Our nineth guest at the Visionary virtual coffee table is Salim Patel of the BBC.

Salim offered a compelling exploration of lived experience representation, both from his personal standpoint and within the broader sight loss sector. Salim generously shared his thoughts and experiences, painting a vivid picture of what an inclusive future means to him. The discussion ventured beyond sight loss, touching on Salim's diverse projects outside of his workplace. He shared his exciting plans to attempt a deep dive world record attempt and the local sports club he manages in the North West of England. 

Did this conversation resonate with you? If you're interested in enhancing your approach to lived experience representation or curious to learn more about Salim's adventures, Please email Nina Chesworth, Lived Experience and Campaigns Coordinator, Visionary   or Salim Patel, Journalist and Program Manager for the BBC News, North West. 

You can also follow Salim’s adventures on his YouTube channel (opens new window) 

Thank you to Andre Lewis Shorts who provided the music and Steve Nutt at Computer Rooms who edited the episode. 

Our fifth guests at the Visionary virtual coffee table are Lowri Bartrum and Nia Green of Vision Support. Lowri and Nia joined us for discussion about lived experience representation, examining both personal viewpoints and its

If you enjoyed listening to this podcast and are thinking about how you can improve lived experience representation within your organisation, we would love to hear from you. Please email Nina Chesworth, Lived Experience and Campaigns Coordinator, Visionary or Lowri Bartrum CEO, Vision Support, Nia Greer, North Wales Services Manager, Vision Support 

Thank you to Andre Lewis Shorts who provided the music and Steve Nutt at Computer Rooms who edited the episode.

Thank you to Lowri Bartrum, CEO, and Nia Greer, North Wales

Lowri and Nia joined us for discussion about lived

Inspired by our discussion? Whether you're looking to

Nina Chesworth, Lived Experience and Campaigns Coordinator,

Lowri Bartrum CEO, Vision

Nia

Thank you to Andre Lewis Shorts who

Our eighth guest at the Visionary virtual coffee table is Emma Tracey of the BBC.

Emma talks about lived experience representation, offering a unique perspective on its role both in her life and across the sector. Emma candidly shared her personal journey, shedding light on her aspirations for a more inclusive future. The conversation extended beyond the sight loss sector, touching on Emma's entry into the industry and highlighting memorable moments from the Access All podcast.  

If you enjoyed listening to this podcast and are thinking about how you can improve lived experience representation within your organisation, we would love to hear from you.

You can listen to Emma’s podcast on the BBC website. 

Thank you to Andre Lewis Shorts who provided the music and Steve Nutt at Computer Rooms who edited the episode. 

Our seventh guests at the Visionary virtual coffee table are Iain Pearson and Andrew Coleman of Galloways.

Iain and Andrew talk about lived experience representation and how that looks for them individually and for Galloways. Andrew shared his personal thoughts and experiences along with Iain's thoughts on the sector and the great work Galloways is doing. 

If you enjoyed listening to this podcast and are thinking about how you can improve lived experience representation within your organisation, we would love to hear from you.  Please email Nina Chesworth, Lived Experience and Campaigns Co-ordinator, Visionary or Andrew Coleman, Learning and Lifestyles Skills Manager, Galloways.

You can find out more about the Galloways on their website (opens new window) 

Thank you to Andre Lewis Shorts who provided the music and Steve Nutt at Computer Rooms who edited the episode.  

Our sixth guest at the Visionary virtual coffee table is Holly Tuke from RNIB.  

Holly talks about lived experience representation, both from Holly's personal perspective and its impact on the whole sector. Holly shared her career highlights, including her favourite social media campaign, and offered her valuable thoughts on what an inclusive future would look like. 

You can follow Holly on social media.   

X: @lifeofablindgirl 

Instagram: Life of a blind girl 

Thank you to Andre Lewis Shorts who provided the music and Steve Nutt at Computer Rooms who edited the episode.  

Our fourth guest at the Visionary virtual coffee table is the Visionary Team.

We enjoyed a conversation exploring both current initiatives and exciting future plans. Our discussion highlighted key services and gives listeners the opportunity to get to know our team, as we share our experiences, key areas of focus and offer a glimpse into the impact of their work. 

You can get in touch with Visionary team by email or visit our website (opens a new window) 

 Thank you to Andre Lewis Shorts who provided the music and Steve Nutt at Computer Rooms who edited the episode.  

Our third guest at the Visionary virtual coffee table is Kerry Firth of Fight for Sight.

Kerry talks about the future of lived experience representation and its vital role at Fight for Sight. Kerry shared valuable insights on how embedding lived experience at the heart of projects can strengthen funding opportunities. This authentic representation isn't just a practice for Fight for Sight - it's fundamental to their identity and mission. 

Fight for Sight website

Our first guest at the Visionary virtual coffee table is Craig Spalding, CEO of Sight Scotland and Sight Scotland Veterans.

Craig talks enthusiastically about their plans to increase representation and shares the language Sight Scotland and Sight Scotland Veterans uses around lived experience, along with how they have developed the organisation's language.

If you enjoyed the chat and are thinking about how you can improve lived experience representation within your organisation, we'd love to hear from you. Email Nina, Lived Experience and Campaigns Coordinator at Visionary or Craig Spalding. 

Thank you to Andre Lewis Shorts who provided the music and Steve Nutt at Computer Rooms who edited the episode.

Our second guest of the series at the Visionary virtual coffee table is Kevin Kelly, Head of Policy, Partnership and External Affairs, Vision Ireland.

Kevin and Nina had an engaging discussion exploring the future of lived experience representation at Vision Ireland, with a special focus on their innovative Wayfinding Centre project. Kevin shared valuable insights into how authentic representation shapes their initiatives and vision for the future.

Inspired to enhance lived experience representation in your own organisation? Or interested in learning more about Vision Ireland and the Wayfinding Centre? We'd love to connect.

Please email:

Nina Chesworth, Lived Experience and Campaigns Coordinator, Visionary  

Kevin Kelly, Head of Policy, Partnership and External Affairs, Vision Ireland

You can find out more about the Way Finder Centre on their website.

Thank you to Andre Lewis Shorts who provided the music and Steve Nutt at Computer Rooms who edited the episode.

Nina joined Visionary in April 2023 as Projects and Campaigns Co-ordinator. At the time of recording Nina is fairly new into the sector. Nina’s career to this point has been one filled with creativity and entrepreneurship. Nina has a background in volunteering within the sight loss sector and is a woman with lived experience that has helped to provide a diverse and unique outlook to all she has done. Nina is hoping to bring a positivity to the sector and is ever the optimist. As part of the Visionary team she will be working to drive forward making lived experience matter.  

If you wish to find out more about the work Nina does or want to connect, get in touch with the team at Visionary on at [email protected]  

Credits:

Producer: Steve Nutt, Computer Room

Music: Andre Louis, Andre Louis Shorts