e-Newsletter June 2026

Join us on 19 September for the Retina UK Annual Conference, taking place in Birmingham and online. This free event brings together individuals and families affected by inherited sight loss for a day of connection, insight and support.

You’ll hear from expert speakers and people with lived experience, with sessions covering the latest research and clinical trials, assistive technology, and real-life perspectives on living with sight loss.

Book your place online, or call our office on 01280 821334 to register over the phone. In-person spaces are limited, so early booking is recommended.

Retina UK will be hosting a spectacular gala dinner as the grand finale to our 50th anniversary year and you’re invited. Join us on Saturday, 24 October 2026 at the Hilton on Park Lane in London for a truly unforgettable evening and the culmination of our special year. You don’t want to miss it! Find out more and buy your tickets.

They are selling very quickly; you can buy your ticket on the above link or if you need any more information then please contact Maria Seymour on 01280 821334.

Researchers from the Child Vision Lab at University College London (UCL) have asked us to share an opportunity to participate in a study that aims to understand how the brain adapts to changes in vision. Please note that you must be aged between 16-60 and have experienced sight loss before the age of 10 to be eligible for this study. Please find some information from the researchers below and contact them directly if you are interested in participating.
There are two parts to the study, and you are welcome to do one or both.

• Calls from home: A short phone call and a longer video call. We will talk about your background and your experience with your eye condition, and go through some tasks looking at how your brain processes and stores information.
• Brain scan: A Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) scan, which takes detailed pictures of your brain. You may also do a short task while in the scanner.

You will only be asked to do things you are comfortable with and you can stop at any time without giving a reason. If you are interested, our team will provide you with detailed explanations of each task.  If you choose to take part in our in-person session, we will be happy to reimburse your travel costs.

The study will be running over the summer, with appointments available from the beginning of June. In-person sessions take place at the Birkbeck-UCL Centre for Neuroimaging located at 26 Bedford Way, London, WC1H 0AP. The site is in central London and well connected by public transport.

If you would like to take part, or simply want to know more about the study, we would love to hear from you. You can register your interest until the end of July, and a member of our team will then be in touch to share more information and answer any questions you may have. There is no pressure to decide right away.

Email us: [email protected]

Our upcoming webinar features four young adults sharing their personal experiences of living with inherited sight loss.

In this session, our speakers will explore what it means to navigate early adulthood with a visual impairment, offering insights into key areas of life including hobbies, friendships, travel, and being involved with Retina UK.

This is a opportunity to hear real stories, learn from lived experiences, and gain practical perspectives on building independence, maintaining connections, and embracing opportunities.

Whether you are personally affected by inherited sight loss, supporting someone who is, or simply looking to better understand these experiences, this webinar promises to be informative and uplifting.

Date: 30 July
Time: 7pm
Location: Online

Register now: Webinar: living well with inherited sight loss: a young adults perspective – Retina UK

The Retina UK online auction is already generating excitement, with supporters bidding on a fantastic range of items and experiences to help raise vital funds for our work. Over the coming weeks, we’ll be adding even more prizes, giving you plenty of opportunities to get involved. If you haven’t visited the auction yet, now is the perfect time to take a look – and if you’ve already placed a bid, be sure to check back regularly for new additions. Every bid makes a difference, supporting the important work we do in our community. Thank you for your support, and happy bidding!

“I have been part of the lived experiences panel for over a year and feel privileged that I have something to share with others which may be of interest and/or value. This is not just about my experiences, learning or adaptability but also about improvements in accessibility and an easier life! If one person, at least, benefits from my words then I have fulfilled my goal.”

Do you want the opportunity to contribute to sight loss research? Sign up to our Lived Experience Panel today using the button below!

Sign up to our lived experience panel

We’re pleased to be attending Vision Zone 2026 in Perth on Tuesday 11 August (11am–2pm) at Vision PK, 17–19 George Street, Perth, PH1 5JY.This free drop-in event brings together a range of organisations offering assistive technology, support, and services for people living with sight loss.

Come along to meet the Retina UK team, find out more about our work, and connect with others in your local community. No booking required – we’d love to see you there.

‘Talking’ Books Peer Support Group
Wednesday 17 June – 7pm to 8pm – Online
Please come and join facilitators Cindy & Jane for our latest meeting where we are delighted to welcome our guest speaker, Helen Mee from Calibre Audio.

‘Talking’ Home & Garden Peer Support Group
Tuesday 23 June – 7pm to 8pm – Online
Please come and join facilitators Brian & Steve along with our guest speaker Ellis Ellis from Vision Aid who will be getting hands on with some products from home assistive tech company Unwired Things.

Men’s Peer Support Group
Thursday 25 June – 7pm to 8.30pm – Online
Come and join Mark Baxter and the group for our latest Men’s Peer Support Group online social catch up.

Scotland Regional Peer Support Group
Thursday 2 July – 7pm to 8pm – Online
Please come and join our Glasgow group facilitator, Sarah Speed and Retina UK Ambassador, Colin Hetherington for a Summer online region-wide Scotland Peer Support Group meeting.

*Save The Date* London & Southeast Local Peer Support Group
Saturday 4 July – 12pm to 5pm – In-person
River cruise along the Thames and visit to Kew Gardens. More information will be available soon.

South Wales Peer Support Group
Saturday 11 July – 12pm to 4pm – In-person
Please come and join facilitator Stuart Francis and our South Wales Peer Support Group for their first in-person get together at The Prince of Wales pub in Cardiff City Centre.

‘Talking’ Tech Peer Support Group
Tuesday 14 July – 7pm to 8pm – Online
Please come and join Anna & Ellie for our latest meeting where we are delighted to welcome our guest speaker Ellis Ellis from Vision Aid who will be giving a live audible demo of some of their products.

Women’s Peer Support Group
Tuesday 28 July – 7pm to 8pm – Online
Please come and join Perm & Danielle for their latest meet up where we are delighted to welcome our inspirational guest speaker Emma Jayne Basudev who will be talking to us about mindfulness.

Tyne & Wear / Northern Alliance Peer Support Group
Saturday 22 August – 1pm to 7pm – In-person
Come and join Colin and the group at the Tyneside Irish Centre for their latest in-person event in Newcastle.

For more information and to be kept up to date with peer support group activity please visit the Events page on our website – https://retinauk.org.uk/information-and-support/services/local-peer-support-groups/

Stay connected… Join a WhatsApp Group!
If you are unable to make one of our many Peer Support Groups either online or in-person, then why not join one of our WhatsApp group chats? We currently have chats for the following groups: –

• ‘Talking’ Tech
• ‘Talking’ Books
• Men’s
• Women’s
• Young Adults
• Scotland
• London & Southeast
• Belfast
• Manchester
• Berkshire
• Dorset & Southwest
• South Wales

For more information on how to join a group, please contact [email protected] or call our Helpline on 0300 111 4000.

Dreaming of an amazing summer holiday? For just £1 a line, you could be in with the chance of winning up to £25,000 every Friday through our Retina UK Lottery! We’ve created 51 winners so far and you could be next! What would you spend your life-changing winnings on? Sign up today and support our vital work in 2026, via the website. If you would like to chat to Maria before signing up, please call 07736968158 or email [email protected].