review roadshows around the UK in October and November, approved for 3 interactive peer review CET points (1) ** please promote this event to colleagues Back to school children’s campaign –the AOP’s children’s eye health campaign promotes the importance of children’s vision with a range of free materials, including posters, leaflets and presentations aimed at children and parents (1) ** please promote the campaign resources to those interested in children’s eye healthLondon Education Destination – the AOP, in partnership with SECO International, will host a 2-day CET seminar focusing on therapeutics and optometrist prescribing from 28-29 September (1) ** please promote this event to colleagues National Optical Conference (NOC) - organised by the AOP on behalf of LOCSU and the Optical Confederation, the NOC is specifically organised for Local Optical Committees, optometrists, opticians and optometric advisors. The conference will take place on 23-24 October in Birmingham (1) ** please promote this event to colleagues100% Optical – London’s new optical event, 100% Optical, returns next year on 7-9 February 2015 at London ExCeL (1) ** please promote this event to colleagues3 Organisation: College of Optometrists Name of author of report: Lindsay HeathAchievements - Updates to our Look After Your Eyes website – improving SEO and adding more patient information (1) - Our Focus on Falls report was published this summer, encouraging optometrists and falls services teams to work together more closely. Various resources have also been made available to members (1 and 2) - Involvement in promoting the NHS England Call To Action – contacting members for views and putting together a College response (2)Key Projects/Objectives - Developing more patient information leaflets (1) - Developing more patient information tear-off pads (1) - Starting work on a Health Inequalities project – looking at what services are available where and what is preventing people accessing treatment (1 and 2)Organisation: Fight for Sight Name of author of report: Heather Richardson Key events/campaigns/reports 1. Clay Pigeon Shoot 12 September 2. Bike for Sight 14 September 3. Carrots NightWalk London 19 September 4. Carrots NightWalks in Birmingham, Bristol, Glasgow 26 September – it has been decided due to a low number of sign-ups to Oxford not to go ahead with the event 5. 50th Anniversary in 2015Achievements 1. Currently working with Rufus Leonard which is carrying out a strategic review of the charity 2. Awarded nine projects grants including; one clinical fellowship, one partnership grant and one early career investigator award totaling £2m 3. Funds for the April’s BBC Lifeline Appeal, presented by Judy Finnigan, currently stands at nearly £30k 4. We were named as Elizabeth Street Summer party’s COTY which raised £42k in June 5. Latest promotion with the Orrery restaurant saw diners make a voluntary £1 donation whilst they dined 6. Received £91k grant to fund Dr Rachael Pearson at UCL Institute of Ophthalmology from Masonic Samaritan Fund 7. Fight for Sight’s Warwickshire Golf Committee hosted its 20th golf day in July which is expecting to raise approximately £17k4 Key Projects/Objectives 1. Carrots Nightwalk (19 and 26 Sept) website and media activities (1,2,3) 2. Preparations for 50th Anniversary (1,2,3) 3. National Eye Health Week Science Café talks (1,2,3) 4. Publication of horizon scan of treatments in pipeline for people with inherited retinal diseases (1,2,3)Organisation: Macular Society Name of author of report: Tim GoddardAchievementsWe have launched an ongoing campaign to raise awareness of Charles Bonnet Syndrome hallucinations. We conducted a survey of our membership which showed that the hallucinations can last longer and be more fear inducing than the general conscious in the medical profession. Using these results and case studies we have achieved national print and broadcast coverage, as well as extensive regional exposure. (1)We have also launched a campaign called ‘Is it real?’ to highlight the link between smoking and sight loss. The campaign was aimed at children aged 11-14, using a series of intriguing and at times unsettling videos. The title of the campaign encourages people to find out more information from the supporting website www.is-it-real.org.The campaign titled was chosen because it was a common question asked by the children in focus groups when they were given sim-specs. (1)In June we allocated £450,000 to five clinical research projects. We have an ongoing dedication to fund clinical research and wish to expand this area of our work. (1) and (2)We have held six Top Doctors seminars across the UK. These events provide our members with the most up to date