RNIB's verdict on the 10-Year Plan for the NHS
The UK Government has released the long awaited 10-Year Plan to reform the National Health Service (NHS) in England. The Plan outlines the details and proposals to deliver on the promised three changes which would transform healthcare across the country:...
Disability charity releases new film to improve eyecare for people with learning disabilities
Disability charity SeeAbility has launched a new short film for Learning Disability Week to raise awareness of how people with learning disability can get support with eyecare. The charity works to remove the barriers to eye care for people with...
A new community café operated by sight loss charity RNIB Scotland
Café VI serves a selection of sandwiches, cakes, hot drinks and other refreshments. It is open Monday to Friday from 10am to 3pm. Located on Hillside Crescent, Café VI is an inclusive and accessible space, in line with RNIB Scotland’s...
Blind West Lothian Man Set to Compete in National Futsal Final
A man from Armadale will compete in one of the UK’s top disability football events this month, after his team reached the final of the FA Disability Cup. Neil Atkinson (26) was diagnosed with Stargardt’s Disease at 17 – a...
Blind Inverclyde woman finds her voice
Claire Forde (29) from Greenock is no stranger to a microphone. Her journey into public speaking took a major step forward this year when she joined a newly launched Speakers Club, created to improve the confidence and communication skills of...
RNIB appoints Sir Jim Harra as new Vice Chair
The Royal National Institute of Blind People (RNIB) has appointed Sir Jim Harra to take up the roles of Vice Chair of the Board of Trustees and Chair of the Governance, Nominations and Remuneration Committee. Jim was previously a Permanent...
More Than Just a Call: RNIB’s Talk and Support Groups combatting loneliness
Every Thursday at 11am, something quietly powerful happens across Scotland. Phones ring, voices chime in, and a group of blind and partially sighted people connect for an hour that’s full of laughter and real talk. It’s an RNIB Talk and...
Blind Edinburgh man named Young Volunteer of the Year
Daryl Stewart (23), a long-standing volunteer with sight loss charity RNIB Scotland, has been awarded the Special Recognition Award for Young Volunteer of the Year at the 2025 Inspiring Volunteer Awards, run by Volunteer Edinburgh. The award ceremony, which took...
Blind Aberdeenshire man stresses importance of volunteering
As we mark Volunteers’ Week, RNIB Scotland is proud to tell the story of one of our longstanding volunteers and community members, Bruce Christie (59). Bruce, who is from Westhill, was diagnosed with keratoconus in 2003, along with other minor...
Edinburgh VCHP seeks local volunteers
Edinburgh’s VCHP clinic is looking for volunteers to keep the Monday morning drop-in sessions operating every week. Ashley Low, FBDO, the Clinic Manager explained: “We are keen to hear from optometrists, dispensing opticians and assistants to help. We have a...
Friends of Moorfields shortlisted for the Charity Awards 2025
We are delighted to announce that we have made the shortlist for this year’s Charity Awards, the longest-running awards scheme in the charity sector. Friends of Moorfields has been shortlisted in the Healthcare and Medical Research category for our handholding...
99-year-old Navy Veteran to attend VE Day 80 Concert in London thanks to Sight Scotland Veterans
8 May 2025
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history, charity, World War 2, VE day, VJ day, macular degeneration, patient stories, news
As the nation prepares to mark the 80th anniversary of VE Day, one remarkable veteran is getting ready for a once-in-a-lifetime trip to London to honour the day he helped secure. Hector McDonald, a 99-year-old Royal Navy veteran from Livingston,...
