The Royal National Institute of Blind People award recognised the founder of Eye Matter

An Edgware local has won a Royal National Institute of Blind People (RNIB) See Differently Award in recognition of an organisation she founded to provide multi-activity, peer support and social inclusion for blind and partially sighted people.

Suzie Simons, who has sight loss and is the founder and CEO of Eye Matter, won Volunteer of the Year. The category is sponsored by Woods Valldata, and the award recognises people who have dedicated their time, skills and energy within their community or organisation to have a positive impact on the lives, health, and wellbeing of blind and partially sighted people.

Founded five and a half years ago, Simons set up Eye Matter after volunteering as a facilitator at RNIB’s Living Well with Sight Loss (LWWSL) courses and seeing firsthand the difference peer support can make for blind and partially sighted people, like herself. Simons has also trained other Eye Matter volunteers to deliver RNIB’s LWWSL course. She has raised over £25,000 for the charity to date.

Simons volunteers full-time with the organisation and facilitates four online sessions every week for members. The sessions include VI cookery, audio-described chair yoga, poetry appreciation and concerts performed by artists with sight loss.

Last year, Simons organised 36 face-to-face events, including Eye Matter’s inaugural sports day which saw over thirty members come together with sighted guides to take part in a range of VI sports, as well audio-described theatre, museums and two Eye Matter Choir concerts.

On winning the award, Simons said: “It feels amazing to win this award; Eye Matter has been running for over five years and it will continue to strive to support people living with sight loss. The ceremony was inspiring, and it was great to be in a room with so many other blind and partially sighted people and listening to their stories and experiences.”

Laura Chow, Head of Charities at People’s Postcode Lottery, said: “We are delighted to support the RNIB See Differently Awards. It’s a fantastic opportunity to spotlight all the great work that is happening in the sight loss sector. Congratulations to all the nominees and winners; your contributions are a shining example of how we can work together to make a life-changing impact for blind and partially sighted people.”

RNIB CEO Matt Stringer said: “The RNIB See Differently Awards celebrate the amazing stories and achievements of so many people and organisations who generously share their lived experience and professional knowledge.”

The RNIB See Differently Awards, supported by People’s Postcode Lottery,celebrate outstanding work supporting people with sight loss. Hosted by standup comedian, Jamie MacDonald, the awards took place on Tuesday 21st May and recognised exceptional individuals and teams across seven categories: Campaigner of the Year, Eye Care Professional of the Year, Best Content Creator of the Year, Team of the Year, Employer of the Year, Volunteer of the Year and Design for Everyone Award.

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