e-Newsletter – January 2023

Thursday 26 January, 7.00pm – 8.00pm

Hear from Retina UK supporters Chris and Caryn, as well as our very own Information and Support Coordinator Mark Baxter as they share their thoughts on fundraising and the physical and emotional benefits it’s brought them. From completing marathons to jumping out of planes, displaying collection tins to giving awareness-raising speeches, they’ve taken on fundraising big and small.

They’ll share the many positive benefits they’ve experienced through fundraising, including for their emotional wellbeing, some of them unexpected.

You’ll have the opportunity to ask questions and the Retina UK team will also be on hand to let you know more about the ways you can get involved with Retina UK. Register now.

Our next webinar, Ask the Expert with Simon Keightley, will be on Thursday 23 February. Ask your question on our registration page

We’re excited to confirm that our Professionals’ and Annual Conferences (and AGM) will be held in-person and online this year. The in-person venue is the University of Westminster, Marylebone Campus (directly opposite Madame Tussauds) in London.

If you would like to receive an email reminder when registration opens, please follow the links below:

• Professionals’ Conference: Friday 23 June
• Annual Conference: Saturday 24 June

Support from companies could have a massive impact on the pre-clinical research Retina UK funds into potential new treatments for inherited sight loss. Companies could benefit in various ways from supporting our work.

Do you, or a friend or family, member work for a company that supports charities? If so, our friendly fundraising team would love to hear from you. Please do get in touch with us, email: fundraising@RetinaUK.org.uk or call 01280 815900.

Our Local Peer Support Group meetings are going from strength to strength with lots of meetings planned for 2023 already. Details of all of our Groups can be found at RetinaUK.org.uk/groups .

• Edinburgh (in-person): Wednesday 19 April, 1.00pm – 3.00pm
  Speaker: Jo Hill, Patient Support Worker for Visibility Scotland.
• Glasgow (in-person): Wednesday 1 March, 11.00am – 1.00pm
  Speaker: TBC
• Hampshire (in-person): Monday 27 March, 10.30am – 12.30pm
  Speaker: Dr Rebecca Kaye from Southampton University.
• Isle of Wight (in-person): Monday 13 February, 11.00am
  Social catch up
• Kent (online): Wednesday 25 January, 7.00pm – 8.00pm
  Speaker: Claire Parish, Senior Employment Support Officer from The Education People (TEP), Kent County Council.
• London (online): Sunday 22 January, 11.00am – 1.00pm
  Topic: Smart tech, gadgets and apps
• Manchester (in-person): Saturday 4 February, 12.00pm – 2.30pm
  Social catch-up.
• National (online): Thursday 30 March, 7.00pm – 8.00pm
  Topic: The world of Touch Tours
• Oxford (online): Thursday 9 February, 7.00pm – 8.00pm
  Speaker: Aleena Viepadan from the Oxford Eye Hospital
• West Midlands (online): Tuesday 24 January, 7.00pm – 8.00pm
  Speaker: Zoe Bates, Employment & Benefits Coordinator for Sense.

Are you looking for a new activity for 2023? Retina UK are looking for volunteers to help grow their Local Peer Support Group Network.

“I already feel part of the team, the energy and enthusiasm is wonderful and I’m so glad that Retina UK are doing this” – Perm, West Midlands.

If this is something you may be interested in please email volunteering@RetinaUK.org.uk to arrange a chat.

Whether you want to walk, run or cycle, join #TeamRetinaUK in 2023. With places available in top events including the TCS London Marathon, Great North Run, RideLondon and the LakeDistrict Challenge – choose your 2023 Challenge today.