E-Newsletter Sign Up
Read stories about the people we support, find out what’s coming up, and useful contacts and information in our Autumn 2025 newsletter.
Autumn 2025 Newsletter
Contents
“I don’t know where I would be today if it wasn’t for the support MyVision gave me” – Matilda.
Upcoming Events
Museums and Touch Tours
- Pitt Rivers Museum: 11th September.
- Pets and Poetry: Weston Library – 18th September.
- Forensic Archaeology Workshop: Museum of Natural History – 4th October.
- Weston Library: 9th October.
- Harcourt Arboretum: 13th November.
ActivEyes Events
Pub Social:
- 21st August, 18th September, 16th October, 20th November.
Visually Impaired Tennis:
- 21st August, 25th September, 23rd October, 27th November.
In the Community
- Accessible Boat Trip: Wallingford – 1st September.
- Houses of Parliament: 1st September.
- Paddle and Goalball: Falcon Rowing Club – 6th September.
- Windsor Castle: 9th September.
- Nuffield Place: 11th September.
- Faringdon Audio Cinema: Corn Exchange -26th November.
A Message From Mark, Our CEO
It’s been a busy, and somewhat hot summer! In June we had 38 participants at Walk Oxford, including myself and many other staff, volunteers and supporters. We also held our Annual Raffle, raising money to ensure we can support you along your journey. You can find out more about these efforts in the Fundraising Update.
At the end of the summer we’ll sadly be saying goodbye to Katie, our excellent Volunteer Coordinator, she’ll be moving to Cardiff to do a Masters degree. Thank you, Katie, for all your hard work over the last few years. In the next issue we’ll hopefully introduce you to our new Volunteer Coordinator.
There are a couple of things I’d like to highlight in this newsletter. Firstly, our survey, which should be enclosed. This is a piece of research we are conducting to better understand how visually impaired people are living in Oxfordshire. Please do fill it out or contact us to do it over the phone. Lastly, you’ll find information below about our AGM being held in Banbury. We’ll be reviewing the year, showcasing our work, and connecting with members and supporters in the local area. If you can, please do join us. I hope to see you at the AGM of another activity soon.
Mark.
AGM 2025 – Banbury Town Hall
The Chair and Trustees invite you to the Annual General Meeting of MyVision Oxfordshire on 29th September 2025 from 10:30am – 12noon at Banbury Town Hall, 1 Bridge Street, Banbury, OX16 5QB.
Nominations for trustees must be made by a member by 31st August.
Contact us for information regarding transport options to the AGM.
If you would like an audio or electronic version of our accounts ahead of the meeting, contact us or visit our website. The accounts will be available two weeks prior to the AGM.
Find out more about the MyVision Oxfordshire AGM 2025.
Green Walks Groups
Didcot – Cornerstone Arts Centre at 11am.
- 28th August, 12th September , 25th September, 10th October, 31st October, 14th November, 27th November.
Abingdon – Café Aroma at 11am.
- 29th August, 8th September, 29th September, 13th October, 27th October, 10th November, 24th November.
Banbury – Mill Arts Centre at 10am.
- 20th August, 3rd September, 17th September, 1st October, 15th October, 5th November, 19th November.
Witney – Waitrose at 10:30am.
- 8th September, 2nd October, 16th October, 6th November, 20th November.
Bicester – at 10:30. Location changes monthly
- 1st October, 18th November.
East Oxford – Flo’s Café in the Park at 10am.
- 25th September, 23rd October, 27th November.
Oxford – Meeting at 1:30pm
- Bradbury Lodge 9th September.
- Carfax Tower 14th October.
- University Parks 11th November.
Sammy and Tom pictured together after finishing the 10 mile route of Walk Oxford, to raise funds and awareness for our Green Walks Project.
“I never thought I’d manage it. The most I’ve ever walked is 5 miles. I feel so proud of myself!” – Tom
Fundraising Update
Walk Oxford Success!
We want to say a huge thank you and well done to all the people who took part in Walk Oxford, including the teams from the Eye Hospital, VI team, Active Oxfordshire and Ivan Cammack Opticians. The group of 38 walkers raised a whopping £8,838.
Want to register your interest for Walk Oxford 2026? Visit: www.myvision.org.uk/myvision-oxfordshire-walk-oxford/
Four of the MyVision Walk Oxford team in front of the MyVision Gazebo.
Sammy holding up her certificate.
Sammy’s Daring Skydive
On 12th July, our very own Sammy took to the skies and bravely completed a skydive. It was an incredible achievement that not only pushed personal boundaries but also raised an impressive £735.
Fancy doing a skydive yourself? Contact us at Fundraising@MyVision.org.uk for more details.
Summer Raffle – Thank You for Your Support!
A big congratulations to all the lucky winners of this year’s raffle! We want to extend our thanks to 001 Taxis, our generous prize sponsors, and everyone who purchased tickets. Together, you helped raise an incredible £3,578.
Three Raffle tickets being held up.
Save the date – MyVision Winter Concert
28th November 2025, Cornerstone Arts Centre, Didcot. Thanks to David and Sue Hawkins for organising this on behalf of MyVision.
