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Our Projects
Community Connect
2023 – 2026
Community Connect sought to transform activities and venues in York, making them more inclusive and accessible. We worked with local organisations to help them become recognised as a Sight Loss Friendly provider in York. In order to make this possible, we strove to empower our members with confidence to participate fully in local activities, helping outcome isolation, feel included, and maintain independence.
Funded by the National Lottery Reaching Communities Fund
What Community Connect set out to achieve
The goal was to support 40 local organisations in York to become more sight loss friendly within three years. To have 1,000 engagements with members of the public in raising awareness and invite over 50 consultants with sight loss to make constructive assistive comments on local organisations.
What we set out to achieve:
Our aim was for 50 consultants with sight loss to gain confidence and reduce isolation by being involved in the project. For organisations, our desired outcomes, for 40 local organisations, were to support their growth in confidence and skill level in welcoming visitors and participants into their premises and activity.
We also worked to run stalls and events to engage in raising sight loss awareness for members of the public.
What Community Connect achieved
We worked with 87 organisations to improve accessibility and inclusion for people with sight loss, providing guidance, training and support tailored to their needs. As a result of this work, six organisations and their activities achieved Sight Loss Friendly Status in York via Community Connect.
Cuppa and a Chorus with The National Centre for Early Music:
Sight Loss Friendly in York status achieved: September 2025.
Guided Sensory Tours at Treasurer’s House - National Trust:
Sight Loss Friendly in York status achieved: May 2025.
York Festival of Ideas - University of York Events Team:
Sight Loss Friendly in York status achieved: June 2026.
Chair Exercise at MySight York (Xercise Fitness Haxby):
Sight Loss Friendly in York status achieved: December 2025.
Sensory Tours at Holy Trinity Church Goodramgate (The Churches Conservation Trust):
Sight Loss Friendly in York status achieved: October 2025.
Battle of Stamford Bridge Tapestry Project:
Sight Loss Friendly in York status achieved: December 2025.
Who made it possible
Our Community Connect project was made possible by: Community Fund, The National Lottery.
And supported by a wide range of organisations throughout the three year project:
Year 1:
Shared Story CIC, Wonderlab Exhibition at the National Railway Museum, Sensory Coffee Tasting with Aromalabs.
Year 2:
Guided Tours at Treasurer’s House (National Trust), Piano Instruction with Doves Tutoring, VI Tennis with York Disability Tennis Network, Chair Exercise at MySight York (Xercise Fitness Haxby), Seated Tai Chi and Qi Gong at MySight York (UK Tai Chi), VI Golf with York Golf Club, U3A Haxby and Wigginton Walking Group, Digital Friendly York, Toy Like Me, Sign and Speak Ltd, Music with Catherine, York Sport (University of York) adaptive cycling for children, Get Cycling CIC adaptive cycling for children.
Year 3:
York Festival of Ideas (University of York Events Team), St Anthony’s Sensory Garden with York Conservation Trust, Harland Millar Art Exhibition at York Art Gallery (York Museums Trust), Sensory Tours at Holy Trinity Church Goodramgate (Churches Conservation Trust), Battle of Stamford Bridge Tapestry Project, Cuppa and a Chorus at the National Centre for Early Music, Try the Train with TransPennine Express, Gym access at Burnholme Leisure Centre (Better), British Blind Sport training session.
Additionally, we piloted one-to-one technology support for clients, delivered by staff and volunteers. This included demonstrations and training sessions provided by a range of partner organisations. We also introduced digital cafés in collaboration with local organisations, creating welcoming spaces for people to build their confidence and skills with technology.
A Lasting Legacy
The project helped build confidence, create stronger partnerships, and raise awareness of the importance of accessibility and inclusion. By sharing our experience and learning as a local charity, we have contributed to wider conversations, including on a national level, about how communities and organisations can promote accessibility and be inclusive.
2025 Visionary Awards
Won the Accelerating Impact Award for the Community Connect project.
2023 Visionary Awards
Won the Children and Young People Award for the Sensory Storytelling Project
One of the most valuable aspects of the project has been its commitment to lived experience leadership, ensuring that people with sight loss have helped shape its direction and impact. This approach will continue to guide our work as we build on the project's legacy through our current project, Digital Vision: Bridging the Digital Divide After Sight Loss.
