Impact Award 2026

Focus Birmingham

Focus’s Deep Engagement Partners initiative removed barriers to mental health support for visually impaired people by placing lived experience at the centre of service improvement. Through meaningful engagement and co-production, participants shared the barriers they face, including inaccessible information, difficulties navigating services, and a lack of resources in accessible formats.

These insights led to improvements in partnership with Grounded and James’ Place. We reviewed their leaflets and information resources, making recommendations to ensure they were accessible and meeting the needs of visually impaired people. This has improved independent access to mental health information, reduced barriers to seeking support, and increased confidence in engaging with services.

The project empowered participants by demonstrating that their experiences directly influenced change, strengthening trust and reinforcing the value of co-production. By involving visually impaired people, we ensured accessibility was embedded into existing services.

The initiative demonstrates that small changes informed by lived experience can have a significant impact. Our collaborative approach is simple, sustainable, and easily replicated. By combining specialist sight loss expertise with mainstream mental health services, we have created a model for inclusive service design that can reduce inequalities and improve access for blind and partially sighted people across the UK.

Henshaws

Every blind and partially sighted young person deserves the opportunity to fulfil their potential, but too many are left behind because support focuses on academic achievement while overlooking the practical skills needed for adulthood.

Our Work Experience Programme was created after one young person lost her college placement just weeks before it was due to begin because the right support was not in place. Rather than accepting this as inevitable, we created a programme that develops confidence, independence, communication, self-advocacy, travel skills and real workplace experience, giving young people the tools they need to succeed in education, employment and life.

What started with one individual has grown into a life-changing programme that works in partnership with Sensory Teams, Careers Connect advisers and inclusive employers to create meaningful opportunities for blind and partially sighted young people who are NEET.

This programme demonstrates that when barriers are removed and young people are empowered to believe in themselves, they can achieve far more than others expect.

We hope you’ll support this nomination and help showcase a model that can inspire organisations across the UK to focus not only on educational outcomes, but on building confident, independent futures for blind and partially sighted young people.

Seescape

Sight loss can affect far more than vision. It can impact confidence, mobility, physical health, emotional wellbeing and independence. Seescape’s Health & Wellbeing Programme helps people rebuild what sight loss can take away. Through specialist exercise classes and personalised one-to-one support, we help visually impaired people improve strength, balance, confidence and overall wellbeing.

What makes this programme special is that it focuses on the whole person. Improved physical fitness is important, but the real impact is helping people regain independence, reconnect with their communities and rediscover the confidence to do the things they enjoy. Clients report increased confidence, greater independence and improved mental wellbeing.

Pat’s story captures this perfectly. After losing his sight, he stopped doing the walks he loved. Through the programme, he rebuilt his strength and confidence and was able to return to walking with his wife once again. His response says it all: “I feel like I have my life back”

By voting for Seescape, you are recognising a practical, replicable approach that is helping people with sight loss live healthier, more confident and independent lives.

Wakefield District Sight Aid

In 2023, we began delivering activities for children and young people with VI and their families. Listening to the voices of the children, we learned they wanted to play football but were unable to access mainstream grassroots opportunities.

Determined to change this, we partnered with A1 Football Factory in Pontefract. Although they had never worked with VI children before, they embraced the challenge. In 2024, we launched taster sessions to provide a safe, inclusive and supportive football environment. Families now travel from outside the area to participate.

As the only dedicated VI youth football provision in West Yorkshire, VI Vipers is transforming lives. In February 2026, we were featured on BBC Look North, BBC Breakfast and BBC Online, generating enquiries from across the UK from families seeking similar opportunities.

The impact has been remarkable. Our team won the first pan-disability tournament they entered, but the greatest achievement has been the growth in confidence, friendships and wellbeing among the players. Young people say they feel happier, less alone and able to make new friends, while parents report increased self-belief, resilience and participation in school and community life. Through football, VI Vipers is creating belonging, opportunity and brighter futures for VI children.