John Sole

Chair

Tell us who you are,

Hi, I’m John Sole. I joined MySight York as a Trustee in February 2023 and became Chair of the Trustees in Autumn 2023.

I have worked in the charitable and not-for-profit sector for over 25 years, including roles with RNIB, social enterprises, advocacy services, and regulated care management. I currently serve as Head of Transformation and Strategy at Blind Veterans UK.

Why Did You Become a MySight York Trustee?

Living with Nystagmus—which was even less well known when I was growing up and navigating education in the 60s and 70s—and registering as partially sighted in the 80s, I’ve learned many lessons and coping strategies through various jobs and by navigating both physical and social environments.

It’s interesting to reflect on society’s progress—or lack thereof—depending on the situation. From this lived experience, I want to ensure we do everything we can to remove barriers for anyone with sight loss.

What Do You Most Enjoy About Being a Trustee?

I enjoy sharing the commitment to make a difference, as well as exchanging knowledge, ideas, and support across the sector and within the local community.

Hearing first-hand about people’s challenges—and how MySight York is helping to address them—is incredibly rewarding.

What Do You Do Away from MySight York?

I’m a grandfather and love being part of my grandchild’s journey as they grow up—exhausting but rewarding!

We’ve moved into a house built in the late 1800s, which means plenty of DIY—most of which goes surprisingly well!

My early career was in horticulture, commercial growing, and landscaping. I still love gardening and am enjoying the challenge of restoring our neglected garden to its former glory.

When the weather turns cold and wet, I swap the garden tools for the kitchen and enjoy spending time cooking.

Scott Jobson

Chief Executive

I joined MySight York as Chief Executive in June 2020, bringing over 20 years of experience across the voluntary and public sectors. For more than a decade, I held senior leadership roles at RNIB, where I led national and regional teams focused on fundraising, strategic development, campaigns and community engagement.

Since arriving at MySight York, I’ve helped guide the organisation through some of our most challenging times. As a result, we’ve restructured the team, broadened our services, and strengthened the organisation to be more resilient, responsive, and inclusive.

I also serve as Regional Chair for Visionary, the national network of local sight loss charities, and represent the sector on the Eye Care Steering Group, part of our regional Integrated Care Board (ICB). My focus is on ensuring that blind and partially sighted people are not only heard but actively involved in shaping services and solutions, by embedding the Eye Care Support Pathway.

Leading MySight York is a real privilege, I get to work alongside an incredible team and support a vibrant community of people who inspire me every day

Annette Gamston

Trustee

Tell us who you are.

Hi, I am Annette Gamston and I have been a trustee of MySight York since 2019. I am a Yorkshire lass, born in Ripon and, having lived all over the country, find myself back in glorious Yorkshire with my partner, his son and Jennie the cat.

Why did you become a MySight Trustee?

As a project manager who has worked across multiple industries, I am lucky enough to have had some great roles and it feels right to give back. I wanted to work with a local charity and, as I have family members with eyesight challenges, MySight seemed the ideal fit.

What do you most enjoy about being a Trustee?

Spending time with likeminded people in support of MySight. I enjoy helping MySight to run effectively so that the staff team can get on and deliver what they do so brilliantly.

What do you do away from MySight?

Away from MySight, I am still a freelance project manager.

Family wise, we are often outside, cycling, walking, camping, gardening etc. Indoors, we all love reading, films, cooking and a bit of DIY on our old house.

Mike Crouch

Trustee

I was a Trustee, Vice Chairman and a befriender of  MySight York (known as YBPSS) for many years until 2009 when I retired and moved to South Northamptonshire to be nearer my children and grandchildren.

I continued with trusteeships of a number of charities down here and found that one of the benefits of the Covid Pandemic was that organisations could still operate effectively by having remote meetings, e.g. by Zoom.

Having maintained my contact with MySight York over the years this seemed like an ideal opportunity to formally support it again, albeit from 160 miles away, by attending meetings remotely.

After due consideration the Board agreed and here I am again!

Andrea Glover

Vice Chair

Hello everyone, I’m Andrea and I’m proud to serve as Vice Chair of the Board of Trustees at MySight York. I joined the Board in 2023, drawn by the charity’s deep roots in the community and its commitment to empowering people with sight loss. I believe strongly in the power of inclusion and accessibility and I wanted to contribute my skills and experience to an organisation that shares those values.

My background spans both the commercial and third sectors. I spent many years in senior fundraising and leadership roles at RNIB, where I led national and international programmes, including the sector’s response to the humanitarian crisis in Ukraine. I’ve also worked in strategy, performance and stakeholder engagement, and I’m passionate about inclusive innovation and social impact.

For me, being a trustee is about giving back with purpose, supporting an organisation that makes a tangible difference in people’s lives and helping to build a more inclusive future for all. So, I’m excited to continue contributing to the future of MySight York and to ensure we remain responsive, resilient and rooted in the needs of our community.

Caroline Clifford

Trustee

I have lived in York 20 years now and my day job is managing a compliance team for a charity involved in the training industry.

I hope my knowledge and experience will contribute to helping the board in leading the organisation and ensuring good governance.

Since I joined the board of trustees, both my parents have been diagnosed with medical conditions which affect their eyesight.

This means my contribution to MySight has a much more personal relevance to me that it did when I first volunteered.

Dr Bethan O'Leary

Trustee

Hello, I’m Beth and I joined MySight York as a Trustee in January 2025.

I am an environmental researcher and project manager who believes in designing a word where people and nature can live well.
I joined the board because I believe in MySight York’s mission. As someone who has lived with uveitis and glaucoma, I understand first-hand some of the challenges of navigating healthcare, accessibility, and everyday life with sight loss. I hope to use this lived experience to help ensure MySight York continues to be truly responsive to our community’s needs.

Outside of trustee work, I love being active and outdoors whenever I can, whether that’s working on my allotment, walking, or practicing yoga.
I’m excited to support MySight York’s future and play a part in making a difference for others living with sight loss.