Social Groups
We have loads of groups meeting up this Autumn. From coffee and catch ups, to well-being sessions and VI tennis, there is something for everyone. Click the button below to find a group near you.
Matilda’s Story: Gaining Independence and a New Outlook
Matilda’s world began to blur around the age of 14, with her vision intermittently coming and going. By 15, her sight had settled into a constant blur. Despite numerous tests, a definitive cause remained elusive. She was diagnosed with Ehlers-Danlos syndrome, a genetic condition affecting connective tissue, but doctors couldn’t definitively link it to her sight loss, leaving her without a clear diagnosis or predictable path. This complex and theoretical situation made things incredibly difficult.
Before finding MyVision Oxfordshire, Matilda faced significant challenges with independence. She resisted seeking help and was nervous about leaving her home, often relying on others. There were days she barely left the house, feeling isolated and overwhelmed.
Around 17, she was referred to MyVisionOxfordshire, where she met Jamie, our Technology Officer. Their initial sessions focused on building her confidence and practical skills. Jamie taught her to use voiceover on her phone which helped navigate local routes, starting with simple trips to the small Tesco and back. MyVision offered advice on everyday tasks like boiling a kettle safely and doing the washing independently. With continued support, Matilda gained the confidence to do her local food shop and even walk her dog independently.
Matilda standing in front of her house with her cane
MyVision also provided a community, offering social activities like ice skating and a music group, connecting her with other visually impaired people.As university became a goal, MyVision helped her prepare for independent living, exploring cooking skills by introducing talking appliances like clocks and scales. When she received her new laptop with voiceover software, MyVision’s technology training was instrumental in showing her shortcuts and mastering the technology for her studies.
Today, Matilda is thriving at university, having just finished her second year. She is confident, has an amazing group of friends, and attributes much of this transformation to MyVisionOxfordshire.
“I don’t know where I would be today if it wasn’t for the support MyVision gave me,”
Her journey has given her a new, positive outlook on life; she is confident and believes she can achieve anything.
Driven by a desire to “give back,” Matilda is now volunteering with MyVision, assisting Lucy, the Children and Young People Coordinator, in organising various events. The practical skills she learned, from mastering assistive technology to managing daily tasks and embracing social interactions, are proving useful in her volunteering role and as she looks towards future employment. MyVision helped Matilda regain the confidence and belief that has allowed her to rebuild her life with optimism and purpose.
Would she recommend MyVision to others? “Definitely Yes!”
Matilda with her dog on a walk.
Matilda sitting in a field.
Children and Young People’s Events
Millets Farm – 20th August at 9am:
- This will be a fun day out for families in the Maize maze.
Millets Farm – 20th August at 1:30pm:
- This is a theatre production of Robin Hood with a behind the scenes touch tour before hand.
Narrow boat ride – 23rd August at 12pm:
- This is a boat trip in Banbury on the Dancing Duck.
Sensory storytelling experience – 26th August:
- This is at the Story Museum in Oxford where you can experience stories brought to life.
Cotswold airport – 28th August:
- This involves a tour of a vintage plane.
Smelling and tasting experience – 29th August:
- This is at Bird and blend where you can try every possible flavour of tea.
Make-up workshop – 5th September:
- This is at Charlotte Tilbury in John Lewis, Westgate centre.
Clip and Climb or Poetry – 27th October:
- This is at the Clip ‘n’ Climb in Bicester, and is in two sessions, a climbing session at 9am, and a potery workshop at 10am.
Children and Young People’s Gaming Group
Our Gaming Group still meets regularly. Recently they have created a new game from scratch, doing all the coding, voices, and rules themselves, with the help from Jamie.
Here’s how to play:
The computer thinks of a number, and you try to guess what it is. The goal is to guess the number in as few tries as you can. The game will even tell you if your guess is too high or too low. The Game is fully accessible to blind and visually impaired players. Want to try it yourself?
Visit: www.myvision.org.uk/number-detective-game/ to play.
Aimée Tuzzio: Our Newest Trustee
Aimée was born with sight loss, with her vision now limited to roughly 2% tunnel vision in one eye. Her parents taught her to be strong and independent in a sighted world, encouraging her to achieve her goals despite the challenges.
Aimée found MyVision a few years ago and has been an active member of the Banbury SocialEyes group. She became a trustee to give back to the charity that has supported her, seeing it as an opportunity for her voice to be heard as a blind parent and full-time worker. Aimée hopes her personal experience of living a full life with sight loss, combined with her skills in adult mental health, will offer a valuable and different viewpoint to the current team of trustees.
Aimee Tuzzio
Life With Sight Loss Survey – Win a £50 Voucher!
We’re inviting visually impaired people across Oxfordshire to share their experiences in our crucial 2025 Survey. Once you complete it, you have the chance to be entered into a £50 prize draw.
Your insights from this survey will directly inform our work, helping us better understand and address the needs within our community regarding wellbeing, lifestyle, and technology.
Visit www.MyVision.org.uk/life-with-sight-loss/, to take part in the survey.
Humanware Event
Download the Autumn 2025 Newsletter