information on treatments, research and low vision aids. Each event is attended by a local consultant, researcher and low vision professional. (3)Key Projects/Objectives We are going to extend the support we offer to friends and family of those affected by macular conditions. This will begin with additional information on our website and an online community specifically for this group. (1)We have recently begun work on our annual Awards for Excellence scheme. Our members vote for eye care professionals or volunteers who they feel have provided exceptional care or dedication in their role. This project will continue into September. (3)5 In September we will be holding our annual London Conference. In a similar format to our regional Top Doctors events, the conference provides the latest information on treatments, research and low vision aids. (3)Due to their popularity, next year we will be increasing the number of Top Doctors seminars we hold. (3)We will be producing an app to help raise awareness of macular conditions and how they affect a person’s vision. (1)Organisation: Optical Confederation Name of author of report: Ben CookAchievements - Over the second quarter of 2014, the OC Public Affairs Team (PAT) helped to coordinate 9 MP visits to local optical practices. A practice visit took place on 4th July with the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland. MP quotes and photos from each visit can be found here: http://tinyurl.com/clkl592 (1 and 2) - The OC called on UK practitioners to ask local European Election candidates to sign the European Coalition for Vision’s Manifesto before polls opened for the European Parliamentary Elections on 22nd May. The Manifesto is available here: http://www.ecvision.eu/manifesto/ (1,2 & 3) - The OC issued a press release with the Local Optical Committee Support Unit (LOCSU) welcoming the Call to Action (CtA) on Eye Health and pointing members to a LOCSU briefing on the CtA(1,2 & 3) - http://tinyurl.com/pyamf27 - The Optical Confederation issued a press release welcoming the latest report from consumer magazine Which? on public satisfaction with eye health provision in the community. http://tinyurl.com/omykdu4 (1 & 2) - The OC has produced a joint briefing ‘Delivering Primary Care in Your Community’ with the British Dental Association, Pharmacy Voice and the National Community Hearing Association for a joint exhibition stand at Labour and Conservative Party Conferences this autumn (1 and 2).Key Projects/Objectives - The OC PAT has one MP practice visit confirmed and is working with LOCs over the summer to secure more visits. (1 & 2)- The OC has teamed up with the British Dental Association, Pharmacy Voice and the National Community Hearing Association for a joint exhibition stand at Labour and Conservative Party Conferences this autumn. A joint briefing has been produced entitled ‘Delivering Primary Care in Your Community’. (1 and 2)- The OC will be responding to the CtA on Eye Health via a joint response with LOCSU and also as part of the Vision 2020 UK response. (1, 2 & 3)6 - The OC PAT is working with road safety partners, including the Royal Sun Alliance, on a possible backbench business debate on eyesight and driving. (1 & 2)- The OC is working with RNIB on the UKVS election manifesto. (1,2 & 3)- The OC is working with the National Eye Health Week team on a possible Early Day Motion to celebrate the week (1, 2 & 3). Organisation: RNIB Scotland Name of author of report: Ian BrownAchievements RNIB Scotland, along with the Royal Blind School in Edinburgh and the Scottish sensory Centre, launched a new 40-minute dvd entitled ‘Let Me Play’ which aims to support the parents of children aged 5 and under with sight loss (2).We took part in RNIB’s UK-wide ‘I Am Here’ campaign, highlighting too many people are still not being offered emotional and practical support when they start to go blind (2).We are a key partner in formulating and launching a new locality plan with NHS Ayrshire & Arran, the three Ayrshire local authorities and Action on Hearing Loss Scotland to integrate sensory services across the entire region to offer a one-stop service (2).Our Haggeye youth forum has to date held two ‘Education respect Awareness events, bringing together its members with older people with sight loss to compare experiences and discuss ways that they can help each other (3).We published a manifesto for the EU elections in May and promoted this at a Europe Day stall in Glasgow’s George Square (3).We took part in RNIB’s Bus Action Fortnight - Haggeye youth forum members took bus journeys from different locations in Scotland into Edinburgh and recorded their experiences of accessing transport with sight loss. They also held ‘Swap with Me’ events in which bus drivers were invited to ear ‘sim- specs’ and trade places with passengers with sight loss (3).Our Insight Radio station recorded a members debate on the forthcoming Scottish independence referendum at which speakers from the pro and anti campaigns were invited to make a case and answer questions from the blind and partially sighted audience ion issues important to them (3).7 Key Projects/Objectives August Launch of our ‘Support and Connect’ Lottery-funded project to help people with sight loss understand and engage with the new benefits system, including universal credits.17 - We will launch our latest transcribed book, ‘Blood Whispers’ by actor/author John Gordon Sinclair, at the Edinburgh International Book Festival.18 - We are taking part alongside other disability organisations on a hustings event on the forthcoming Scottish independence referendum.September 4-5 - We are holding our third Techshare Europe conference in Glasgow, highlighting how new technology has the potential to transform the lives of people with sight loss, but warning as well that it could leave this constituency behind if their needs are not catered for.22-28 - We will take part in National Eye Health Week in Scotland.November Launch of our ‘Looking to the Future’ lottery-funded project, helping young people to make the transitions at various stages of their lives (school to further/higher education, into employment, living independently from their families, etc.Organisation: Thomas Pocklington Trust Name of author of report: Deborah BrownKey events/campaigns/reports Research Findings documents due to be published: . Loneliness, sight loss and isolation . Living with sight loss and managing general health . Alcohol and sight loss . Use of daylight in the design of extra care housingEvents/conferences . Housing opportunities and younger adults with sight loss research options day – 17 July Friends House . Knowledge Exchange Network events in Birmingham and Edinburgh . Looking Out For Sight – series of train the trainer sessions for local sight loss societies on raising awareness of sight loss in care homes running from September onwards . British Society of Gerontology conference – 1-3 September – displaying materials on dementia and sight loss . Visionary conference – displaying materials on Knowledge Exchange Network8 . Care England conference – presenting seminar on sight loss in care homes and displaying materials on older people and sight lossLaunches . Launch of General Health and Physical Activity Guide for Older People with Sight loss during National Eye Health Week . Launch of ‘Essentials’ guide for interior designers on housing for people with sight lossAchievements. Updated edition of Good Practice Guide on Housing for People with Sight Loss released, containing new information regarding use of colour and contrast in doorways and entrances of homes of people with sight loss. Launched at College of Occupational Therapists annual conference in Brighton. (Priority 3) . Updated edition of joint publication with Rica launched on Energy Saving Lightbulbs (Priority 3) . Research Findings entitled ‘Physical Activity among People with Sight Loss’ launched at the Nottingham ‘Senior Activity and Fitness’ conference. (Priority 3) . Research Findings and Guide launched at Stirling University on good practice in the design of homes and living spaces of people with sight loss and dementia (Priority 3) . Series of Knowledge Exchange Network events held across the country aimed at local sight loss societies and other sector organisations in partnership with RNIB (Priority 2) Key Projects/Objectives Our research objectives are: The health and wellbeing of people with sight loss (Priorities 1,2,3)  Housing and built environments that support the independence of people with sight loss (Priority 3)  Building the capacity of organisations and services that work with people with sight loss to shape research and use research findings (Priorities 1,2,3)Research projects currently ongoing include the following: Evidence base for vision rehabilitation (Priority 2)  Personal independence payments and people with sight loss (Priority 3)  Minimum income standards and people with sight loss (Priority 3)  Choosing a cooker, hob or microwave (Priority 3)9 The bi-annual edition of Vision Research News provides a complete list of research projects ongoing in the sector.Organisation: UK Vision Strategy Name of author of report: Jess BriceKey events/campaigns/reports Further detail of the following is listed below:  CEE Project  RCGP Clinical Priority  NHS England Eyecare Call to Action response  Vision UK 2015 Achievements 1. Vision UK conference The sixth Vision UK conference was held on 12th June, marking the one-year anniversary of the launch of the refreshed UK Vision Strategy 2013-2018. The conference was a great success, with more than 500 delegates turning out to hear the launch of NHS England’s Eyecare Call to Action, and a keynote address from the Rt Hon Anne McGuire MP, co-chair of the All-Party Parliamentary Disability Group. The theme of Vision UK 2014 was ‘Turning the Strategy into Action’, with plenary stream content and masterclass content specifically focusing on the three outcome areas of the UK Vision Strategy.More information from the day can be found at www.visionuk.org.uk The date for next year’s conference will be announced shortly.2. NHS Call to Action Following the launch of NHS England’s ‘Improving eye health and reducing sight loss: A Call to Action’, the UK Vision Strategy are working with our partners through the Clinical Commissioning Council for Eye Health to form a sector response. Communications have been sent out to invite Vision Strategy Leadership Group members to contribute to the sector response, which we anticipate will promote recommendations relevant to each of the three outcomes of the UK Vision Strategy. UKVS are also working closely with the NHS England communications team and other communication sector colleagues to support media coverage of the consultation, and to offer support in the planning of the stakeholder event on 8th September.10 Key Projects/Objectives 1. RCGP Clinical Priority for Eye Health The Royal College of General Practitioners (RCGP) clinical priority on eye health with a focus on ageing and sight loss is now entering its second year. The RCGP project particularly supports the promotion of the first and second outcomes of the UK Vision Strategy. Upcoming communications activity from UKVS with regards to the RCGP clinical priority on eye health will include the promotion of survey results, which show that many GPs are not confident in diagnosing serious eye conditions. UKVS are currently working with the RCGP to have communications material approved and finalised. 2. CEE Project The purpose of the project, Commissioning for Effectiveness and Efficiency (CEE), is to develop effective and efficient approaches to the commissioning of eye care and sight loss services, in line with the second outcome area of the UK Vision Strategy. One recent success of the CEE project is that Gateshead CCG has now included a commissioning intention that addresses eye health and sight loss as part of the 2014/2015 cycle. Previously, there had been no ophthalmology commissioning intention for Gateshead, so this is a key milestone for the CEE project team. The final evaluation report for the CEE project is underway and will be ready to share alongside the conclusion of the project at the end of September 2014. This will explore the impact of the CEE project and will help to establish evidence-based, tried and tested templates to assist the commissioning of eye care and sight loss services. Communications activity will focus on the launch of an e-guidance product at the end of September 2014. This will be based on learning from across the three project sites, addressing the production of eye health needs assessments, developing eye care partnerships, involvement of patients and embedding eye health into wider services and strategies. 3. Care Act Consultation UKVS communications have signposted the Care Act 2014 consultation to UKVS supporters (local Vision Strategy groups, key local contacts involved in locally promoting the outcomes of the UKVS).The Care Act consultation response, produced by RNIB, will be informed by all three UK Vision Strategy outcomes and priority actions, and will be developed in consultation with other organisations across the sector, in order to support a unified response. 11 Organisation: International Glaucoma Association Name of author of report: Karen BrewerKey events/campaigns/reportsPlease list any key events, campaign launches or reports which you are planning over the next 6 – 12 months so these can be added into the communications group planning calendars so activity can be coordinated across the sector.Achievements  Ongoing work with the DVLA to improve the experience of people with glaucoma when re-applying for driving license (3)  Information Standard assessment successfully completed, with accreditation for another two years  Good National Glaucoma Awareness Week campaign, with 20million press reach, increase in literature orders by 27%, calls from African Caribbean audience to Sightline. Thank you for support from Vision 2020 partners through retweets/Fb.Key projects/objectives  Working with RNIB and Macular Society on the patient participation section of the “Improving eye health and reducing sight loss Call to Action” for the Clinical Council for Eye Health (1,2,3)  Developing an IGA response to the Call to Action, with the help of members (1,2,3)  Extending the African Caribbean campaign through sponsorship of the Nottinghill Carnival (23-25 August) (1)  Ongoing work on new IGA website (2)  Attendance at the European Coalition for vision meeting in Brussels. Agreement to host an event on World Sight Day, 9 October in Brussels.Organisation: VISION2020 UK Name of author of report: Jess BriceKey events/campaigns/reports Bigger, Better Vision competition – ongoing until September 2014 **Achievements Please list below your organizations successes which have met the UK Vision Strategy priorities in the last six months. Explain which outcome each item has met. Either:  Everyone is the UK looks after their eyes and their sight (1)  Everyone with an eye condition receives timely treatment and, if permanent sight loss occurs, early and appropriate services and support are available and accessible to all (2)  A society in which people with sight loss can fully participate (3)12 1. Appointment of new CEO & three new Trustees Mercy Jeyasingham officially started as VISION2020 UK CEO on 1st July. The VISION 2020 UK Board also recently ratified three new Trustees – Philip Longworth, Dr Mike Nussbaum and Ian Humphreys. The appointment of Mercy and the three Trustees will allow for an even stronger and more effective representation of the VISION 2020 UK membership, with the addition of dedicated Comms support for the first time to communicate the organisation’s key messages (outcomes 1, 2 and 3). 2. Conferences In March 2014, the VISION 2020 UK Sight Loss and Dementia Group ran the Dementia and Sight Loss stream at the NB Conference, chaired by VISION 2020 UK’s Matt Broom, and which supported all three outcomes of the UK Vision Strategy. At the Scottish Vision Strategy conference, also in March, Mhairi Thurston, chair of the VISION 2020 UK Counselling and Emotional Support Services Group, presented on the Emotional Support Services survey which was undertaken with BACP, and which an academic paper is being produced on. VISION UK 2014 – Held in June 2014, the conference featured numerous VISION 2020 UK group chairs and trustees chairing various streams and presenting on research. The various conferences support all three priority areas of the UK Vision Strategy. 3. Fix the web VISION 2020 UK are now a supporting organisation of Fix the Web - http://www.fixtheweb.net/, in line with the third UKVS outcome, a society in which people with sight loss can fully participate. Key Projects/Objectives Please list below key projects/objectives over next six months which are working towards the three UK Vision Strategy outcomes:  Everyone is the UK looks after their eyes and their sight (1)  Everyone with an eye condition receives timely treatment and, if permanent sight loss occurs, early and appropriate services and support are available and accessible to all (2)  A society in which people with sight loss can fully participate (3)1. Bigger, Better Vision competition** VISION 2020 UK are running a low vision device competition for children – ‘Bigger, Better Vision’, an initiative of the VISION 2020 UK Children’s Low Vision Sub Group. The competition aims to highlight the lack of low vision equipment tailored for children, and to encourage manufacturers to create vision aids that are attractive and appealing to a younger age group. This meets outcome 3 of the UK Vision Strategy, a society in which people with sight loss can fully participate. 13 2. NHS England Eyecare Call to Action** As well as feeding into the Clinical Commissioning Council sector response, VISION 2020 UK will be forming their own response, encompassing the key issues and concerns of our members. VISION 2020 UK have invited members to send through feedback using a form on the website. It is anticipated that the VISION 2020 UK Call to Action response will support recommendations that cover all three of the UK Vision Strategy outcomes. 3. Seeing it my way roundtable VISION 2020 UK are leading on Seeing it my way and have organised a roundtable on 15th August, including ADASS to DoH, RNIB, Action, TPT and others to look at next steps and strategy (outcomes 1, 2 & 3). 4. Website The VISION2020 UK website will be undergoing a major upgrade, with interviews to take place in early August to decide on a proposal. The new website will allow for the improved communication of the messages of VISION 2020 UK members, to help support all three outcomes of the UK Vision Strategy. 14

VISION 2020 UK Communications Group Report

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